"So, just enough for you not to die, but be weakened enough to be killed by Van?"

"Hm."

​​

"Why is it so important that Van needs to be the one to kill you?"

Van, Latanya, and Hercules have completely covered Van's room. The windows and terrace were barred by the curtains, and the doors were locked and secured. Now, their only source of light was the lanterns that sat on a lonely table at the corner of the spacious room.

"I have told you, Witch," Hercules let out a short breath as he looked down at Latanya, his head almost slightly bent down due to him being higher than the ceiling of the room, "He is my brother and I wish to die by his hands."

Latanya could not help but furrow her eyebrows as she once again heard their reason, "...So you are torturing your brother the thought of killing you?" Latanya said, "You want him to carry that kind of burden?"

"Hm…" Hercules could only let out a sigh and slightly look to the side in response.

"It is alright, Miss Latanya," Van then stepped forward between the two, "It is better to do this now when I barely know him."

"You… Guilt doesn't work like that, Van." Latanya shook her head and sighed, "But it feels like there's still something you are not telling me."

"Of course. Why would I tell you everything?" Van said bluntly.

"...Why is it that when you're being honest one could not help but want to smash your head in?"

"..."

"Well, let's do it later, then," Latanya then stretched her arms, shaking her hand to loosen them up and causing her gigantic bosom to jiggle freely even with the thick clothes that she now wore.

"Hm," as Hercules saw that, he could not help but let out a hum of admiration, "A body almost rivaling that of Lady Aphrodite… As expected of you, Messenger-- you have fine tastes in women."

"Of course."

"Even the other one that left earlier is not so bad; Reminds me of the late Lady Artemis, except less beautiful."

"..." Maybe the two are family, after all. Both were somewhat loose in the head, Latanya thought before heading to the door.

"Where are you going, Miss Latanya?"

"What do you mean? The other Leaders are waiting for you."

"But we need to kill Mister Hercules now."

"...As in right now?"

"Why delay?"

"...Are you serious?"

***

"Explain this situation!"

"Where is the President!?"

"We will not stand for this kind of injustice and disregard of our sacred law!"

"Why does he refuse to meet with us after defacing and revealing our secrets to the common people!?"

"P… please, just calm down! The President will see all of you shortly!"

Outside of the Presidential Castle, the leaders from the other Cities were all clamoring to get in, wanting to seek answers from their new President. Gil, of course, was tasked to lead the guards by Van.

One of the perks of being the President's friend… or so he thought. Right now, all he has been doing was preventing all of these people from barging into the castle. Although technically that was truly his job, he wanted to patrol the City more. He could leave it to the others since he was the current leader of the guards, but protecting the President was his first priority.

It didn't help that the old female general, Sasha, was currently in another City trying to rally more people before they proceed with their plans in leaving the Pit.

"Cynthia, Cynthia please help us!"

Cynthia, who was comfortable leaning on the wall and eating some kind of fruit, only let out a chuckle as Gil's pleading words reached her ears, "Little boss just told me to roam around… it's not my job to do such mundane things."

"D… damn it!"

Should Gil just burn all of these people to the ground? No! Gil quickly shook his head, it would seem that Van's thought process was starting to have an effect on him. He was going to attempt and try to calm down the people again, but before he could do so, he heard footsteps coming from behind him.

"Ah, Nisha! Please tell me Van is awake!"

"...He is. He will be meeting with them shortly," Nisha approached Gil and whispered into his ear.

"Everyone, please calm down!" Gil waved his hands, "President Evans will meet with all of you shortly!"

Even though Gil's words reached the leaders' ears, it was as if they didn't hear anything as they continued to complain, still trying to force their way in.

As soon as Nisha saw that, she once again whispered something in Gil's ear.

"Are… are you sure about that?"

"Yes, you think that Van won't say something like that?"

"I… I suppose that does sound like Van," Gil could only sigh as he once again placed his attention to the rowdy crowd, "Everyone! The President said that if you make any more noise… He will be happy to find a replacement for you… by beheading all of you."

As soon as the crowd heard that, the noise which polluted the air quickly died down.

Just what kind of tyrant now sat on the President's seat, they all thought. Maybe they should have abolished their old system and just selected their leaders according to the votes of the citizens.

"Is that little boy really capable of leading these people outside the Pit?"

"Tch, of course not. Did you really think a beggar would be capable of leading? That kind of story can only be found in the ancient fairytales of the old world."

In the distance, Xinyan and Gerald were currently looking at the clamor in front of the castle gates. It wasn't just the two of them, of course. The leaders from the other city have been at it for quite a while and have already garnered the attention of quite a few people.

With the activity going around the City, even the tiniest of movement drew attention. After all, the citizens already knew that they were amongst the people from the Village. Even if they were allies, the tension that lingered in the air was still plain for everyone to see.

"Why do you always call him a beggar?" Xinyan could not help but ask, "Is that some kind of term of endearment?"

"What!? No! That beggar is just a tiny speck in the ground that I would--"

"You sound like the old people from my country, always trying to be so domineering," Xinyan let out a sigh before turning away, "But just in case… we need to talk to the other Prisoners…

...You coming?"

Gerald furrowed his eyebrows, but in the end, chose to follow her.

"...Sure."

Whether it was Van or Xinyan… As long as Gerald could have the chance to go outside and find his brother, he could care less what the two were planning. He had already been here for weeks, who knows what was going on outside.

His father knew something and seemed to be involved with it intimately. But alas, nobody could find the answers from him now as Gerald smashed his head in with his own cane.

'...Just wait for me, brother. We will survive through this together.'

***

"My brother... killed father?"

"Yes."

Paris, Victoria's mother, called Harvey alone as she broke the news to him. It has been more than a month ever since chaos started to drown their lives.

And now, they heard from one of Charlotte's men that Lionel Lauder, Harvey's father, has died from the hands of his own son.

Just what exactly was happening? Paris thought. Her mother-in-law has told her that there will soon be a great war upon them, using it as an excuse to train her daughter and her friends...

...But yet the outside of their exploring and training, everything seemed calm. Too calm that it was almost eerie.

Well, until now. She asked her mother-in-law to be the one to break the news to Harvey since she was closer to him. But alas, she threw the responsibility to her.

And so, as the lawful and obedient daughter-in-law, she did... and without delay. It would be bad if Harvey discovered that they knew of this and he might think that they are hiding from him, so Paris opted to tell it Harvey him as soon as possible.

"So... that means, my father is dead now?"

"...Yes," Paris could only look to the side as she heard the sorrow in Harvey's words. Although they weren't quite close, Paris still knew that Harvey was the sunshine of the group. To see him like this is... quite heartbreaking. She could just imagine what Victoria would feel like if something like this happens.

Considering Edward was in the form of a monster just a few months back, it might have as well been her in this situation.

"So... my father is dead... that... that is..."

Paris then opened her arms, ready to hug Harvey and fill him with all the motherly affection she could give.

"...Great."

"...What?"

"That's... that's great!"

"...Are you..." Paris could only slightly back away as soon as Harvey's chuckle reached her ears.

"Thank you for telling me, Lady Paris," Harvey then stood up as he patted his pants clean, "Truly... thank you."

"...What?"

Paris could only blink numerous times as she watched as Harvey nonchalantly walked away before bowing towards her.

"Just... what is going on?" Paris muttered, "Am I...

...Am I destined to be surrounded by weird people!?

...And where the heck is my husband!?"