The hellish landscape I had found myself in... Even after I retreated to my bedchambers, I could not wipe its continued existence from my mind.
After seeing that sight, I had told that butler not to disturb me under any circumstances. I don't know what's going on but this bad dream should end soon enough, then I'll wake back up in that bed...
I know I asked to finally be removed from that monotonous life, but I didn't mean to be sent to the underworld instead!
I dug my ridiculously large, meaty head further into the velvety pillows of my bed.
It was comfortable, pillowy and soft as if laying on a cloud.
I was lay pleasantly. Here, where I should be relaxed... Regardless I couldn't find myself at rest.
No matter how hard I tried.
I couldn't hear the constant wails when I awoke earlier, they didn't penetrate this far into the manor.
If that's the case.
Please tell me...
Why can I hear them so clearly?
It was maddening, the sound was driving me crazy. It was as if each and every single one of those tortured animals was directing their voices at me! What the hell did I do to you?! Send your complaints to a different department, goddamnit!
---
"Milord. The time for a feast has arrived."
"N-" My immediate answer was going to be refusal, but...
Gurgle!
"..." I was silenced by the grumbling of my oversized stomach. It growled like a prehistoric beast. I was starving. Maddeningly.
Strangely enough, I don't know how much time had passed, but I hadn't eaten at any other juncture in the day. For a member of nobility, this guy didn't eat often. Is that a factor for nobility, one large meal in the afternoon?
He did say there was some sort of banquet occurring, what was the reason for it?
...There was just one thing I was worried about.
From that wide view of the crater and it's surrounding hills. There are no fields or granaries. Nor have I seen a single animal in the few hours I've spent in this hellish place.
What exactly am i going to be eating?
---
There were hundreds of seats with three large tables spanning from the entrance all the way to the back of the dining hall. I had ambled into a large, albeit restrictive throne with a ridiculously, humongous platter of meat presented before me. Much too large to be called a meal. Yet, I was hungry for it all the same.
"What is this?" I could feel the drool produced, I was salivating like a dog before it's marbled visage.
"Meat, Milord. Your usual favourite."
"And from where was this meat procured?"
"Cattle progeny grade 5, settlement A. The greatest meal we can offer, as always."
"I see..." It was cattle. The screams, it was just a slaughterhouse. Of course they were hidden, what was I thinking... The bubbling molten lava at the bottom of that chasm was just making me feel worse for wear. It was probably just an effect of the fumes or something. That's all it was.
I took a large bite of the succulent meat offered to me. I've eaten at many places throughout my career. I must be remembering the taste of that particular Wagyu restaurant that my superior had taken me to. Getting on the waiting list alone took a few months without connections. Even for someone like me, it was a treat I very rarely got to indulge in. I had never tasted anything better.
Gorging upon the meat before me, I could smell the iron. They had left some blood on it, I usually had my meat medium rare, as was the staple. But this wasn't so bad. The smell of iron, for some odd reason, was just whetting my appetite even more.
"Allow me to offer my cup to you; O' great Baron." One of the men seated roughly halfway down the table had approached me.
The juice from the steak was almost quenching enough. But I could hardly refuse washing down this delicious meal with a wine of particularly good vintage.
I took a large mouthful from the outstretched goblet.
To my horror the same taste of the meat, the juice that was quenching my thirst before even taking a mouthful of wine, was omnipresent.
I spat, more on reflex than in regard to any deficiency in taste. Smelling the contents of the goblet warily.
"...Is this blood?" I was bewildered, what is this guy offering me?!
"Eh, of course it is. Milord?"
"This is not wine, what do you think you're giving to a Baron? Is this some sort of sick joke?" Even in my dreams these worthless subordinates can't get a single thing right.
"Of course not, I would never dare! Not to you, Milord! There must be some mistake!" His face was covered with a genuinely befuddled expression.
"You would dare offer this swill to the Great Bloody Baron! Only the finest wine for our lord!" A group of men shouted from across the tables.
Gradually more and more people had risen out of their seats and approached. The man that offered his cup was already detained in the arms of two men seated particularly high up the table. Just a few seats from myself.
"I swear to you O' Baron. This is the finest wine I could get my hands on! Look at the coloring; a beautiful scarlet just as is the namesake of this valley." Those words just reminded me of the hellscape we were in, that valley of blood. I slammed the table in retort, barely restraining my groans.
"And someone as lowly as you decided to interrupt the Baron's meal with this paltry gift. Those lower should know their place!" The surrounding henchmen proclaimed.
"He's spat upon your pride, Milord. Allow me to bring you his head in recompense! For the glory of the Bloody Baron!"
"To spoil the palate of our great leader, no punishment other than death could be suitable!"
"Off with his head!"
"Let blood spill and gather once more in the Goblet!"
So many voices. So many noises. Stop your drivel for a moment will you?!
"Enough!"
The room rumbled and shook, extravagant chandeliers came dislodged from the ceiling, food fell off the table from the excessive shaking.
Was that my voice? The anger must have changed something in this nightmare... Was that the answer to getting myself out of this situation? Perhaps the stability of this dream world would become more unstable the greater the outburst...
Silence emanated through the dining hall.
I knew more than anyone... Showing weakness wasn't what a leader was supposed to do in this situation. Allow people an inch and they will take a mile. He needed punishment, correction. But not death. I wasn't so far gone that I believed this was a suitable punishment. I had to administer it myself, or everyone else here will massacre him.
Not to mention, I'll lose a valuable opportunity.
Why was this situation unfolding in the first place? Everything is out of control. The more time I spend here, the less I feel like this dream will ever end.
But there was one thing I was sure of...
I don't want to stay here. I don't want to return to that dining hall.
I didn't want to think on it more...
Whatever that is, I don't want to eat it again.