Crownless Reincarnation: New World? Nah I'd win-Chapter 29: First Servent [2]

"They can become their exact replica just by eating their target?" he asked, feeling a bit conflicted.

"The seven sins can," Nayomi replied softly. "The rest of them need to observe the target for a long time before taking their place."

"How long?"

"Depends on the target," she replied. "A few months at least and a few years at most."

"...I see."

Akamir leaned back in the chair, elbows resting on the armrests. "Stand. Straighten your back. You're a priest now."

The Mimicker rose, adjusting its posture like Elore does.

Nayomi floated closer to the Mimicker, arms folded. "Was it important to take over his identity? You only have seven of these."

"I plan to make Eldergrove my base," Akamir replied, standing up. "It will be a pretty good place if we secure a route to Lythanis kingdom."

"You killed someone for that," Nayomi said, narrowing her eyes.

Akamir glanced up at her.

"The real Elore was someone who tried to kill me," he said simply. "The fake one will help clean up his mess."

Nayomi frowned. "You're colder than I thought."

'Of course I am.'

Being the king in his previous life, Akamir was unfortunately familiar with these things.

It would be foolish to let anyone who knows too much live freely.

'And Elore seems to be quite well known in the church.'

No matter how lenient they are, the church won't give the responsibility of guarding the Eldergrove to a nobody.

And being one of the people of the pope was no small thing.

'He might have a lot more connections than I am assuming.'

He looked back at the Mimicker. "How long before you digest his memories?"

"A few days, master," Elore said, bowing towards him.

Akamir thought for a moment before giving his orders.

"Continue Elore's duties, perform your prayers, maintain the normal appearance. But I want your eyes and ears open. Report everything."

"Yes, master."

Akamir walked to the cabinet where the map of the town was already placed.

He looked at the places for a while, jabbing a finger at the church.

"What is the last memory you got from Elore?" Akamir asked, glancing back at him.

The Mimicker thought for a moment before bowing again.

"...It's of the basement," he replied. "Elore was there to feed them."

"Them?"

"Slaves," he replied emotionlessly.

Akamir frowned. "Wait what?"

'Aren't slaves banned in every continent?'

As far as he remembers, when the summoned students came from Earth they were quite opposed to the idea of slaves.

And when they grew stronger, the first thing they did was to request abolish slavery.

"I confirmed with my memories, master," Elore replied quietly. "They are indeed slaves."

Akamir sighed. "What do they need slaves for?"

"For sacrifice," it was Nayomi who replied. "To the Witch of End."

Akamir went still. "You took sacrifices?"

"I took nothing," she scoffed. "They just sacrifice on their own accord."

"....I see."

Akamir mumbled, rubbing his temples.

He had expected corruption in this place but not this level of rot.

Akamir looked at the Mimicker. "Take me to them."

He bowed and turned around. "Please follow me."

Akamir nodded but before walking out he took a robe and a mask to cover his identity.

'It would be problematic if those slaves saw my face.'

Akamir didn't want to be tied with some shady things.

Opening the door, they walked out; the room was soundproof, so no one suspected anything.

The corridor beyond was dimly lit by lanterns.

The Mimicker walked ahead, every movement perfectly mimicking Elore.

Akamir followed in silence, Nayomi floating behind him.

As they descended a spiral staircase behind the altar room, the air grew colder.

"This way," the Mimicker said, voice hushed.

They stopped before a thick wooden door reinforced with iron.

The Mimicker pulled out a key from inside his robes and unlocked the door.

It opened with a groan.

"....."

Akamir turned still as he looked inside.

The room was large—too large to be a mere basement.

At least twenty people were huddled inside. Ragged, starving, barely conscious.

Their wrists and ankles were shackled, and their eyes had the dull, long-abandoned hope.

Akamir scanned the faces. Most were children from the tender age of ten to fifteen.

'I am glad I killed that fucker.'

He turned to the Mimicker. "You said Elore was feeding them. With what?"

The Mimicker walked over to a covered tray at the corner of the room and removed the cloth.

A foul stench filled the chamber.

Rotten bread with moldy meat.

They were nothing but barely edible scraps.

"He didn't feed them to keep them alive," Mimicker said grimly. "He fed them just enough to keep them from dying too soon."

Akamir sighed, walking out of the room.

The Mimicker closed the door behind him without a word.

"Provide them with good food," Akamir said, looking at him. "I will think of a way to free them without people blaming you."

He bowed. "Yes, master."

Akamir sighed as he began to walk out—.

Only to halt as his gaze fell on a cell in which a man was sitting.

'..Isn't he?'

This content is taken from fгee𝑤ebɳoveɭ.cøm.

Akamir remembered meeting this guy on the first day in Eldergrove.

He was the one who was tied to the tree.

"What's his crime?" Akamir asked, glancing at the Mimicker.

"I have no memories of it yet," he replied, shaking his head.

"Tsk."

Akamir clicked his tongue as he began to walk out of the place.

'I need to find a way to free them.'

Burning the church was the sure way to take them out, but Akamir wasn't sure.

'One wrong move and I will have everyone's eyes on me.'

People are already at his throat; he doesn't want more.

As soon as Akamir moved into the altar room, he halted.

"As soon as you remember who wants to kill me, report," he ordered, throwing away the robe and mask.

The Mimicker nodded obediently.

"I'm leaving now," Akamir said, turning around. "And give those children some food. Now."

"Yes, master."

Elore bowed one last time before returning to his work.

It was easy for Akamir to sneak out of the church as there were not many people guarding it.

Walking down the empty streets, he fell into deep thoughts.

'Who would want me dead?'

As shitty as Asher was, he wasn't someone who made enemies with others.

Hell, the only thing he did most of the time was look at Inara's pictures.

'Come to think of it....'

Akamir's gaze trailed towards Nayomi who floated beside him.

"Do you know who is trying to kill me?" Akamir asked, half expecting her to ignore him.

Nayomi looked at him. "It's the Polama family."

Akamir frowned. "Another duke family? Why?"

"....."

Nayomi turned silent again.

Akamir sighed.

Excluding the personal feelings, it might be to weaken their rival dukedom.

One of Vyavan's family heirs is already dead; killing another would deal a big blow.

'Still....'

"How do you know such things?" Akamir asked curiously. "Is this because of the game?"

"....."

She remained silent once again.

"You said my fiancée Zaina was the main heroine," Akamir mumbled, looking at her. "Then who is the hero?"

"There was no hero."

She finally replied, moving to float in front of him.

"Zaina was the villain of the game, and there was a spin-off novel of her tragedy."

She pointed at him. "In that story, you were a character as well."

'The one who raped her, huh?'

"There was no such thing as a hero in her story," Nayomi floated back. "But someone who was obsessed with her."

Akamir halted in his steps as something clicked.

'...Asher did what he did for revenge.'

And there is only one person Asher wanted revenge on.

"That obsessed person."

Akamir said, looking at her.

"He is the second prince Lucien, right?"