"Isn't Princess Agnes here today?"
Alpha stood beside Alhaitham, dressed in a crisp maid uniform, and gently offered him a cup of black tea with a calm and elegant demeanor.
"She's still in jail," Alhaitham replied nonchalantly, his hands busy at the workbench. "She'll come out once she's tired of sulking in there. But knowing her father, she'll probably get a good iron-fist welcome when she does."
Alpha chuckled softly. "Her Royal Highness certainly is an interesting character."
"Yeah," he replied simply.
Alhaitham was meticulously assembling something. The custom parts had been prepared some time ago, sourced from various forging workshops to maintain secrecy. Mythical materials like Oriha Gang had been used in its construction.
Before long, a stunning silver-black revolver took form in his hands. Its body gleamed with a lustrous silver-black sheen, complemented by a white grip, while elegant, intricate carvings decorated every inch of its surface. Beneath the muzzle, a short dagger was affixed, seamlessly integrated into the design.
It was the perfect fusion of classical beauty and lethal functionality.
Alhaitham exhaled slowly, admiring his creation.
A deadly work of art.
He carefully loaded the cylinder with bullets of seven different elements, placing each into its corresponding chamber. His eyes gleamed with anticipation, eager to test its might.
"You've made another strange tool," Alpha observed. "But this one is truly beautiful. What is it exactly?"
"It's a weapon—a deadly one. I call it a revolver. But this isn't an ordinary firearm. I've enhanced it with magic."
"Weapons…?"
Alpha tilted her head, her golden hair shimmering as she leaned closer. She studied the revolver's details, trying to decipher its purpose. After a while, she gave up, frowning slightly.
No matter how she examined it, it still resembled an ornamental piece. The only seemingly functional part was the small blade beneath the barrel. But if it were only a dagger, the entire design would be overkill—and Alhaitham was not one to make careless mistakes.
So she concluded—she couldn't understand it.
This was Alhaitham's creation. His wisdom felt as if it could measure the distance between heaven and earth. His mind always reached beyond her imagination.
It would be foolish to judge the unknown based on common sense.
"This is the most powerful hidden weapon in the world," he said. "Even a magic swordsman can't dodge it within ten steps. One shot, one kill. Not even magical enhancement can stop it. Best part is—anyone can use it."
Alpha was silent, her lips slightly parted.
A weapon that could be used by ordinary people—yet capable of instantly killing a magic swordsman?
If that information spread, it would upend the world as they knew it.
Still, she didn't doubt him. Not even a little.
"Amazing… As expected of you," she whispered.
She couldn't find words good enough to praise him. Even calling him a genius felt insufficient.
To serve someone like Alhaitham was a true honor.
"…But say, Alpha. What's bothering you?"
"Huh?"
"You think I can't notice changes in those around me? You've seemed distant today. What's wrong?"
"N-nothing."
"If that were true, Epsilon would be the one serving me right now. He switched shifts with you but didn't say why. Should I keep you company instead?"
Alhaitham set the revolver into a hidden holster beneath his cloak. Then, with a playful glint in his eyes, he raised his hand and slapped the wall behind Alpha, pinning her gently in place.
The elf girl found herself caught between the wall and Alhaitham's presence.
"Confess, and you'll be forgiven. Resist, and… well."
"Y-you're impossible…! It's hard to hide anything from you," she mumbled, cheeks flushing pink. "Also, this position… it's kind of embarrassing. What if someone walks in—?"
"Master Alhaitham! Today's report—ah! I didn't see anything!"
As if on cue, Beta burst in, a stack of documents in hand. Her eyes went wide as she froze in place, seeing Alhaitham holding Alpha against the wall.
The sunlight from the window cast the pair in a soft golden glow. His black hair and her shimmering blonde tresses blended together in the light. The tension and beauty of the scene made it feel like a romantic painting come to life.
"S-sorry! I'll leave you alone!"
Beta covered her face with both hands, but couldn't resist peeking through her fingers to watch. The papers slipped from her grip and scattered across the floor. She scrambled to pick them up and rushed out, face flushed crimson.
A pure girl's heart had clearly been shaken—but there was a hint of envy in her eyes.
"…How am I supposed to face her tomorrow?" Alpha sighed. "You did that on purpose, didn't you?"
"Caught me," Alhaitham chuckled.
"Why do you always tease me like this?"
"Because you're serious, and you're cute when you're flustered. Plus, I've been working too hard lately. I need to unwind."
He gently ran his fingers through Alpha's golden hair. The silky strands felt smoother than the finest fabrics, shining like real gold in the sunlight.
"Last time, when I went looking for the [Devil's Possession], I encountered a member of the [Diabolos Order]."
Alpha's eyes widened slightly. "Did you fight?"
"No. I used GEASS to charm them—or rather, to turn them into an agent of my own."
Since then, gathering information on the Devil's Possession had become far easier. No more hunting blindly. They could now acquire leads with little effort.
In just six months, the [Dark Night Courtyard] had grown from a handful to over seventy members.
Aside from Alpha and Beta, Alhaitham had given codenames to five others: Gamma, Delta, Epsilon, Zeta, and Eta.
The original seven who had joined first were known as the [Seven Shadows]—his most trusted agents and lieutenants.
"As the courtyard grows, your responsibilities grow too," Alhaitham continued. "You've been working too hard lately. Take a break. That's an order."
"…Yes, Master."
Alpha smiled wryly. As the leader of the [Dark Night Courtyard], his orders were absolute. Even she couldn't disobey them.
It was overwhelming—but also incredibly gentle.
"Now, if you're troubled, talk to me. It's the king's duty to listen to the worries of his subordinates. Or at least, that's how I see it."
"Alright… it's nothing major, really. Just… I had a little quarrel with the witch."
"Huh? You and C.C.?" Alhaitham blinked, genuinely surprised. "That's unexpected."
The image of C.C. flashed through his mind—mysterious, ageless, enigmatic. A witch who had lived for who knows how long… and yet, she clashed with Alpha?
He couldn't imagine the details, but the thought amused him.
"Well then…" he muttered with a wicked grin. "Let's change tonight's pizza to durian flavor. With extra mustard."
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