The Kind of Evil

‎Erlina, Carrion, and even Javi were scared of Rullein when she revealed she had read everyone's past. As a Dark Spirit, she could bring those memories back to them, reliving those nightmares and memories that they had tried to forget. Carrion was the first victim of hers, making him relive his childhood memories where he was neglected and punished almost every day.

‎Javi who had been putting on a stoic expression, he showed slight discomfort when Rullein stared at him. He didn't have problems with his past, but to relive the pain he had endured all those years, he didn't want that.

‎"I miss this..." Erlina sat beside Rasmus who was busy reading his father's journal. "I miss this kind of atmosphere, where everyone is relaxed and enjoying the moment," she looked at the old inn she was in.

‎"You miss your brothel house?" Rasmus asked as he flipped the page.

‎"Yes..." Erlina stretched her arms as she faced her back at Rasmus, and slowly leaned her back against his body. "I miss my girls... I wonder how they're doing right now..." She muttered, leaning her head back and resting on Rasmus's shoulder.

‎Erlina hummed as she furrowed her brows, slowly turning around to look at Rasmus. She slowly squeezed his arm and bicep that felt hard and tight like a solid rock. She blinked her eyes a few times, couldn't believe he had gotten stronger in just a few months.

‎"Can you teach Carrion? You know..." Erlina whispered.

‎Rasmus stopped reading the journal and slowly turned to look at Erlina. He didn't expect to be asked such a question from her where she should be the one who was supposed to be an expert on this matter.

‎"We have been doing it almost every day because there was nothing we could do. So, can you help me? Make that man over there who thinks with his crotch most of the time to... stop seeking pleasure just because he's bored..." Erlina asked as she looked at Carrion, who was being forced to relive his past by Rullein.

‎"Don't get me wrong... he's really good at it and I enjoy it all the time, but it's exhausting. I'm not like my girls who are used to this kind of thing, and I don't want to get used to this either..." Erlina looked at Rasmus, her voice quiet. However, no matter how quiet she was, the people in the room had sensitive ears except for Carrion. "Do you perhaps... understand what I'm saying?" She muttered, her eyes never leaving Ramsus.

Rasmus nodded, and then he looked at Javi for a moment before he looked back at Erlina.

"You can ask Javi about this. I believe he's capable of giving the solution for your problem, or Carrion's problem to be exact," Rasmus said with a stoic expression.

"I see, so you don't know..." Erlina said under her breath, and then looked at Javi. "Sir Javi, can you come here for a moment?" She asked.

Javi looked at Erlina and joined the table with her and Rasmus. His expression was unreadable, and he could see it in Erlina's eyes what this was all about.

"Well, he's..." Erlina paused as she pointed her index finger and put her other hand below it, creating a snapping gesture of scissors that cut off her index finger. "He doesn't have it. Which is why he couldn't help me with this problem," she looked at Rasmus.

Rasmus slowly raised his brows and turned his face toward Javi. He was unaware that Javi had been castrated or mutilated like that. It reminded him of eunuchs back on Earth, men who lost their genitals due to political matters and for safety. He realized why the assassins from the Sand Tower were said to be the best since they didn't have distraction, both for their men and women assassins.

"That's unfortunate..." Rasmus said as he looked at Javi.

"I didn't have a choice, and not everyone survived even after that process. I have to admit, it wasn't a pleasure memory," Javi responded, his face still calm and unreadable.

"Yes, that's why having Rullein around, I think Javi would find it uncomfortable," Erlina said as she glanced at Rullein, still playing around with Carrion's memories and living in the memories with him. "Can you help me with this? I know you're the only one that I can ask, knowing that you're not just capable, but you're the only man I can't seduce," She raised her brows, placing her hand on Rasmus's.

Rasmus nodded with understanding and ripped the blank page from the journal. He began to write something, filling the blank page into a fully written page. He then slid the page to Erlina for her to read the content.

