Chapter 8 8: Fake It Till You Make It [Pt2]
It all happened when Keith decided to zone out once the meeting started. But in his defense, he knew nothing about heading the meeting of a magical guild.
Besides, won't it be better for someone to know about the situation to head this meeting? Thinking of these rational thoughts, Keith decided to keep his involvement to a minimum.
So naturally, he did not pay attention when the topic of demonic skinner beasts was brought up, he did not say anything. Even when Shinzou brought the high death toll up, Keith felt it all blow from above his head.
Keith was so sleepy and tired that he ended up yawning and that was when he made the mistake of raising his hand to hide his yawn behind a small cough.
He did not realize that everyone turned to look at him as one. The action of the Grandmaster carried just too much power.
"What is wrong with you all? Why are you all looking at me like that?"
For some reason, everyone was looking at Keith with admiration in their eyes. It was too much pressure for him.
"I knew that the grandmaster was a benevolent person who would come through when we needed him to. I am so glad Grandmaster volunteered to take care of the skinner demons for us."
One of the aids could not help but marvel in admiration as they looked at Keith. He shined in their eyes but it was all because of the filter they were seeing Keith through.
"Huh, what are you all talking about? What do these demons have to do with me exactly?"
Keith could not stop himself from asking this question. This might be out of character for him but it was better than being pushed toward a pit of danger. And that was what would happen to Keith if he did not make a stand here.
He knew he could get out of fighting demons if he took advantage of his position. But how to do that was the real problem.
"Grandmaster, there is no need to hide your benevolent heart behind your crude words? We can all see how worried you are about the skinner demons. That is why you subtly coughed to get our attention, right?"
Keith did what now? He did not remember coughing to get anyone's attention. This was surely a conspiracy to get him in trouble, right?
'What to do? What to do? What would my boss do to get out of work he did not want to do? Ah yes, I remember now.'
Keith had never been more thankful for a shifty boss than he was at that very moment. He finally had a way to get out of doing troublesome and deadly work.
"Listen, everyone, I know you all are eager to show off your skills and that is why I will give you a chance right now. These skinner demons are powerful but I don't think it's not something you cannot take care of without me. So take this opportunity to show off your skills."
Keith could not help but marvel at how to own genius thoughts. Of course, the best way to get out of doing work was to disguise it as 'training' and push it to others.
It only worked when you were higher level than the other workers. And for the first time, Keith was in such a position.
Everyone looked stunned at Keith's words, not expecting him to say something like that. And it made Keith nervous to be a victim of so many curious stares.
'Oh come on. I was not 'that' out of character, right? Stop looking at me with curiosity or I will break.'
Finally, Shinzou was the one who decided to give Keith a break. His cheerful laughter filled the room and everyone else relaxed as well as a result.
"Finally, you decided to take my advice, my friend. Listen, everyone, Grandmaster is giving you a chance to show off your skills in front of him since he will be supervising the mission personally. There is no longer a need to fear anything and you all can go wild."
'Yes, that's right Shinzou. Tell them all about hard work and labor and-huh wait? I am going to do what?'
Keith's ears and brain decided that they wanted to have a delay in-between their functioning. That must be the reason why it took Keith some time to comprehend what he heard just then.
'Shinzou, I thought you were my friend, my comrade. Why would you betray me like this?'
If Keith could have cried, he would have ended up crying right at that second. He could not believe that he was being made to supervise a bunch of extremely powerful supernatural people who could kill him in a matter of seconds.
Not only that, but Keith himself had no power of jurisdiction above the said individuals. He was doomed either way.
"Shinzou, I don't think I can make it to this mission. I am sure you all will do an excellent job even without me."
Keith tried one last time to get out of this 'supervision' position but Shinzou did not seem to share the same thoughts as Keith.
"Grandmaster, I am surprised (or shocked) to hear how much confidence you have in these kids, but it would be better to supervise them this time. Disaster strikes every time we all are together so I would rather not take the risk."
Whatever Keith could have said in return got stuck in his throat. Shinzou was letting out his power in small amounts. It was a trace that most won't even be able to feel but Keith could feel it pushing him down.
Unknown to even himself, he ended up flinching a little bit. Shinzou likely noticed but he did not say anything in return.
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"Master Keith, are you alright? How did the meeting go?"
Of course, Keith was not awarded peace and quiet even in his room. He could feel a pair of hands massaging his back as soon as he had collapsed in the bed face-first.
The look that Clair levelled Keith with said that it was his own family he was in this mess. As if he did not know it already.
"We will be heading to dispose of the skinner demon tomorrow. Our job is to supervise everything so make sure you behave."
The touch of those soft hands on Keith's shoulders was making him sleepy. He could feel his eyelids closing every time he blinked his eyes.
He wanted to succumb to sleep so badly but there was one teeny tiny problem. His body had taken it upon itself to remind him that yes - Keith was a man. And the soft touch of those hands on his back was making him aroused.
"Master, I can see how tired you are today. Are you sure there is nothing I can do to help you out?"
Keith was about to tell Shimi off but his body moaned instead. It was a small moan but still loud enough to draw attention.
"I think it's my cue to leave. Have a nice night and hopefully, you both won't be creaky in the morning."
If Keith's body could have allowed it, he would have blushed. But as things stood, he was physically incapable of blushing. But that was not the case for Shimi.
The poor girl went bright red but she did not deny any accusation Clair was making on her behalf. Instead, she looked at Keith to see what he would say.
As if Keith could say anything when he needed to be cold and unfeeling. So he turned toward Clair instead and she got the message to disappear as soon as she could.
Once she was gone, Shimi wasted no time in putting her charms up to use. Her arms captured Keith's neck and her face was too close to him now.
"Grandmaster, let me shower you with love and relief. I promise you will not need to do anything to feel pleasure."
Keith could feel himself get heated up. Shimi's voice was low and dangerous but she was also experienced.
The only thing that was stopping Keith from coming then and there was his willpower and his body's rather full reaction. He was not half as sensitive as he was supposed to be even when he felt so aroused.
"Shimi, don't start something you can not finish." 'And also something I cannot finish without losing my dignity.'
"Don't worry Grandmaster. I promise to take care of you all in the right ways as I always do."
If the beautiful girl was offering then who was Keith to deny? Even if he would die as a result, he would at least not die frustrated.
"So, my lord, would you give me a chance to impress you?"
Keith nodded with a cold face and his feet for that night were sealed. Not that you would hear him complain about it.