Chapter 25: I really don't care what happens to this house

Zen was very tired as he practically had to drag himself to Markus's chambers.

This morning, for some unknown reason, Markus had called him to his room early in the morning, although Zen asked for an explanation, all he got was a "it's something important" from Markus.

(He should have adapted to this new life by now but I'm still worried...and this is the first time he's called me to his room too so I'll need to put on my best face and answer any demands he may have, it's the least I can do...)

Arriving at that familiar double door that led to Markus's bedroom, Zen physically and mentally prepared himself before knocking on the door.

"Master Markus, you called for me?"

Zen's business man act was on once again as he called out to Markus.

""Enter...""

The same, fake sounding child's voice came out of the door, like it always had.

Zen opened the door closed it behind him.

In front of Zen was Markus's room, but today unlike usual the room was very messy with vials and research paper scattered about which greatly confused Zen as Markus was a very tidy person but he didn't reach out to strike up a conversation with Markus as he waited for his master to talk first as expected of a servant.

Markus was currently sitting in front of a row of flowerpots that have been placed in his rooms since when Zen didn't know but he still couldn't ask now because Markus hasn't spoken yet despite calling Zen to his room.

(Is he experimenting with something?)

Zen's curiosity was rising it couldn't be helped, his new master, who he thinks of as a mysterious and reserved character just happens to call him to his quarters for the first time since he came here and now he seems to be cultivating plants, nothing about this seems normal.

Putting the last of his "results" in one of the categorized baskets Markus handed one of them to Zen before saying:

""Here...""

Markus handed one of the baskets to Zen.

"Huh!? Are these potatoes?"

Zen's confusion has reached it's critical point causing him to break his voice for the first time since Markus met him.

""That is the reason why you're here, explaining everything from start to finish to you with words is a drag so it's better if you eat it, things will be clearer then""

Markus pointed to the basket Zen is holding and said.

((Well actually, talking to people in general is a pain in the ass for me, so it'll faster and less tiring if you just eat it))

Markus said while tending to the other crops in his breeding method experiment.

"But these are raw Master Markus?!"

Zen said, flabbergasted at this turn of events.

""...""

Markus refused to say anything more.

"Are you sure?..."

Zen had extreme reservations about this as he grabbed one of the fruits, but his master issued an order so he had no choice but to take a bite.

What happened next greatly surprised Zen

"De...delicious!"

Zen couldn't help but say that out loud as the potatoes he was eating was much more delicious than any other potatoes he had eaten before.

""I need you to give me your opinion on it, what do you think of them in comparison with other ordinary foods? Is it marketable? Are there any other details you can give me on it?""

Markus asked.

"Hold on! Please explain this lord Markus! I must know what's the meaning of this, why is this so insanely tasty"

Zen was completely blown away by this and couldn't hold back his curiosity any longer so he quickly inquired Markus.

""I remember just telling you that I don't like explaining things...(sighs)...never mind, as you can see here, those are the products of a new genetical strain of potatoes that I've just made from alchemy and a bit of splicing last night""

Markus was disappointed at Zen's poor discernment as he was usually very intuitive but nonetheless he explained himself.

""The key is this""

Markus said holding up a piece of paper detailing the botanical properties of his new inventions which other than potatoes also included things like red groot and wheat along with a mysterious vial pf black liquid.

"Eh!? A new what? I've never seen or heard of such a thing before though?"

Zen was like a child being taught science for the first time when he heard Markus.

""And that's why you'll never be anything but a servant""

Particularly grumpy at the fact that he has to explain things, Markus accidentally let out a particular venomous insult.

"Eh...I have no excuses"

Seeing that he has unintentionally caused Markus displeasure Zen bowed and apologized for acting in a way unbecoming of a butler.

""Forget it, I'm sorry for insulting you It was very disrespectful of me...let's get back on topic, since plants are also a form of life it stands to reason that a higher rate of mana absorption will have a positive effect on their growth process, using this theory as a basis I've came up with an idea to create various new strains of crop that can absorb mana directly from the air and water they take in creating better and stronger plants, this coupled with their heightened mana saturation promotes plant growth to an unbelievable degree ((kinda like police dogs that were genetically altered to be more muscular)), this could possibly raise the potential yield of crops and also greatly cut down the time it needs for crops to grow to a harvestable state""

Markus explained while holding a potato that he just pulled from his flowerbed.

""However, the ones weakness I've found out is that these crops cannot survive without mineral water and wither out extremely quickly without bearing any fruit, but that could be fix with a little more work. Other than that one weakness. They're perfect, they can be grown year round and don't require any overly complicated preservation methods in order to keep them marketable""

((I did all of this using Ian Silver's work on the Exforia as a reference, from Zen's reaction I can say that it is a success, there is no reason for me not to take advantage of this…I gotta say, being Markus has it's perks, I've basically successfully mastered a field of genetics in less than two weaks…I can understand new concepts more easily than most and I'm also unable to forget something once learned))

Markus said admiring his own handiwork with a satisfied feeling in his stomach.

