Chapter 41 - Robert's first working day
Going inside the shack after his train, Vlad noticed that the boys woke up.
Without saying a thing to them, he walked to the table placed at the corner of the shack and began eating some fruits.
Along the way, he was staring at the boys as they prepared for their working day inside the mine. After finishing some fruits from the temple's garden, he asked the two boys who finished washing.
"Ready for the gallery? Hmm, you would hear a commotion down the deepest point, those crazy guys would have a heated argument about a certain topic. If it enters your ears just ignore it."
Kipset nodded his head, and after getting inside some clothes and going to the table, he asked Vlad a bit curious.
"Brother Vlad, that power you showed yesterday, is that a devil fruit power?"
"That's correct Kipset, I think this power is called Devil Powers. I'm now a Blood Human. I can control blood, yours, mines. Or other animals it doesn't matter."
"Wow, that's really awesome brother Zagreus, so can you control my blood?" asked Inorra, who arrived later at the table to eat something.
"No, I can only control my blood. Maybe also yours in the near future after I fully master this power."
"Would that make you invincible? Controlling other lives in your hand." asked Inorra with shining eyes.
"Haha, there's nothing invincible young Inorra. No one is perfect, no one is invincible, not even god. So don't think of me like that and start boosting about that I'm some invincible being. I'm still human while controlling some slightly unique powers."
"Brother Vlad, but if I think about it. There's no tree in the camp, so how could you find a devil fruit in this place? The stories tell that those mystical fruits grow only in trees. "
"There's also no animals here, but who says other places don't have it. Story short, there's a place that you guys don't have to bother knowing."
"So there's also from where that annoying fuck comes from?" said Inorra while pointing at Aerius lying on Vlad's bed.
Vlad just nodded his head, picking another fruit from the stash of fruits he brought.
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After some minutes, the boys finished their preparations, Vlad turned his attention to Robert and said to him as if resembling the crazy miners who he grew up next to.
"Hey little Robert, got prepared emotionally for your first day at the mines?"
"Yes, sir, I think I can handle it for today." responded Robert while checking his former bruises that magically got removed after some applications of Nius ointment.
"Good, I also see that your body healed well. You just had to get used to that fishy smell. Come here and eat something."
"Thanks, big brother." responded Robert as he took a seat next to Vlad and took a fruit from the table and later other foods that Vlad took from the storage.
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Minutes passed, and Inorra, who was a bit curious about what happened last night when Vlad sparred against Nius. He asked some questions about how he felt or thought about Nius, his blood powers, and finally, after he explained to him patiently, a question arrived that bothered him a bit.
"Brother Zag, sure you have the devil fruit power. I understand that perfectly, but what about that other power, it kind of looked like what the old man did, but it was darker. Also, your appearance changed together with the whitening of your hair."
"That. Let's not talk about that young Inorra. It's a bit of a delicate subject that I wish I don't talk or share about."
Suddenly as he said that, he felt pulsing on his chest, which delivered a slight pain on his body, barely sensible.
'Piss off, and don't bother me. I don't know who you are, what you are. But you better not try pushing me around. I am the one in charge.'
Another painful jolt was sent from his chest, but it slowly quieted down.
"Brother Vlad, is everything okay?" asked Kipset while looking a bit worried at Vlad.
"Hmm, did something happen?"
"You body is sweating a lot." said Kipset while pointing at his opened shirt and face.
Touching his face and chest, he saw that is very wet as if the temperature in the room rose to a high end.
"Nothing big, this is my body adapting to the devil fruit powers. Don't worry."
'That motherfucker really likes to fuck with me. Don't worry, I will figure out who you are and kill you."
Slowly the sweat on his body was cleared, and Vlad seemed to be back to normal. With that slight problem removed, Vlad rose on his feet as if his preparations and waiting were done.
"Are you going already to the gallery?" asked Kipset, who expected Vlad to stay more inside the shack.
"Yes, there's something I have to check with old Nius and the others. Do you want to meet at the canteen after the schedule is over?"
