Quentin pushed the door open with slow, careful steps. His boots barely made a sound. He wore a gentle smile, but his eyes were cold.
Lucian felt the room shrink around him.
Quentin said, "You know… my son Louis talks too much. He thinks he's clever, but he's foolish. He almost exposed everything I built. And for that, I might have to kill him."
His tone was soft, almost friendly. The kindness made every word worse.
He walked closer, hands behind his back, like he was speaking to a guest. "Children are unpredictable. They ruin plans without knowing. Louis is no different. I raised him well, yet he disappoints me. So I'll cut off the weakness before it spreads."
Lucian clenched his jaw. He'll kill his own son?
Quentin chuckled lightly. "You look surprised. You shouldn't be. Your father, Elder Fürtwald… that man understands power. He moves armies like pieces, and he has no mercy to his enemies. I admire that."
Lucian forced his voice to stay steady. "What are you doing with those kids? Why are their names here? What are you planning?"
Quentin tilted his head, his smile widening. "Curious, aren't you? Brave too. But some things are not meant for you to know. You're only a child."
Lucian shifted his feet. He needed distance. He sprinted toward the door.
It slammed shut before he reached it. Quentin's hand was already on the handle. He stood close now, looking down with calm, empty eyes.
He whispered, "Just because you're a kid… does that mean I should hold back?"
He leaned forward slightly.
"I can kill you right here."
Lucian's pulse hammered. Quentin didn't raise his voice. He didn't need to.
Lucian pushed back on instinct. He stepped aside and aimed a kick at Quentin's knee. Quentin blocked it without moving his feet. His hand slid forward and struck Lucian in the ribs. The blow stole his breath.
Lucian staggered. He swung again, aiming for the throat this time. Quentin caught his wrist and twisted. Lucian dropped to one knee.
Quentin sighed. "You're fighting back. Good effort. But you're out of your depth."
Lucian forced himself up. He rushed forward. Quentin stepped past him smoothly and hit him on the back of the head with his elbow. Lucian fell to the floor. He rolled away and stood again, body shaking.
I have to escape.
He dashed toward the window. Quentin cut him off with one calm step and kicked him in the stomach.
Lucian crashed into the table. Papers scattered. Quentin didn't even breathe hard.
"Let me show you something useful," Quentin said.
He lifted a small crossbow from under the desk. Lucian froze.
"Don't blame me," Quentin said softly. "You were in the way."
The bolt fired. It struck Lucian in the chest. His body hit the wall before sliding down to the floor. Pain spread fast, dull and heavy.
His vision blurred.
Quentin walked toward him with the same gentle smile. "Silent to the end. Impressive."
Lucian's eyes dimmed. His limbs weakened. Quentin crouched beside him and checked his pulse.
"Still warm," he murmured. "Good."
He picked Lucian up with careful arms, as if handling something fragile. He carried him to the corner where several crates were stacked. Quentin lifted the lid of one crate and lowered Lucian inside.
He brushed dust from his hands. "Sleep well, little spy."
He closed the lid. The sound echoed through the room.
---
Lucian blinked and rubbed his eyes. The room was familiar, the quiet hum of his home filling the air. His heart still raced. That man… Quentin Rupert… The memory of the crossbow, the cold calm in his father's friend's eyes, the way he handled Lucian like he was nothing—it all pressed heavy in his chest.
Then, without warning, a sharp shimmer appeared before him. The air seemed to distort. The words glowed in front of him:
[Death Loop System Activated]
Lucian's stomach twisted. It had been ten years since the last time the system had appeared.
A single message blinked in its box:
[Quest Given...]
The system processed before giving a quest.
[Quest: Expose Quentin Rupert]
[Objective: Present evidence of Quentin Rupert's crimes to Mayor Mavis.]
[Death Limit: 3.]
[Reward: Principle Power Up.]
He stared. Expose him… That man wasn't just dangerous; he was calculating, vicious, and completely untouchable if no one knew his true actions.
Lucian's hands curled into fists. His Principle of Sacrifice reminded him of all the times he had survived, planned, and fought to stay alive.
This isn't just about survival anymore…
He swallowed hard and nodded to himself. "I'll do it," he said softly. "I'll expose him… and I'll get stronger."
The system blinked once, then vanished, leaving only the quiet of his home.
He stood and adjusted his cloak. It was time.
---
Eurukus sat alone in the small office, surrounded by tall stacks of books that leaned like tired soldiers. The place smelled like old paper and mint oil. He leaned back on the chair and rubbed his eyes.
A quiet smile formed as he remembered something from years ago. Mayor Mavis… that old man never changed.
