Zaber gazed at his servants. The firelight danced across his face, deepening the shadows around his eyes.
"Fear is forcing them to obey," he said in an emotionless tone. "Unfortunately, that does not breed loyalty. The moment an opportunity arises, they will betray me."
His voice was cold, but the coldness stemmed not from indifference—it was born of experience.
X pondered this. He weighed the situation in silence as well.
"That is correct. To make them loyal, another approach is needed. Namely, soften toward them. If you do that, they will forget their place."
Zaber sighed. It was neither exhaustion nor regret—it was responsibility.
"That is true. I must find the boundary. It is not easy," he said in a low voice. "They will not always be in my sight. None of them can be trusted."
A note of satisfaction crept into X's voice.
"Do not worry. We will find the way."
Zaber did not reply. He remained silent, staring into the flames as though seeking an answer within them.
At that moment, Kargal approached Zaber. He placed his steps carefully, movements producing no excess noise.
"Master, the tent is ready. And the food."
Zaber examined Kargal closely. The skeleton's bony form stirred curiosity in him.
He stood.
"Good work."
The praise was not spoken loudly, but it carried value.
Zaber began walking toward the tent. Halfway there, he glanced at the bee's corpse. No expression crossed his eyes. Then he continued.
He sat by the fire. A hanging pot simmered quietly, the liquid inside shifting without sound.
Luna poured soup into a bowl and brought it to Zaber. Her movements were gentle but cautious.
Zaber looked at the food, then at Luna.
"What kind of meal is this?"
Luna bowed politely.
"It is soup, Master. I added more meat for you."
Zaber glanced at the bowls in Kargal and Gobuto's hands. He immediately noticed the absence of meat.
"Why did you not add meat for them?" he asked, looking at Luna.
Luna hesitated. Her voice lowered.
"Master… servants do not eat meat. Not until the master permits it."
Zaber set the bowl on the ground. The motion was not loud, but it was deliberate.
"From today, no more. From now on, serve everyone the same. I am not separate. Being your master does not mean I eat more than you."
Luna froze for a moment. Her eyes brightened, then dimmed again with caution.
"Master… do you want me to cook meat?"
Zaber replied in a cold voice.
"Yes. Cook meat. Then we will eat together."
Luna bowed.
"Thank you, Master."
She took the pot, set a smaller one, and began cooking meat. The fire crackled as fat dripped into the flames, sending them higher.
Zaber sat silently, gazing into the fire. His gaze was distant.
Gobuto and Kargal set their bowls on the ground and sat quietly. No one hurried.
Luna seared the meat briefly, added it to Kargal and Gobuto's bowls, then poured soup for herself and looked at Zaber.
Zaber surveyed the group. Everyone was watching him.
He picked up his bowl from the ground.
"Eat," he said.
And he began drinking the soup first.
The others nodded and started eating after him.
After the meal, Zaber entered the tent. Inside were a thin mattress, a blanket, and a small pillow.
He paused for a moment.
This is for me…
He looked back. The three were gathered outside, whispering. He paid no attention.
He sat on the mattress and lay back.
"I will not demean myself excessively," he thought, and settled in.
Outside, Kargal, Gobuto, and Luna spoke softly.
"Master doesn't seem that bad…"
Gobuto added.
"From the looks of it, yes." Then he turned to Luna. "You said how servants should be. I thought we would live like that from now on."
Kargal said proudly.
"Though Master appears cold, he cares for his servants."
Luna spoke hesitantly.
"When he said 'I'll kill you,' I thought I would become a slave again, just like before. But now I feel no pressure. The adventurers made me do all the work. During meals, they mocked me for their amusement. Then I ate the leftovers and sat a little. But Master waited for us without eating himself…"
Inside the tent, lying down, Zaber allowed a dark smile.
This is how it should be. A little kindness—not with words, but with actions. Then they begin to devote themselves. But even this is not enough…
He continued listening to their conversation using his mana senses.
He fell asleep in that state without noticing.
Sunlight gradually began gilding the forest canopy in gold.
Kargal and Gobuto had fallen asleep outside. They had dozed off midway through watch duty and woke when sunlight touched their faces. Both rose, rubbing their eyes.
Kargal scanned the surroundings. Noticing Luna's absence, he turned to Gobuto.
"Where did Luna go?"
Gobuto thought briefly.
"I don't know where she is."
Kargal approached the tent. The moment he parted the curtain, he saw Luna sleeping beside Zaber and froze in shock.
Idiot… he thought.
He hurried to Luna and began waking her. Luna opened her eyes and, seeing Zaber lying there, flinched in alarm.
Kargal grabbed her shoulder and drew close.
Luna looked at Kargal.
Kargal placed his index finger to his lips.
"Shhh…"
Luna rubbed her eyes and slowly stood. Kargal whispered.
"Quietly, no noise."
They tried to tiptoe out. Luna glanced back at Zaber and followed Kargal. But both were still half-asleep.
Luna stumbled and fell onto Kargal. He barely caught her.
"I said quiet…" he whispered.
Luna straightened herself. As they were about to leave, a cold voice came from behind.
"Where are you going?"
A chill ran through both their bodies instantly. They turned slowly.
The moment they met Zaber's gaze, neither could speak.
Zaber rose calmly.
"This is rude, you know. You have earned punishment."
Kargal trembled slightly.
"Master, forgive us… we woke you."
Zaber fixed his eyes on him.
"What were you doing in here that you tried to sneak out like thieves?"
Luna dropped her forehead to the ground in fear.
"Master, it is my fault. Last night, without realizing, I entered the tent and fell asleep. Kargal is not to blame."
Zaber fell silent for a moment. That silence felt like the punishment itself to Kargal and Luna—they imagined what penalty they deserved.
Zaber stepped forward.
"Do not enter my bed without permission. This is strictly forbidden. To atone for your fault, prepare breakfast quickly. Then ready yourselves to depart."
Luna lifted her head. There was no anger in Zaber's expression. Before joy could fully register at the absence of harsher punishment, she said respectfully.
"Thank you, Master. I will prepare it at once."
She hurried out. As Kargal was about to follow, Zaber turned to him.
"You stay."
Kargal turned back, bowing on one knee.
"Yes, Master."
Zaber spoke in an emotionless voice.
"I understand you tried to save her. But you must be punished for trying to hide it from me. Go. Await your penalty."
Kargal looked at Zaber trembling, then slowly exited.
Left alone in the tent, Zaber pondered.
Did I sleep with a girl…
He stepped outside and gazed at the rising sun.
"This was the first time…" he murmured softly.
Then he looked at his servants.
Kargal sat in sullen silence; Gobuto beside him tried to learn what had happened. Luna prepared breakfast in a cheerful mood.
They ate breakfast and set out once more.
Zaber tried to appreciate the scenery around him as they walked. Luna carried the large bag and followed behind.
Zaber spotted a beehive hanging from a tree. It was small, about the size of a fist. He stopped and turned to Kargal.
"Kargal, bring me that beehive."
He pointed to the hive.
Kargal, still in sullen silence, looked at Zaber.
"Yes, Master."
Zaber regarded Kargal.
"This is your punishment."
Relief appeared on Kargal's face. He exhaled lightly and ran toward the hive
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