The incident

Hearing the Emperor's silent affirmation, Cypher soon understood the path before him. A sense of clarity washed over him, steadying his resolve. With renewed confidence, he made another request after some deliberation.

"Then may I hold my request for later?"

Theo nodded in return, a knowing smile stretching across his face. He clasped his hands together, golden flames bursting forth between his fingers like liquid sunlight. The heat shimmered in the air, distorting the space around them.

"You have my word. I am an Emperor, not a liar." His voice carried the weight of an unshakable promise. Then, with a casual flick of his wrist, he dismissed Cypher like a merchant sending off an errand boy. "Now then, run along and prove you can survive, and the rewards will be plentiful indeed."

Cypher inclined his head, his voice measured. "Thank you. I'll devote everything to proving my worth from here on."

Rising to his feet, he cast a brief glance towards Alexander, and, immediately regretted it.

The boy's expression sent a cold shiver creeping down Cypher's spine. It was the kind of look one would expect from a predator tracking its prey, eyes alight with a manic gleam. A shudder of wrongness clung to the prince like an unsettling aura. He stood rigid, his body unnaturally still, seemingly held in place only by sheer force of will and soul power.

'But why?'

A sickening sensation coiled in Cypher's stomach. He clenched his jaw and quickly looked away, forcing himself to walk across the ballroom floor without further hesitation.

That stare was simply too weird for him to bear.

The eyes of the stunned Baron followed his every step.

As for the Emperor, he cast one final, mocking scoff at the lower lords and ladies before turning toward the grand staircase leading to the balcony.

The polished marble steps gleamed under the golden chandeliers as he ascended, each movement dripping with an effortless authority that made the nobles shrink in his presence. He disappeared into the upper level, vanishing from their sight, likely heading towards his real friends.

The moment he was gone, the grand hall erupted into a low murmur of conversation.

Some whispered of Cypher, voices tinged with curiosity and speculation. Others muttered complaints about Theo, though they made sure to glance around first, wary of whether the Emperor could still hear them.

After all, he was responsible for the most noble deaths in Terra's history. If you were anyone below a Duke, he might kill you simply for breathing the wrong way in his presence.

Not that he despised nobles - far from it. He simply loathed the talentless parasites who grew fat on their own insignificance.

But for now, he was gone. And so, for the time being, they were somewhat safer.

Cypher turned his gaze back to the stage, but the prince was no longer there.

He had simply… vanished.

Like mist dispersing at dawn.

A voice brought Cypher back to the present.

"Young man… no, Cypher Ren, is it?" The Baron's tone had shifted, his perception of Cypher fundamentally altered. Before, he had thought of him as a possible nobles family servant seeking a better life. But now?

Drake's eyes gleamed with something close to admiration. "You truly are an anomaly of the highest order." He let his gaze sweep over Cypher's theory, tracing the carefully drawn diagrams. "Not only are you a genius, but also a war hero? Remarkable."

Cypher shook his head lightly. "Please, Baron, your praise is wasted on me. I only seek to serve my nation and those in less favorable circumstances."

He did not care for the opinions of others. They were not born of his own mind, and so, they were not his concern.

Drake hummed in thought, tapping his fingers against the table. "Hmm… if you will, I'd like to take up your offer. This 'Cell Doctrine' is the key I've been missing this entire time."

There was an undeniable honesty in his voice, an eagerness restrained only by his noble upbringing.

Before, he had relied on practices like bloodletting, forcing his own servants to endure needless suffering in the name of progress. The guilt had weighed on him, but the thought that he could save may more lives had drove him forward.

Cypher leaned forward slightly, his voice lowering. "I'm glad you think so, Baron. This is just an outline, but what if I told you I have a way to completely eliminate certain diseases forever?"

Drake's entire body went still. His fingers, mid-tap, froze against the wood.

"Impossible." The Baron sat back in stunned amazement.

Cell Doctrine had already been a groundbreaking revelation, proving that the human body was composed of tiny lifeforms called cells. For the first time in history, medicine had a foundation beyond superstition. It could explaine why some organs failed, why wounds festered, why bodies decayed.

Ofcourse, there were healing abilities, though they were rare.

So rare, in fact, that entire noble houses could build their fortunes upon a single Dreamweaver gifted with the ability to mend flesh. But even then, such abilities were hoarded. Reserved only for those of importance. The destitute? The common folk? They could rot for all they cared.

If what Cypher claimed was true…

Drake grasped Cypher's hands, his grip firm. "If this is true, we must pursue this at once. Please," His voice brimmed with conviction. "Come to my home tonight. With your help, we'll make this world a better place. For the Empire and its citizens."

Before Cypher could respond-

A low growl rumbled from his stomach.

He scratched his head, giving a wry smile as if embarrassed. His gaze flickered toward the lavishly adorned bathroom entrance in a corner of the ballroom, then back to the Baron.

Drake chuckled, catching on immediately. "Ahh, I see. By all means, don't let me hold you back."

Cypher gave a polite nod. "Then, please excuse me, Baron. I suppose not everyone can maintain their composure in the face of the Emperor."

He glanced down at Rain, who was sprawled atop the table like an entitled king on his throne.

"And don't be rude, Rain. I'll know if you are." Cypher tapped the side of his head, his tone laced with dry amusement. "I can see everything you do. I'm always watching."

C-caw…

"Good."

With that, he and waved goodbye before making his way calmly toward the lavatories.

Stepping through the golden-arched doorway, he entered a space that screamed noble excess.

The room was rectangular, lined with pristine white-tiled stalls on one side, each fitted with silver locks. Opposite them, a row of golden taps shimmered beneath the glow of enchanted crystal lanterns. A massive mirror stretched across the entire wall, its ornate silver engravings reflecting the opulence of noble society.

The faint dripping of water echoed softly from a loose tap, a rhythmic sound in the quiet.

Cypher tilted his head, listening. He found no movement. Satisfied that he was alone, he strode toward the farthest stall and stepped in, ensuring the lock clicked shut behind him.

'Finally.'

A sigh of relief escaped him as he loosened his posture, allowing the cool air from a crude vent on the wall to brush against his skin.

Reaching for his belt buckle, he was just about to unfasten it and relieve himself, as the stress had been building up.

It was difficult, being thrown into a new world where everything seemed to be dialled up towards violence at every step. Even the Greatest of men sometimes needed a moment of alone time.

Apparently, he was not one of these men.

Something flickered directly Infront of his of his eyes.

A golden lock of hair. Suspended mid-air, drifting as if it were a leaf floating gently in a peaceful pond.

It seemed mocking in how it danced without a care, every movement graceful.

Cypher felt a dark premonition had settled over his heart, one that told of misfortune and darkness.

Slowly, he tilted his head upward towards the source.

And there he was.

Perched on the ceiling, staring down at him, defying the laws of gravity.

The prince in all his glory.

Golden hair dangling downwards in a way that would look majestic, if he wasn't currently watching another man in a bathroom.

He was unmoving. Completely and utterly still.

For a long moment, neither spoke.

The silence was so profound it might have stretched across eternity itself, resulting in what could have been the most awkward moment in the history of reality.

"Oh."

Cypher's voice was devoid of emotion.Their was no fear or disbelief. Just... acceptance.

The prince slowly raised a hand.

A heartbeat later, the unmistakable sound of a human body crashing through walls filled the air.