Erlina thought it was some kind of prescription for medicines, but rather it was an activity list from morning to evening. It was just a simple routine of training and working out which confused Erlina. She didn't understand the connection between the routine of training and Carrion's insatiable desire for pleasure.

"What's this?" Erlina wiggled the piece of paper as she furrowed her brows at Rasmus.

"To put it simply and to make it easy to understand, it's basically to redistribute his blood from his crotch to his muscles all over his body. Not only will it keep his head clear and his body becomes healthy and stronger, when the time you want him, you'll see the difference as well in bed," Rasmus answered with a smile on his face.

Erlina slowly looked down at the piece of paper in her hand, rereading everything again for the second time. She then folded the paper and placed it in a hidden pocket under her cloak. She immediately put on a playful smile as she leaned her head over Rasmus shoulder.

"I know I can depend on you, you're basically a walking library," Erlina chuckled as her gaze softened and watched Aris slap Rullein's hand away from Carrion's since Rullein might have gone too far. "Aris, what happened to her? She's different," She muttered and saw Carrion regain his consciousness, immediately taking a few steps away from Rullein and begging her to stop.

"A lot of things happen to her," Rasmus answered as he watched Carrion approach the table to join them. Carrion's face was written with fear and trauma. "You should talk to her about it rather than ask me. She's fond of you, so don't betray her trust and judgment," he continued and watched Carrion's hands tremble as he grabbed Rasmus's mug, the ale sloshing over his fingers. He drank as if drowning in something deeper than thirst.

"I will..." Erlina muttered softly as she nodded her head and waved at Aris, signaling her to join them at the table.

Everyone gathered at the table, the very same table where Rasmus was the only one sitting at it. It didn't matter how much he tried to find solace and solitude, people that he trusted always came to join him. He neither welcomed it nor resented it, he took it as a sign of the comfort of those around him.

Erlina looked up at Ramsus's eyes for a moment, thinking and observing him. It was strange, how someone so detached could still give others the comfort they craved. Rasmus never reached for them, and yet he never pushed them away either. In his indifference, they found stability. In his silence, they found a kind of peace. He didn't seek to be anyone's anchor, but somehow he became one.

The night felt short by the drinks and the relaxing atmosphere, something that they had long forgotten. The peaceful moments where they didn't think about overpowering others, cornering them, and to put their guards up all the time. A moment where they could let go of everything and just enjoy the moment.

"Did you do it, Rasmus? Did you kill everyone in the capital city?" Carrion asked, his words slurring a bit as the alcohol slowly consumed his brain.

"What do you think? Am I that kind of a person?" Rasmus asked.

"Yes," Carrion answered without hesitation, but then he paused to think. "But I don't think you did it. So is it true that it was you who massacred the innocent lives in the capital city of the Refenus Kingdom? Because I don't know how far you'll cross the line..."

"What line? There's no line in my eyes, but there's one in yours, Erlina, and perhaps even Javi. I don't have that, I don't have the line to prevent me from stopping what I need to do even if it will cost millions of lives," Rasmus said with a stoic expression. "To answer your question, no, I didn't do it. Wyverns that were being mind-controlled by a powerful demon came and flattened the city, I just took advantage of it," he answered as he shook his head.

Carrion sighed in relief as he nodded his head slowly.

"What about the royal family? You were the one who killed them and hung their heads?" Carrion asked.

"No, I gave that pleasure to someone who has a deeply rooted hatred toward them. I only killed all the guests during the ceremony," Rasmus answered as he shook his head.

"I see..." Carrion cleared his throat and downed the glass of whiskey.

Erlina could see how Carrion had gotten drunk from the drink. She slowly got up from the chair and approached him and helped him stand up.

"I guess that's it for tonight. I'll take care of this handsome drunkard from here," Erlina smiled as she caressed Carrion's cheek. "Good night, everyone..." She smiled and then guided Carrion upstairs.

"Good night," Rasmus nodded and took a sip of his wine.