Minor complications

The sun was starting to set when Ojou-sama called for me once more. I wasn't too keen on seeing her again, but it was not as if I could refuse.

Ojou-sama was talking on a magic vision when I was ushered into her office. And this time she wasn’t smiling.

“Yes...yes...keep me updated. No, you have your orders, do not fail me.” She cut the connection, drew deep on her cigar and starred at me.

“We are having a bit of a situation, Mr. Beta.”

“We have?”, I responded rather clumsily.

“Your unruly slaves are complicating things. Apparently, they have riled up the competition and now numerous combatants plan to withdraw from the tournament. One even threatens to destroy the city, if you and your cat aren't returned.”

“What!” But, that shouldn't be possible. Why would they…? “I-I had no idea”, I managed to stammer out.

For the next few seconds, Ojou-sama merely stared at me. It was making me rather nervous. “Please! I had nothing to do with this!”, I pleaded.

“I am inclined to believe you.” Ojou-sama finally released me from her gaze. “This is bound to backfire in spectacular fashion after all. And you don't strike me as the sort of person who would jeopardize his slaves.”

She got that right. I couldn't believe Beatrice and Fisti would do something this insane. Well, Beatrice perhaps but Fisti…on second thought, I should have seen this coming.

“In addition, members of the church are preparing to launch an investigation upon my person. They also demanded to have your position revealed via the tracking spell.”

That sounded really bad. “Does that mean the deal is off?”

Ojou-sama lighted herself a new cigar. “Mr. Beta, do you think I made it to my position if I caved to the slightest amount of pressure?”

The answer was obvious.

The crime boss puffed on her cigar. “Your slaves, Mr. Beta, are idiots. The Rasheul **** Tournament association will not divulge any information regarding the tracking spell and as long as your performance tomorrow is adequate any misgivings can be dealt with later. Naturally, it goes without saying that I will demand nothing short of perfection tomorrow.”

“There is an issue with your plan”, I pointed out. “Once I surrender to Sanakia I might be **** to tell her the truth.”

“Oh, I hope you will.”

She took her time before elaborating further, puffing on her cigar instead. “With that many complications it will be better to admit that some sort of foul play has taken place. There is no issue with that. Nothing indicates that the tournament itself or I had anything to do with it. The blame will fall on some hapless two bit criminals from the city slums. I might even attend their execution.”

“B-But I know its you”, I stammered.

“You believe it’s me.” Ojou-sama corrected me with a thin smile. “What if you where tricked? What if this is all just an elaborate ruse to frame me?”

No way.

“Your word is meaningless”, she added as if to clarify. “I rule this city. Holy Knights or Dark Lords, it matters not to me. No one can touch me.”

Could she really distort the truth to such a degree? At the very least I didn't appear as if this woman was bluffing. Ojou-sama for her part took another puff on her cigar. “Has this calmed your fears?”

“Somewhat”, I said. “But if there is no issue, why did you call for me?” There was no reason to tell me any of this, after all.

The mob boss nodded. “That should be evident to you, Mr. Beta. You will need to be punished for the transgressions of your slaves.”

The way she said that so casually send a shiver down my spine.

“Usually”, she mused. “I would take your pinky. But since that is out of the question, I take Cass.”

I took a deep breath. The way she looked at me, she did not seem to be in a very bargaining mood. “Why her?”

Ojou-sama shrugged. “Would you prefer to lose your monetary reward instead? Or your cat? Your manhood would be an acceptable price as well.”

“You are worried about what she knows”, I blurted out.

“And you are too smart for your own good. Yes, Cassandra is privy to some information that in lieu of this situation would be a bit inconvenient. I won't kill her, if that is your fear. She will simply receive the same treatment as Feena.”

“She still has her safety orders on”, I warned.

But all that got me was a grin. “Mr. Beta. I assure you the Obedience Spell is by far not as infallible as the tournament likes you to believe. Tell her she has to obey me, I take care of the rest.”

“I-I see...” To be frank, Cassandra wasn't too high on my priority list. It might be cruel but I simply did not have the luxury to look out for everyone.

“Is that all then? Good. This conversation is over. Deltz, escort Mr. Beta back to his room. And make sure he stays there.”