[A/N: Again, this entire episode has a content warning for Nazism.]

That Butler, Conflicted

II.

Early morning, a few days later:

"Are we there yet?" Sigmund asked, even though the answer was obvious as they were currently driving through a deserted stretch of rural Poland with no sign of civilization in sight. Sigmund was taking a turn at driving, and Sebastian was handling the map, not that there was much navigation to be done at the moment.

"We should reach our destination by this afternoon," Sebastian replied after a few moments spent examining the map.

"Wonderful," Sigmund sighed in relief. "I can't wait to get back. Why did we ever want Poland, anyway? I hate it."

"It was something about having enough living space for future generations of the German people," Sebastian reminded him.

"And that will be lovely for them, I'm sure." Sigmund wrinkled his nose as he looked around at the dull expanse around them. "I should much rather have a house in France when the war is over."

"Is that what you truly want?"

"Oh, give it a rest, Sebastian," Sigmund grumbled. At another time Sebastian was sure he would have responded more strongly, but right now he was too tired from the long drive to put much effort in arguing with a demon. "I see a tree over there," he said a few moments later, turning off the road. "Let's stop for breakfast."

"Do try not to run over any wildlife this time," Sebastian remarked.

"Or maybe you could warn me about them before I run them over!" Sigmund protested. "I swear I didn't see the rabbit."

"Or the squirrel?"

"You were driving when we ran over the squirrel," Sigmund reminded him.

"And had you seen him, you could have told me not to run it over."

"Because you never would have thought of it yourself, it seems."

Sebastian decided that this argument was doing nothing to further his plans of inducing Sigmund to make his wish soon, and made his way to a more agreeable topic. "What would you like to eat this morning, Master?"

After eating the massive breakfast Sebastian spread before him, Sigmund was much refreshed and settled into the driver's seat again in high spirits. Still it was not long before he began to feel frustratingly uneasy again. There was no reason for this concern: he and Sebastian were performing a tediously safe mission in a conquered territory. There were no enemies to be worried about save for a few scattered bands of resistance fighters and Sebastian would make short work of any of them if they dared to show themselves.

Perhaps, then, it was Sebastian who was at fault for this worry. Sigmund did not think the demon would (if it was possible that he could) directly attack him before he had made a wish, and Sebastian had done nothing on the trip so far. But the demon seemed interested in their journey—he knew something. Sigmund did not like it when Sebastian seemed to know something he didn't.

A few hours later Sebastian pointed out that it was time for lunch.

"I'm not hungry," Sigmund stated, not taking his eyes off the road. "How much further is it?"

"It's not like you to miss meals."

"What are you, my mother? I said I'm not hungry."

The demon let out a sigh but did not push further. "We are nearly there," he replied; Sigmund thought he might have sounded eager and wondered whether he wanted to know why. "Perhaps three more hours."

Sigmund wrinkled his nose in distaste as he parked underneath the sign that read Arden Work Camp. Through the double-layered barbed-wire fence he could see several dingy, ramshackle barracks—they looked as if a strong wind or heavy snow would bring them down. Most of the rest of the interior area was taken up with a guardhouse attached to a squat factory. There was one other building of unidentifiable purpose tucked away downwind of the guardhouse, although considering how badly the whole place smelled it probably didn't help much.

Sebastian's face was smoothly composed as he got out of the car; a little too composed, Sigmund thought. The demon was definitely up to something, although what he could want in a place like this was beyond Sigmund.

"Let's just hurry up and get out of here after I deliver this," Sigmund said as they waited for the guards to open the gate.