The name Lich Court was something that had popped up several times. It always seemed as if they were meddling in all affairs across Eos.
They were the most secretive organization alongside the False Hope Church, which he was ’apparently’ the leader of.
It seemed the Lich Court was involved in every event that happened in the world. They had been present during the Snowhelm incident, the Beast Tide, and now this war.
"Yes, the witch cast a spell that allowed me to look like him," Kira admitted.
"Witches, necromancers... just how many of them are part of that organization?" he asked.
"I don’t really know the structure of the Lich Court or their base of operations," she replied. "I was only able to meet her through an agent from the Order."
’It seems they’re the type that only operate from the shadows.’
"But do you think they’re part of this invasion?"
"I highly doubt it. It’s primarily between the demons and the Order," Kira continued. "The only reason they even joined forces was because of their common goals. If not, the demons and us aren’t really on friendly terms."
"I see." He nodded and moved on to the next question.
This was a question that had been in his mind for quite some time now.
"Tell me about the leader of your organization. From your numerical rating, I assume he’s referred to as Number One."
The moment those words left his lips, the atmosphere changed. Kira’s body jolted, and her head snapped up, eyes wide with dilated pupils.
A brief look of confusion flickered across Nox’s face when he saw the strange phenomenon happening to her. Of course, he didn’t make an effort to help—even if he wanted to, he wouldn’t know what to do in this situation.
Meanwhile, Kira’s breath hitched. She tried to speak, but no sound came out.
’Did I trigger something by asking that?’ It was the only explanation he could come up with as he observed her reaction.
Just then, he noticed the beast mark on her forehead flickering violently, a faint hum echoing across the room.
"I... I..." she stammered, her red skin pale as blood began to drip from her nose.
It seemed as if she was in great pain, but who cared? Definitely not Nox. To him, this was just another form of punishment for her.
Finally, with great difficulty, she gasped, "It hurts... I can’t—I can’t speak about them. There... there’s a seal."
It was at this moment Nox recalled what had happened in Snowhelm. He remembered how he and the others had tried to interrogate the shopkeeper—and how the man’s head had ended up exploding, the symbol of the Lich Court left behind.
This... this was the doing of the Lich Court as well. It seemed the two organizations had quite a deep connection.
’But that doesn’t make sense. Even the members of the Lich Court are Awakened.’
Thinking about all of this was giving him a light migraine, so he shook the thoughts away, focusing on the present.
"Tch." Nox clicked his tongue in annoyance.
He stared at Kira, who was now curled slightly, her body trembling as the residual effects of the seal wore off. Her breathing was erratic, and she was clearly in pain, but he didn’t move to comfort her.
"Useless bastards..." he muttered, eyes narrowing.
’They really went as far as placing a seal that tortures their own just to keep secrets buried.’
He stood up and paced slowly around the room, arms crossed behind his back, deep in thought.
Kira coughed, blood staining the floor beneath her lips.
"I wasn’t... lying," she whispered weakly. "We... we don’t know who Number One is. Only the top agents even know if he exists. I’ve never met him... never even seen him."
"But you’ve heard of him?"
She gave the faintest nod.
Nox’s gaze narrowed. "What have you heard?"
"That even the higher-ups fear him. That he doesn’t speak. That he doesn’t need to." She paused. "Some say he’s not human."
"Not human, huh..." Nox muttered, eyes darkening.
"I need to meet someone who knows more," he said aloud as he started to leave. But before he reached the door, he stopped. "You can rest now. I’ll call you when I need you."
Following his words, a portal appeared right beneath her, and she was disappeared from the real world, reappearing inside Nox’s taming space.
The first creatures she came across were a jellyfish, a frost panda, and a black shadowy cat.
She recalled these monsters! How could she forget them—especially the jellyfish? It was the one that had carried Nox after she stabbed him.
[Look who we have here,] said Fluffington as he circled around her, his tail flicking lazily.
As for the panda and the jellyfish, their eyes were filled with animosity.
[Panda hate you!] Thirteen said, recalling the time his master had been in a coma—all because of this person.
In fact, if it wasn’t for the bond they all shared, he would’ve pounced on her this instant.
[But just so we’re clear...] Fluffington suddenly said as he and the two turned their backs to Kira. [This is his domain. And inside here... you belong to him.]
Kira gritted her teeth, clenching her fists.
She hated that she’d been brought here like livestock. That she was being talked down to by a talking cat.
In the end, she could only swallow her anger and go find somewhere to stay in this world teeming with monsters.
Meanwhile, Nox emerged from Eve Manor and made his way back into town. He arrived at the Cromwell Manor, where the entire group—including the prince, his sister, and his mother—was gathered.
Nox sat in an empty seat, his gaze sweeping across the room, noting that everyone was present.
When he was certain he had their attention, he spoke in a firm, confident voice.
"I have an idea," he said. "An idea that will help us chase these invaders not only from our kingdom but from the entire human domain."