Arex didn't expect to see the interior of the whole place modernized, as though he were just inside a modernized pagoda.
There were more floors going up, and it would appear that Arex and Leomold were on the fifth floor. This made Arex wonder how it was even possible for a hot spring to appear in both Leomold and Merfestina's respective quarters.
"How did the hot spring fit inside your room? I saw Merfestina having her personal hot spring as well." Out of the blue, Arex suddenly asked as the two of them ascended the stairs upstairs.
Leomold glanced to his side before returning his attention to the ladder in front of him. "Halze and I created those hot springs. We made sure that each Lord's living space included a traditional Japanese hot spring bath to help them relax and rejuvenate, especially following a mission." Leomold responded.
Although it would seem that Leomold had been very helpful in providing an answer to Arex, there is something that has been bothering him all this time. "Are there only seven of you that work for your high lord?" Arex eventually asked.
Leomold stepped up, and Arex followed him, still eager to wait for Leomold's response. And as they reached the sixth floor, Leomold eventually provided the answer after bringing Arex, in the meantime, to a terrace.
"Like I said, we are governing bodies in Necropolis. Each of the seven Lords of the Black Parade has a respective legion of lower rank shikaris that we train and send out on missions to capture common Jinnx."
Arex was overwhelmed with the scenery he was seeing. The whole pagoda castle was sitting above a large infinity lake, with dense clouds below acting as a protective barrier, concealing its floating nature.
Arex watches as many lower-ranked shikari, dressed in white tunics and vests with an inverted crescent moon sigil on their backs, train and march on the palace grounds.
Among them were the two lords that Arex had met in the chamber. Halze, and the other one was a bit taller, tanned, and taller than Halze.
"Who's that guy?" Arex asked while pointing at the man standing close to Halze.
Leomold gazed at the individual Arex was pointing to and recognized him. "That's Lord Braganza. They're typically in charge of overseeing the daily military drills and training."
"So, are these all the drills they provide for the shikaris?" Arex inquired, prompting Leomold to provide further explanation.
Leomold eventually replied, "Yes, why are you inquiring?" Curious about what sparked Arex's sudden interest.
However, instead of answering him, Arex suddenly stretched his limbs and even tried to warm up the muscles on his back and neck. "Also, you all keep mentioning that I am dead, right? And that my ability to wield blue flames gives me a temporary shield from your scythes?" Arex suddenly asked another series of queries that suddenly gave Leomold a bad feeling about his hidden motive.
"What are you even intending to do now, Arex?" Leomold asked as he crossed his arms, wondering what could be going through Arex's mind at the moment.
He was clueless about what Arex was truly planning until Arex climbed up the edge of the terrace. This swiftly caused Leomold's eyes to widen in shock, seeing as how Arex was actually planning.
"Would you like to attempt another test now, Leomold? Let's find out if I make it through this leap." Arex proposed with a smile directed at Leomold.
"Are you truly out of your mind? We must meet with the high lord." Leomold argued fervently with Arex, attempting to prevent him from leaping off the sixth floor.
"Don't worry, we'll go and see your high lord once I survive this!" Arex finally said this as he eventually jumped off the terrace.
"What in the world—" Leomold was unable to finish what he was supposed to say. Due to the stress that Arex's actions had caused, he found himself clutching his forehead. Leomold let out a deep sigh as he walked towards the staircase leading to the ground floor to check if Arex would make it through the fall.
Meanwhile, Arex, who had leaped off the terrace, was astonished to realize that his body now sensed the gentle touch of Necropolis' atmosphere. Due to his unique ability to emit blue flames, Arex quickly managed to avoid a potentially disastrous fall.
Right before he could touch down, the blue flames surrounding him vanished, releasing a light gas that pushed him away, preventing a crash. Arex took advantage of this moment to straighten his posture, allowing his body to align and land swiftly on both feet.
His grand entrance caused quite a commotion among the Shikaris in the vicinity. Their usual routine was interrupted by Arex, and the incident was quickly brought to the attention of Halze, who happened to be the closest lord in charge of that specific group at the time.
"That was a swift move. I can't wait to see Leomold's reaction once he sees me unscathed." Arex muttered as he examined his entire body. He was so amazed by what took place that he failed to realize there were already too many eyes looking at him and wondering who he could be.
What Arex didn't seem to sense at the moment was that behind him was Halze, who was trying to contain his annoyance over Arex intruding on their military drill.
"You really enjoy making dramatic scenes, don't you? You may believe that causing a stir is always entertaining, but in reality, it only serves to increase my annoyance." Halze quickly spoke, causing Arex to flinch in surprise.
When Arex realized that it was none other than Halze, his facial expression abruptly changed and turned into one full of sarcasm as he replied to Halze, "Oh, if it isn't the grumpiest lord of the black parade."
"What did you just say?" Halze exclaimed as his ears perked up hearing that from Arex of all people.
Meanwhile, Arex seemed to be enjoying the moment to piss off this specific lord, who had just left him wounded earlier. Arex reasoned that Halze should be grateful that he was only putting some sarcasm over his responses to him.
Arex believes that what Halze did to him earlier should only be reciprocated in the same way, especially now that he has been fully healed.
However, Arex considered the fact that he was fully outnumbered if these Shikaris present around them would go up against him to defend their lord Halze.
Even with his new-found powers, Arex knew that it wouldn't be enough to fight these legions all by himself. Which was why he was settling for now to aggravate Halze's temper through his words.
Arex grinned mischievously at Halze, eager to push his boundaries and provoke him into another duel.