Nyxander's gaze lingered on Lumina's fading figure as she disappeared into the shadowed alleyway, her silhouette swallowed by the murky depths of the marketplace. For a brief moment, he stood motionless, as if caught in the gravity of something unspoken, something elusive. But then, the spell was broken.
A voice cut through the chattering crowd like a blade through silk. "Boss!"
Nyxander's head turned toward the sound, his sharp gaze locking onto the approaching figure. Karl. His right-hand man was striding toward him, flanked by the triplet sisters. But as they neared the heart of the crowd, the sisters hesitated, choosing to hang back while Karl alone pressed forward.
A small, knowing smirk curled at the corner of Nyxander's lips.
"Karl, when did you arrive?" he asked, his tone carrying a trace of amusement, the expression of a leader pleased to see his subordinates.