Dereliction of duty · 90 years in the new calendar

Flo wasn't surprised to see the way Xus carried things, as if he knew he had this ability.

Flo: By the way, Master Xus.

That room... is, what is it used for?

Xus: Do you mean here, or upstairs?

It was the latter that Flo wanted to ask.While several people were moving things, Xus explained to him.

The upstairs was once used as a research room by someone who didn't belong under the tree of the Demon King's Palace, so he stayed there for a while and then left.

Whether it is myself or Zolf, they are all supportive of that person's research, and they are helping wherever they can.

If "something" hadn't happened in the last month, that person would not have left so quickly, let alone left so many unprocessed clutter.

Flo: It's... usually like that, messy?

Xus: Chaos?

It seems troublesome to go up the stairs, but the actual distance is not long.

This former research room is now so messy that it is hard to see.

The door was ajar, and the four boxes that Flo brought up for the first time were neatly placed out of the way of the door, and Flo was at a loss for a while after coming up.

Xus: It shouldn't be...

Xus had been here last night, he remembered it well, he had just cleared the area yesterday.

It can be seen that now, the room is covered with bloody red slime, and a lot has been splashed on the walls. The good news is that the liquid has no smell.Scanning through the blood, there is a certain pattern on the polluted ground.

The moment Sui saw the pattern clearly, Sui's face turned darker, and then he fell into a long daze.

Flo called Xus aside.

Xus: You look unimpressed?

...don't mind anymore?

Not only the dazed one knew the pattern, but the other two present knew it well.

Flo: Well, it's fine.

It's just that Mr. Sui...during this time, he would occasionally...lonely, thinking about something.

Xus sometimes wants to look at these two people from the standpoint of "parents", perhaps saying this is suspected of taking advantage.

In terms of age alone, they are nearly two generations behind, so it is not unacceptable to have such an idea.

Xus: I don't want to interfere too much, after all, it's a matter between you.

Patting Flo on the shoulder, Xus' hand paused for a moment before moving upwards.Momosuo, then opened the rigid collar of the shirt, and lightly touched a medium-sized band-aid between the neck and the collarbone that was blocked by the clothes.

Xus: In every sense, you really worked hard.

Flo: ...It's okay.

I am voluntary.

Seeing that his eyes were as clear as ever, Xus silently took his hand back while being relieved.

Back to business.The chaos in the room added an extra cleaning job to the plan.

Xus: Sui, don't stand in the middle in a daze, it's blocked.

He stepped aside in a daze, but was still in a daze.

Xus: Ugh.

I'll just clean up here, you spend more time with him.

Also, the matter of moving things...let's leave it for now.

Flo: Uh, uh...thanks.

Mr. Sui?Do you want, for a while, to take a break?

After being called by Flo several times in a row before responding, Sui took two steps before regaining consciousness from the situation of having the same hands and feet.

Watching the two of them leave, Xus thought to himself, if he had known earlier, it would have been better if he refused when Sui asked for it at first.But things have come to this point, so we can only let it go.

Xus: (By the way, who did this?)

(Whoever it is, he should be pretty relieved.)

I don't know if the two subordinates have read and analyzed it carefully, but Xus can see what's going on.

Xus: (This...)

(...)

(Calm down, it's over.)

This pattern is used for "sacrifice ceremony".

It is a ritual in which a living person (usually a "sinner") is nailed to the ground and placed until death to proclaim some kind of justice.

It can only satisfy the nagging desires of some people, without any practical function.

Xus: (It's been much better lately.)

(It seems that there are no villages and towns where all the staff believe in superstition.)

(...Don't think too much, don't think too much.)

Xus: (This situation...you have to tell Zor.)

After tidying up the inside first, Xus locked the door and went directly to the office on the top floor of the Demon King Palace.

Although he appeared calm, he was actually so confused by the sudden strange incident that he was distracted while walking.

Accidentally collided with others, he was slightly stunned, and quickly said sorry.

After he finished speaking, he looked up and saw that it was Sui—he was the only one.

Xus: Didn't you just...?

Sui: Because I cared so much, I chased after him.

The door is locked really tight, Master Xus.

There was a full head's height difference, and at such a close distance, Xus raised his head and his neck was sore.He took two steps back with a chuckle in his throat, then waved his hands, pretending he didn't know anything.

Sui: When in the room...

Your expression has given away.

Xus: (expression?)

(...Can't hold back.)

Understood.So, what do you think now...?

Sui's eyes were still glazed, as though he was deep in thought, but moreover he was in a daze.

After a while, he took out a pocket knife from his trousers pocket and sharpened the blade.The reflection of the blade hit his eyes, and he thought about it, and with a second stroke, he cut the wrist of his left hand.

The wound looked deep, but there was no bleeding at all.

Xus: What do you want to express?

Sui: I just want to know why I became like this.

Xus: Ah, this, you know better in your own heart, don't you?

Smiling, Xus decided to ignore it for the time being and let him spend some time alone.

Still can't bear to be completely idle, Xus cleared his throat and ordered:

Xus: Tomorrow, get to the office early.

I'll consider talking to you.

Hope this decision is not a mistake.

The author has something to say:

Stupidly set the wrong time!

Sorry for being late!