Chapter 59

I sat down comfortably, crossing my legs on a throne crafted from skulls and bones. The weight of the situation contrasted sharply with my seemingly casual demeanor. The souls of the assassins trembled before me, their voices echoing in the oppressive silence as they finished their confession.

"That... that is all we know," the leader stammered, his head lowered, fear evident in every fiber of his being.

I rested my head on my chin, closing my eyes as though I were lost in deep thought. The room grew still, the air heavy with anticipation. No one dared to interrupt.

And then—

"Zzz..."

A small, unmistakable snore escaped my nose.

Tartarus, standing dutifully behind me, gave my seat a sudden shake. "Your Majesty!" he whispered sharply.

I jolted awake, blinking rapidly as my head spun from the abrupt awakening. Realizing what had happened, I quickly composed myself, sitting upright with a serious expression.

"So," I began, as though I had been listening the entire time, "you're saying this group, Veil, was after the Xavier family because of Alfred Xavier's existence?"

The assassin leader nodded nervously, his spectral form trembling. A small smile crept onto my face, though it carried no warmth.

"Hmm..." I tapped my chin thoughtfully before waving a hand dismissively. "Got it. Tartarus?"

"Yes, Your Majesty!" he responded promptly.

"Extract the locations of Veil's bases from them. I have other matters to attend to on Earth," I instructed, my tone cool and resolute.

"As you command, Your Highness," Tartarus said with a bow.

The leader's face twisted into grief. "Wait! Our lives—"

His plea was cut short by the cold, sharp glare I shot in his direction. The room seemed to darken, the oppressive heat of the underworld amplifying the tension.

"I decide whether you leave or not," I said, my voice icy and unforgiving. "Not you."

Silence enveloped the room, the weight of my words sinking deep into their trembling forms.

I turned on my heel, my steps echoing ominously as Tartarus followed close behind. As we neared the gate, I muttered, "Tartarus?"

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

"Release them after they give up all the information. Alter their appearances so they won't be targeted again," I instructed, my tone lighter but still commanding.

Tartarus let out a chuckle, his deep voice reverberating through the air.

I raised an eyebrow. "What's so funny?"

"Forgive me, my liege," he said with a small bow. "I just find it amusing... you're soft, as always."

"Huh?" I muttered, feigning offense. "You think so?"

Tartarus nodded with a wry smile. "For attacking you, they should have been sentenced to eternal torment. But here you are, granting them another chance."

I chuckled in response. "I still believe everyone deserves a second chance."

Tartarus's expression grew serious as he met my gaze. "Even though that ideology failed you once?"

His words struck a nerve, and my smile faltered briefly. "It wasn't the ideology that failed," I replied, my voice steady but tinged with emotion. "It was my failure to judge the Demon Lord."

Tartarus nodded, his gaze softening. "You're too modest, Your Majesty."

I simply smiled, letting the conversation end there.

As I returned to Earth, I immediately jumped onto my bed, the familiar warmth of my blanket wrapping around me. Hugging my pillow tightly, I let out a content sigh. For now, Mama and Papa were safe. And that was enough to make me happy.

I closed my eyes and drifted into a peaceful sleep, the worries of the underworld momentarily forgotten.

Somewhere in Japan.

In a dimly lit chamber, shadows danced across the walls. A group of hooded figures sat around a large, round table, their faces obscured by darkness.

"What is the status of the assassins?" a man at the head of the table demanded, his voice cold and authoritative.

"It's been days," another replied grimly. "The mission was undoubtedly a failure."

"Tch. Bastards!" a woman spat, slamming her fist on the table. "And they called themselves the best assassins in Japan."

The leader's eyes narrowed, his glare cutting through the dim light. "Their plan seemed foolproof. What went wrong?"

"Do we have an intruder among us?" the woman suggested, her voice hesitant but edged with suspicion.

The leader's gaze shifted to her, sharp and unforgiving. "Are you questioning my selection process?"

The woman froze, her confidence crumbling under his glare. "N-No..." she stammered, her voice barely a whisper.

The leader leaned back, his tone cold and commanding. "The positions you hold are not mere titles. They are responsibilities. Do not disappoint me." His voice rose, echoing through the chamber. "I HAVE HIGHER EXPECTATIONS FROM ALL OF YOU!"

Silence followed, the group subdued by his authority.

Taking a deep breath, the leader continued. "For now, we must devise a new plan to eliminate Alfred Xavier. Suggestions?"

After a brief pause, one figure raised a hand.

"Yes?" the leader prompted.

"What if we summon demons to wreak havoc in the city? A large enough distraction could draw Alfred Xavier out. Meanwhile, we eliminate his family. If we're fortunate, a powerful demon might even kill him for us."

The leader tapped his fingers on the table, considering the suggestion. "A valid option... Does anyone else have an idea?"

Another figure raised their hand cautiously. "What if we send him?"

The room fell silent, tension thickening as the suggestion hung in the air.

The leader's expression darkened. "No. That man is our last resort. He won't accept this mission if he suspects innocent lives are at risk." His tone grew firm. "As the Veil, we must preserve humanity. That is our ultimate purpose. Do you all understand?"

"Yes, sir!" the group responded in unison.

The leader leaned forward, his voice dropping to a menacing whisper. "Then prepare yourselves. Our next move must be precise. Failure is not an option."

The room echoed with their collective affirmation, their resolve steeled for the battle ahead.