Ignoring the curious stares of the villagers, Frankenstein headed for the home of the village elder. All the information given to him, as well as everything he had dug up, had wildly differing accounts of the woman so they had been effectively useless. The only things he had actually learnt was that she was an Astran woman, and was the only person from the village permitted to enter the domain of the monster that haunted the kingdom.

Of course that already told him many things, like how she would no doubt be more youthful than he himself was since humans from Astra were specifically said to be so and she wasn't, and that she would no doubt have scales of some sort. The description of her home had left him wondering if she was in fact the infamous Medusa but, now that the long coils of red around the statues were in his sight, he knew that wasn't the case. Medusa was a gorgon, not a naga.

Arakei had tasted the disturbance in the air a little while back but the blond stranger approaching made the cause clear. Few outsiders ever came here. Her Zarga, sitting on a bench and reading, was the only regular visitor. The sacrifices that came every decade were the only other exception.

Who this well-dressed man was, she didn't know- "Hello stranger-" but she was sure to find out soon.

Bowing, Frankenstein greeted her, "Indeed, elder. I am Frankenstein."

Power (magick, but in this world it was often one and the same) drifted from the naga's skin like wisps of smoke but he kept his face impassive, pushing down the urge to sneeze. Worse were the slow waves that emerged out from the man sitting nearby. They rolled over him like warmth and home, and that he didn't trust.

Why was there a dragon here?

Someone polite! Now that was a great change from the annoying bastard at the monster's place. She dreaded visiting again, much as she loved her monster.

"I am Arakei," she said, though she wasn't expecting her name to be used, "What brings you here?"

"The marchioness of Suldala has sent me to clean up after the young master," Frankenstein replied instinctively before pausing. Covering his mouth with a gloved hand, he cleared his throat. That had been his majesty's words, not those of his mistress, even if it was what she had meant too. What he was supposed to have said was- "So I have come to serve the castle."

"...Ah."

So he was really just like that. To the point that even his own family knew he sucked. Arakei couldn't find anything else to say, though with the way Zarga had looked up at Frankenstein's words, she probably wouldn't have to.

The blank understanding on the elder's face made it clear that she'd already been victim to his master's helplessness. Frankenstein wondered what that meant for the so-called monster. How was he holding up? If he had caused any harm to his master, there would, without doubt, be bloodshed.

Zarga chuckled at the silent stare-off between the two and put his book down beside him, its pages splayed out to the chapter on Curatadia's torture devices. Though... he found it strange that they were referred to as such when they were all made by the same mother-son pair. Tradio would be more accurate. It wasn't as if Curatadia put them to use.

"Were you sent to take care of the sacrifice, or to keep an eye on the castle's master?"

The question made both Arakei and Frankenstein stiffen, the former's gaze turning cold as she awaited the answer. It was a difficult one since he wasn't sure of their personalities and how they would react, especially since the dragon's words had made it clear that he did not view the monster negatively.

Meeting his slitted eyes, Frankenstein kept his voice level- "Both. The mistress has sent me as a worried mother, not as the marchioness."

With a smile, Zarga stood- "What do you think?"

Arakei scoffed, "Why bother askin' if you've already decided?"

She was fine with the answer though. It was honest. Still, it was with a grumpy frown that she spoke-

"Follow me. We'll talk to the monster so he doesn't kick you out."

Not only did they not dislike the monster, the affectionate way the elder hissed the word making the opposite clear, they were close enough to pacify him? It was strange. There were many things he needed to investigate. There hadn't been much time before since he'd made his way here immediately, but he was sure there would be plenty soon enough.

"I appreciate your help," Frankenstein said, picking up his pace as he directed a question to the dragon, "and you are?"

"Zarga Siriana."

Arakei sighed at her mate's short response. Why did he never talk to strangers? It meant she had to do it for him.

"He's Astran. You'll see him a few times every year when he visits if you're here long."

"That seems unlikely. The records show that only six ever stayed for longer than a year."

Not to mention Frankenstein had little intention of letting his master live in such a secluded place for more than a short while. He wasn't sure what it was that the monster wanted with the sacrifices, but he'd get it over with as quickly as he could. Though maybe he would pick up some of these plants along the way. They were new to him and could help with his research.

"...Did anyone stay long aside from Miya-Miya?" Zarga asked, eyes narrowed. He didn't remember any of Urokai's guests aside from her. There could have been some, though, he'd never put in the effort to learn their names or look at them after all.

Arakei shook her head- "No. Miya-Miya wass the only one. The others are probably the ones that got eaten."

"Excuse me-" so that actually did happen? That was even more reason to get out of here quick- "eaten?"

"They were vile creatures and so instead of subjecting others to them, they became dinner," Arakei said, unwilling to have him think badly of her monster. That didn't stop her from grinning mischievously though- "Someone your size could last me for a few weeks. He ate quite well those times."

Frankenstein sighed, "I'm well aware that your people usually don't eat sapient beings."

Perhaps this monster was Astran too? He didn't quite understand why this tribute was demanded if so since the empire itself had only asked for peace. It was curious, though of course his master's safety was paramount.

