Amidst the warmth of the living room, Kazien's mind drifted to a promise he hadn't fulfilled yet. His memory returned to Borris's ashes which were still neatly stored in his storage dimension space.
Kazien released his hug on Davin, then straightened his back. He turned to his father, Duke Elgard.
"Father, I want to bury Arken's biological father's ashes properly in the city cemetery this afternoon. Can you help me arrange the permit for the use of the land? I beg you."
Duke Elgard smiled wisely. "Of course, Son. He is the father of our new family member. Do it. Father will arrange the permit right now."
Arken, who heard that, felt both relieved and happy. His eyes were teary staring at Kazien. The burden on his little heart was lifted knowing his father's ashes would rest peacefully in the Altavis territory.
After getting his father's blessing, Kazien immediately left. He decided to go to the new housing he had just bought for the assassins. He wanted to tell Zeto directly.
Upon arriving at Zeto's new house, Kazien knocked on the door. Zeto, who opened the door, looked surprised but immediately bowed respectfully inviting her master in.
"Young Master, it's an honor for you to visit my house." welcomed Zeto.
"I have news for you, Zeto." said Kazien as they sat in the living room which still had minimal furniture. "This afternoon, I will hold a funeral for Borris. Tell your colleagues that we will do it privately and solemnly."
Zeto was stunned for a moment, her eyes implying emotion. "Thank you, Young Master. Borris will surely be at peace there."
However, that moment triggered courage in Zeto's heart. She looked at Kazien with a pleading gaze.
"Young Master... while you are here, may I ask for one more thing?" asked Zeto hesitantly.
"What is it? Just ask!"
"May I bury my other colleagues here too? Four people who froze to death that night..." asked Zeto again.
Kazien nodded without hesitation. "Of course! Let's bury them all properly this afternoon. Where are their bodies?"
"They are inside my magic bag, Young Master."
"Bring them to an empty room or a spacious room in this house. I will take care of their bodies!" ordered Kazien.
Zeto immediately escorted Kazien to an empty room at the back of the house. There, Zeto took out four large blocks of ice from her magic bag.
The air in the room suddenly turned cold.
Kazien raised his hand. Warm fire mana flowed, enveloping the four blocks of ice.
Ssshhh...
The ice melted quickly but gently. The stiff bodies of the four assassins were released from the ice prison and lay on the wooden floor of the room.
In front of Zeto, Kazien then used creation magic, forming four sturdy coffins in the blink of an eye.
"Zeto, can you turn around facing the wall for a moment? I want to change their clothes and clean their bodies. It doesn't feel right if you, a woman, see a man's naked body."
Zeto's face flushed slightly. She understood the ethics. "Y-Yes, Young Master. I will turn around facing the wall."
Zeto turned her body, keeping her gaze away from seeing the clothes-changing process.
After ensuring that Zeto wouldn't peek, Kazien began to remove the cloth masks covering their faces one by one.
Oh my, I never expected that the four of them have handsome faces. It's a pity their lives had to end like this. I'm sorry I killed you! thought Kazien, shocked to see the handsome faces of the four assassins.
Kazien began to remove the clothes they were wearing and wanted to clean their bodies immediately before putting on the special funeral attire he had already created.
However, just as Kazien finished stripping the four of them until they were stark naked, something illogical happened.
The eyelids of the assassin in front of him moved. And simultaneously, the four people opened their eyes wide. Their breath hitched, inhaling air greedily.
Kazien jumped in surprise and stepped back. They're alive?!
Before the four naked men had a chance to scream or realize the situation, Kazien realized Zeto was still in the room. Worried that if Zeto turned around hearing their voices she would see a very indecent sight, Kazien acted quickly.
Smack!
With a lightning-fast movement, Kazien hit the nape of Zeto's neck as she had her back to them. The woman collapsed instantly, fainting painlessly. Kazien caught her slender body and laid her gently on the floor.
"Sorry, Zeto. This is to protect the sanctity of your eyes." mumbled Kazien.
However, Kazien's action was seen by the four assassins who had just regained consciousness with their blurred vision.
"Bastard!" exclaimed one of the assassins with a hoarse voice. "What did you do to the Leader? I will kill you right here!"
Although naked and just recovered from being frozen, their killing instinct flared up. They got up intending to attack Kazien.
Zap!
Kazien moved places with his blink magic and suddenly was right in front of that assassin.
Snap!
A flick landed right on the forehead of the screaming assassin, making him scream in pain.
"You idiot!" cursed Kazien at him. "She is a woman while you are men! Look at your bodies before speaking! Do you want your leader to see the four of you naked?!"
The four assassins were stunned. They looked down at their own bodies.
And sure enough. They were without a single thread on in that strange room.
"WAAAA!"
Spontaneously, the four of them screamed in suppressed voices and covered their privates with their hands. Their faces flushed deep red due to extreme embarrassment.
"What... what did you do to us?" asked one of them in panic, closing his legs. "Why are we naked? Do you want to rape us?!"
Snap!
Once again, a strong flick hit the forehead of another assassin who asked nonsensically.
"Watch your mouth!" exclaimed Kazien fiercely. "I admit your faces are indeed handsome! But it's impossible for me to do that to you! Zeto herself asked me to bury the four of you! She thought that you were dead from freezing! And right now I am preparing your bodies to be put into coffins!"
The four assassins looked at each other in confusion, then looked at the empty coffins next to them. "We... were thought dead?"
"Stand up! Or I will freeze you again!" ordered Kazien firmly.
The four assassins immediately stood before him in a military-style upright position without caring about their stark naked bodies.
"Listen!" said Kazien. "Zeto and all her members have become part of my family's troops! Your choice is simple: Will you continue to follow Zeto or not?"
"Of course we will always follow our leader!" answered an assassin without hesitation.
"If you want to follow Zeto, will you swear allegiance to the Altavis family? Because Zeto now serves the Altavis family."
The four assassins' eyes widened. They stared at the handsome silvery-white haired man in front of them. Memories of the attack night returned.
"S-So... back then we attacked the Altavis family residence?" asked another assassin nervously.
"That is what you did! Unfortunately, only Borris was accidentally killed by me. But, I have adopted Arken as my brother to redeem my mistake."
The news about Borris made their faces sorrowful. But the fact that his son was adopted by the Altavis family gave a little relief that their colleague's death was not in vain.
Unexpectedly, the four naked assassins simultaneously kneeled on the floor.
"We swear allegiance to you and the Altavis family!"
However, the oath of allegiance didn't make Kazien happy. Instead, he massaged his temples, feeling annoyed and uncomfortable.
"What are you doing?!" exclaimed Kazien in frustration. "Have you no shame swearing allegiance in a naked state like that? Stand up!"
And then, Kazien created four sets of clothes similar to their uniforms but cleaner, along with four magic bags using his creation magic.