ECHOES OF CONTROL

"It was easy, Marcel," Jackson said, a smug smile on his face. "I made two tentacles instantly using your shoe and my Papa's. The moment I crafted them from something personally from you guys, my Renshi connected to both of you. That made hijacking with both of us possible."

"You're becoming a genius day by day," Marcel said, clearly impressed.

"This isn't the time to get impressed. Let's tail them—see where they go next," Jackson replied as the two followed Lyon from a safe distance.

Meanwhile, Alfie, Rebekah, and Lucy were already two kingdoms ahead of the Kingdom of Scale.

Back in Scale, Lyon and Sasaki strolled toward a nearby town.

"Oh, Exca… haven't found them yet?" Lyon asked.

"It's not that easy, partner," Sasaki replied with a deepened tone. "Give me some time, I'll find the kid."

"I need a break. I'm starving," Lyon said, walking into a small restaurant.

Suddenly, Sasaki dropped to his knees, clutching his head in agony.

"Ahhhh! Ahhhh! Ughhh!"

"What's wrong?!" Lyon asked, eyes widening. "Damn it, Exca… what the hell are you doing?"

People turned as Sasaki thrashed in pain. Lyon quickly rushed over and helped him up. "Get a grip—you're making a scene!"

Sasaki's posture shifted. His gaze sharpened.

"We don't have time, Lyon," he said in a cold, altered voice. "I found the boy's last known location."

Lyon narrowed his eyes. "Hey, Exca. Long time. I didn't think your mind control spell had advanced this far. You've completely taken over Sasaki, huh?"

"Doesn't sound like you're impressed," Exca replied through Sasaki. "You doubting your mission? Having second thoughts about killing an innocent woman? About capturing a clueless boy?"

Lyon sighed. "Whatever you think—I'm just a Pro Darkside Knight. Even if I declined, you'd send someone else. At least I can make sure it's done right."

"Still optimistic… Still pathetic," Exca mocked. "Don't forget, Lyon—our past can't be outrun. Embrace the future shaped by it."

"Don't lecture me about the past, Exca," Lyon snapped. "We both did terrible things. But I've chosen to change. We can still be better—if you're willing."

"That's enough sentimentality," Exca said, voice strained. "I can't hold control for long. I'll take you to the location I sensed the kid's Renshi. He may or may not still be there—just a probability."

Lyon stood in silence.

"I know what's in your heart now, Lyon," Exca added, gritting Sasaki's teeth. "Don't betray me. If you do—I won't hesitate to...."

Sasaki screamed as Exca's hold weakened. "Ahhhh!"

"I'm losing control… Don't ruin this, old friend. I'm counting on you…"

And just like that, the spell broke. Sasaki blinked and stumbled back to his senses.

"Ugh… how'd I get outside? I felt like I was in some deep slumber…"

Lyon forced a smile. "That damn Exca,he didn't think about the consequence… Did he do all this to test me? Or punish me for my intentions?" he thought.

"You got drunk," Lyon said aloud. "I had to carry you out. But looks like you're fine now."

What a terrible lie, Lyon scolded himself silently.

"Drunk?" Sasaki said, confused. "But I didn't drink anything."

"Don't worry. I used a little suppressing spell. Helps subside the alcohol. I guess you haven't had any alcohol before now Probably why you don't remember much," Lyon said, patting Sasaki on the back with a fake laugh.

"If you say so. Anyway, let's get back to the mission," Sasaki said, suddenly alert. "Too many strong Renshi auras in this place. We shouldn't linger."

Without hesitation, he turned and headed toward a horse shop.

"Hey, Exca—what are you planning now?" Lyon muttered under his breath. "We can teleport. Why bother buying horses?"

Lyon followed reluctantly, his mind still spinning with doubts, dread, and a deepening sense of unease.

"It's simple, partner. We can't risk drawing too much attention by casting powerful spells around here. I've got a bad feeling about this place," Sasaki said cautiously.

Lyon nodded. He has a point, he thought. Maybe the real Sasaki was once a great man… or maybe Exca's just playing his role perfectly.

"Smart thinking," Lyon said aloud. "Traveling on horseback will help us stay under the radar and avoid unnecessary trouble,also buying time for the kid,he added in his thoughts."

The two of them entered a nearby horse shop, just as two familiar figures crept behind them—Jackson and Marcel.

"Hey, Jack… aren't we getting a bit too close? Your dad's gonna notice us if we tail him like this," Marcel whispered.

"Shut up, Marcel," Jackson muttered. "You're making it worse with all your whining. With this much Renshi aura around, even my father won't be able to pinpoint us."

"If you say so… I guess I have no choice but to follow your lead," Marcel grumbled as they slipped into the shop behind Sasaki and Lyon.

"Hey there!" Lyon greeted the shopkeeper with a smile. "We wanna buy two horses. What's your price?"

"You don't sound local," the man said, eyeing Lyon suspiciously.

"Maybe yes, maybe no," Lyon shrugged. "We're from a distant land. Heard a lot about this kingdom—wanted to see it for ourselves. So, about those horses…"

From their hiding spot, Marcel whispered, "What's your dad doing, Jack? Is that act really gonna work?"

"Would you just shut up? My father knows what he's doing… though, I've never seen him lie this badly," Jackson muttered.

"Yeah, your dad sucks at lying," Marcel chuckled. "I'm actually proud my old man can't lie as a pro it's not something to be proud of."

They peeked as the deal seemed to go through.

"Each horse is a thousand bronze coins… or five hundred silver. But since you're foreigners, I'll give them to you for two hundred and fifty gold coins each if you got gold coins," the shopkeeper offered.

Lyon's face fell. This foreigner disguise is backfiring… he thinks we're loaded. He sighed.

"Alright, let me make you a deal," Lyon countered. "Two horses for four hundred gold coins. If not, we'll look elsewhere."

"Deal!" the man said, grinning.

Why do I feel like I just got scammed? Lyon thought as he handed over the coins. He and Sasaki began inspecting the horses.

"We might have a problem," Jackson whispered. "If they leave now, we won't be able to keep up on foot."

"Hey! I'm talking to you, Marcel!" Jackson hissed. "Why are you ignoring me?"

"You told me to shut up, so I'm following orders," Marcel smirked.

"Ugh! You're gonna blow our cover," Jackson groaned. "Use your 1% brain at least."

"And you better use your 99% properly," Marcel shot back.

"I like this one," Sasaki said, choosing a sturdy horse. "Strong, loyal—fits me."

"I picked mine a while ago. Try to be quicker next time," Lyon teased as they both mounted up.

"They're getting away, Jack!" Marcel whispered urgently. "What do we do now?"

"Hold on, I've got an idea," Jackson said. "We'll get our own horses. I've got 300 gold coins. What about you?"

"Five hundred," Marcel replied.

"Perfect. Let's go."

They snuck out just as Lyon and Sasaki rode off, heading straight to the shopkeeper.

"Sir! We'd like to buy two horses. We're offering 500 gold coins for your fastest ones," Jackson said boldly.

The shopkeeper looked at the two kids, wide-eyed. Kids with that kind of money? Their parents must be loaded… better not make enemies today, he thought, smiling to himself.

"Hey sir! Sir!" Jackson called out, eager to close the deal.