Inorra and Kipset looked at one another and give Vlad the okay sign. Nodding at them, Vlad said to Robert, who finished his meal.
"Let's go Robert, you will most likely be sent to the depths for humiliating that fat retard. So is better that you come directly with me. In this way, I can also explain to you some things and procedures of the mines that you have to respect."
"I understand big brother. We can go whenever you want." responded Robert filling that his stomach was full. There was still some food remains on the table after him.
'There's something staring at me deeply. Wait, isn't that Aerius?'
"Hey little guy, do you want something from me?" asked Robert while looking at Aerius, the little gryphon who seemed to be sleeping on Vlad's bed.
"Nothing much, why ask? Do you want something from me?" responded Aerius, who opened his golden eagle eyes and looking a bit sleepy at Robert.
"Stop the acting you sneaky brat. You are eying those scraps? Sure you can eat them. Right, when you are alone here, you better don't touch the food storage. Got it?"
As Vlad said that to Aerius, he saw the little creature resembling a cat swiftly move from his bed and get on top of the table, beginning to eat on Robert's scraps.
"Got it. I will not touch the food storage at all." responded Aerius to Vlad with the food in his eagle beak.
Vlad hummed as if pleased by Aerius's obedience, while Robert starred at the gryphon hatchling with curious eyes, thinking to himself.
'Wow, this is something that even the old man doesn't know about. Since he never mentioned to me about gryphons or other stuff like that. Heh, you should see this guy old man, he got wings yet he can't even fly. Quite pathetic if you ask me, but it seems he's big brother pet, so I will not belittle it.'
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Vlad looked a bit more at Aerius and the rest of the boys and said to them.
"Take care boys. We'll meet at the canteen if there's nothing important happening in the depths. If you don't see me appear don't wait for me, go home, and start your training. The important day is approaching rapidly."
"Yes brother, we know. We'll be ready by that time."
After hearing their confirmation, he looked at Robert and said to him before going out.
"Let's go, kid. Your first working day starts now. I'll fill you as we go what you should look out inside the mine."
Opening the door, he left towards the mine accompanied by Robert. The difference between Vlad and Robert was quite comical; if someone were beside them right now and looked at them as they walked, they would guess that they were father and son. However, that probably would happen outside the camp. While Vlad was here, almost everyone knew about him and his age.
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Walking down the chaotic zone, he spotted some adults in a corner having fun with some women.
Shaking his head at this scene while walking with Robert, he hears the boy ask something with a curious tone.
"Hey, Vlad, did you hear by chance the moaning of some women along the way? Was this why you placed me close to you?"
"Hmm what about it, boy? Wanna have some fun with those ladies there?"
"Ahem. What are you saying, I'm just a 12 years old boy. I don't even know what you mean."
"Heh, you really don't know about sex? I see, maybe I should take you with me around the back alleys of the Chaotic zone and introduce you to some young ladies."
"No need. I'm good the way I am like this."
"I see, you don't know what you're missing, little Robert. Those girls are really such sweeties, let me tell you about how my first was taken by one of those curvaceous girls."
(Flashback time - The flashback could be seen in chapter 42.5)
As Vlad was walking with Robert along the alley that smelled of all short of bodily fluids belonging to men and women and told him his little adventure around the Chaotic Zone, it made Robert's face turn red as a tomato from the embarrassment he felt.
"You really did all those girls in an entire night? What are you, how can you even last that much?"
"Haha, boy you don't know how strong my body is. Those prostitutes thought that I was joking with them when I went to get some service from them. But in the end, I left their shack with a satisfying experience."
"Are you sure you should tell me those things? I'm just 12 years old?"
"So what? You only have two years left before turning into a fine young man who could even start a family. What are you even trying to say, that you're too young for this talk?"
"That's right. Also, aren't boys supposed to marry when they are in their mid-twenties or late twenties?"
"So from where you are coming, that's the standard? A young man around 14-15 could even have a family and a kid from where I'm coming. Who am I bothering to explain those things too?
Don't be a sissy, boy. You'll soon turn out into a fine young man. Just get used to the smell and sounds."
