Chapter 57: Noctaris City

Alix chuckles, shaking his head. "Not a new master." His golden eyes glimmer with something unreadable. "Starting today, you're no longer slaves. You're already citizens of my kingdom."

Liss gasps, her small hands clutching at her chest. "S-Sir, are you really a king?" she asks, her voice hushed with shock. She hesitates before adding in a quieter voice, "I thought you just liked being called Your Majesty…"

Varkas lets out a deep laugh, while Alix merely smirks. "I don't need to pretend," he says smoothly. "You'll understand soon enough."

Nikon hesitates before nodding slowly. "Your Majesty, thank you for not seeing us as slaves," he says, his voice steady but laced with uncertainty. "But… as long as we have the slave mark, we will always be servants."

Alix's gaze sharpens. "Come here. Let me take a look."