The tension in the room was thick. Brian, seated casually on a backward-facing chair, rested his arms on the backrest, his eyes fixed on Luci. The room was dim, the flickering light casting long shadows against the stone walls. "So, tell me, Luci," Brian began, voice calm but probing, "why do you call the Heaven's Enemies weak?"
Luci felt a flicker of discomfort. His eyes darted to the floor for a moment before he composed himself, responding smoothly, "Well, that's because I'm a Moned."
A silence followed his words. Luci kept his expression steady, but inside, his mind raced. He had been lying ever since he arrived at this place. *Moned*, a word he had crafted out of thin air, was his flimsy cover for his true nature—demon.
Brian raised an eyebrow, intrigued but unconvinced. "A Moned? I've read countless scriptures and ancient texts, and I've never come across a race by that name."
Luci smirked, quick to cover the gaps in his story. "We Moned prefer to stay hidden. We don't engage much with humans, so our existence isn't recorded in any book or scripture. Also," he added, keeping his tone steady, "our tribal language is different. When we say 'weak,' we actually mean 'strong.'"
Brian stared at Luci for a long moment, his eyes piercing. Luci could feel sweat forming at the base of his neck, but he resisted the urge to wipe it away. To his relief, Brian leaned back and said, "Interesting. You must be one of the strongest in your race, then. You did break through my barrier, after all."
Luci's heart pounded. *Is he catching on?* "Yeah, something like that," Luci muttered, trying to sound casual.
But Brian wasn't finished. "You're strong, no doubt, but you're nothing compared to a Heaven's Enemy. Not even close."
Luci forced a smile. "Of course," he said, keeping his voice even. Inside, though, his mind was working furiously. He was lying to Brian, and Brian's probing questions were getting closer to the truth.
Then, Luci switched tactics. "Brian, I want to ask you something."
Brian's eyes flicked up. "Go ahead."
Luci hesitated for a fraction of a second before speaking, choosing his words carefully. "Your abilities—what god chose you? I've been curious."
In his mind, Luci was plotting. *I need to know how powerful you are. One day, we will fight, and I need to be prepared.* He watched Brian intently as the man began explaining his powers, giving Luci a glimpse into the force he might one day have to face.
---
Hours later, Luci found himself wandering the long stone hallways, still deep in thought about Brian's abilities. He didn't notice Daniel approach until the knight's voice broke his reverie.
"Hey, Luci," Daniel called out, "what happened in the forest?"
Luci's heartbeat quickened, but he forced himself to stay calm. "I don't know. I fell unconscious."
Daniel frowned, scrutinizing Luci's face, but then sighed. "Brian told me everything already, but standing face-to-face with a Heaven's Enemy... It was terrifying."
"Oh yeah, scary," Luci said with a nonchalant shrug. Inside, he was amused. *Scary? More like thrilling,* he thought. But Daniel didn't notice the subtle mockery in his tone.
Daniel's mood shifted suddenly, his face lighting up. "I'm actually on my way to see Princess Lily," he said, his voice full of affection. "By the way, have you seen Brianna?"
Luci smirked at the knight's lovestruck expression. "She's busy preparing for the upcoming Knights' Feast. Brian mentioned it earlier."
Daniel nodded. "Ah, the feast! That's what I wanted to talk to the princess about. She's in charge of food and drinks." He smiled dreamily. "I wonder what delicacies we'll have."
Luci grinned inwardly. *I hope they have roasted chicken.*
---
Together, Luci and Daniel made their way to the arena. The seats were empty, but a group of knights trained under the watchful eye of Princess Lily. She moved with graceful ferocity, her fists glowing with green energy as she struck one knight after another. With every hit, the knights let out pained grunts.
"Stop complaining," Lily chided as she knocked one last knight to the ground. "This is just training."
When she spotted Luci and Daniel, her demeanor softened. "Ah, Daniel," she said, her eyes scanning Luci's chains and crimson eyes. "You've brought a new face."
Daniel nodded. "Yes, Princess. This is Luci, a Silver Rank One knight. He's from a... uh, what race did you say you were again?"
"A Moned," Luci replied smoothly.
Princess Lily frowned. "I've never heard of a race like that."
"Don't stress over it, my princess," Daniel interjected, kneeling down and taking her hand. "I came to ask about the food and drinks for the feast."
Lily chuckled. "Pork meat, juice, and beer."
Luci made a face internally. *Pork? I hate pork.*
Satisfied with the answer, Daniel stood. "Thank you, Princess. We'll take our leave now."
But before they could go, Lily called after them. "Luci, wait."
Both men turned. Daniel immediately dropped to his knees again, ready to offer his services. "Princess, please, let me train with you!"
Lily shook her head. "No, I want to train with Luci."
Daniel looked crestfallen but obeyed, standing up and walking away. "As you wish, my princess," he said before leaving.
Luci, caught off guard, stepped forward. "Train with you?"
Lily's eyes gleamed as she called upon her god's power. "God of Upgradis, grant me your boon: Fist Enhancement!"
Her hands glowed once again with the same green energy as before, and in a flash, she lunged at Luci, her fist moving faster than the eye could see.
But Luci didn't budge. He stood firm, his face impassive as her fists connected with his body. The green energy dissipated, and she paused, shaking her hand.
"What are you made of?" Lily asked, staring at Luci in amazement.
Before Luci could answer, the king arrived with two knights by his side. His eyes narrowed when he saw Luci.
"Luci, leave us," the king commanded.
Luci shot him a dark look, biting back the words he wanted to say. *This racist king,* he thought bitterly as he turned and walked away.
As he left, the king turned to his daughter. "I've told you before not to associate with other races."
"They're living beings too, father," Lily retorted. "Why can't we treat them equally?"
The king's face darkened. "I'm trying to be a father," he said quietly, watching as Lily stormed out of the arena. "I'm just trying to be a father..."
He glanced at one of his knights. "Tell me," he said. "Am I a bad father? Be honest."
The knight hesitated before speaking. "Your Highness... You're not being fair."
"Seize him!" the king shouted suddenly, and before the knight could react, he was dragged away by the others.
As the knight was taken away, the king muttered to himself, "Calling me a bad father? No way..