At the gate stood two knights who were injured just as severely if not worse than Clarence. Upon seeing him, they quickly saluted. "Senior knight Clarence, our lord Boris, has been calling for you since this morning. You must hurry to his chambers." 

Clarence studied at the two injured men "How are your injuries you two? Are you hurt? Do not worry. I shall call for a doctor once my meeting with Boris is over." As a noble Clarence believed most normal to be humans beneath him, his subordinates however were a different story. I need to return to my lands and once more be a noble, not this lackluster knight. Once I get Boris deep enough in my debt, I will return home and dispose of my foolish father. These men are faithful to me, I must repay their faith with results.

The knights were glad to hear their commanding officer was so worried about them and proudly puffed out their chests. One commented, "no need senior knight Clarence we suffered fewer injuries than you, who bravely charged that demonic filth." The second knight nodded in agreement, both having eyes of respect. 

But for Clarence, this was nothing more than a reminder of his humiliation, he gritted his teeth. He had to keep up appearances, "let's not speak of last night anymore. I was merely caught off guard by that bastard's strange magic. Now make way so I can tell our lord what needs to be done." 

Both knights saluted once more. One yelled for the cross-bridge to be lowered, with that Clarence arrogantly limped inside. 

The inside of the castle was extravagantly large. Even Clarence was surprised that a castle of this magnitude could be built in such a lowly village defined by the word squalor. One would think a prince or relative of the king lived in such an establishment where else would the resources to build it come from. I always hate coming here, how dare such a fat lowly noble own this place. Clarence hurriedly limped forward, shoving a maid who was trying to help him, out of the way. In the distance was a large golden door with two lion's heads as handles.

From within loud shouting echoed, "Get the hell out of my room, you useless peasant." Boris was furiously yelling. 

A more quiet and frightened voice responded, "But my lord, you have not eaten all day, you must eat to heal. Your injuries are only skin deep. No bones have been broken." 

A loud slap echoed, then Boris's voice could be heard again, "Are you making fun of me for being fat? Sorry, I'm so fat that you have to hint at me never to eat again. You quack I asked you to tend to me wounds, not my diet. GUARDS QUICKLY DRAG THIS IDIOT TO THE DUNGEON!" 

Two men guarding the chamber quickly about-faced, opened the door, and dragged out a feeble man with glasses. As the guards dragged the man away, Clarence walked up, blocking their path. 

The two guards quickly saluted Clarence, and one reported, "Senior Knight you have returned, the lord is in a sour mood thanks to this guy, but you should quickly report your return. He will surely brighten up." Clarence merely nodded and pointed to the man in glasses, "Forget bringing him to the dungeon. For now, send him to treat our two heavily injured men. When he is done, have him await me in my chambers. Worry not about Boris's command he is not in the right mind due to the incident, but he will calm down when I report to him."

The two knights were moved. Their senior was willing to break orders just for two lowly injured guards. "Yes sir," both ecstatically saluted and heaved the doctor on his feet, guiding him to the other men.  

I would rather the doctor tend to me first, but that idiot Boris is so impatient, we'll see who laughs when all your men become more loyal to me, you lard. Pushing aside these thoughts, Clarence pulled open the golden door and limped towards the currently bedridden Boris. Clarence did notice Boris was a bit pale, but that could just be from all the pampering he received. In Clarence's opinion, even if Boris had skipped 10 meals, he would still be beyond obese. 

Boris, unaware of these thoughts, was happy to see Clarence. His strongest asset had returned safely. Boris laughed, "Ahh, welcome back, my friend. I am unfortunately short of a doctor at the moment, so your treatment will have to wait."

Clarence decided to refrain from telling Boris about him saving the doctor.  "No need for such concern, my lord. These injuries are merely superficial," Trying to appear in good condition, Clarence pounded his chest, causing him to grit his teeth. You fat lard. You left me at that tavern overnight as you were treated here safely. If not for your status as a viscount, I would fry you over an open fire.

Ignoring Clarence's obvious pain, Boris continued, "Good to hear. That means you can get right back to work. I don't need to tell you, how that demihuman is a danger to the public's well being do I?" Boris stroked his triple chin as if he were in deep thought about the issue. 

But Clarence caught the subtle message. You, fatty tossing the problem to me so quickly, DO you have no shame? Of course, Clarence did not say what he was thinking. He assured, "Of course not my lord, I have already formulated a plan of action. Shall I share mine, or perhaps you have your own." Clarence trailed off, knowing this was as far as his anger could be vented.

A sour look appeared on Boris's face doubling his chin count. Then he smiled and as if being an enlightened sage stated, "I have a few, but how will you ever learn if I do everything for you? Isn't your aspiration to return to your own kingdom one day and prove yourself to your father? This will be a good test to see how you will act in the future. Haha, or perhaps I overestimated your potential, and your father was right."

KILL! A strong killing intent surged from Clarence.

Instead of shrinking in fear, Boris looked apathetically at Clarence. If not for his increasing paleness from the pressure, Boris would be quite domineering. Boris, as if confused with tenderness, fretted, "Is there a problem, Clarence? Perhaps you should lie down."

Clarence repeatedly exhaled until he calmed down. As if he were never angry, he assured, "none my lord just the thought of that demihuman running amok caused my heart to hurt for the masses."

"Rightly said, now tell me what should be done." An armada of saliva dashed from Boris's mouth but luckily fell short of Clarence, this time at least. 

