Not long after the war between the twin kings of Kazdel had ended, in a secluded chamber within the Kashchey Duchy, a red-haired Sarkaz man dressed in a sharp suit stood before a mirror.
A flamboyant top hat rested on his head, white gloves adorned his hands, and his lips curled into a mocking grin as he muttered to himself.
"Wow~ Theresa, you're truly disgusting. Forcing such a heavy burden onto an innocent child? Even a kind soul like me feels sick just thinking about it."
"Your words won't shake me, Black Snake… Amiya will carry that burden well."
"Amiya? Oh, the little chimera's name, isn't it? Heh… perhaps. But tell me, can a child who's forced to hear the voices of others' hearts really grow strong?"
"..."
"A Sarkaz King is one who can truly feel emotions—the information that radiates from within. That's very different from me, who must first invade someone's mind before I can glimpse their true thoughts. Without mastering her power, she'll be forced to face the darkness buried deep within terran hearts."
"…You talk too much. Could you be quiet for a moment?"
"Oh, come on. We're at least roommates who share a mind, aren't we~?"
"…Black Snake, could you at least try to behave normally? Or maybe speak like a normal person?"
"That won't do, my esteemed former Sarkaz King. Let's be clear—it's you, the uninvited guest, who's trying to take over the host's home."
"You really have no self-awareness for a thief."
"I dislike the term 'thief.' I prefer 'resource distributor.'"
"…Black Snake, you're hilarious."
"To earn the laughter of Kazdel's rightful king—it's an honor."
（Ursus curse）You're such a pain to deal with! I've been pestering you for so long, yet you still won't let your guard down?
No matter. I'll soon be rid of you.
After all, you don't want to see Kazdel fall apart under your brother's rule, do you?
Theresa, the gift I've prepared for you… I'm sure you'll love it.
---
Now, back to the present.
In the slums of Lungmen, two groups stood locked in tense standoff.
"..."
The Doctor remained silent.
He could indeed sense a strange familiarity from Kashchey—
but not the same warmth he felt from the young girl beside him.
Some of the Rhodes Island operators, who didn't know the Doctor well, began to hesitate.
After all, the man before them seemed… acquainted with their commander.
Then, a man wearing sunglasses and carrying a massive shield stepped forward, positioning himself between the two groups.
"ACE…"
"I'll hold them off."
ACE's voice was firm, his expression steeled.
Though the five cloaked figures behind Kashchey were clearly formidable, the real threat—he knew—was the white-haired man himself.
Satan… no, Duke Kashchey.
ACE felt a strange sense of both familiarity and unease.
But one thing was certain—he had to protect his comrades behind him.
…Didn't expect to meet them here. I was planning to visit in a few days anyway.
Kashchey paid no mind to the heavily armored man who seemed vaguely familiar.
His attention had been fixed from the very start—on the Doctor, and the young Sarkaz King standing beside him.
…So, has he truly lost his memory?
The Black Snake couldn't tell.
If not for more pressing matters, he wouldn't have minded staying to catch up with his old friend.
"Ah, I only came to say hello. Why so cold?"
Kashchey sighed dramatically.
And as he turned to leave, he left behind one final, unsettling remark:
"Ursus will always welcome you and Lady Kal'tsit, Doctor."
With that, and under the vigilant gazes of Rhodes Island's operators—and the watchful protection of his five cloaked escorts—
Kashchey departed.
As Kashchey's figure disappeared into the distance, everyone finally exhaled in relief.
Why would a Duke of Ursus appear in Lungmen?
That was the question lingering in everyone's minds.
And yet, it was the final thing he said before leaving that made the Rhodes Island operators exchange uneasy glances.
"Ursus welcomes you and Lady Kal'tsit, Doctor…"
One of Rhodes Island's leaders was named Kal'tsit—and everyone knew it.
Feeling the confusion among her comrades, as well as the silent doubt stirring within the Doctor, Amiya sighed softly.
It seemed she would have to explain things… carefully.
But then her eyes fell upon Misha, still trembling behind the Doctor's back.
Why would a girl from Ursus… fear Kashchey so much?
---
Misha's childhood had been far from happy.
Her younger brother was taken away by military police.
Her mother, worn down by years of hardship, suffered from an illness that slowly consumed her.
Misha would never forget that day—
how she, too afraid to move, hid in a wardrobe…
while watching her little brother being dragged away, screaming in terror.
That memory filled her with a shame that would never fade.
For some reason, the soldiers didn't bother to search the house thoroughly.
It was as if they had suddenly received troubling news.
They seized her brother and left in haste.
Yet Misha, paralyzed by fear, stayed hidden.
Too scared to even breathe.
Minutes passed—ten, perhaps fifteen—
before she heard footsteps echoing up the stairs.
"…Those rats move faster than I expected."
A low, hoarse voice murmured.
Don't see me, don't see me… please don't see me…
Misha clutched her knees tightly, holding her breath.
She couldn't bear the thought of being dragged away too.
She closed her eyes, silently praying for the stranger to leave.
But then—the footsteps stopped.
Silence.
No sound for a long, unbearable moment.
When she finally dared to open her eyes and peek through the crack of the wardrobe door—
a pale face was suddenly right there.
It was Duke Kashchey.
She had seen his face countless times—on television, in newspapers, even in school textbooks.
The benevolent smile, the kindly eyes of the Duke beloved by the people.
But the man before her now—
His expression was one of cold disdain, tinged with irritation.
And in his eyes, she saw something writhing—
the faint, maddening shapes of serpents twisting in the darkness.
Misha would never forget that sight.
The sheer weight of it—
the overwhelming mental pressure—
was too much for her fragile mind to endure.
Her vision went black.
She fainted.
"…Heh. Such a timid little thing."
Kashchey's voice was almost playful.
"But perfect timing. Let's see what really happened here, shall we?"
To Kashchey, there was nothing more delightful than a game of cat and mouse.
After all, many people take pleasure in tormenting the weak.
Kashchey was no different.
The strong may raise their blades against the stronger—
and the weak against the weaker—
but Kashchey had never considered himself strong.
Sometimes, even a snake…
wants to know what it feels like to be the cat.