"Don't tell me this has been your plan all along… you cheat. Why didn't you tell me earlier that you planned to link your boys with her?" Memphis's voice rose slightly, sharp with irritation.
Raizer chuckled, trying to ease the tension. "Hahaha… calm down, Memphis. You never asked, and besides, we haven't had a private moment in a while. I always wanted to tell you, but the right time never came—until now."
Memphis exhaled through his nose, studying his friend. "Hmph. I'll take that as an apology. Well… since you want something from her again, I guess I'll have to do the same."
Raizer's brow arched. "What are you planning this time, Memphis?"
"Relax, buddy. It's going to be something huge," Memphis said, his grin widening.
"Talk to me. What's it about?" Raizer pressed.
"First of all," Memphis leaned closer, lowering his tone, "I'll introduce my daughter Debra to one of his little students at these early stages. The future will shine bright for both of us."
"You idiot!" Raizer barked a laugh. "Now you're planning something bigger than mine."
The two burst into laughter together, the sound echoing through the chamber like conspirators sealing a pact in shadows.
---
After a long journey from the castle to the town where Lucy, Alfie, Jackson, and Sasaki lived, they finally made it back to their apartment.
"I'm starving! When are we going to eat, for goodness' sake?" Alfie groaned, his voice heavy with exhaustion.
No one responded. Instead, Sasaki quietly followed Lucy, who had already disappeared into her room. Jackson walked in behind them, and Alfie, confused, trailed along.
Sasaki's tone was firm as he caught up to Lucy. "What was all that about back there, Lucy?"
"Don't question me like a child… boy," Lucy replied sharply, her eyes cold and serious.
"Okay, okay, but something happened. I clearly remember the special darkside knight Raizer saying something, then stopping halfway before continuing. Why did you get pissed off and turn so strict? You're too scary when you're mad," Sasaki said, his voice lowering.
Lucy's gaze darkened. "Something is off about Raizer. There's something he's not telling me—something I need to know. Did any of you catch what he said before stopping?"
Silence filled the room.
"He was about to mention something," Jackson finally spoke, "then changed it halfway to just you. He's definitely hiding something."
"It's not something he's hiding," Alfie added from the back, his tone serious. "It's someone."
"Exactly, Alfie." Lucy's voice sharpened. "That's why I can't trust him. If he's hiding someone he thinks can rival my strength, then it's dangerous. Even if he hasn't seen me at my best, the fact that he believes there's someone on that level means this person is extremely powerful. I can't underestimate that.
You three, get ready—we're leaving for a new apartment. On our way, I'll arrange it. We also need to resume combat and sword skills training."
With that, Lucy opened her wardrobe, pulling her belongings into her storage ring. Sasaki, Jackson, and Alfie exchanged glances before heading out to prepare as well.
---
After a short while, everyone regrouped outside. Lucy kept their belongings in her storage ring as they set off.
"I'm falling in love with this Shinra cape lookalike!" Alfie exclaimed with excitement, admiring himself with his sword Lucy had given him strapped on his back. "It makes me look like a real Shinra!"
"Pipe down, Alfie," Jackson muttered, his expression calm but firm. "I know you're excited, but this is just for other Shinras to respect us. It's no big deal."
"Whatever you say," Alfie teased, smirking. "I guess that's why you chose the cape the same color as your hair, huh?"
"Shut it, moron," Jackson snapped, his cheeks twitching.
"Master's wearing the same as me, so clearly I've got the best color," Alfie bragged, grinning wide.
"The red's fine. What's with you, Alfie? Let us have peace," Sasaki said, adjusting his own red cape.
"You've got red hair too, Mister reaper. You and Jackson look alike," Alfie joked again.
"That's enough, all of you," Lucy cut in sharply. "We're here to rent the chariot. Even the riders and the man in charge are Shinras, so keep your mouths shut and respect your reputation."
The group immediately went silent as they entered the chariot garage. They rented one to take them across twelve towns from where they currently stood.
Hours passed. The sun dipped low, painting the sky in hues of orange and violet. Eventually, night began to fall. After the long ride, the chariot finally stopped at the garage of a distant town. The group stepped out, weary but alert, and started walking through the quiet, lamp-lit streets.
"Okay, Lucy… where are we going now?" Sasaki asked, watching as Lucy moved with unshakable instinct.
"Quiet, Sasaki. We're heading for an empty apartment. Just have patience," Lucy replied without slowing down.
They walked… and walked… and walked. The air grew heavy, Alfie and Jackson clearly tired from the endless wandering.
Sasaki stepped closer to Lucy, his patience wearing thin. "If we had come earlier, we could've met house dealers—"
Whack!
Lucy's backhanded fist slammed into Sasaki's face.
"Ouch! Why punch me in the face?!" Sasaki shouted, clutching his nose.
"Don't tell me what to do. I'm the master here, not you," Lucy shot back coldly.
Alfie and Jackson chuckled behind them until Lucy's sharp voice cut them down. "Quiet, both of you!"
They immediately fell silent.
But then… a voice echoed through the streets, strange and omnipresent.
"Did I hear you mention house dealers?"
Everyone froze. Their eyes darted around suspiciously.
Then—suddenly—a man emerged from midair, stepping out of nothingness as though the air itself had given him form.