-Richard, must all the slaves be registered in this system? asked Enma, visibly confused with my reaction.
-Yes, all without exceptions - I then looked at Rika how can you not exist? This is simply impossible!
-I said you wouldn t find me on that place - Rika smiled, taunting me.
-Then tell me you name or else I will have to - I threatened Rika, knowing I wouldn t be able to fulfill it.
-Or you shall have to show me the monster noble Silva said you were? she smiled cynically.
-What the - I then bit my lips, seeing Rika had me on the palm of her hand, that was when I realized that the noble Andrade wouldn t be so gentle with her like that, that is why I took my communicator and dialed his number.
-Andrade Saito speaking, to whom I speak to? asked Andrade s voice.
-Andrade, this is Montecchio Richard, I need you to come to my propriety right away I ordered firmly.
-But Richard now I am in the middle of - Andrade was replying when I cut him short.
-I don t think you understood, this is an royal order given in regards of our investigation! I said energetically Yumi, Hikari Akira and Masaki Dawn were kidnapped!
-What? Andrade exclaimed in a worried voice on the other end of the line how is that possible? How it happened? Tell me Richard!
-Not on phone, just come here, right now! I ordered again.
-Yes! I am on the way! he replied, hanging the call up.
-Well Rika - I said, looking at her, while I was putting the communicator away another noble involved in this investigation is on the way; you are right, I wouldn t be able to apply torture onto you because I respect people on the same position as yours however the noble Andrade is on his way here he is Masaki Dawn s fianc e he does not share the same ideas as I do because of that I think it is better that you talked -I already said, I prefer death than betray master Silva - replied Rika, looking at the ground.
-Alright, let it be as you wish I replied turning my back at her.
After about thirty minutes Andrade arrived at my propriety, he was promptly directed to the place we were at that moment, as soon he entered he ran towards me almost breathless, asking Where is Dawn? What did they do to Dawn? , after calming him down as much as it was possible, I explained to him what was going on, making him updated about the current situation, as soon as I finished he walked towards the prisoner and shouted:
-Where is Dawn? he started her from really close.
-I don t know replied Rika really shortly.
-I don t think you understood he then grabbed her by the hair and asked again where is Dawn?
-I already said I don t know! Rika then spat on Andrade's face and even if I knew, I wouldn t say it! I would rather die!
-Oh if that is really your wish the noble then slammed the slave s face on the punishment trunk with a lot of strength I think I can grant you that wish, if that is how you want it or you could tell me where Dawn is -Ouch ouch ouch ouch ouch Rika groaned in pain, with her nose bleeding, and tearing from the pain I already said it, I wouldn t say it even if I knew it!
-It is a shame - Andrade replied sarcastically, applying a soundly punch on Rika s liver, making her howl in pain but I think I can do this for a gooooooood while come on tell me what you know -I I already said - replied Rika, between one coughing and another that I know nothing just what the noble Richard already told you! That I had to only escort Enma-sama to Silva's hidden place -And why that? asked Andrade, almost losing control.
-I don t know! replied Rika, receiving a punch on the face, losing conscience right after that.
-Richard - said Enma, approaching my ear there is something fishy here -What would that be Enma? I asked, finding her observation weird.
-Richard that Silva - she then pointed to Rika does horrible things with his slaves correct? I even witnessed certain things that even made someone like me, used to the most bizarre stuff, become nauseous with some of them correct?
-Surely I replied nodding that is perfectly correct.
-Don t you think that this slave is hiding way too much Silva s activities? she then pointed to Rika, while frowning like protecting him way too much?
-Now that you mention it I replied, putting my hand on my chin actually the normal would be that, no matter how much the owner threatened the slave, it would actually try to sell his freedom from the actual owner because from amongst all the nobles, the Silva is by far the worst it really doesn t make any sense! But, what could this mean?
-Well we have two hypothesis Enma began explaining while we watched Andrade waiting for Rika to recover conscience the first one is that she might have been somewhat brainwashed to believe blindly that Silva is what he says he is however I don t really believe that is the correct one -Why would that be Enma? I asked, curious.
