Alfie's suspicious eyes darted around.
"If they're not Shinras, why would they all dress like one?" Alfie asked, his voice carrying both suspicion and curiosity.
The young girl walked confidently ahead, her cloak brushing against the wind. "This is how we scare weaker Shinras away. Rogue Shinras often prey on small kingdoms without real Shinras. So, as the most valuable person in this kingdom, I hired skilled swordsmen from nearby towns. They don't possess Renshi, but they're disciplined,loyal and very skillfull with the sword. Their appearance alone is enough to make enemies think twice."
Her words made Alfie frown. "But those guys earlier… they weren't much of a threat. How did they figure out your swordsmen weren't real Shinras?"
The girl glanced back briefly as the two swordsmen stationed at the gate bowed and pushed the heavy doors wide. "The older brother had sensory ability. He could feel there was no Renshi flowing in my men. Sword skill alone wasn't enough to deceive him. Against ordinary humans, my swordsmen are more than capable—but Renshi is the line they cannot cross. When they fought, their power came from Renshi, not just blade. We had no choice but to retreat."
The group stepped inside the vast courtyard, their footsteps echoing faintly against stone tiles. Alfie's jaw dropped as his gaze swept across the sprawling estate.
"This place is beautiful. Your parents must be the richest in the kingdom," Lucy said softly, adjusting Sasaki's unconscious body in her arms as if he were something irreplaceable.
The girl's eyes lowered, her voice tinged with quiet sadness. "They were. But not anymore. Since their passing, I've been the one managing their properties, investments, and this estate."
Her tone carried weight, but she shook it off quickly and gestured forward. "Come with me. We need to lay him somewhere safe."
The mansion was a testament to both wealth and survival—luxury furniture lined the halls, silk drapes fluttered from the ceiling, and every corner glowed faintly with Renshi-powered electric lights. The current hummed gently through crystalline conduits, a marvel of ingenuity that blended mysticism with civilization.
They ascended a wide staircase nestled between two wings of rooms. The girl's footsteps were light, but Lucy's were heavy, every step pressing with her silent worry for Sasaki. At the top, the girl unlocked a room on the second floor and pushed the doors open.
Lucy walked in, carrying Sasaki, and gently laid him on the bed. She sat beside him, her eyes lingering on his pale face. A faint sigh slipped from her lips—half relief, half dread.
"So… what now? How can you help him?" Lucy asked, her voice sharp and commanding despite the worry clouding her expression.
The girl clasped her hands in front of her. "There are many possibilities as to why he hasn't woken. But I can guarantee two stand out with the highest chance."
Lucy's brows knitted. "Don't waste my time, girl. I know you want powerful Shinras in your kingdom. But we don't have the luxury for games. If you know a way to speed his recovery, speak now." She rose from her seat, her tone cold as steel, and walked slowly toward the girl, the weight of her presence pressing down like a storm.
The girl stepped back, her throat tightening. "Of course I have a way… but only if I know the true cause. It could be Eternal Sleep or Poison Slumber. Those two are entirely different conditions with entirely different treatments."
Lucy's eyes narrowed. "Poison Slumber…" she whispered. "I've heard of it. Not impossible, but difficult. Eternal Sleep comes from Renshi misflow or the death of one's energy stream. But this isn't that. I'm sure of it."
"You can't just assume," the girl countered, her voice trembling but firm. "We need to confirm. Eternal Sleep and Poison Slumber are not the same."
She hesitated, then finally added, "The poison used on him—it comes from someone I know. His toxin disrupts the Renshi flow in a body instantly. That's why its effects take hold so fast."
Lucy's gaze sharpened. "Who is this person? Tell me now, and I'll tear the antidote from his hands myself."
The girl raised her hands defensively. "Calm yourself, Miss. This man… he is very dangerous. No ordinary human. Nothing you haven't seen before, but still—"
"Listen to me, girl," Lucy cut her off, her voice dropping low as she stepped closer, her piercing eyes locking onto hers. "Do you know the things I've seen? The battles I've fought? The enemies I've slain? Do not insult me with warnings."
The girl swallowed hard, trembling under Lucy's pressure. "N-no, ma'am…"
"Good. Then tell me where he is. I will go." Lucy's tone brooked no refusal.
The girl's lips quivered as she finally sat down on a couch, her eyes clouded with grief. "This person is… my brother. Fedora. We grew up here with our parents. But everything changed. Our parents were killed, and my brother was taken. He was twisted… turned into something unrecognizable. The Fedora I knew died a year ago. Now only the monster inside him remains. If you want the antidote… you'll have to take it from my brother in order to save yours."
A heavy silence filled the room.
"Brother…?" Alfie thought, his eyes darting between Lucy and Sasaki. What does she mean, calling Mr. Reaper master's brother?
Lucy's expression was unreadable. Finally, she spoke. "Then give me the location of your brother. I'll help mine—no matter what it costs."
Alfie's eyes widened. "She… she accepted it?" he thought in disbelief.
Jackson, who had remained silent until now, stepped forward. "Forgive me for speaking, but can we really trust every word from her? We barely know who she is."
The girl stood firmly now, her sadness replaced by sharp resolve. "It's up to you whether you believe me or not. But while you waste time doubting, your comrade edges closer to eternal sleep. Think carefully."
"That's enough. No more harsh words," Lucy cut in, her tone final.
The girl nodded. "Then come with me, ma'am." She turned toward the hallway.
Lucy tossed a crystal jade toward Jackson, her expression grave. "Jackson—you stay with Sasaki. If anything happens while I'm gone, crush that jade. It will alert me no matter where I am."
Jackson caught it with a frown. "Why do I have to be the one stuck indoors?" he muttered under his breath.
"Because I trust you," Lucy replied without turning back, her voice resolute as she walked out with Alfie trailing behind.
The heavy door closed, leaving Jackson standing by Sasaki's bedside, the crystal glowing faintly in his hand.