Hacking the Game Didn't Go as Intended [Part Two]

CHAPTER 246: The Farewell Note

The mirror stood tall and clean before him, holding the presence of a dutiful and celebrated captain. Then the words from that day echoed like thunder in his ears, creasing his forehead.

— "Enough." Lumielle's voice had been firm, unwavering. "You speak out of turn. I decide who belongs in my circle. I decide who walks beside me. And I will not tolerate this petty jealousy, especially when it veils itself in loyalty. Have you forgotten who you serve, Hynes? You are my vassal. Not my keeper."

Hynes stood in silence, eyes locked with his reflection. His jaw was clenched, his expression stormy. She's my queen. My goddess. My savior... then why—why has she forsaken me?

His eyes dropped to the royal crest emblazoned across his chest plate. The symbol felt like a weight. A mockery. I gave everything. And still... she keeps me in the dark.

With a snarl, he drove his gauntleted fist into the mirror.

CRASHHH!

Glass split and rained down in shimmering shards. He stood still, breathing hard, staring at the fragmented reflections of himself. There were a dozen fractured versions; a dozen paths. Each one a different future. He wondered which one to choose, knowing the decision would curb the rest of his life from this very moment onwards.

She hinted at corruption in the palace... then today's tragedy—was it part of that? Another orchestrated move in this web of deceit?

He clenched his teeth. The fire in his chest spread like a fever. Why must I grope blindly while they whisper behind closed doors? I am her shield. Her sword. Why am I not one of them?

In a second burst of rage, Hynes clutched the broken frame and ripped it from the wall, throwing it down with a thunderous crash. Then he turned and stormed out of the room, his sabatons clinking hard against the marbled floors.

***

The alley was swallowed in shadow. The buildings leaned like eavesdropping giants. At the far end, two figures stood just beyond a beam of light. Only their feet were visible—one clad in armor, the other in tall leather boots beneath a flowing cloak.

A silence hung between them like a noose.

"And you'll definitely keep your word that Princess Lumielle will be given to me in exchange?" asked the man in armor.

The individual in garments let out a low breath. "She's likely marked for death if she stays in that palace. Everyone knows it. If you're truly serious about taking her..." he stepped forward slightly, the cloak brushing against stone, "...then you'd best make sure she's never seen in this kingdom again."

There was no hesitation in the armored man's reply. "I understand."

***

Hidden in the shadows of the partially destroyed apothecary, Midnight's ears twitched at the faint sound of someone's approach. Olive-green eyes blinked open, his pupils narrowing as he sensed a strange aura drawing near—fire and ice, light and darkness, an enchanting eclipse.

To the Djinn of darkness, it was like sweet honey. The feline arched his back in curiosity and padded silently toward the edge of the rafters, eyes fixed on the entrance.

Outside, the last sliver of sunlight sank behind the distant mountains. The city shimmered in the glow of twilight, yet the air felt wrong—heavy, grim, like something terrible had occurred or was about to.

Fay stumbled around the bend of the byroad, panting and breathless, a woven basket on her arm. Earlier that day, she had gone alone to the market to buy ingredients for supper.