Reina was still thinking about Catherine Dragna when Zumi leaned back in the throne, a thoughtful look crossing his face.
"Oh, Serafina—there's something I forgot to tell you."
Serafina tilted her head, strands of her midnight-black hair falling over her shoulder.
"Hm? What is it, my King?"
"Gia can use shadow manipulation."
Serafina froze.
Then very slowly… very slowly…
her eyes narrowed.
"…I'm sorry?"
Her voice dropped into that lethal, velvety tone only a Goddess of Darkness could produce.
Zumi lifted a hand calmly.
"She can manipulate shadows. Because of a pair of artifacts I gave her. They were called Shadow Weaver Earrings."
Serafina blinked.
Once.
Twice.
Then her lips parted slightly as realization hit like a thunderbolt.
"Shadow Weaver Earrings…?"
Her voice trembled.
Her eyes shimmered with old memory.
She stepped closer to Zumi, searching his face.
"Zumi… those earrings used to be mine."
Everyone went silent.
Only the ambient hum of Serafina's darkness filled the room like quiet thunder.
"I gave those to the Monkey King," she continued softly, awe in her voice, "as a gift… thousands of years ago."
She lifted her fingers to her lips, stunned.
"I thought they were lost forever."
Hina blinked in amazement.
"You… gave them to him?"
Serafina nodded slowly.
"It was a symbol," she whispered.
"Of loyalty. Of love. Of devotion."
Her eyes glowed faintly purple.
"And the fact that your system gave them to Gia… means he kept them. Even through reincarnations."
Reina shivered.
A gift across lifetimes.
Returned unknowingly.
Still carrying the Goddess's magic.
Even Bia looked touched.
"That's… beautiful," Hina murmured.
Serafina closed her eyes briefly, steadying herself.
When she opened them—
Her smirk returned.
"So…"
She dragged out the word with dangerous amusement.
"You want me to teach Gia shadow manipulation?"
"Yes," Zumi said.
"She's talented. And she'll need a master to help her control it."
Serafina grinned—
A slow, wicked, TOO-confident goddess grin.
"Oh, I'll teach her."
Hina squinted.
"Why do you sound like that?"
Reina raised a brow.
"Sound like what, exactly?"
Serafina placed her hands on her hips, purple flames flickering behind her as she smirked wickedly.
"I'll teach her everything she needs…"
She paused.
Then added, very deliberately:
"…and maybe some things she doesn't."
Hina choked.
"SERAFINA— NO—"
Reina burst out laughing.
"Oh no… poor Gia…"
Bia cackled.
"She's gonna have her hands full!"
Serafina winked.
"Oh don't worry."
Her voice was a dangerous purr.
"I'll take very… very good care of Gia."
Reina leaned over to Hina and whispered:
"Does she always flirt with everyone?"
Hina sighed.
"Unfortunately… yes."
Then Serafina tossed her hair back proudly.
"It's not flirting. It's… establishing dominance."
Zumi pinched the bridge of his nose.
"Serafina, just teach her shadow control."
"I will," she said sweetly.
"Eventually."
Hina groaned.
Reina laughed harder.
Bia hugged Zumi's arm with a proud smirk.
"Ohhh, Gia is going to scream when she meets Sera," Bia said teasingly.
Serafina smirked.
"Yes.
Yes she will."
Zumi shook his head with a helpless smile.
"Serafina…"
"What?" she gasped mock-innocently.
"I'm a Goddess of Darkness. This is how I make friends."
Reina stared at her.
"…Hina, we need to protect Gia."
Hina nodded solemnly.
"Yes. We do."
Serafina just laughed—
dark, melodic, and full of mischief.
The sun dipped behind the broken skyline of the slums, turning the rusted rooftops orange and gold. The streets, usually loud with chaos, were strangely peaceful now—because the Kogane Dragons were patrolling. Reassuring. Guarding. Protecting.
Zumi, Bia, Serafina, Hina, and Reina walked through the cracked alleyways together, lit only by flickering street lamps and moonlight.
Reina led the way.
Her steps were steady, but her expression carried memories heavier than steel.