He could still see it clearly. A younger Eurukus, barely reaching the mayor's desk, staring at the mountain of documents. Mavis had laughed and handed him a whole cup of tea that was too hot, too strong, and too bitter.
Eurukus drank all of it because he thought he had to. The mayor almost choked on his own laughter.
He forced a kid to drink tea as a test… Eurukus shook his head. I almost cried back then.
The door creaked.
Mayor Mavis entered with the same calm steps he always had. His beard was a little longer now. His hair was a little whiter.
But the same sharp eyes looked out from behind his spectacles. In his hand was a cup of steaming tea.
"Oh? Eurukus," Mavis said with a warm tone. "You look like you haven't slept."
Eurukus stood straight and saluted. "Mayor Mavis. It has been a long time."
The mayor nodded and took a sip of his tea. "You're still terrible at pretending to relax."
Eurukus gave a small, stiff smile. "And you're still good at making people feel judged."
Mavis chuckled, walked closer, and set his cup on the desk. "Sit, boy. If you're here this early, then something serious is happening. And knowing your general… something serious is always happening."
Eurukus lowered himself into the chair again, his expression calm but focused.
"Let's talk," Mavis said. "What brings the third commander of the Fürtwald Army to my city this time?"
Eurukus folded his hands on the table and leaned forward.
"Mayor… I need to ask you something specific."
Mavis raised a brow. "Go on."
"A secret lab experiment in this city. Do you know anything about it?"
The mayor blinked. "A what?"
"A hidden lab, running experiments."
Mavis stared at him, confused. "Eurukus, if this is a joke, it's a very bad one."
Eurukus didn't respond. Instead, he reached into his coat and placed a stack of worn papers on the desk.
The mayor's face changed instantly. He lifted the pages and scanned the messy symbols and reports written in different hands.
"Where did you get this?"
"Lillypose," Eurukus said. "I found them during an operation with General Fürtwald. We discovered traces of a group experimenting on children. We followed their tracks, but they disappeared. These files mention Gravenheim."
Mavis set the papers down slowly. "This is the first time I've seen anything like this."
Eurukus watched him closely. "You're telling me nothing like this is happening here?"
"I would know," the mayor said. "Something this large… impossible to hide."
Eurukus frowned. "But the reports point to this city."
Mavis rubbed his chin, thinking. Then his eyes widened slightly. "Wait. There is one thing."
Eurukus straightened. "What is it?"
"There's a black market under Gravenheim."
Eurukus stared. "…A black market? In the capital?"
The mayor shrugged. "Yes. Makes good money for the district lords. I don't bother with it. They handle their own rats."
Eurukus shook his head. "You're telling me you allow a black market right under your city?"
"I allow nothing," Mavis replied. "I simply do not care. It keeps certain people busy. And if trouble happens, it doesn't reach the citizens."
Eurukus leaned back, confused and frustrated. This city is insane.
Mavis sighed. "If your documents point here, then the only place someone could hide something like this is the black market. Everything illegal flows there."
Eurukus tapped the papers. "Then that's where I'll start."
Mavis took his tea again. "Be careful. I don't know what's inside that place anymore."
Then, Mavis stood up with a grunt. "I'll grab the files. There are a few names you should watch out for in that place."
He left the office. The door shut behind him.
Eurukus stayed still. The quiet felt heavy. Papers were spread across the table, and the mayor's cup of tea rested beside them, steam fading.
He looked at the window. The sky outside was dimming. Night was coming fast.
Where is that kid? He should be done by now.
He rubbed his chin. Lucian's task wasn't easy, but he expected the boy to arrive before sunset. Sneaking into the citadel wasn't simple, even with skill.
A faint sound came from the hallway.
Eurukus turned. His hand moved to his sword out of habit.
The door handle clicked.
He stood, ready.
The door opened slowly. A small shadow slipped through the gap, cautious and low to the ground.
Lucian's head poked in.
Eurukus blinked. "No way…"
Lucian froze. "Commander—? Why are you— What are you doing here?"
"You made it inside?" Eurukus walked forward. "Undetected?"
"Yeah," Lucian said quickly. He looked at the table, then at the cup of tea, then back at Eurukus. "Wait—this is the mayor's office."
Eurukus nodded. "And that is his tea."
Lucian didn't hesitate. He reached for it, grabbed the warm cup, and drank every last drop in one go.
Eurukus stared, stunned. "You actually did it."
Lucian lowered the empty cup with a short breath. "Of course. You told me to."
Eurukus leaned back, completely impressed. "Kid… you're insane."
Lucian shrugged. "You told me to."