Still, with a red face, Robert tucked his head a bit down while timidly following after Vlad thinking inside his head.
'Crazy guy, could it be that is really true that the crazy bastards are all located inside the depths of the mine? Is he one of them?'
'Ahh, he says such embarrassing things, stop talking about those things.'
As they walked toward the mine gallery and reached a darker alley that was empty, they encountered 3 girls wearing something a prostitute would wear inside the chaotic zone. Some fishnets, some bikini underwears, and if they were generous with themselves, wearing some short pants.
Vlad stared at the prostitutes, and he frowned a bit when seeing them approach him on their own accord.
"You sluts, what do you want? Can't you see that I'm going for the gallery, I'm not in the mood for that. So go find some else for your plays."
Robert, who turned red-faced when seeing those almost naked girls walk toward him, he grabbed Vlad's trousers and stole some looks at the girls before hiding behind Vlad's legs.
"Tsk, man up little boy. Those three bitches are mostly interested in sex, and doing with those who have it big, so you are safe."
"I don't have to know that you crazy bastard."
"Haha, I'm that crazy? Hey sluts, I'm really that crazy?" asked Vlad, the prostitutes who were approaching him.
The 3 girls, who looked to be around their mid to late twenties, turned to look at Vlad and then Robert, and one of those three who had black hair responded with.
"Sometimes, but we like that part about you."
"Piss of slut, what was your name again. Right I remember, Alcina was it? What do you want from me?"
"Nothing much, we just moved out to another spot to look for some boys, stumbling into you is just a coincidence. Right girls?"
"That's right sister. We better move out from this guy since I heard he killed yet another guy inside the zone."
Robert stole a glance at Vlad, whose face looked calm as if what those girls said meant nothing to him.
'Is it true, he recently killed people?'
"If you want to dirty my name better do it behind my back, otherwise piss off. Or I will see you again tonight, and we'll have our fun again. My fun. I just need money, correct? I got plenty of it stashed away. Not like the first times where you did me just because you were curious about me for free."
Said Vlad in a calm yet slightly frosty tone when looking at those girls disturbing his first morning hours.
"Tsk. However you want it, little Zagreus. You know where to find us anyway if you want our services. But this time better bring the money, you beast. Only having a good dick will not do the job, we also have to make some money."
"Sure, sure. Now you can go on your manhunt for all I care." indifferently responded Vlad, almost bored, sending those girls on their way.
But as they did that, one of those prostitutes grabbed Robert by the hand and stared at him before plating a deep kiss on his lips, having the boy look surprised, before turning red-faced like a tomato.
Vlad looked with a sharp gaze at the girl who kissed Robert and looking at the boy who was shaking a bit.
"Enough, let him go."
"Heh, you're jealous of this little boy, Zagreus? Don't worry you'll also have your turn, now let me check on this boy. Hmm, he sure is cute, but seems weak. Well, little boy you sure have nice lips, big sister enjoyed eating them fully."
'This girl just kissed me. A prostitute kissed me. My guards warned me about those types of girls, and yet I kissed one. It didn't even felt bad. It felt wet and soft. Ahh, head feels fuzzy.
*Sniff* *Sniff* Why does my nose seem wet? Argh, my head seems to be shaking all of a sudden.'
As he barely managed to think of that, Robert placed his hand around his nose and could see that it was full of blood.
Soon he heard Vlad, who took him in his carry say toward the prostitute.
"See what you've done Cassandra? Do you think that every bastard that would love to have you would react positively? Tsk, for a sex worker here in this mining camp you three sure have some personality. But don't worry I will fix that problem. You like it rough yes? I will see you tonight and show you a trick since you want it that much." said Vlad in a cold manner while looking at Robert's bleeding nose.
Sending those three sisters on their way, he placed his hand on Robert's head, and when his irises turned blood red, Robert could feel that the dizziness he felt slowly began dropping down.
"Big brother, what happened with me?"
"You got over-excited little guy, is clearly you're just a little boy for now and especially a weak one."
"I'm not weak."
