System: Build My Own Territory Chapter 988 - 291: Blitzkrieg (10K)

Merely a dozen or so steps, and Land found himself quickly ascending, a slight shortness of breath soon following.

Upon reaching the bathroom entrance, he paused, straining to hear the sounds of Master Zok and a maid engaging within.

A subtle sense of relief washed over Land's heart.

Although Guard Captain Walter had not provided the specific reason for Master Zok's summons,

the undeniably cheerful atmosphere emanating from the bathroom suggested that the matter was unlikely to be grave.

Taking a moment to regulate his breathing, Land adopted his customary pleasant expression and, with purposeful strides, entered the steamy chamber.

The air hung thick with vapor, carrying a faint, lingering aroma of incense.

Land's gaze quickly swept across the room, taking in the scene.

Within the large bathtub, Master Zok reclined, attended by two maids, immersed in his bath.

One of the maids was even seated upon Master Zok’s lap.

Master Zok’s hands were openly exploring the maid’s form.

It became undeniably clear.

The playful sounds he had overheard were indeed coming from the maids.

Observing the tableau, Land swiftly lowered his head, his voice imbued with absolute deference.

"Master, Guard Captain Walter informed me that you required my presence..."

Heeding Land's words, Zok, still submerged in the tub, did not bother to turn his head.

His eyes remained intently fixed upon the smooth, fair skin of the maid before him.

Zok's voice emerged, calm and devoid of emotion.

"Strike yourself thirty times, and then you may depart."

Upon hearing this directive, Land, positioned several meters away, was immediately taken aback.

He inquired, a hint of confusion in his tone, "Master... Has Land committed some transgression?"

It wasn't only Land who wore a surprised expression.

The two maids attending to Zok also displayed looks of astonishment.

Zok's tone shifted, carrying an edge of interrogation, "What?"

"Does my word lack authority?"

"If you are disinclined to strike yourself, I shall have to summon the guards..."

A wave of alarm washed over Land as he scrambled to appease his master.

"Master, you misunderstand; Land... Land will strike himself immediately..."

With his statement made, Land slowly raised his hands.

He regarded his own palms, his arms trembling slightly, yet his resolve faltered; he could not bring himself to strike.

Zok shot him a glance, remarking coolly, "I do not appreciate repetition!"

Sensing the chilling finality in Zok's words, Land no longer dared to hesitate.

He swung his right hand, delivering a sharp blow to his own cheek.

Slap~

Possibly due to the excessive force applied, a crisp sound resounded through the bathroom the instant his hand made contact.

A distinct, crimson handprint instantly bloomed upon Land's cheek.

As a swelling and burning pain radiated from his cheek, Land's breathing grew ragged, his eyes wide with shock.

An intense surge of animosity welled up within his heart.

Master Zok was, by all appearances, in an exceptionally cheerful mood.

He had only recently returned to his chambers with a newly acquired young maid.

And now, he was indulging in leisurely activities with her in the bathtub...

Then why, Land pondered, did Master Zok command him to strike himself?

And a full thirty times, no less?

Walter's image immediately sprang to Land's mind.

During the period after Master Zok had retired upstairs, only Walter had interacted with him.

It had to be Walter who had spoken ill of him to Master Zok!

Upon this realization.

The resentment Land harbored towards Walter intensified.

Despite the turmoil of hatred in his heart, he dared not falter in his actions.

This was, after all, a direct order from Master Zok, the Manor Lord.

Even though he now held the position of butler in Master Zok's estate,

he remained merely a possession belonging to Master Zok.

Let alone striking himself, even if ordered to face the gallows, it would be deemed entirely lawful and proper!

Slap~ Slap~ Slap~

Land employed both hands in alternating succession, striking his own cheeks repeatedly.

After enduring eight or nine such blows.

Land's cheeks began to visibly swell and redden, with streaks of blood trickling from the corners of his mouth.

Land's entire body trembled uncontrollably.

Meanwhile, in the tub, Zok's right arm encircled the maid's waist, his hand resting firmly on her back.

He continued to caress her, savoring the pleasurable sensation beneath his palm.

All while awaiting Land's completion of his self-inflicted punishment.

Approximately one minute later.

The series of sharp slapping sounds echoing within the bathroom finally ceased.

By this point, Land's cheeks were grotesquely swollen, as if he had stuffed two large buns into his mouth.

His eyes darted nervously, tears flowing incessantly, and his body shook without end...

He bore little resemblance to the individual seen in the downstairs hall earlier.

Upon detecting the cessation of the sounds, Zok shifted his gaze back towards the distant Land.

Despite Land's current pathetic state.

Zok's expression remained stoic and unchanged.

He inquired in a low tone, "Thirty strikes, have you completed them?"

A somewhat muffled reply emerged from Land's swollen lips.

"Mas... Master, finished."

The two maids attending Zok could not refrain from casting a peculiar sideways glance at Land.

That glance held unmistakable ridicule and profound indifference.

This was entirely due to the ample measure of Land's past coercion and harsh treatment they had endured!

Zok persisted with his questioning, "Do you comprehend the reason I commanded you to strike yourself?"

Land's eyes were filled with bewilderment, his swollen lips twitching as he attempted to speak.

However, the sheer force of the slaps had rendered his entire cheek numb.

He had to muster all his strength just to part his lips and respond.

"Master... What did I do wrong?"

Zok shook his head, his voice chillingly cold. "No, you did exceptionally well."

"It's precisely because you performed too well that you overstepped your authority..."