The Founder's POV

Chapter 31: Unexpected [2]

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A powerful blow landed on the face of a high-level Puppet.

I looked down at the courier beneath me, having just arrived at the carriage station, and didn't hesitate to abduct him. I brought him inside his carriage for a few 'questions.'

"Where is the exit of this island?"

I could see him trembling beneath me, feeling a bit guilty at the sight. This person is just like me, a mere victim of this soulless society.

"I-I don't know..."

Another blow fell on his head. Puppets are taught loyalty from the moment they arrive here; they need some incentive before obeying someone else.

"Where is the exit of this place?"

I repeated, and heard the same answer.

Another blow, and the same answer... repeatedly until I began to feel bored.

'Does he really not know? But a courier should know everything about the island for delivery purposes...'

I thought of another way and sighed, pulling out one of the fruits I had stored.

I didn't have many left. I kept some with me in case I needed to bribe some puppets, just like the courier beneath me. His expression changed completely when he saw the fruit.

"Four kilometers north, there's a gate that leads to the lower part of the island."

I smiled and let the fruit drop from my hand. It landed right at the man's mouth, and he swallowed it without hesitation.

"And what is the lower island?"

The courier replied while still chewing, his voice extremely annoying.

"You'll find the business hall there with three gates! The first is for the puppet's facility, the second is for the hell, and the last is for outside the tree!"

A final blow landed on the courier's head, but this one was stronger than the previous ones. He lost consciousness completely. I took his badge and wore his clothes.

I went out and started driving the carriage north, with a giant puppet leading the way and following my orders. Instead of the sacred fruits, this puppet craved a particular type of black oil. I found some with the courier.

***

The puppet was extremely fast, taking less than half an hour to cross a mountainous area, and another ten minutes to reach a massive facility. I shuddered when I saw that place, its familiar eerie aura and the cries of suffering puppets emanating from it.

I'll see this place often in my nightmares when I leave... especially the pain when my mind was broken. An unforgettable experience indeed... I must find additional ways to protect my mind when I return, that is after I inherit the family, of course.

The guards stopped me at the entrance; they were puppets too. I presented the delivery card I found with the courier. Fortunately, no pictures were included on these cards.

A really strange thing for such an experienced society. The guards let me in after a quick inspection.

"This is my first time here, where can I find the gates?"

One of the guards pointed to a distant building without hesitation, as if I wasn't an unusual case. I thanked him and headed where he pointed with a faint smile.

What I didn't know was that the guards exchanged whispers and clinked their bracelets together...

***