"It was you?"
Pablo asked for confirmation. He was sure he didn’t need the confirmation but the King accepted something big.
"Yes. It was me who ordered the destruction of the slums." The King said in clear words again.
"Why are you telling me this, my lord?"
"Because I know you hate the slums as well."
’Hmm? Where did he get that idea from?’
"Yes. I hate them. They stink. They carry insects. Dead bodies. They should be demolished." Pablo genuinely hated the slums.
"Exactly and you also told me my decision of destroying the slum wasn’t bad. Right?"
"Yes. It wasn’t bad. There should be no slums."
"And what do you think about its residents?" The King asked, staring at Pablo.
’He wants to hear a particular answer from me. Fine. I’ll play along.’ 𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙥𝒖𝒃.𝙘𝙤𝒎
"They should be eradicated as well." Pablo gave the answer and the King broke into a smile.
"Right on point. That’s why I ordered their deaths along with the Hermit slum. Wherever the residents of the slum will live, they will create another slum. I don’t want that."
’I am glad I didn’t tell him I am also from the slums.’
"Certainly, my lord. And by the way, how many people know that you ordered the attack on the Hermit slums?"
"The high Dukes, my wife and you. Only these people know it. And all of them think I did the right thing. Including you as well."
"I am flattered you trusted me enough to share such a thing, my lord." Pablo acted normal and even if he didn’t agree with the views of the King, he didn’t argue.
And Pablo had seen enough deaths to be bothered by some mass murder of a slum.
"The high Dukes will be angry at me for sharing all this with you but I did it anyway."
"There is a reason for telling me all this, I believe?" Pablo guessed.
The King was still close to Pablo’s face and they were still talking in whispers.
"I shared all that with you not because I just wanted to let out my heart, Pablo. I need some advice. Advice from a smart man like you."
"I’ll be glad to help." Pablo couldn’t say anything except that anyway. The King had told him a secret and if he refused to help then it was very likely that Damascus would not let him live.
"So the thing is, I want to do something that has never been done in any other Kingdoms till now."
"Okay?"
"I want to eradicate all the slums from this kingdom. Every last one of it and all of its residents. This Kingdom should be clean from those scums." The King shared his big plan.
Pablo had a feeling the King was going to say something like that.
"You are the King, after all. You can do whatever you want, my lord." Pablo replied.
"It’s not that easy. I can’t just order the destruction of the slums like that."
"I am listening."
"My Kingdom has two hundred cities and the slums are also of the same number. Destruction of two hundred slums won’t be child’s play and it might create some problems later."
"Problems like?"
"Problems as in, what if someone remained alive. What if someone managed to stay hidden and plan to take revenge for the destruction of their home. This will be bad for me and not everyone dislikes the slums.
There are some nobles and Counts who hire people from there to work for them. They will be angry at me for killing everyone. Many people might come to this city and revolt outside my castle. It’s not good for a King."
"I see. So you want me to tell you a way by which you can destroy the slums and their people without angering anyone. Is that it?"
"Yes. Do you have anything in mind for that?"
"You seem eager to destroy the slums, my lord. You really hate it, huh."
"Well, it’s a long story. I just want to kill some people."
Pablo squinted his eyes and then he broke into a smile.
’I see. I got your plan, old man.’
"I will think about a plan, my lord. But the removal of the mist comes first."
"Of course. I don’t want my city to perish first. Haha." The King laughed. He was like a normal middle aged man in front of Pablo.
’I bet he is a monster when he is serious.’
After that private talk, the King started talking about random things about life and love.
Pablo returned the talks with his views and he made sure to answer in a way the King would like to hear it.
He had done such things many times. He had assassinated so many Presidents on Earth all because of him getting to know the daily schedule of them by their secretaries or by the Presidents themselves.
And like that, one more hour passed.
"May I come in, your highness. I also brought Lee with me."
"Come in." The King gave permission.
The door opened and the High Duke came inside.
Lee was with him and he sat beside Pablo’s seat.
The high Duke stood behind the King and he had brought something to eat and drink for the King and Pablo as well.
"Is the suit working fine, sir?" Lee asked.
Pablo nodded. He didn’t speak. He was talking for a long time now.
"Only one hour is left. Hang in there." The King said, drinking some kind of alcohol. Pablo didn’t know what it was.
"You have some too." Damascus offered.
The same glass was placed in front of Pablo and he used his left hand to drink it.
’I hope it’s not poison or some shit.’
’It should be safe. You have her good luck Ego with you.’ Cupid said.
Pablo sighed and took one sip.
"It’s good."
He genuinely liked it.
"Haha. I know. Have fun."
Pablo savored the drink slowly and he also did that to stop the King from asking him anything. He talked too much today.
’I want to ask you something.’ Cupid spoke. Pablo couldn’t stop her from speaking.
’What?’
’What did you mean when you said you got the plan of the King? He wants to destroy the slums because he doesn’t like it. Does he have some other motive behind that move?’
’Yes. He has some other motive. He doesn’t hate the slums. He wants to eradicate them for some other reason.’
’Why? What is the other reason?’
Pablo remained quiet for a while then he gave a short answer to the Angel.
’He wants to kill Draxus Maverick.’