The Wolfen butcher then turned around and called for Alan. Due to being scared out of her wits, Madame Xing went with him. After all even as a low-level system user, she could feel the impact of the blows that smashed the puppets. It should be known that such blows would kill her immediately.
Yet, the puppet did not get blown away but even got back up and regenerated some bits of their bodies. While most would be scared of the puppet themselves. Madame Xing with her background in counterintelligence got horrified at a different implication.
'When did the puppets come here? Those girls according to my knowledge have been here for over a month! Did I have killer puppets with me the entire time? Were they sent by a spy organization? Who? What do they want? Are they aware that the Arcus kiss is a front for the Prince?'
"Alan, thank you for finding my girls so quickly. Is this person your woman?" questioned Hiro. The merchant relaxed a bit because it seemed that the butcher didn't blame him unjustly. "Yes, my Lord, she is my woman. While I have not earned her affection yet, Xing is one I cannot live without."
'What?'
Madame Xing who just heard the man she adored confess not to her but to his master grew red like a tomato. 'Are you serious? I practically threw myself over the years and you tell me your words were true and you love me?'
Ignoring the whirlwind of emotions the woman near him felt, Hiro simply answered "I see, then protect her with your life. However, I would suggest you talk with her. The happiness she had with you claimed her as your own means she loves you dearly. Do you mind if I ask her some questions?"
"No My lord, please go ahead." Alan shook his head and said before whispering to his woman. "Xing, I will explain everything later. Please do not lie to my master, he will go very far, farther than even the prince. I will follow him and I wish for you to come with me. However, his bottom line is drawn in steel. Do not test him."
The man then moved to return to the maids. Now that the ladies of the house have been found, the servants must introduce themselves as per common etiquette. Although the San-Baka's eagerness made terrible first impressions.
Tsugumi similarly left, leaving only Xing and Hiro. When the madame got a good look at the man for the first time, she felt like prey under the scrutiny of a gruesome beast. Despite the monster studying her every move, her only option was to tremble and hope for survival.
Even with her experience in life and death situations, the feeling of knowing your end came near paralyzed most people. However, living and dying naturally flowed together. Thus even if she knew she danced on a knife's edge, Xing kept her composure.
"Hello Madame Xing, I am Hiroto Musashi. I do not want to hurt you so do not lie to me. You are important to Alan so I hope we get along." At the end of his words, calibers came out of his skin like a swirling vortex of embers. Beautiful, magnificent, but incredibly dangerous.
"Why were my wives under the care of the puppets?" the palpable rage in his voice could be felt by even the most inept of social pariahs. Like a freezing day in winter, the cold and frigid touch of death slowly creped up Xing's spine.
Immediately the owner of Arcus Kiss bowed in a dogeza and smashed her forehead on the floor as she answered. "My lord, please call me Xing, I am unworthy of using titles. I also beg for your forgiveness but I do not know when the beauties got replaced by puppets, nor when the ladies entered their service."
Waiting for something, a reaction, response, or anything Xing tried to endure the silence. The lack of it terrified her so she started to ramble on her own. "My lord! Please let me find out! I am but a humble servant, Arcus Kiss is a cover business for the female warriors of Gae-bolg sub harems just as Javelin is a cover for the male warriors."
She then tried to raise her head slightly and pleaded her innocence. "As a mere courtesan, I could not resist the command of the Dominii royalty. But I am sure I can be of use to you my lord! Give me a week...No a day! I will ensure whoever tried to harm the ladies and bring them to you."
Hiro then turned back and grabbed one of the pieces of the puppets still intact. "There is no need. I will hunt them on my own. They will pay for what they did. My next question is, do you love Alan as much he does you?"
'Is he testing me? Why would a tyrant even care about the relationships of his men?'
"I do my lord! He is the only one who helped me in my time of need. I have longed to receive his affection and when he lost his family I thought I could finally have my chance."
Unsure when, the woman started to weep as he bore her deepest desire. The love of the man she held most dear. The only reason she aimed to go higher was to stand equal to him. Yet, as she needed to climb higher she gave away her purity and her body all to attain her goals.
"But Alan holds his previous family close to his heart, so he did not entertain the idea. After all, no matter how far I reach. I am merely a prostitute. A woman who soils herself with the seed of other men. No matter my beauty no man would even consider me to be his wife."
But in exchange for that power, her value as a woman became questionable. Thus at the back of her mind, behind the facade of the "madame" lay a woman ashamed of her own filth. She had neither strength nor ability, all she had were her looks and an indomitable will.
Thus even as she had her body taken day after day after day, she endured. All to gain the power she needed to protect herself and those around her. Hardening her resolve the woman traded everything she could offer and more to gain strength.
The long years of being looked down on had calloused Xing's heart. But somewhere deep within she longed to be forgiven, to be cared for. To devote herself like a loving wife to a man she held dear.
Uncharacteristically the fear of death stripped her of any and all masquerades. Leaving a truth as ugly as it was imperfect. Yet, in contrast to what she expected the woman suddenly felt warm hands lift hers up as a kind voice echoed in her ears.
"Stand up Madame Xing, you need not be ashamed of the path you took. What I see is not a harlot of questionable morals but a loving woman who desperately fought against life all to gain strength to protect those she loved."
Hiro then helped her up and stand. "You have no need to be so hard on yourself. Only those who walked your path may judge you. Stand proud. I will be staying here for a week, can I ask you to keep it a secret I am here? I will shoulder all the expenses."
