The next day, Noctis lay on his blood-stained bed, a sliver of light slipping through the curtains. Piles of papers had fallen to the ground as he got up. His smile hadn't faded, not even in sleep. His eyes had returned to their normal crimson, glimmering faintly.
Noctis slowly walked toward the scattered papers on the floor. Some contained sketches of J and his friends, with many detailed descriptions written on the sides. Other documents outlined the financial state, crime rates, and basic needs of every race, along with reports, requests, and various proposed solutions.
He knelt slowly, gathering the papers and arranging them neatly. As he placed them on the table, his eyes fell on the glass tube. His smile remained, but sadness lingered. From the corner, he saw a photo of him and the girl in the tube. Both were smiling, and Noctis had a hand placed over her belly.
"It's funny… isn't it, June? We were waiting for a new member — and what did we get?" Noctis paused briefly.
"But don't worry. I'll fulfill my promise to you no matter what."
Noctis lowered his gaze before sitting on the chair.
Scribble! Scribble! Scribble!
He began writing about the heroes — their values, and his plans. Plans that would surely break them… but if they survived, they would become the strongest versions of themselves.
Knock! Knock!
The knocking cut through the silence Noctis cherished.
Slide… Tap! Tap! Tap!
He approached the door, cracking it open just a sliver. Blinding sunlight spilled in, forcing Noctis to shield his eyes.
As his vision adjusted, he saw Lillian, Aron, and Aro standing before him, each holding a stack of papers.
"Do these contain everything I asked for?" Noctis asked calmly.
"Reports on the Kingdoms of Liv, Iris, and Javier," Aron replied, his usual fixed smile now seeming genuine.
Noctis took one paper from each stack and transported the rest onto the table behind him. His eyes scanned every line, every sentence, every word.
"These kingdoms still haven't changed, have they? Liv is still the kingdom of freedom. Iris — still as corrupt as ever, even after the recent attacks." Noctis squinted.
"And Javier… it has improved a bit, but only financially."
He placed the papers with the rest, walking out and shutting the door behind him.
"Aron and Aro, be ready. Soon, you'll both be given very important jobs — do not mess them up." Noctis said as he headed toward the throne room.
"Okay," Aron said confidently.
"Okie-dokie!" Aro exclaimed.
Suddenly, Lillian called out, her voice soft but trembling.
"Noctis! Don't you have anything for me?"
"As always — spy on the Kingdom of Linares. As promised, I'll be yours today, from afternoon to evening," Noctis said gently.
"Okay…" Lillian muttered.
"I'll be in the throne room," Noctis said as the space around him twisted — and in a blink, he was gone.
---
Noctis appeared in his throne room as sunlight shimmered through the tall stained glass. He made his way to the throne and sat.
Cough! Cough! Splatter!
He covered his mouth. When he pulled his hand away, it was stained with fresh crimson blood — the scent still lingered.
Noctis chuckled.
"Really?! My body's failing now — when I'm so close to my goal?" He paused.
"It doesn't matter. I'll continue and fulfill my promise… and get the ending I want."
He leaned back, blinking — but then saw J entering from the corner of his eye.
"J, how have you been? Did the other commanders give you any trouble? Were any of them hostile to you? Please, tell me." Noctis asked softly, hiding his palm.
"No, everyone was… nice. Okita even apologized to me for what she did. But I don't know… i-if I can forgive her that easily."
Noctis stood, slowly approaching.
"I would ask you to forgive her. It was just an accident." His tone sharpened.
"Now — what brings you here?"
J handed him a few documents, most appearing to be about laws and regulations.
"I have a serious problem with these. I think they're just… morally wrong."
Noctis rested his fingers on his chin, speaking softly, his tone deep.
"Ah, right — you're the new law manager and punisher. Did Aron or Okita give you these?" He paused.
"Did they show you the ropes, or should I?" Noctis took the papers and read through them carefully.
After a few seconds, he stared directly into J's eyes, his tone sharper than steel.
"What exactly is wrong with these laws and punishments?"
J narrowed his eyes, his voice as sharp as a blade.
"Don't you see how wrong this is? You've restricted basic foods and drinks — banned pork, alcohol, and anything remotely similar. One law says to cut off a thief's hands — another gives five to six years in prison for just drawing something lewd! And this one — everyone has to wear modest clothing, or they're fined? What kind of law is that? Do your people even have freedom?"
He paused. His breathing was heavy, his hands trembling — not from fear, but frustration.
"And there are no laws to reform criminals!"
Noctis tilted his head, his voice cold.
"First of all — who are you to tell me I'm morally wrong?"
"Why should there be a reform program for criminals when I can stop ninety-nine percent of crimes outright?" He grinned.
"And about the clothing — have you seen anyone complain? Yes, a few. But most people don't. And if I'm not mistaken, you come from a world that worships democracy, yes?"
"Well then — by your own system, I'm already winning."
