Audrey and Esmeray exchanged a brief glance, then moved immediately. They knew who that was.

A moment later, the doors into her mansion opened and Audrey stepped out.

A massive dragon was perched atop the mansion roof, with its weight pressing down on the structure.

And before them stood King Carson, dressed simply in royal robes with a calm expression on his face.

Audrey’s expression darkened. "Your Majesty... to arrive like this after your men already came this morning?"

Carson stared at her for a second before answering. "Still maintaining appearances," he said coldly. "For someone your age, you do it quite poorly."

"I assume you still have no idea where Alista is. Or have you finally found him?" Audrey replied, still looking very much vexed.

Carson exhaled lightly, almost dismissively. "I didn’t come here to discuss my son."

"In fact, tell my children this; wherever they are, they are free to return home. They will not be harmed. They are still my blood, and I stand by my word."

Audrey watched him carefully.

And then Carson added, with a tone now sounding colder, "But make this clear as well.."

"If any of them choose to involve themselves in anything resembling treason against the crown...They will no longer be treated as my children."

Carson’s eyes narrowed slightly at the Quiet Lady. "My grandfather made a mistake sparing you," he said. "Leon should have ended it when you first challenged his position"

Carson’s tone remained calm. "On the surface, you appear clean, but sooner or later, you will reveal yourself."

There was a brief pause before he added, "And when you do, come at me with everything you have. Because that will be the last time you ever try."

At that moment, the massive beast, roughly one hundred and fifty feet in height, moved its body off the rooftop and descended with crushing force onto the courtyard.

The impact cracked the ground in a violent ring.

Its scales were black, and its eyes burned with a fiery-orange light. Flowing white mane-like strands trailed from its neck and horns.

It lowered its head as Carson calmly placed a hand on its scaled surface, rubbing her face gently before mounting on it.

Beilong then rose and the ground shook as the dragon pushed off, unfolding its wings in a sweeping motion that sent gusts through the courtyard.

Then it ascended into the clouds, disappearing into the night sky with an oppressive presence that lingered even after it was gone.

Audrey stood still for a moment, with her fists clenched. If Carson hadn’t been a King, and as powerful as he was, she would have made him suffer for this act.

However, she turned without a word and walked back inside.

Esmeray followed quietly.

After a few steps, Audrey finally spoke. "Esmeray.... I think It’s time."

Esmeray’s eyes lowered. "Yes, my lady."

——

At a different part of Gritnia that same night...

Lucien was seated at the bar, slowly taking a drink. For the last thirty minutes or so, the bartender, a slender, beautiful woman had been trying to engage him, rambling on and on.

Lucien simply listened in silence as he took his drink. Then, just as he finished, she said something light and casual, still trying to make him talk.

As soon as she was done speaking, Lucien let out a soft sigh, almost disappointed, and said,

"When will you be done with the charade, Hector?"

The woman’s eyes widened slightly, then she smiled. "How did you know?"

Lucien didn’t answer directly. When Hector first joined the League, Lucien had him traced to this place to gather more information on him.

So Even while the League was active, he had always known Hector worked there part-time and under different faces.

This was in addition to the fact that he had intentionally stayed and listened to the disguised Hector ramble, just to confirm it was truly him from his speech patterns and mannerisms.

All he simply said was, "Where is Casper?"

Hector was still confused about the whole thing. But he knew this was his boss alright. It wasn’t just the familiar energy signature, but the very way he carried himself.

"Uhm, I know where he is" Hector replied.

Lucien nodded, then stood from his seat. "Let’s go."

Hector was hesitant at first. "Wait boss, aren’t you going to tell me how you got out or know to find me here?"

Lucien stopped in his tracks and turned his head slightly. And when Hector saw the coldness in his glowing eyes, she quickly adjusted her skirt and followed.

-

Much later, they arrived at an underground fight club buried deep within the slums. It was a brutal place, built like a pit, with layered seating where gangs and spectators looked down at the ring.

Inside the ring, was Casper and just like every other night, he was about to entertain these men who always bet on his win.

At this moment, he was shirtless, and though his frame was lean, it was still well-built. The air around him was tense, and charged with anticipation from the spectators.

Then suddenly, his expression changed. He stopped and slowly tilted his head upward, to a certain part of the spectator stands.

Somewhere above, he had sensed something familiar. And just like that, his eyes lit up like a child seeing his boss staring down at him.

It was also in that moment that the bell rang for the fight to begin. His opponent rushed him immediately, but Casper simply raised his left fist forward, without turning away from the sight of Lucien.

That act had been done so fast that his opponent simply found his face smashed into casper’s waiting fist.

The man dropped, knocked unconscious before he even understood what happened.

Casper was declared the winner. But he didn’t even care at that point. Lucien then tilted his head to a certain direction, which was a signal.

Casper understood immediately, and stepped out of the arena. Hector followed behind Lucien as they exited the underground pit.

——

A/N: Currently working on Beilong’s Dragon form Art. Discord Users will get it first once its done

So make sure you join discord on my profile