Haruma looked down at them both, gaze fierce and disappointed. Anyone would tremble under his scrutiny. The two servants who were the recipients of that wrath reacted instinctively, recognizing the imminent danger.

Hyeon couldn’t understand what Haruma said as he growled, “Tatakai ni tsuite keikoku shimashita.” (“I have warned you about fighting”).

Clem lost the ability to talk, mouth gaped open. 

Hearne was in the other corner whispering to himself, “I’m sorry. I’m sorry.”

Is this really the same person who was pretending to strip off clothes just earlier? 

While Haruma scolded, Hyeon heard quiet laughter nearby. Behind the watching group of servants were a few individuals whom he wanted to avoid entirely while working here. It was inevitable that he would run into them.

Imoogi. He tried to hold in a wicked smile behind his hand. Eli and a girl with an arched scorpion tail were with him. She was probably part of their little gang. They silently cackled along and gave each other soft high fives.

When the supposed dragon noticed Hyeon observing them, he held up a finger to his lips. Shhhh.

Did they do this? Shit, they probably did.

His attention returned to the harsh lecture. 

The two terrified servants suddenly slid across the floor to Haruma’s feet with unseen energy. It reminded Hyeon of a horror movie scene when the actress was dragged by an invisible demon.

After colliding, Clem and Hearne were forced to kneel with their foreheads touching the ground. It was a sign of surrender.

Haruma sighed and switched languages, composing himself. Perhaps reverting to his native tongue when angered. “Disturbing the peace warrants punishment. You know the standards we upheld. The standards Master expects.”

They nodded wildly.

“I want you to hug.”

Other servants looked on in confusion.

The pair flinched. Clem dared to lift his head. “H-hug, sir?”

The fox clenched his fists and crossed his arms. “Hug it out.”

Hearne also tilted his head in puzzlement. Disgust twisted his face. “I don’t understand. Do we really have to go that far—?”

Haruma’s several tails flared from the potential insubordination.

To escape future rage, they shrieked and clung to each other desperately. Their body language implied that they resented the action. The space between them resembled a preteen couple at their first middle school dance. After a few moments of history’s most awkward embrace, the embarrassed duo let go.

“Better?” Haruma asked in a calmer manner. 

“Y-yes, sir,” they muttered under their breath.

"Hmm? What was that? You want to hug again—?”

“Yes, sir! Yes!” 

“Good. Now, one week in the basement.”

Some employees gasped. Clem and Hearne were left speechless. Their ogling gave the impression that the punishment was the end of the world.

“Let this be another prime example of what happens when you let yourselves go feral,” he announced to the rest of the servants. “Do I make myself clear?” 

Haruma reprimanded ‌everyone, but he specifically eyed Imoogi who looked away sheepishly.

He knows! He knows Imoogi started it! Is he not saying anything because there is no proof?

“Yes, sir,” everyone repeated.

Eight of the nine tails disappeared in inky mist. His purple eyes dissipated into his normal maroon and blue odd-eyed colors. The servants who had witnessed the fight returned to their work.

“Blue,” Haruma said. 

As if he were waiting to be summoned, a spider-faced dog sped down the aisle. Slobbery foam trailed behind him. 

Does he have other jobs besides driving?

“Please escort them to the lowest level. Their sentence is one week,” Haruma ordered.

Blue nodded and snarled at the offenders to hurry. They stumbled to their unsteady feet and reluctantly followed the dog with grim faces. 

Hearne paled and suddenly covered his mouth. He hurried past Clem to the nearest cleaning cart’s trash can and emptied his stomach. The reaction stemmed from fear. Pure fear.

Why are they so afraid? What’s below the castle? 

That was a place Hyeon hadn’t visited yet… and didn’t want to. Ever.

Haruma went back to Hyeon’s cart and continued explaining the supplies as if nothing had happened. “You’ll see here that you have a couple of clothes and towels. Use them in this specific order when cleaning each window.”

Hyeon hesitated to interrupt. “E-excuse me, Mr. S-sir...?”

The yokai demon paused to listen.

“What’s, uh, in the b-basement?” Hyeon wondered. 

The trainer casually explained while searching through the fresh towels, “Fighting is unacceptable at Festr Castle. As long as you don’t break this rule, then you won’t have to find out.”