Bertram spoke, "We are having problems with the rival gangs."

Mathias spoke hesitantly, "We really need to figure out the weapon budget."

Millie spoke gently, "Couldn't you just please let me have another puppy?"

Charles spoke in excitement, "Just let me blow up one building! One building! I just need to test to see if the bombs work!"

Their voices all overlapped as I sat in my chair rubbing my temples. Everyone was gathered around my desk asking various requests. Dante sat watching the scene apathetically. I groaned, "One at a time please!"

They all paused, looked at each other, then continued speaking simultaneously.

"QUIET!" I shouted, causing them all to stop talking. I looked at them in exasperation, "We will go in alphabetical order. Bertram?"

Bertram spoke, "We have been seeing an increase in the rival gangs recently. Just a few days ago, they tried to attack one of our delivery carts to steal the items."

"And just what gang did that?"

"They call themselves the Almighty."

I rolled my eyes, "Those idiots?! They are just a small group of drunk redneck a**holes! How could our shipment be lost to those losers?"

"I didn't say they were successful."

I groaned as I rubbed my temples, "Then just let them be for now. It's not like they are doing anything else other than antagonizing us. They just like to talk big, but they are as harmless as a puppy."

Bertram frowned, "But if we let them do this, then everyone will think that we are letting them walk all over us. It's harmless now, but it could become something much worse."

"Fine! Then kill them all!"

"But-"

"Next!" I interrupted in irritation.

Charles spoke quickly, "Please let me blow up a building with my new-"

"No. NEXT!"

Charles deflated with a sad expression as Mathias spoke, "About the weapon budget, we are putting a lot of money into researching new potential weapons, but it isn't showing to be very cost effective. So far we have only invented a few weapons in an entire year. I believe we should reduce the budget for weapon research."

Charles panicked at this suggestion, "Nooo! Not my research money!!! How else will I be able to fund my fun-" I glanced at Charles coldly. He gulped, "I mean.. How else will we stay ahead of the other kingdoms in terms of illegal weapons?"

I rolled my eyes and looked at Mathias, "Where do you suggest the money should go?"

"I believe we should instead allocate the money to our renovation budget since some of our buildings are starting to look run down."

I nodded, "Fine. Do that then."

Charles fell to his knees, "Nooo! My research money!!!"

I looked to Millie, "Now what did you want?"

Millie looked at me with puppy dog eyes, "Seri... I've grown bored. Please give me another puppy to play with."

"What happened to Penelope?"

Millie clicked her tongue, "She's not fun to play with. She's always making strange noises."

Yeah. Not going to ask what she means by that.

Dante interrupted while looking over the edge to the downstairs gambling tables, "Seems like someone just tried to stab one of the dealers downstairs."

I nodded, "Millie. Go get him."

Millie clapped in an excitement and quickly ran downstairs. I sat back and groaned in exhaustion.

Who knew that running an underground crime society would be so much work? Ugh. I should be focusing on how to take down Simon, not all of these small issues. I'm not sure when Simon plans on killing the King, but it has to be soon. I need to act fast.

I stood up, "If no one else needs anything else, I am going upstairs to eat some snacks."

I walked up the stairs and entered into my office. I moved the bookcase to hide the secret passage, then opened the door to walk out. I went behind the counter and grabbed a few plates of cake. I sat on the ground stuffing my face.

The sisters working the counter watched me in confusion. One spoke, "You know you can eat them in your office right?"

I grabbed another plate from the display case, "I need to be as close as possible to the cakes so I can avoid losing time."

Another sister walked over, "Seri, someone delivered this." She pulled out a letter from her apron pocket. I took it from her and nodded.

"Thank you-" I narrowed my eyes to look at her nametag, "Sophie."

As I munched on the small cake, I looked at the card. There was no name or return address, only a seal that closed it shut. Although it looked like a simple seal, I recognized it as one that William usually uses when he is trying to remain incognito.

I felt a bit excited by his sudden letter. Did this mean that he wanted to talk to me again? I opened the letter to read it.

To Dante and Seri: I require the both of your services as I meet with an envoy from a neighboring kingdom. Its a secret meeting and I must not look suspicious, so I am unable to bring several Knights along with me. I need the two of you to accompany me as Knights in disguise.

My face fell. Ah. So he just needed Dante and I for a job. Why do I feel so disappointed?

I frowned at the letter and mumbled, "Well at least he asked for both Dante and me. That means there's some progress. Right?"

Or am I just stupidly hopeful?

I sighed then began to shove my face full of cake once more.

On the day of the meeting, Dante and I dressed in simple clothes. We made sure to wear cloaks that hid our face and hair. As we walked, I felt something off. I stopped and sighed. Dante looked at me in confusion, but I didn't explain. I turned around with a frown.