"This was my first route," she said quietly, pointing to a narrow alley that reeked of mildew and old rain. "I used to patrol this one alone. Kids hid behind those dumpsters whenever a gang fight broke out."
She stopped.
"Sometimes… I hid with them."
Hina placed a hand on her shoulder.
"You don't have to hide anymore."
Reina glanced back at Zumi.
The understanding in his eyes made her chest warm.
"And this," Reina continued, guiding them down another path, "is where I fought the previous Blood Rats commander. I took over the gang on that spot."
Serafina whistled.
"Damn, little sister. You've been busy."
Reina smirked.
"I had to be."
They walked further, stopping at a half-collapsed rooftop.
"It isn't much, but… this was my lookout spot. My safe place."
Zumi stepped beside her, gazing over the slums.
"It's beautiful," he said softly.
Reina blinked in surprise.
Beautiful?
No one had ever said that about this place.
But he meant it.
He always meant what he said.
And for the first time, she felt proud—
Not of the violence she survived—
But of the person she became.
As they walked, Zumi pulled out his phone.
Zumi's Text to Gia:
I have ideas for the Kogane Dragons uniforms. Can we get 200,000 made tonight?
He hit send.
Not even ten seconds passed.
Gia:
I'll see what I can do.
Serafina smirked. "That one is efficient. I like her."
Hina nodded proudly. "She's scary when she focuses."
Reina blinked. "We're making uniforms for 200,000 people… in one night?"
Zumi grinned. "I have connections."
Thirty minutes later— The phone buzzed again.
Gia:
They will be done. All 200,000. Don't ask how. Just be proud of me.
Zumi laughed softly.
Zumi:
Have Jonathan deliver them at 4 AM. He'll drive the 1st and 2nd Divisions to the hotel. And come with him.
Gia:
Of course, my love.
Serafina raised a brow. "How many wives do you have again?"
Zumi smiled. "Yes."
All three women groaned.
At exactly 4 AM, the slums were still and quiet—
except for one place.
Reina's old hideout warehouse.
It was massive, dusty, old…
but now packed wall-to-wall with 200,000 organized soldiers.
Bia had gathered them again—
this time standing proudly like a commander presenting her king.
She stood atop a metal crate, shouting orders like thunder.
"LINE UP! FORM RANKS! MOVE IT!"
The Dragons obeyed instantly.
Even Serafina nodded in approval.
"At least we don't have to go back into the sewers," she muttered.
Hina snorted.
"You would've screamed again."
"I did NOT scream," Serafina said, offended.
"You did," Reina added.
Serafina pointed at her.
"Traitor."
Reina grinned.
Then a large rumble echoed outside the warehouse.
The Dragons snapped straight.
All eyes focused on the front entrance.
Huge armored trucks pulled in.
Doors opened.
Jonathan stepped out first.
Tall. Silent. Unshakeable.
Carrying an aura worthy of the King's personal knight.
Behind him—
Gia.
Dressed in a black coat, hair glowing under the early morning light, tablet in hand, aura firm and commanding.
Serafina's eyes lit up.
"Oooh… THAT'S the one with my earrings?"
Hina nodded nervously.
"Yes… be gentle."
"No promises," Serafina whispered.
Gia saw Zumi immediately and smiled—
the kind of smile only someone deeply in love could make.
Reina watched curiously.
"That's Gia… wow. I see why you trust her."
Zumi stepped forward as all 200,000 men stood at attention.
Jonathan approached, bowed deeply.
"Commander. The uniforms are ready."
Gia strutted up with confidence.
"All 200,000 freshly made, sorted by division, labeled, packed, sanitized, and enchanted with low-level durability blessings per Serafina's specifications."
Serafina blinked.
"I didn't—"
Gia winked.
"I guessed."
Serafina's eyes gleamed.
"Oh yes. I like you."
Reina whispered to Hina:
"Is she flirting or threatening?"
Hina sighed.
"Both."
Zumi lifted his hand—
And the entire warehouse fell silent.
All 200,000 Dragons watched him.
Waiting for the King's next command.