---
…
Noctis continued.
"Tell me — what is freedom? What does it look like? Taste like? Feel like?"
J stepped back. His voice wouldn't come, no matter how hard he tried.
"The ability to express oneself. The ability to do what they want," J murmured.
Noctis grinned, spreading his fingers.
"So if someone wants to kill, they can? Because that's what it sounds like you're saying."
J shook his head, his pupils shrinking.
"No — that's not what I meant! You're twisting my words!"
Noctis tilted his head, his smile unhinged.
"Am I? I just repeated what you said."
With a flick of his fingers, he appeared behind J.
"I'll explain my rules with examples — so your puny head can understand."
Noctis moved his hands like a teacher addressing a student.
"Let's say there's a man who works nine to ten hours a day, then drinks heavily at a bar before heading home. But instead of relieving his stress, the beer worsens it — and he lashes out at his wife and kids to vent his rage."
He placed a hand on J's shoulder.
"So, tell me — why did the man do that?"
J remained silent. He knew the answer but didn't want to acknowledge or validate it.
"Because the man wasn't in his right state of mind. He was drunk, and his bottled-up rage erupted in a moment of weakness," Noctis answered.
"That's why I banned alcohol."
"Now, about pork. If I gave you a glass of water and said it might kill you or infect you with a terrible disease — would you drink it?"
J shook his head, stepping back.
"No. Never. Why would I? I'm not stupid enough to risk my life like that."
Noctis grinned.
"Then why do you want to eat pork, when our doctors have confirmed it's harmful? Or is it that your world hasn't figured that out yet? Or maybe your pigs are magically healthy?"
J shook his head.
"No. From what I've heard… pork can cause seventy different diseases."
"Hypocrite," Noctis said mockingly.
"Have you ever experienced being raped — by one man or by many? Or even tried to imagine what a rape victim feels? It's something worse than death. So if I can reduce the chances of something like that happening by banning pornography and enforcing modesty laws… then tell me — why shouldn't I?"
Noctis turned looking over his shoulder. "Let us move on to the other laws shall we?"
"Let us say you are a lustful man okay? Now there are two women before you, one is dressed modestly you can hardly tell her skin tone let alone her body shape then there is another woman wearing revealing clothes they are not too revealing but they show her arms, stomach and little bit of there chest. Now tell me who are you most likely to rape?" Noctis said calmly.
J gulped as he shouted. "What are implying I'd never do anything remotely close to that."
Noctis stared right into J's soul. "It is a hypotical situation so just answer."
A sweat drop tickled down J's face. "The... woman who is covering— less..."
Noctis grined again. "So, you admit immodesty can cause a woman to be rapped right?"
J swiped his hand. "But it isn't something going to happened every day."
"Have you ever experienced being raped — by one man or by many? Or even tried to imagine what a rape victim feels? It's something worse than death. So if I can reduce the chances of something like that happening by banning pornography and enforcing modesty laws… then tell me — why shouldn't I?" Noctis continued. "There was only one rapped victim in the last ten years. And how was it in your world? How often did man and woman got rapped?"
J lowered his gaze as doubt crept in. "I don't know. Some as most rapped victims don't reach out to the police it's hard to say. As for other countries I heard that around four hundred thousand a year."
Noctis let out a sharp laugh that echoed through the castle.
Ha! Aha! Ha!
Noctis wiped a tear from his eye. "Let me guess they do not have any modesty laws anything similar nor they have severe punishments for criminals."
J gritted his teeth as he nodded. "But… but there must be some other way, right? One that allows personal freedom while still protecting both men and women?"
Noctis folded his arms. "If you can find a law or path that allows both protection and personal expression — then go ahead. But if it leads to cultural deterioration…" he leaned in, voice heavy, "then you will bear the consequences."
J took a deep breath. "Well, our final topic was punishment for thieves, right? You said it's immoral and extreme. Then explain it to me."
Noctis stepped closer, spreading his fingers. "In my kingdom, poverty is non-existent. Every rich man and woman is required to donate a portion of their wealth every month. That gold is then distributed directly to the poor — by individuals I've personally vetted."
He paused, his voice darkening. "If it's ever proven that one of those distributors steals even a single copper coin from those donations… they face severe punishment."
J's voice grew calm. "So you're saying there's no need for anyone to steal?"
"Precisely," Noctis replied, his gaze unwavering. "The only reason people steal is because they lack money. But if I've eliminated that need, then why would anyone have to steal?"
J sighed. "But still… it's extreme — to cut off someone's hands for that."
Noctis shook his head slightly, voice soft.
"Idealist… idealist. You oppose me so much, then ask my people. Ask them what they think. Whether they agree or disagree. Whether they are happy or unhappy."
He placed a hand on J's shoulder, his tone calm but firm.
"Let's go. I still have about six hours before I have to spend time with Lillian. Until then… we can explore."
A softly humming portal bloomed to life, engulfing them both.