The Awaited Effect

At midnight in the Frings Mansion...

"Milord, how was the party?" his assistant asked.

"Meh, just another party. Tiring, actually."

Tok, tok, tok.

"Come in," Frings ordered.

Dante and Mergoth entered.

"Milord, we still don't have a clue about the culprit. Anyway, how's your night, milord? Did you find anything interesting at the party?" Mergoth asked.

"Nothing. It seems the Merlion family is confident enough to act innocent," Frings replied, slowly walking down the hall.

"What if Rethrus had something to do with it, my lord?" Dante chimed in.

Mergoth looked at him with disbelief.

"Are you doubting my mastery, Knight Commander?" Mergoth asked.

"No, it's just… uhm, just my warrior instinct," Dante muttered.

"Well, I'm not a knight myself, but I can guarantee Rethrus is here for a different reason," Mergoth said firmly.

"Also," the assistant added, "Rethrus was seen wasting money on gifts—giving them to kids in the park. Looks like he's trying to show some… goodness."

"Did you hear that, Mr. Knight Commander?" Mergoth taunted.

"Sure, sure."

"Besides," Frings said, "there's still a mark on his head. That means he's still under your control, right?"

"Yes, Milord," Mergoth nodded.

"Hah… feels like we've hit a dead end again." Frings sighed. "Anyway, you're dismissed."

As they left, Mergoth glanced sideways at Dante.

Frings, still walking, looked up at the moon.

'Caesar… what the hell happened to you, cousin?' he thought.

"Anyway… where's Fergus?"

At the tavern...

People screamed, scattering in fear.

A dwarf stood at the center, drenched in blood—smiling, almost mesmerized by how the red light of the lanterns mirrored the stains on his skin.

Fergus snapped back to reality. He looked around, realizing what he'd done. Eyes wide. Hands shaking.

The terrified crowd stared in horror.

Footsteps echoed from outside.

He bolted.

"Damn it... I really put on a show there," Fergus muttered while fleeing into the night.

Back at the party (It's ending)...

"What a show!" Mr. Eddie laughed, wrapping an arm around Rethrus, clearly drunk. "Ahh, Rethrus, just stay with us forever! You can even own our inn if you want!"

"Hahah, the king would be mad, sir," Rethrus replied.

"Nah, fuck the king. They can win this war without you anyway."

"Hey, don't talk like that, dear—someone might hear you," Mrs. Hilda scolded.

Lord Gustav approached with his family.

"Thank you for tonight," he said.

His nieces, Creska and Kesia, added, "We had a great time, Rethrus."

"You're welcome," Rethrus replied with a smile.

Then, a girl in a beautiful blue dress stepped forward.

"See you at the Academy, Rethrus," Sofia said softly, turning to leave.

"Uh—ohm. Yeah," he replied, waving.

Mrs. Hilda raised an eyebrow. "Wow. I didn't know you were a womanizer."

"No, I'm not. They're just friends," Rethrus replied quickly.

"Honey, what do you expect?" Mr. Eddie said, laughing. "He's the future strongest in the kingdom. Every lady would die just to taste a little of his 'power.' "

"Eddie, watch your language," Mrs. Hilda scolded.

"Ah—sorry, sorry, honey."

Rethrus just laughed, watching them all with amusement.

Suddenly, an old man walked toward the group.

"Honey, it's Lord Merlion. Behave," Mrs. Hilda whispered to Mr. Eddie.

"Ah—ah, where?"

The three quickly bowed.

"I hope you enjoyed the party," Lord Merlion said, his voice calm and dignified.

"Of course, Milord," Mr. Eddie replied, this time not acting drunk at all.

"We're very happy for the experience, My Lord," Mrs. Hilda added, bowing respectfully.

"Well, that's nice to hear."

Lord Merlion's gaze shifted toward Rethrus. "I'm glad you all take care of our future best-of-the-best here."

"Thank you very much for inviting us, Milord," Rethrus said, bowing.

"Of course, Wonder Boy," Lord Merlion chuckled.

'Where the hell do they get these nicknames?' Rethrus thought.

"Anyway, after the war, why not come visit again?" Lord Merlion suggested.

"Uh—My Lord, I'm actually planning to live here," Rethrus replied, glancing back at Mrs. Hilda fussing over Mr. Eddie.

"Oh, that's good to hear," Lord Merlion said with a pleased nod.

Just then, a tall woman appeared beside him—white hair cascading down her back, dressed in an elegant dark blue gown.

"Anyway, this is my daughter, Kesca," Lord Merlion introduced.

Rethrus froze. He was too stunned to speak.

'Woah' he thought.

"Ah—I'm Rethrus," he managed, blushing as he bowed.

"Oh, so this is what they've been talking about," Kesca said with a small smile.

"It's nice to meet you. I hope I'll see you again, Rethrus." She gave him a playful blink before turning.

"Bisky, assist Rethrus' group here," Lord Merlion ordered.

"Yes, Milord."

"I hope you enjoyed the party, Madame and Sir," Bisky said politely as he and Rethrus helped the drunken Mr. Eddie into the chariot.

"Yes, we actually did enjoy it," Rethrus replied with a small smile.

They carefully settled Mr. Eddie inside before climbing in.

As the chariot rolled down the quiet streets, Rethrus leaned back, a soft grin on his face.

'Wow… so that's what a party is. Can't believe how this kingdom really favors me.' He smiled, eyes reflecting the moonlight. 'I wonder what those three are doing?'

"Arghhh, I lost!" Gerard groaned, tossing his cards down.

The three were seated around a small table, a few lanterns keeping the room dimly lit.

"Are you feeling any better, Kaeli?" Eri asked gently, her eyes concerned.

"Yes… well, my body is still shaking," Kaeli replied, resting his arm on the table. "But I'm gonna be fine."

Gerard looked at Kaeli, frowning.

'Damn… just how scary is that dude?'

In the Frings Mansion

Tok, tok, tok.

'Who is it now?' Frings thought with irritation. He stood by the fireplace, swirling a drink in his hand.

"Come in," he said sharply. "And it better be important."

The door creaked open, revealing Dante and another man dressed in a dark cloak, a curved dagger strapped to his hip.

"My Lord, I apologize for the intrusion," Dante said. "But one of my men has something to report… about the incident."

He stepped aside. "This is Diablo—one of my strongest men."

Frings narrowed his eyes. "Speak."

Diablo stepped forward, kneeling slightly.

"I was there, Milord, when it happened. We're not just dealing with a rogue or a thief… we're dealing with a real enemy."

Frings raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

"I actually caught sign of the culprit—but I didn't see him. He was invisible. But the way he moved… fast, unsteady, like he was running out of time. "

"A water user, perhaps?" Dante muttered.

"Or…" Diablo said carefully, "an invisibility potion. It's temporary. The way he dumped the body—he was desperate."

Frings stiffened.

Dante's eyes widened. "So that means—"

BAMMMM!! The door slammed open.

"MILORD!!!" Frings' assistant burst in, panting.

Frings turned sharply. "What is it?"

"It's your cousin—Fergus!"

The assistant's hurried words filled the room, the urgency hanging in the air. As the report settled, Frings simply looked at Dante and Diablo, his expression unreadable. He let out a deep sigh, the kind that signaled both resignation and a strange sense of acceptance.

"Well, I guess we're too late now," Frings said, his tone casual, as if the news didn't particularly rattle him.