I stepped out of the garden, leaving behind a flushed, wide-eyed Bella, still lost in her daze.
Fil was already waiting near the mansion wall, fidgeting nervously as I approached. His posture stiffened immediately, clearly sensing the lingering annoyance in my expression.
"What happened? What's so urgent?" I asked, my voice still sharp from being interrupted earlier.
Fil's eyes darted around, his throat bobbing as he swallowed hard. "S-Sir… the two siblings of the Greenwold noble family… they're missing."
I froze mid-step.
"…What the fuck did you just say?"
"They… escaped, my Lord. From the underground prison cells."
His words sank in like ice water down my spine. Both escaped? From the most fortified cells in the city? I had over a thousand guards patrolling down there—and they still got out? How?
"And Agrest?" I asked coldly, my eyes narrowing.
"He's still locked up. We tried questioning him, but… he refuses to speak."
I clenched my fists, my mind racing. How the hell did they pull this off? They left their own father behind… Why? What's their plan?
I didn't have the answers yet. But honestly, it didn't matter too much. What mattered was Agrest. He was still vital to my plans.
Without wasting another second, Fil and I headed toward the underground cells. The deeper we went, the colder the air grew. Rows of Omega werewolves stood guard, their presence intimidating as they parted to let me pass. Their strength had increased significantly after the massacre of those 5000 humans—their levels now pushing past 30. Even Bella… and Fil… they'd grown stronger.
At the end of the corridor, bound in chains against the cold stone wall, sat Agrest Greenwold.
One of his legs was missing, crudely bandaged to stop the bleeding. His face was pale, sunken from exhaustion, yet when he looked up at me, I still saw defiance in his eyes.
A bitter, hateful smile curved his lips. "Your days are numbered, you fucking monster," he spat, voice raspy but brimming with venom.
I walked toward him, stopping inches away. "How did they escape?" I demanded coldly. "What did you do?"
Agrest only laughed, low and bitter. "You'll never know. They're gone… far beyond this filthy city. And soon, soldiers from neighboring cities will come for you."
I tilted my head, amused at his bravado.
"You think I care about those soldiers?" I chuckled darkly. "Tell me, old man… what do you see around you?"
Agrest's gaze shifted over my shoulder, his eyes landing on the rows of Omega werewolves standing guard. His expression twisted—realization dawning.
He understood now. These people were human once… but now? Monsters. And I had the power to make more of them.
He didn't need to ask how I did it—because he wouldn't get an answer. But he understood enough. His fate was sealed. His body broken, one leg gone, those chains suppressing every ounce of power he had left.
I let the silence linger before answering for him.
"Humans are greedy by nature," I said smoothly. "Even your so-called king. If he finds out I can grant powers—turn people into monsters… make soldiers stronger than anything in his army… he won't come here to kill me."
I leaned in closer, my voice dropping to a near whisper.
"He'll come here… to bargain. To beg for my power."
Agrest's face darkened, but I caught the flicker of uncertainty beneath the rage.
"And if he's foolish enough to come swinging… well," I straightened, smirking, "he'll learn I'm not so easily killed. What do you think will happen, old man, if every person in this city becomes a monster like these people? You think soldiers from other cities will have any chance of reclaiming this land under their banner again?"
Truth be told, I knew the king of this kingdom was likely over level 100. I was barely scratching level 50 right now—I wasn't stupid enough to believe I could take him in a straight fight.
But it didn't matter.
Agrest didn't need to know that. He'd be dead soon anyway.
I turned away, chuckling softly. My speech was mostly nonsense, but damn, it felt good lecturing him about human greed before his execution.
As for those siblings… they escaped. But it didn't matter. I already had their scent burned into my nose. I'd find them after I was done with this.
Fil and I left the underground cells, ascending the stone corridors. The air grew warmer as we neared the surface.
"Prepare for the execution," I ordered casually. "Forget about those two for now. If you find how they did it—great. If not, leave it."
Fil nodded stiffly, bowing before hurrying off.
I returned to the mansion alone.
The room I'd claimed as my own had once belonged to Agrest—the former lord of this city. It still carried the faint scent of his old life… expensive fabrics, incense, wealth. All meaningless now.
I dropped onto the soft bed, sinking into the luxurious mattress.
I needed sleep.
Tomorrow would be a long, chaotic day.
The Next Morning
The city awoke with an unusual mix of excitement and fear.
The streets buzzed with whispers.
Today was the day—the execution of the former lord, Agrest Greenwold… and the public ascension of a new ruler.
Crowds gathered outside the mansion walls before the sun even climbed high. People abandoned their daily tasks, eager to witness history—or terrified of what change might bring.
By evening, the crowd had swelled to thousands. Young, old, men, women—all pressed near the mansion, voices blending into a low hum of anxious energy.
Suddenly, a figure climbed the mansion wall, drawing every eye.
She stood tall, radiant in a shimmering golden dress that clung to her graceful form. Her voice cut through the crowd—clear as a bell.
"Everyone," Bella announced, "the gates will open in five minutes. You are welcome to witness the execution of the former lord… and the ascension of the new lord."
Her voice was calm, melodic—but carried undeniable authority.
The crowd rippled with mixed emotions.
Some faces showed fear, others… curiosity. Many whispered of change—of freedom, or of bloodshed. No one knew for certain.
The heavy gates creaked open.
People poured into the vast courtyard beyond the mansion walls. At its center, a large wooden platform stood, dominating the space.
Bella stood upon it like a goddess, glowing beneath the fading sunset. Her presence commanded the entire gathering—men gawked, jaws slack, while women frowned at their drooling husbands.
Bella's voice rang out again, silencing the murmurs.
"I am Bella," she declared proudly, "Beta wolf of the Wolf Order."
"Today… we end an era of oppression. Today, you witness the downfall of those who ruled with greed, fear, and cruelty."
The crowd listened, hanging on every word. Some faces lit with hope; others darkened with doubt.
Bella turned, her long blackish hair flowing behind her. The crowd followed her gaze—and what they saw left them stunned.
Row upon row of people in white, standing in perfect formation, emerged behind the platform. Over 4,000 of them, forming neat lines, their presence radiating power.
The crowd gawked as the white-clad figures parted down the center. From the last row, two familiar faces stepped forward—Nil and Fil, dressed in sharp blue uniforms, standing tall with hands behind their backs.
Then… silence.
The formation split in two, creating a wide path.
The Omega werewolves knelt, one by one, dropping to their knees in unison, voices rising in a thunderous chant:
"We greet the Big Boss!"
The crowd gasped.
All eyes turned toward the opening as a figure approached—a young man clad in gold and red, his regal attire glinting under the setting sun. The sunlight hit him from behind, casting a glowing golden aura around his frame.
It was him.
The leader of the Wolf Order.
The new lord.
The crowd whispered among themselves in shock—why else would these people kneel, if he wasn't their leader? If he wasn't the one in control now?
I strode confidently toward the platform, the kneeling crowd parting before me like water.
I climbed the platform with ease, turning to face the stunned citizens.
I looked over the sea of faces—fear, awe, curiosity—all blended into one.
Behind me, the Omega werewolves stood tall once more, awaiting my words.
A faint smirk curled my lips.
"Let's get started, shall we?"