Lucian chuckled, strolling toward the shadowed figure in front of him. The figure was draped in robes, the exact attire one would expect from an assassin.
"So, what's your purpose?" Lucian's lips curled into a smirk as he closed the distance, savoring the rare moment of a classic interrogation. No money involved this time.
The shadowed figure, rising swiftly, was pulled back to his feet by shadows that mirrored Lucian's own power.
"Not happening," the assassin replied coolly, confidence dripping from his tone.
Lucian's smirk deepened at the defiant response. He flicked his gaze behind him, hearing the chaos erupting inside the manor, the courtyard, and the streets beyond. This was more than a simple assassination attempt—it was a full-blown royal massacre.
While Lucian was momentarily distracted by the commotion, the assassin lunged, dagger aimed straight for his throat.
Lucian didn't flinch. He simply laughed, turning his head slowly toward the assassin, then winked, as if amused by the entire situation.
The assassin raised an eyebrow at Lucian's careless disregard for the impending danger—just before he was struck hard in the stomach by an unseen force, the shadows beneath him lashing out in a brutal blow.
"You asshole!" The assassin staggered back a few steps, but to Lucian's surprise, he seemed to tank the hit, grinning through the pain.
"It was a bad idea coming here alone!" the assassin shouted, no longer trying to maintain any subtlety. The air around them had descended into chaos, and the entire area was rapidly turning into a battlefield.
From the shadows, several other figures emerged—ten more assassins, all dressed in the same dark robes, now surrounding Lucian.
Lucian spun around, laughing at the sight.
"Really now?" His violet eyes gleamed, glowing brighter against the darkened surroundings. "You just threw away your biggest advantage."
Without missing a beat, he shouted, "Then come at me!"
Though he'd fought the hero, Reid, and faced off against dungeon monsters recently, it had been far too long since he'd squared off with normal, mortal opponents—people he could actually push around.
All eleven assassins surged forward in unison, each taking a unique stance, each weaving their own dark shadow magic in perfect sync.
"How cute," Lucian muttered with a sly grin.
In an instant, a massive pillar of darkness erupted beneath him, propelling him upward like a springboard. He soared into the air, grinning with wicked amusement.
"Let's see how you handle this." Lucian's voice dripped with amusement as he snapped his fingers, then stretched his arms wide, his energy radiating outward.
"Apophis!" He called with glee, his eyes gleaming with anticipation.
The moment the command left his lips, the assassins' control over their shadow dominions faltered, as if the very shadows themselves were turning against them, pushing them back.
Before they could react, one assassin was swallowed whole by a massive abyssal snake, its jaws snapping shut beneath him, leaving no trace behind. The only sound was the distant echo of a startled gasp.
"Ta-da!"
Lucian laughed, the sound cruel and triumphant. He flicked his fingers once more, and suddenly, he plummeted from the sky, falling like a stone.
He landed in the courtyard with a thunderous crash, the impact sending shockwaves through the ground, debris scattering in all directions.
Lucian glanced around. In the distance, the Third Prince was locked in a fierce duel with three assassins, his sword flashing with royal authority. Fey was at the center of his own skirmish, fending off five opponents using his nature dominion, trees and vines bursting to life around him.
Reina stood in the heart of the manor, her Codex glowing as she coordinated protection, shielding everyone from the onslaught in the manor, the courtyard, and beyond.
The assassins hesitated, their confidence faltering at the sight of one of their own effortlessly consumed by Lucian's dominion. The realization that they were facing a power they hadn't anticipated hit them hard.
One assassin shouted, his voice sharp with confusion. "Who is this man? We weren't briefed on any other powerful royals beyond the four!"
Another assassin, reckless with adrenaline, surged forward without a second thought. "Hell if we know!" he shouted, charging at Lucian.
But as his foot struck the ground, the abyssal snake reacted with lightning speed. Its tail whipped through the air like a blur, sending the assassin crashing through the manor's walls, the force of the blow leaving nothing but dust and shattered stone in its wake.
Lucian spun dramatically, his cloak billowing as he straightened and bowed mockingly to his opponents.
"That's all you've got?" Lucian taunted, a smirk playing at the corners of his lips. The snake slithered back beneath the earth, its presence now an unseen menace, lurking just beneath the surface.
But before Lucian could indulge in his own theatrics, a grunt echoed across the battlefield—a sharp, strained noise from the Third Prince. The sound of his exhaustion was unmistakable.
Lucian turned just in time to see a figure sent flying, crashing to the ground mere feet from him. It took a moment to register. Was it... the Third Prince?
Lucian's gaze snapped behind him. There, lying in the dirt, was the Third Prince, still composed despite the force of his fall. But rather than retreat, he pushed himself back to his feet, his regal demeanor unshaken. However, upon noticing Lucian surrounded by the remaining assassins, he paused, his eyes narrowing.
Lucian met his gaze with a grin, raising an eyebrow. "Surprise...?" he said with a playful shrug, his tone dripping with amusement.
The Third Prince scoffed, his eyes narrowing as he took up a stance beside Lucian.
"It seems you could use my help," the Third Prince remarked, brandishing his sword once more, his Codex glowing faintly beside him.
Lucian gave him a pointed look, a smirk tugging at his lips. "You look like you need it more than I do."
He shifted his position, now standing behind the Third Prince, ensuring that every angle was covered.
Suddenly, a loud crash echoed through the air, the unmistakable sound of another assassin making their entrance. But this one was different—clad in full crimson attire, a golden mask obscuring their features, and a crimson hood pulled low.
"How disappointing," the figure sneered, voice tinged with frustration.
"Here I am, toying with the Third Prince, and yet, you all managed to be outplayed by some noble no one even knows?" The figure's gaze shifted toward Lucian, a mocking laugh escaping their lips.
"How coincidental," the assassin mused, clearly addressing Lucian as they threw back their hood.
The hair that emerged was familiar—the same blonde hair as the merchant Lucian had encountered from before.
A low chuckle bubbled from behind the mask as the assassin placed a finger to his lips. The smirk beneath the mask was all too visible.
"Shhhh~."