-Because she doesn t act like one Enma sighted, as if she had stumbled upon something problematic she doesn t have those glazed eyes nor anything of the sort, she doesn t act mechanically, don t you think her protests are way too vehement to be something induced, don t you think?
-Yes, now that I think about it, you are right I then meditated about it a bit but if it isn t that, what could it be?
-Probably that girl really loves the noble or Enma paused for an instant, continuing right the next moment there is something against her that he uses as blackmail -But she is a slave! I replied, not understanding Enma s logic very well how Silva could blackmail a slave?
-Who knows a kid? That is free and is under the noble s possession? replied Enma with a malicious smile on her face leave this to me, as soon as she recovers conscience, I shall deal with this -Alright, I agree I then looked at Andrade and said Andrade, leave Rika there, Enma shall deal with the rest -You niece? he asked me with an amazement face how could she help?
-She isn t my niece really, but a professional murderer hired to help and protect me during the investigations I then looked at her I am counting on you.
With just a nod Enma headed near the slave, kneeing beside her, she then took something out of her clothing, something like a small vial and, after opening it she placed it under the prisoner s nose, making her wake up almost instantly in sequence; she then looked at the murderer, which gently said:
-Rika, forgive me for doing this with you but, you saw it, didn t you? she then pointed to her forehead Silva did horrible things you must know very well that he is not a saint as you say he is -Y Yes Enma - Rika then nodded reluctantly.
-Right I just verified that you are not brainwashed - Enma then thought for some instants then why do you protect Silva? Do you love him?
-N No I don t love him I mean I did one day almost as a father when I was nothing but a child she then looked to her side but not anymore -Then why don t you help us? Enma asked softly.
-Because all nobles are selfish he at least helps me whenever I need - Rika replied while looking at Enma, with teary eyes.
-But you are his slave - said Enma, as astonished as I was.
-You wouldn t ever understand - replied Rika, trying to end the questioning.
-But then why don t you show up on the slave s registries Rika? I asked, already losing my patience why Silva wishes so badly to hide you?
-That I shall never tell even if you kill me replied Rika, tauntingly.
-Wait a moment Stephan said out of the blue what do you mean, she isn t on the slave s registry?
-She simply doesn t exist - replied Enma, pointing to the computer screen see for yourself.
-Hmmm, boy said Stephan could you give me a chance to check something? I ask you to just trust me.
-Of course Stephan I pointed to the wounded slave be my guest.
Stephan wasn t the kind of person that would simply talk, even less on to threaten and hurt someone, unless it was something on a kill or die level or someone that he loved that was in danger, and neither of them applied at this moment; all he did was to observe Rika intensely, sometimes really closely, kneeing to get a closer view; the old slave then stood up, place his hand under his chin and pondered for long minutes, asking in sequence:
-You said she wasn t on the kingdom s database, correct? he then looked at Enma.
-Yes replied Enma, pointing to the monitor so as Stephan could look at it her DNA simply doesn t exist, which means, even if it was inserted not correctly, there should be someone s but it simply didn t show up.
-I understand Stephan replied, walking back to Rika s side then I believe there might be just one answer to this question -And which would that one be? I asked, with growing curiosity.
-That this Rika he then placed his hand on Rika s one where the scar from the slave s propriety marking was, grabbing it firmly is not a slave! he stated tugging it strongly and quickly, taking out the scar out, that was now in his hand, revealing that there was no scar on Rika s hand to begin with.
-T That isn t p possible! exclaimed Rika, completely pale how did you know about it?
-That does not matter now replied Stephan, pointing to Enma Enma quick, search her on Verona's free people database!
-Yes! Enma replied, looking to me in around fifteen minutes we shall know who she is!
-Great Enma, warn me once we know the truth I praised her, on the exact moment Reinold entered the premises.
-Richard, I know that this is a moment that I should not be bothering you he then pointed to the main entrance building but there is a person in front of our house that insists in talking to you saying it is a life or death subject and that was sent by the kidnapper!