"...I see…but please wait a minute milord! What's the reason you're doing this?..."

""to sell it of course...you're a smart person so I think you can imagine the large economical potential of this new type of crop that I've invented...it's certainly enough to fix the current financial problems of this house""

Markus hit a spot when he said:"fix this house's problems".

"Uhm..."

Zen was caught off guard as he didn't think that Markus would even be capable of understanding what he just said.

""Oh no need for the secrecy, it's obvious from a glance that our house is in a tight spot financially speaking, even though my father is keeping it mostly under control, the financial decline was very apparent from the reports I've gathered""

Glancing over to a few papers on his right Markus said.

"Oh...I see"

(Where did he get that!?)

Zen was completely caught off guard, everything about this conversation seemed plan like it was an inescapable trap, a checkmate before the game even started.

""Look, I know you don't have any reason to trust me and honestly I wouldn't trust me if I were you either, I'm a creepy kid with a suspicious background and an unknown ability that just happened to come to this house one day, I mean who would trust a child like that...""

Markus began to show his view point to Zen.

(So you're self aware...)

This was the final nail in the coffin for Zen's understanding as he really didn't know what to do any more and just went with the flow.

""But consider this...I can help you with fixing this house you know and as said before, an intelligent man like you can see the benefits of helping someone like me out, I mean let's face it I have incredible magical power and unrivaled swordsmanship at a young age and now I've even created a type of crop that can possibly revolutionize agriculture all across the empire, who knows how much I'll be able to pull off in the future? You know where I'm going with this right?"

Markus sat on his chair cross legged.

Realizing the boy's true nature for the first time since he came here Zen was surprised beyond belief.

"You mean..."

""I'm just going to give it to you straight, I have no interest in becoming the head of this house and honestly I can't care less if it fell...""

Making this declaration, Markus exuded an aura of a predator, at that moment Zen truly felt like he was in the presence of one superior to him, his words were undeniable facts and his eyes seemed like they already saw through everything includibg Zen.

"..."

Zen was speechless.

(I see...)

Zen was truly scared of who or what is in front of him right now.

What Markus essentially said was "I don't give a sh*t what happens to all of you".

(It's understandable, this house did abandon him and his mom at birth and we only turned to him once all other heirs died...)

Zen had a resigned expression on his face.

""But I can offer you all a deal...""

Markus said, offering hope to the desperate man in front of him.

"A deal?"

Zen asked confused.

""Help me achieve my goals and I vow to you, I'll make sure the Silver house prospers even without an heir""

Markus stated.

"The house will prosper even without an heir? What are you saying? Is that even possible?"

Zen was absolutely lost on what Markus was trying to say.

""Of course it's possible, the Silver name belongs to a knight house in the first place not a noble house, Blood isn't an absolute requirement when deciding an heir...""

Markus explained the loophole he found in the rules of inheritance.

"That's..."

Zen thought about it for a bit.

"...true"

Zen understood Markus's point .

""Which takes us back to my proposal, if you help me in obtaining what I wish want, I'll ensure that not only will I fix the house's economical situation, I'll make sure that the house will continue to thrive even in the far future even without an official blood heir""

Markus presented his proposal to Zen.

""And then after we're done with each other, we can pretend like I've never existed. It's a mutually beneficial deal for both of us, we both get what we want with no strings attached...""

""...the choice is yours""

Markus finished setting his terms.

"..."

Zen was silent.

(Is he that arrogant to think that he can accomplish all of that by himself? or is his confidence rooted in his abilities?)

Zen truly questioned who was in front of him right now.

"..."

He thought long and hard about it.

(although...it's foolish, even if it's desperate I can't help but feel like I can believe the words of this boy in front of me, his ambitions, his power it reminds me of...lord Alastoir, his unfathomable knowledge and unmatched ambition along with this charisma...maybe, just maybe he'll be the one to do it, he'll be the one to save us all...)

Although it was a decision Zen knew he was going to think back to a lot in the future, in the presence of Markus, right now he honestly felt like he had no right to refuse.

With a courteous bow, Zen stated with all of his might.

"Understood! I will do as you ask"

""Good""

Markus would've grinned if his face wasn't so consistently expressionless.

((Checkmate! This worked out way better than I expected...I've acquired a useful pawn...perfect, I'm glad that I didn't have to resort to blackmail using the evidence of illegal human experimentation I found in Ian's lab, now that my position within the house is secured I can begin to move on to the next phase of my plans))

Markus was celebrating his victory in silent glee.

((Wow, I've gotta admit this whole antagonist act fits me much more...))

Markus's inner geek was roused by how villainous he looked right now, at this moment.