"Millie. I know you are following us."

Millie stepped out of her hiding place dressed in black, also wearing a cloak which hid her appearance. She giggled, "I am always so impressed by your ability to catch me."

I rolled my eyes, "You know you don't have to stalk us right? If you are going to follow, you might as well just walk with us."

She strolled over to us nonchalantly with an innocent smile, "I didn't think you would let me come with you."

"Why would you think that?" I muttered to myself, "It's not like we could stop you."

Thus, Millie began to walk with us on our way to meet with William. Once we arrived at the secret meeting place, we were surprised to see a big breasted female standing next to William in a disguise as well.

Mary turned to us with a large smile, "Ah! Seri! I have missed you so much!"

Mary skipped over to us and attempted to give me a hug. I immediately pushed her face away before she could. "What are you doing here?! Wasn't this supposed to be some top secret mission to meet with an envoy in disguise?"

William clicked his tongue and crossed his arms, "I didn't invite her. Somehow she managed to follow me. I couldn't get her to stop following me either."

I looked at Millie with a frown. I muttered, "I know how you feel."

William glanced at me then quickly averted his eyes. He cleared his throat, "Since you are both here now, we can leave."

The Knights that had escorted William here, fell back to watch him from the distance. To avoid attention, the less people around us the better. With Millie and Mary added, it looked like we were some coven on our way to commit witchcraft. So much for not being inconspicuous.

As we walked through the red light district to get to the meeting spot, Mary grabbed onto my arm. "Ah! I am so scared... The red light district is so spooky..."

How is it scary?! I rule the streets here! It's only dangerous if you are stupid!

Oh... Wait..

"Mary, calm down. No one is going to try anything."

She pouted, "How can you be sure?! I may be kidnapped again!"

William glanced back, "Again?"

Mary smiled, "It only happened one time."

I looked at her in disbelief, "One time? Haven't you been kidnapped more than once?"

Mary blinked, "Oh yeah. Sorry, twice."

I wonder if she really has a brain behind that flawless forehead of hers.

William sighed, "I understand why you think it's creepy though. I hate coming to the red light district. I hear there is a phantom called the Black Death who runs this part of town."

I tripped from the shock. Dante quickly caught me before I could faceplant. The rest of the group got extremely quiet as William continued to speak about the Black Death.

"It's said that he controls the red light district and has more of an influence than even the King does." William shivered and frowned, "To make it worse, he even announced that he claimed me. What does that even mean?!"

I'm just not going to answer that.

As we walked out of the red light district and further into the abandoned district, I felt something off. I glanced around, "William. Are you sure they said to meet out here?"

"This is the location given to me by my father."

Something was really wrong here.

My mouth was dry, "Y-Your father?!" I immediately stopped William and forced him to look at me.

He met my panicked expression with a confused one, "What's wrong?"

"Who told your father about this?"

"I think it was Simon."

I felt as if my heart crashed to the bottom of my stomach. My pupils dilated in fear, "F*ck. F*ckity F*ck f*ck F*CK!"

Everyone looked at me in confusion. Millie spoke calmly, "What is it Seri?"

"We have to leave! NOW!"

They didn't ask questions as we rushed to get out of the abandoned district. However, before we could get far, a group of men stepped out of the uninhabited buildings. Dante and I immediately brandished our swords to defend ourselves. Millie took out her needles with a crazed grin. Mary shrieked in fear and William took out his sword as well. When we looked around, we realized we were completely surrounded.

It was an ambush. A really well planned one.

I knew immediately that Simon was behind this. But why?! Didn't we have a deal?! Although I was trying to come up with ways to stop him, it wasn't like I went through with any of them yet!!! At this point they were just ideas! I know he is smart, but there's no way he is psychic.

So what the hell is this?!

"Dante! Millie!" The two understood my order instantly and started their attack. I placed William and Mary in the middle, "You two stay here!"

William shouted, "I can help!"

"I know you can! But stay in the middle! If any make it past us, you must protect Mary!"

William looked over at Mary and noticed she was shaking with a frightened expression. He stood by her and spoke in a reassuring tone, "Don't worry Mary. I will protect you."

I looked away and started fighting off the people in front of me. Unlike before when I usually just watched, this time I actually took part of the fighting. There was just too many people to leave it up to just Millie and Dante. They were incredible fighters, but they were still only two people. And this group attacking us had dozens of people.

The group was not a group of hired thugs. It was apparent that they were not from here either, but rather trained assassins from a neighboring kingdom. The Sanki Kingdom.

Simon was definitely behind this.

