In the Alleyway
Alex sat in the shadowy alley. Beside him was Freya, with Orochi coiled tightly around her neck.
"Did you finish the job?" Alex muttered.
Freya nodded. "We did, Master. But… one thing caught our attention. The man you ordered us to kill—he was already dead when we got there."
"You don't need to worry about that," Alex said coolly. "You did move the body, right?"
"Yes," Freya replied. "Just as you told us to."
Orochi interrupted, "I also cast the spell on her. She can now change her appearance into that man's. Exactly like you instructed."
Alex's eyes gleamed. "Perfect. Freya, you already know what comes next."
Freya nodded again. "Yes, Master. As you wish—I'll declare a grand funeral for the lord of the city."
"Good," Alex said. "You must do it, no matter the cost. And make sure to invite the king… and every other clan leader."
"Orochi will assist you," he added.
"Hmph, yes, Master," Orochi said lazily. "I'll help them. They're both depending on me."
Alex gave a quiet sigh. "Yes, yes. As always."
With that, Orochi and Freya disappeared into the crowd—faces changing, identities slipping into the city like whispers.
In the Royal Hall
A knight burst through the main gate.
Ember, King Agniverta, Fafner, Luck, Lars, Mischel, and Shelly sat around, laughing and chatting in peace.
But as they saw the knight's urgent face, Ember stood up. "What happened?"
The knight bowed deeply. "My princess… and Majesty… The Lord of Lumbris… is dead."
"What?!" Fafner was stunned. The news hit him like a sword in the chest. Ember's eyes widened in disbelief.
Everyone in the hall turned their eyes toward the king and Ember.
Fafner demanded, "How?"
At the Hall of Holit City
Another knight rushed into the great hall, running straight toward the oni who sat atop the dais.
At the City of Wind
Yet another knight sprinted through the gate of the ruling palace.
All across the kingdom, similar scenes unfolded.
The death of the Lord of Lumbris had spread like wildfire, carried on the backs of knights and messengers. Every city, every clan, every noble household received the same report.
And with it—news of a grand funeral.
At the Royal Hall of Leventha
A knight stepped forward, handing a sealed parchment to Leon Agniverta.
"It's from Fafner," he said.
The Day of the Funeral
Alex walked through the halls of the city lord's palace. It was massive, decorated beautifully for the occasion. Freya had arranged everything to perfection.
He smirked as he moved through the shadows, hidden by Orochi's concealment spell.
Orochi, now back in snake form, was loosely coiled around Alex's neck.
Finally, they arrived at the manager's private room.
Inside, Freya sat at the desk, disguised in the manager's appearance.
As the gate closed, she looked up and said, "Master, I've done everything exactly as you told me."
Alex nodded. "Did you find out who killed the man?"
Freya nodded again. "They were the chefs. Orochi and I handled them—just as you ordered."
Alex chuckled. "Perfect. Now, it's time. Let's switch."
Freya nodded once more.
In an instant, Alex changed his appearance into the manager. Freya transformed into a snake—black-scaled, red-eyed, with white patches—coiled beside Orochi on Alex's shoulder.
Alex grinned. "Let's move to the stage, shall we?"
At the Funeral
The crowd was massive—so massive that not even the enormous palace could hold another person. Even the streets beyond the city were full. All had gathered to mourn the lord… and to hear the words of kings and clan leaders.
Floating above the crowd was a magical stage—an island suspended mid-air. Enchanted to carry sound and vision to all corners, it gave every person a front-row seat.
Alex, now appearing as the city manager, stepped forward to speak.
"My dear people of the Dragon Kingdom… I know this is a day of reverie," he began solemnly.
"A man dies not just when his heart stops, but when his secrets rot alone in silence," Alex declared, voice rising, steady.
"And yet… Lord Lumbris was a man who lived surrounded by silence."
Some nobles shifted uncomfortably.
"He lived quietly. Died quietly. And yet today—look around you—he unites kingdoms."
He paused, lips trembling with a fake hint of grief.
"Tell me, is this not what kings dream of? That even in death… the world kneels?"
Heh.
in his mind, other thoughts churned:
Everyone's here. Everything is perfect. Behind me sit the nine leaders of the distinct clans, the king of this kingdom… and these fools—Lars, Shelly, that bitch Ember, that woman Mischel… and my dear brother, Luck.
Heh… ha ha.
He continued leaning, forward, "Yes… this day of reverie… will soon become much greater."
"Activate."
A golden barrier exploded into existence.
With the same artifact that had protected the Dragon Kingdom…
Now became its cage.