"Orochi's power is great," Alex muttered, his gaze distant.
"But even greater is that artifact. The best source of power I have… after the Moon."
Beside his ear, a whisper slithered in.
"Master… you acknowledge me now, don't you?" Orochi asked.
"No. I don't."
"Why not?" Orochi's voice held irritation. "I killed that golem-like frog guarding the prison you were sealed in. I deserve it."
Alex's tone turned ice-cold.
"Don't you dare speak to me again—not even in thought. Understand?"
"Yes, Master…" Orochi whispered, retreating.
Freya had been watching him in silence for a while. Her body was still trembling.
Alex turned to her.
"You gonna keep staring, or you want to say something, girl?"
Her eyes shifted suddenly. Her voice was faint.
"That's not it… I'm just afraid… of what might happen to you because of me."
Alex shrugged.
"You don't have to worry about that."
He glanced at Orochi.
"Besides… I've dealt with worse."
"But I should worry, sir. Even if you saved me… I have no home. No family."
Alex narrowed his eyes.
"Why? What happened to your family?"
Her trembling worsened.
"They sold me. My own father sold me to a slave trader, who brought me here… to the Dragon Kingdom."
Alex scoffed.
"Dragons… they seem kind, don't they? But only from the surface."
"You're probably right," Freya said softly.
"That's why I beg you, kind master… please, don't save me."
Alex tilted his head.
"Girl… you can see my real appearance, can't you?"
She nodded.
"I can."
Alex sighed.
"Orochi, your magic is trash. Even this girl sees through it."
"That… shouldn't be possible," Orochi muttered.
"I'll fix it next time, Master."
"See that you do."
Freya asked quietly,
"Why do you have a snake around your neck?"
Alex laughed.
"Hah. Good question."
Orochi didn't respond—ashamed.
"So," Alex asked, "how can you see through spirit magic?"
"My father was a renowned spirit magician. I inherited some of his sight. I've been able to see through illusions since birth."
Alex chuckled.
"Normal spirits, huh? That includes you, Orochi."
He looked back at Freya.
"Don't misunderstand me. I'm not saving you out of kindness. I'm just starting my plan."
"As you wish, sir," Freya said.
"I won't interrupt. My life's already worse than death."
Alex stood up.
"I was waiting for that scum to show up, but he's late. I can still hear your two 'friends' screaming."
"They're not my friends," Freya said, lowering her head.
"I know."
Alex walked to the gate of the hut.
"Orochi, you ready?"
"Yes, Master."
With a step forward, the wooden gate disintegrated under his presence.
Inside, the fat old man was engaged in depravity—Dotha on her knees, Sigil locked in a twisted kiss, while his filth spread across the room.
His eyes met Alex's. He sneered.
"You're one hungry little pervert, huh? I was gonna come to you after these bitches, but you saved me the trip."
He stood—naked—and walked toward Alex.
"You break the door 'cause you're angry, boy? You wanted to suck my cock first, huh? Then come. Be a good boy and—"
Alex's hand moved.
He grabbed the old man by the throat, lifting him off the floor and walking outside.
Dotha and Sigil screamed, rushing after him. Lars, startled by the noise, awoke and staggered toward them.
As they neared, an overwhelming pressure dropped them to the ground. Only Lars managed to stand, barely resisting it.
"Hey, bastard!" he yelled. "Put him down or I'll kill you!"
Alex laughed.
"You think you can kill me, Lars?"
"I'm a knight of Leventha! I will arrest you!"
Alex smirked.
"Wrong kingdom, knight. You're in the Dragon Kingdom now."
He wiped his face and said one word:
"Orochi."
In an instant, Alex's disguise shattered. His true form emerged—white hair, flawless face, divine presence.
Lars froze. He recognized him.
"You… you're Sheng! The demon! You caused the chaos in the Dragon Kingdom! Because of you, the kingdom fell into despair!"
Alex smiled darkly.
"Arrest me, then. Try it."
He turned toward the choking old man and looked back at Freya.
"Hey, girl. Come here."
She hesitated. But the weight in his voice was irresistible.
She stepped forward.
"Kill him," Alex said. "He raped you, didn't he?"
Freya shook.
"I… can't, Master."
"Still afraid of him?" Alex pointed at the pathetic, gasping man.
"He's nothing now. Look at him—he's crawling, begging."
"So kill him."
Freya stood frozen.
Alex turned to Orochi.
"Give her a knife. Use creation magic."
A shimmer, and a blade appeared in Freya's hand.
"Stab him. As many times as you want."
Lars, still choking on the pressure, shouted,
"You monster! You're murdering innocents!"
Alex sneered.
"You want to save them, but you're too weak. You pretend to be a savior… but you can't even save yourself."
He turned again.
"Orochi."
Alex's form that he had abandoned—Alex Agniverta—was restored. Golden hair. Delicate features. The mask of royalty was returned by Orochi's magic.
Lars could only stare.
"You are… you are… Sir Alex."
He was sweating, frozen in fear.
Alex stepped closer.
"Tell your king—Leon Agniverta. that his son is here, killing people in his friend's precious kingdom."
Suddenly, Dotha and Sigil attacked from behind with kitchen tools.
Alex didn't move.
"Orochi… your pressure is weak. You couldn't even stop these bugs."
His hand lifted.
"Moon Devour."
A black, liquid mass erupted like a possession shadow—not devouring, obliterating. There was no blood. No scream.
"Hah. How's that, my friend? Your first meal."
Freya stood frozen. She still hadn't moved the knife.
Alex laughed coldly.
"You have no courage. No dignity. No anger. So why are you even alive, girl? Kill him."
Something broke inside Freya.
Her hand tightened.
And then—she stabbed.
Again.
And again.
Until his insides spilled out and his body went limp.
Lars watched, unmoving. There was no strength left. Only horror.
He turned—and ran. Far from Alex. Far from the truth.
"He ran," Alex whispered, smiling.
"Exactly as expected. A knight only when the world watches. Strip the witnesses, and all that remains is a coward."