Alfie and Rebekah sat in the motel's reception hall, waiting for Lucy to finish checking them in. Neither seemed particularly interested in sitting quietly.
If you ever call me a rock head again, I'll discipline you right here before Master gets back,Alfie warned, narrowing his eyes at Rebekah.
Rebekah covered her mouth, trying to suppress a laugh.
Oh, my goodness... Look who finally decided to speak, The quiet little moron has found his voice again.
WHAT DID YOU SAY?
Alfie shot to his feet, thrusting his palm toward her as though preparing to attack.
Alfie..... What exactly do you think you're doing?
Lucy's sharp voice rang out from the reception desk.
Alfie froze mid-motion. Slowly turning toward his master, he forced an awkward smile.
"H-Heh! Nothing, Master,I was just complimenting Rebekah's clothes. I wanted to feel the texture, that's all.
Rebekah stared at him for a moment before bursting into laughter.
"YOU LIAR,I've been wearing these same clothes since we left home, Your mom gave them to me, remember? And you're only noticing them now?
Alfie's smile twitched.
"Can you please stop talking?
Enough, you two,Lucy interrupted, walking over to them. I leave you alone for five minutes, and you're already at each other's throats.
Neither of them dared to argue.
Once Lucy had finished arranging their stay, the three headed to their room. After washing up and settling in, they gathered around the table for dinner.
Alfie took a generous bite of his food and sighed contentedly.
Man, it feels good to eat a proper meal for once."
Master, there's something I've been wondering about,Rebekah said, glancing at Lucy. How do you always pay for everything? I've never seen you carry a purse or even a money bag.
Yeah.. Alfie added, his cheeks still stuffed with food. "Where does all that money come from?"
Lucy paused, then gave them a mischievous grin.
Oh, that? It's a secret. A good teacher never reveals all her tricks to her students.
That's not fair.." they protested together.
Too bad. Now finish eating and get some sleep. We're leaving before sunrise.
Alfie nearly choked.
BEFORE SUNRISE? Master, that's way too early! We need enough sleep to grow.
Lucy burst out laughing.
Don't worry. Once we reach Ashura, you can sleep as much as you want. Until then, consider this part of your grand traveling adventure.
Adventure? Alfie grumbled. "This feels more like torture...My butt's been sore for days from riding that horse.
Lucy slowly lowered her chopsticks.
Did you just insult my horse?
Her expression remained perfectly calm, but something about her voice made Alfie's entire body stiffen.
N-No I meant… riding horses is great, My butt doesn't hurt at all.
"Oh? So you admit it was hurting earlier?
Lucy rose from her seat and began walking toward him.
Master, please.....Rebekah hurriedly intervened. "You know how Alfie is...He's just being his usual foolish self.
Lucy stopped and considered that for a moment.
"Hmm. Fair enough. He does have a talent for acting like an idiot.
"HEY I'M NOT AN IDIOT!" Alfie protested.
"Bed. Both of you. Now."
Neither child dared to argue with that.
Before long, the room had fallen silent, and the two were fast asleep.
Lucy remained seated beside them, watching their peaceful faces with a faint smile.
Look at them… They have no idea how cruel the world can be.
Her smile gradually faded.
I wish they could stay like this a little longer. I don't want them to face that reality before they're ready.
She turned her gaze toward the window, her thoughts drifting back to Guhan.
Lucy fell quiet, searching her memories for an answer.
"Or maybe I'm just overthinking things..."
With a weary sigh, she finally rose from her chair and went to bed.
For tonight, at least, she would allow herself some rest.
—
Meanwhile, in Guhan…
After hours of struggle, the terrifying aura surrounding Sasaki had finally subsided.
Lyon returned to the dungeon, eyeing the man who had once been bound beneath the ancient tomb.
That took forever, you fool," he complained.
Exca, through the telepathy, barely reacted to the insult.
Stop whining. Containing fifteen years'
worth of accumulated aura isn't easy, especially when I'm controlling him through only a fragment of my soul within his consciousness.
Lyon frowned.
A fragment of your soul? And that's enough to control someone like Sasaki?
Don't misunderstand. I haven't taken complete control of him. I've merely bound his will. He can still speak, think, and ask questions, so don't engage him unnecessarily.
Exca's expression hardened.
If he responds to the name Exca, proceed with the mission. Don't let him distract you.
Lyon rubbed his forehead.
Wonderful. We're releasing a monster that even you can't fully control, and I'm supposed to pretend everything is fine. This couldn't possibly go wrong.
He let out an irritated sigh before teleporting back into the dungeon.
Hidden among the trees outside, Jackson slowly emerged from his hiding place, his expression filled with disbelief.
"So that's what it took to control Sasaki…"
His gaze followed the direction in which his father had disappeared.
Papa and the Special Darkside Knight are involved in this? They're releasing a monster like him, and nobody else knows?
Jackson clenched his fists.
Isn't this a crime? What the hell are they planning?
he mounted his horse and rode toward the dungeon, determined to uncover the truth for himself.
But before he could get very far, a familiar voice rang out from the trees ahead.
"Well, well… If it isn't Jackson. What are you up to this time?
Jackson immediately pulled on the reins and looked up toward the canopy.
"Ah, don't tell me…"
A figure dropped from the branches, landing lightly on the road before him.
"Marcel?! What are you doing here? I thought you were still at the castle.
The newcomer straightened up, revealing the familiar face of Marcel, Exca's son.