"Little noble boy, listen here you are still young and this can be fixed with some help from old me, but if you get older and you start reacting like this around girls, regardless if they are prostitutes or simple peasant girls, you'll have it hard. Even consummating your marriage."
"It's fine big brother, it's just a small bleeding."
"Small because I stopped using my powers, if I kept letting you bleed like some headless chicken you would be in trouble, but enough of this. Let's get your assignment."
Robert remembering what happened, instantly turned a bit embarrassed, and he dropped his head in shame.
"Father, I've shamed myself. I no longer can get myself a wife."
"Haha, what a cute boy. You've shamed no one. As for your little wife, I will see that you're prepared before leaving my large protecting wings." laughed Vlad evilly while ruffling Robert's hair.
"No. If you want me to do something with those big sisters. I will not do it. My parents taught me that I can do that thing only when I'm an adult." replied Robert, who started seeing the crowd of working slaves.
"I see, well they haven't taught you wrong. You better do it once you're bigger and mentally prepared. However, look forward to coming with old me tonight to some of those bitches. I will take care of you and teach you some tricks in your father's place."
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After some minutes of walking, they arrived at the assignment zone, and Vlad patted Robert's head, ruffling his hair a bit, saying in a warm tone.
"Let's see what your lucky stars have got in place for you, boy."
Getting in place and waiting for another 3 minutes for their assignment, Vlad said to the staff guy.
"Sir, same as always. Ohh, and don't forget to add the points for the meals at the canteen. Otherwise, I'll have to come to find you and have a talk, man to man."
Frowning, the staff member could only comply while gulping when he saw Vlad's cold stare, noting in his registry Vlad's assignment, later he said.
"It is done. Now you can go to your hell and give others a break."
"Heh, you're no fun at all, I thought you would give me something to laugh at. Whatever, It seems most of you managers learned your lesson when talking with me."
"Robert, I'll wait for you close by, come to me once you're assigned."
Robert only nodded at Vlad's words. Being next in line and also new in the camp. The staff member, after a short break, asked him for his badge. It didn't take long for the staff member to grin evilly at Robert.
"Boy, you've been marked by the boss. Take care of yourself in the camp. Assigned to the deepest point. Good luck, boy, you'll need plenty of it." ending the staff threw the badge with disdain back to the boy.
Perplexed, Robert went to where Vlad was waiting for. Seeing Robert come towards him, he asked while chuckling at him.
"What's with the long face? Haven't I told you that you will come with me in the depths? There's plenty of people there that offended that fat idiot, so it's not like you are the first or the last to come. "
"You knew this will happen?" asked Robert, a bit surprised.
"Obviously. I was just like you on my first day at the mines. Also, I've seen plenty of kids in my four years come and go."
When Robert heard that, he suddenly got scared of this part of the information. Nonetheless, this was a reaction for the moment, sensing Vlad looking at him as usual.
"No need to worry, as long you are with me, nothing terrible will happen to you. Those guards have their hands tied down because of their low number. While the slave's number keeps increasing because of that fat idiot greed.
Let's go, little Robert. You don't have to carry anything with you. We'll walk like this empty-handed."
[Robert's POV]
"Sure, do I even have a choice?" I said to Vlad that had a smiling face at first.
Soon I followed him down the mine and could see along the way many people having pickaxes and other things I haven't learned about from my teacher.
Only me and Vlad were the guys walking casually inside this gallery pathway. This made me worry a bit, wondering if any guards would appear and lash at us for not being equipped.
Seeing my worrying face, Vlad only slapped the back of my head lightly, saying chuckling. "
What's to worry, kid? No worries, you'll see down there that your job actually is pretty easy and straightforward to do. As for the guards, if this is what you are worrying about. There's only one guy who will watch, but he's a good guy, so it's okay."
'Ahh, what mess did I get into?' this was the only question I could ask myself when hearing Vlad's casual and calm words.
Teacher, you old fool, why didn't you teach me helpful stuff like fighting or how to build my body? You jerk. Instead, you taught me pointless stuff like Navigation, Geography, and all sorts of useless things aristocrats would use.'
