Chapter 53: Squire Transformation.

They did everything themselves while Tessa watched. The only part they didn’t have to do was swallow because the worms were proactive about getting into their bodies.

In fact, it was very difficult for them to swallow because the first thing the worms took from them was their tongue. So the Squires found it hard to appreciate that they didn’t need to swallow.

As the worms devoured their tongues, the Squires still needed to take the jars in their hands to the wheelbarrows. They couldn’t drop the jars and call it a day.

They could have put the jars back on the shelf after taking the worms, but Tessa said she didn’t want a bunch of lazy Apostles. She thought that would be too easy for them, so she had them endure pain and walk a considerable distance without breaking the jars.

Based on what Alexander saw, he couldn’t say Tessa was being too strict, because they all managed to put the jars in the right place and went back to stand in line.

Of course, by the time they got back to the line, they could no longer walk or stand. They fell to the ground, spasming and frothing blood at their lips.

The worms grew filaments that invaded their bodies very quickly. Within seconds, their bodies broke down from the inside out. Even the toughest Squire was soon screaming in pain.

‘They are tough, but at least they are not immune to pain. It would be too much of an advantage if they were also immune to pain,’ he thought, feeling better about his performance during the transformation.

He could still remember that life-changing experience as if it had happened last night. The pain was vivid, especially the part where his brain was invaded. At that point, he wished he were dead.

If these Squires could shrug off this kind of pain, he would be intimidated by their mental fortitude. But seeing them defecate and piss themselves because of the pain helped him confirm that they were ordinary people like he was, and he felt better about it.

He stood some distance from them, waiting for Tessa to become free enough to deal with him. As for when she would be free, he didn’t know. He could only wait for the opportune time.

The first alternative was to leave and return another time. But he wanted to report for the day as early as possible to avoid unexpected circumstances.

Another option was to interrupt Tessa, but he didn’t dare. In fact, he could already feel the phantom boots crushing his spine, so he didn’t want to take any chances.

Fortunately, he only had to wait a little more than 9 minutes. After 9 minutes, all 56 Squires were done swallowing what would quickly become their doom or their inner demon.

Tessa’s hawk-like eyes continued to monitor the Squires as she said gruffly, “What do you want?”

He immediately snapped to attention, straightened himself, and put his fist over his chest as she said, “I am here to report for duty, Commander.”

“Noted. You may leave,” she said impatiently.

But he didn’t leave. Instead, he said, “I also have another matter I want to get your opinion on.”

“What is it?” she said, glaring at him.

“I wanted to ask. Can I own a farm?”

“No,” came the immediate reply.

He wanted to ask why not, but when he saw the glint in Tessa’s eyes, he decided not to question his superior officer.

So he slammed his fist against his chest and said, “Thank you, Commander. I will leave now.”

Tessa watched him leave with her sharp eyes. Then she snorted and returned her attention to the transforming Squires.

She was currently handling a matter of utmost importance and wasn’t in the mood to entertain distractions. If Alexander had pestered her for an explanation, she wouldn’t mind showing him how to turn a person into a sock puppet.

Alexander left with Jessy in tow. He was so engrossed in his thoughts that he didn’t notice the girl waddling after him like a duckling.

“For some reason, we can’t have a farm. I guess that puts an end to our plans,” he said to the worm, despondent.

“That fucking bitch,” the worm shouted angrily in his mind.

“I bet she is doing this on purpose. We should kill her to teach her a lesson. We should kill her and eat her.”

Alexander shook his head and said, “I don’t think she is doing it on purpose to spite me.”

“I have dealt with bosses who relish the pain of their subordinates, so I know what I’m talking about. Tessa seems more like a strict military officer.”

“She can be mean, but it is always to teach me a lesson. And she always tells me what I did wrong. She doesn’t hit for no reason.”

“In summary, we can’t beat her, so it doesn’t matter if she is doing it on purpose or not. At least, for now,” he said, his mind shifting through possible solutions.

Tessa said no to the farm, but this didn’t mean he would give up on the idea. He was hell-bent on getting that farm, if only because Tessa rejected his request.

Even though he didn’t show it and even though he was talking down the worm from violence, he didn’t like being rejected like that. In fact, he didn’t like having to ask someone else for permission to do something.

So whether it was because he liked the idea of a farm or to rebel against Tessa’s authority over him, he was going to establish that farm one way or another.

“Her rejection is just a temporary delay. One way or another, we will get that farm,” he said to the worm with a voice full of determination.

But the worm wasn’t so confident. It asked uncertainly, “What about that Tyrant fellow? What if he stops us?”

“Then he will have to die,” he said, his eyes glinting with bloodlust.