"You're not a complete idiot like most of you Solians, then. Stronger too."

He was actually keeping up with her and Zarga, and without breaking a sweat. Arakei had meant to slow down but he'd kept to her pace so in the end they were reaching the castle much quicker than she did with any other human before. Maybe that's how all the best servants of Solian nobility were.

That was probably because he wasn't from Sol, and because he acted as both his master's servant and his guard, but Frankenstein had no intention of revealing unnecessary details to them. The naga's grudge would have been obvious even if he hadn't been on guard. She likely didn't act on it considering she was the elder, but it was worrisome all the same.

"What of Miya-Miya Lydia?"

"She stayed for six years and eloped with… Loki I think? They'd met before and ended up eloping since she didn't want to go back home."

She wasn't sure if that was the name of Miya-Miya's beloved since so many of her people had visited in the festival where the two reunited, and she didn't really feel like asking. No need to chase after a dead woman. At least not until a few years from now when she could visit her grave with the monster.

So that was why the next sacrifice hadn't seen her- "What about the... castle's master? Is he Astran like you two?"

"What else would he be?" Arakei replied, slowing down as the gates neared, "Can't be one of yours. He would've been dealt with immediately."

Zarga glanced to Frankenstein. The attempt at politeness was amusing, but would only be detrimental- "His name is Urokai."

Taken aback, Frankenstein simply nodded- "I will remember it."

The name definitely was Astran, but it was strangely similar to the elder's. He could tell that it wasn't something they'd answer if asked though, so he would figure it out later. Perhaps the monster would be more open to questions, though that seemed doubtful.

Taking out her set of keys, Arakei slotted the largest one into the side door built into the entrance gate. The gate itself could only be unlocked from the inside so that she only did when it was time for the sacrifices to arrive.

"Do you think they'll be trying to cook again?" Zarga asked her, his amusement plainly obvious.

She shrugged, "Probably. He's dumb as shit and the monster can't accept it."

"I ask that you do not talk about the young master in such a manner," Frankenstein said, for who else could that have possibly been referring to?

Arakei blinked at how the mood had just plunged into such a freezing cold, and how it was only because of his icy tone and frigid eyes. It was sweet. He obviously cared for the moron that he served.

"If he doesn't know shit then he's shit. I'll talk better about him when he gets better," Arakei replied, "Anyway, hurry up."

Waiting till both the elder and Zarga went through, Frankenstein followed, keeping himself from staring at the opulence before him. It didn't seem as if the elder cared much for Lord Raizel and though he knew there was little he could do about it, he resented her lack of respect. His master was a kind and just man, that was more than enough to make up for his incompetence.

"Right now the monster should be..." Arakei hummed as she looked the castle over, "there maybe? I'll just call one of the familiars over so we kno-"

A loud crash and the sound of glass shattering interrupted her words.

Zarga tilted his head slightly- "Or we can just go there."

Before the other two could say more, Frankenstein had already started running. Doors he threw open, the long halls he went through in a flash, and he thanked the master of the castle for not locking anything. It wasn't long before he was in an open hallway, and there he came to an abrupt stop, wondering if he perhaps was dreaming.

A man with the same red hair as the elder lay on the floor, a mask on his face, surrounded by shards of glass and the ornate trappings that must have been the frame of the mirror. On top of him, in the way only family or a lover would, was Lord Raizel. It was-

"...Obscene. This is obscene-" Urokai trembled, face hot as he avoided looking at both Raizel and the stranger staring horrified at them- "You… Get off me so I can clean up your mess already!"

Raizel blinked and shifted but then he saw the face of the newcomer and stopped, still straddling Urokai- "Frankenstein? Why are you here?"

"I- The mistress sent me for you, my lord," he replied, unable to look away.

"You're here for him?!" Urokai's eyes widened with relief and with little care for his own dignity since he had long lost it, he begged, "Take him back, please. I can't fucking take it anymore! I keep telling him I never asked for this sacrifice bullshit anyway but he won't go home!"

"I won't until I break the curse," Raizel said admonishingly, looking down at Urokai.

"WHAT CURSE?!" he wailed, near tears.

Frankenstein simply stared as they spoke, unable to comprehend the scene, and was only broken out of his reverie by a new voice.

"He's desperate," Zarga remarked

"Funny. He was just saying it was fine for him to stay a few days ago too," Arakei said.

The two had caught up just moments ago, and were watching enthralled as the pair on the floor continued to argue. Urokai started to curse them out too, actually in tears, as he attempted to sit up. Somehow, despite his stronger frame, he kept on failing.

Arakei patted Frankenstein's hand compassionately- "Make sure he doesn't torture the monster too much."

Frankenstein didn't reply, already feeling a headache coming on. An Astran human? Who had to be at the end of his lifespan even as a magician. Plus, he was a cannibal. And apparently he had as little love for the tradition and sacrifices as they did? Who was this man and what exactly had been going on for the past one thousand years?

At least he definitely had plenty of time to figure everything out. It wasn't as if Lord Raizel, still on top of Urokai, had any intention of returning, after all.