A tinge of disgust arose, but Clarence bitterly swallowed it. I need his help. I need his help. I need his help. "my lord, the answer is simple. We merely crush them with overwhelming force. I will not lie. Currently, our men lack the necessary skill to take on these monsters. But fortunately, the Blue Fire Phoenix guild is still in town, and it is the king's decree to destroy the lich."

Boris inhaled deeply, then sighed, "Good good I almost forgot about the guild I hired. But who cares about the lich? Our number one priority is that accursed demihuman."

 Clarence leaned against the bedpost as he felt his body weakening. But continued, "You may be unaware, but I remained in the tavern to complete recon. In hiding, I discovered that dashing noble with the demihuman was the lich. Not only that, but I discovered the base of operations for the two."

A glow returned to the pig's face, and he praised, "excellent young Clarence. This will be like killing two birds with one stone. Why don't we get the church to send some forces? They are all about human domination and destroying corrupt powers such as the lich…"

Clarence was appalled by the suggestion and immediately cut in as if someone was listening, "You fooool. Do you have any idea what would happen if the church came here? Forget the lich or demihuman even this town will be basked in holy fire. An inquisition will arise, and you, me, and everyone else will be purged or exiled. This land will go to the pope for "decontamination" until the end of time. No, calling upon the church is not even a final option. Summon the blue fire phoenix guild. And find a way to have a royal official make a decree offering a substantial bounty and title for anyone who kills the rare snake demihuman and lich. With those two creatures as targets inevitably, some renowned adventurers will pop up. And we will take all the credit for orchestrating the extermination campaign. "

Although Clarence yelled at him, Boris was happy to hear such a good plan, "Not a bad plan at all. I already sent a summons to the guild I hired, and for the royal decree, that is simple enough. You may not know this, but I am related to the king." A smug smile appeared on Boris's ailing pudgy face.

Clarence's jaw dropped. Impossible this pig who may not even be fully human is related to this kingdom's king.

Seeing Clarence's disbelief. Boris could feel his ego being boosted. He laughed in a not so humble way. "Ah, you don't believe me well it's not that well known. My mother is the king's grandfather's cousin's cousin's niece's brother's concubine's daughter. I am in no way in line for the crown, but I still enjoy some advantages such as this castle."

Hearing this, Clarence calmed down exponentially. Ahh, so you are basically unrelated unless one searched extremely hard. To be a noble is already a stretch, but if you were also royalty, I would go insane. The human race can only be dragged so much through the mud. Nevertheless, this makes the plan a lot simpler.  

Organizing his thoughts, Clarence complimented, "That is glorious to know my lord with your backing; we will meet no roadblocks on obliterating those two."

"Ahh, one more thing, my dear Clarence. I wish for the demihuman to be taken alive. That wouldn't be a problem, would it?" Boris gluttonously licked his lips after his request.

Now I see why you have stopped eating. It appears that demihuman will be the only thing that can satiate you. How could a refined man even consider eating that thing? Someone needs to hire a mage and make sure your bloodline is pure human. Clarence confirmed, "Of course I have no issue with that, my lord, I will make sure to notify any adventurers we recruit on that stipulation."

"Excellent. You may return to your room and rest until the guild gets here. I'll send out the request for a royal decree." Boris wiped away some sweat and nodded at a corner.

An old butler had been quietly standing in the corner. 

Clarence was surprised. He did not sense the butler until Boris nodded, and he couldn't help but stare with caution. 

Boris snorted, "Don't mind Alfred. He is just one of the privileges from being of royal blood. But, to be honest, other than delivering messages, he is quite useless." 

Clarence only blankly nodded his head and quickly limped away from the room.  

 Boris leaned his head back on the pillow. His earlier boasting and cockiness disappeared when talking to the butler, "What do you think of his plan Alfred?"

Alfred quickly half bowed to Boris then replied, "my lord that brat's plan is certainly a good one, but I worry he may not have your best interests in mind. I will deliver the decree to the king's royal court, but I will only have you noted as the mastermind. Let him play in the shadows all he wants. If he lacks the strength to openly gather power, he can't blame you for helping to keep him hidden" a wry chuckle escaped after this suggestion. 

Thinking about Clarence's palpable thirst for power. Boris smiled fondly, causing his face to become a perfect circle. He chuckled, "Mmm, alright, if you believe that is what's best. But still throw the boy a bone. He reminds me of my younger self, such unrestrained thirst for power. Humanity is in dire need of young men like him" 

Alfred spoke matter of factly, "Of course my lord, he will be remembered as a most important pawn. If nothing else should the plan fail, all blame can rightly be pushed to him, then he'll have no choice but to continue serving you for more merit."

Boris grumbled, "How dangerous do you reckon the Lich and demihuman to be?"

Alfred rubbed his chin in thought, "If the boy is strong enough to throw a runic knight with ease, he must be fairly strong. We can't be sure how strong, but from my own investigation on the matter, he traded blows with William Feniks and survived, so his strength is not to be scoffed at. Then the fact the battle between the two did not end with bloodshed must mean William is not likely to accept any quests related to the boy. The number of renowned adventurers willing to come will not be substantial for an unknown entity such as him. We know for sure the lich is nearing the earth changing rank and will be a force to be reckoned with. For now, we will only report the lich as the main target with the boy as its collaborator. That brat was right. Best not to get the church involved, so we will withhold info on the boy. If all else fails, the kingdom's dragon knights will have to be called in. In that scenario, you will be robbed of the demihuman and all credit." 

"Let's hope it does not escalate that far, quickly summon the guild, and spread the news of our request through the adventurer's guild and the royal court." Boris closed his eyes to rest.