As I fought with them, I realized that while they had numbers, they weren't as skilled as I was. All those years training with Dante had perfected my skill. Along with his training, I also had a sword that complimented my fighting style. The short time I spent in the other Kingdoms fighting made me easily see through their moves.

This was why I knew at once that something was off. They seemed to be intentionally trying to separate us from each other. I was suddenly reminded of the tactic the orphans planned back before I slaughtered them. However, they weren't targeting William...

They were targeting Dante.

But why?

I didn't have time to ponder this as I fought off the assault. Dante hadn't realized he was being led away due to how many was attacking him. He could only focus on the dozens of men that charged at him all at once. I knew that I had to act quickly.

I shouted, "Millie! Protect William and Mary!"

She followed my order without question. I jumped out, slashing the assassins as I quickly rushed over to Dante. I stopped counting the men who died under my blade. There was too many. However, I felt nothing as they fell down and never moved again. To me, they weren't human.

As I got closer to Dante, I quickly swept the surroundings as I blocked myself and watched for him. There was nothing out of the ordinary except the man hiding in the bushes.

Wait. The bushes?!

The man jumped out of the bushes, rushing at Dante's back. Although I had confidence in Dante's skill, I couldn't stop myself from panicking.

He's going to kill him.

I sprinted towards Dante.

I'm not going to make it.

He's going to die.

Dante's going to die.

He's going to leave me.

No. He can't leave me.

A fire burned in my chest as I ran at a speed I did not know I could run. I threw my sword out, just barely managing to block the dagger that almost pierced into Dante. However, I blocked it at a weird angle. The dagger ricocheted off the blade and sliced my upper arm. I winced, but virtually felt no pain.

Without hesitation, I decapitated the man.

Dante looked back at me and I gave a nod. We stood back to back as we fought off the onslaught of men. Finally, we killed the last one. I gasped for breath covered in blood. Dante was also covered in blood as well as Millie, but Mary and William looked very clean.

Dante turned to me in a panic, "Are you okay? Did you get hurt?"

I brushed him off, "It's just a small cut. I'm used to much worse." I didn't even feel the wound on my shoulder. I guess I was pretty desensitized to pain now.

Dante wanted to say something else, but I quickly sheathed my sword and spoke. "We need to return."

Mary fell to the ground shaking visibly. She had tears in her eyes, "Y-You... You all killed them... You didn't have to kill them..."

I couldn't contain my eye rolls. So this is the scene that replaced the part where Dante slaughtered her kidnappers in the original novel?

"Mary. You can cry about this later. But for now-" I staggered, nearly falling over.

Dante rushed over to grab me. He spoke in a panicked tone, "Are you okay?!"

I shook him off of me, "Yeah. I'm fine. Just a bit... Lightheaded..." Suddenly my mind felt foggy. It was becoming increasingly harder to think, "I... just... need to... rest..."

My peripheral vision started to fade. The strength in my legs gave out causing me to fall over. As everyone rushed over and stood over me alarmed by my sudden collapse, I realized I couldn't hear a thing. Their mouths moved, but I heard no words. My breathing became more shallow.

The strong smell of flowers filled my nose as my vision faded into darkness.

__________

William shouted, "SERI! SERI! WHAT'S WRONG?!"

Dante fell to his knees in shock. Millie rushed over pushing the two out of the way, "MOVE!" She reached down to feel the collapsed Seri's pulse. Then she checked her breathing. She spoke with a dark expression, "The dagger. Bring me the dagger."

Dante didn't budge. His eyes were wide as he was frozen in fear staring at Seri's pale face. Millie shouted, "DANTE!"

William rushed over once he realized Dante wasn't snapping out of his stupor. He hurriedly moved the dead bodies and found the dagger. He rushed back over, "Here!"

She took the dagger and licked it slightly. William wrinkled his nose, but didn't question it. Millie's eyes narrowed, "The blade is poisoned."

"So?! Can't we get an antidote?!" William asked with a hint of hope.

She shook her head, "This poison is from the Sanki Kingdom. There is no known antidote."

His face paled, "T-Then..."

Millie finished his thought, "Seri will soon have paralysis. It will gradually move up her body until it reaches her heart. The paralysis will overtake her lungs and she will die by asphyxiation."

William fell over in disbelief, "B-But... Seri has always been able to withstand poison."

Millie looked up at him with a frown, "She's only been able to ingest poison. However, every other method of administration would still pose a risk to her."

Mary began to sob, "So she's going to die?!"

Millie stood up, "Not if we act quickly."

William looked at her in a panic, "But you said there's no antidote."

Millie smiled maliciously, "I said there was no KNOWN antidote. I didn't ever say one couldn't be invented."