Four days had passed since Lucifer arrived in the duchy, and he was now awaiting the completion of the task he had assigned to Cesar and Alric.
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**Four days earlier:**
On the very day Lucifer established his dominion over Asher Duchy, Cesar and Alric—following his orders—selected six powerful, muscular stallions from the stables. They hitched them to a wagon, loaded a makeshift tent, some food supplies for themselves, and feed for the horses. On one side, they placed a large wooden chest filled with the mutilated body parts of fourteen members of the Asher family—still dripping fresh blood. They covered it with a cloth. They also took the recording of Lucifer's warning, in which he stated that if the two did not return within six days, he would personally come to Lustbound Heaven and Virexion. Then, just after noon, they set off toward King Ignis's capital city, Virexion.
By now, most people—at least in the human kingdoms—knew the name Lucifer.
Asher Duchy, which had been renamed Westirifer Duchy, truly lay at the extreme western edge of the Lustbound Heaven kingdom. From there, the journey to Virexion was roughly three days if traveled without stopping. That was why Lucifer had instructed Alric and Cesar to take the finest horses—and they had done exactly that. Where ordinary horses would take three full days of nonstop running, the two men, with six stallions in rotation, reached Virexion in about two days while still getting proper rest. The only difference was that they had time to rest and arrived on schedule.
The only problem was the wooden chest. After two days, a sharp, metallic, pungent stench was seeping from it as the flesh inside began to rot.
Wherever they passed, people stared at them with suspicion, wondering what could be causing such a foul odor. The smell soured the mood of both men, but they knew better than to complain to Lucifer. He was unpredictable—one moment calm, the next he could snap, and they might find themselves chopped into pieces and packed into boxes side by side. They still vividly remembered how Lucifer had sliced the Asher family members apart right in front of them. The mere thought made their souls tremble. Lost in these grim memories, they finally reached Virexion.
Unbeknownst to them, on that very morning, Lucifer's threatening video had already arrived at the palace.
When Alric and Cesar reached the town gate of Virexion, the guards stopped them. Their wagon was being pulled by six magnificent stallions—a sight typically reserved for kings, queens, or dukes—and a foul stench was wafting from it.
The guards halted them and demanded, "Hey, you two! Where are you headed, and what is in that wagon?"
Alric replied calmly, "Whatever is in the wagon is none of your business. Our master instructed us that only the king, queen, or the Fourth Mother may open it."
The arrogant guards scoffed. "I'm not letting you through until you tell me. Fine—I'll check it myself."
Cesar blocked him and said, "I have no problem if you look. But if my master learns that you opened it without direct permission from the king, queen, or Fourth Mother... it won't just be you who suffers—your entire kingdom will be destroyed. I truly don't mind."
Now the guards grew truly suspicious about what could be inside that reeked so badly.
Alric muttered to Cesar, "Cesar, let's move. We don't have time to argue with these fools."
One guard snapped, "In this entire kingdom, only the king, the royal family, or dukes may speak to us like that. How dare a pair of novice drivers show such arrogance?"
He barked, "I'm going to see what's inside no matter what! Guards—arrest these two and seize the horses!"
Guards swarmed from all sides. Cesar could no longer hold back. He whispered into the horses' ears, "If this cargo doesn't reach the palace... you know what will happen to us. You were all part of Asher's cavalry, weren't you?"
He didn't know why he said it, but the effect was immediate and devastating. All six stallions panicked and began lashing out wildly with their hooves, kicking and trampling the guards. Then, with the wagon in tow, the stallions and both men charged straight through the breached gate, racing toward the palace.
From behind, one guard shouted, "Alert the palace guards! Do not let these two enter!"
Within twenty minutes, the entire palace guard force was on high alert.
Forty minutes later, when Alric and Cesar reached the palace gate, they found it sealed shut. Palace guards stood in formation, shouting, "Intruders! Dismount the wagon and surrender, or face dire consequences!"
Ignoring their nonsense, Cesar called out, "You are palace guards, correct? Your duty is to protect the palace. We have come bearing a gift from our master. We will stay right here. Summon a minister or someone of high rank. You won't understand, but they will. My friend and I will surrender willingly—but remember this: if we do not return within three
days, on the ninth and tenth day, neither this kingdom nor any of you will survive."
One guard relented, "Fine. Stay here. I'll fetch a minister from the court."
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At that moment inside Virexion Palace, King Ignis sat upon the throne with Veronica beside him. For once, they were not engaged in any sexual activity. Standing next to Veronica were Elemor and Bianca. On the other side stood eight guards and knights. Angelina Asher was held captive among the knights, unharmed—after all, even if no longer matriarch, she was still the king's Fourth Mother.
Below the throne, Head Minister Jasper paced in frantic circles, trying to decide how to proceed. The other ministers were equally lost in thought.
On a bed beside the throne, Tristian, Daisy, and Trainy lay sleeping.
Suddenly, a guard burst in, knelt before the throne, and reported:
"Sire, ministers, respected king and queen—there is a wagon below with two men. They claim to carry important cargo meant only for the king, queen, and Fourth Mother."
"We ordered them to surrender. They agreed, but then warned that if they do not return within five days, their master will come—and when he does, neither the king nor the kingdom will survive."
Jasper exploded in anger, "Who are they? Who dares threaten us in our own realm?"
But Veronica calmly interjected from behind, "Jasper, be quiet. Guard—tell us: who are these men, and what is their master's name?"
The guard replied, "Respected Queen, when I asked, they said I would not understand, but a minister, the king, or you would. They refused to name their master to me."
Jasper growled, "Let me see who has grown so bold." He stormed out with another minister.
Ignis turned to Veronica. "What do you think—who could it be?"
Veronica, ever perceptive, answered softly, "I hope it is not the one we fear most."
Bianca and Elemor, unaware of recent events, were confused about why the queen was sending them away and what they had done wrong.
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Moments later, the guard returned with Head Minister Jasper and led him outside.
There, Jasper saw the wagon pulled by six magnificent stallions, with two men—appearing around 60–70 years old—aboard. (In a world where the average lifespan was 300 years, 60–70 was still considered youthful.) A terrible stench emanated from the wagon.
Jasper demanded, "Who are you two, and what is the meaning of forcing your way here like this?"
Alric replied, "Our purpose is simple: we wish to stay alive, you and your king wish to stay alive, and you should accept our master's gift. Otherwise, bid farewell to your kingdom."
Jasper sneered, "You speak far too boldly. Tell me—who is this great master on whose strength you leap so high?"
Cesar answered, "Our great master is Lucifer—the very reason we dare speak this way. If you have the courage, why not speak to him yourself?"
Jasper blinked. "Lucifer? Which Lucifer?"
Alric gave him no time to think. "Haven't you heard yet about Asher Duchy and Lucifer?"
Jasper repeated slowly, "Lucifer..."
Realization hit him like a thunderbolt. His voice and body began to shake uncontrollably.
"Lu... Lu... Ci... Fer...!!! Shake!!! Shake!!! Shake!!!
Luucciiiferrr... Ashhher Duchy... Lucifer...?"
Alric confirmed, "You understand correctly now."
"See? Even you didn't grasp at first which Lucifer we meant. How could these guards possibly understand?"
Jasper glared at the original guard, eyes bloodshot with rage. He thought: *If this idiot had told me earlier they were Lucifer's men, I would never have spoken to them like that.*
With sudden reverence, Jasper bowed slightly. "Honored sirs, please enter."
Alric said, "There is a large chest in my wagon. I will enter with it—that is the gift. And do not, under any circumstances, attempt to open it. It is meant only for the king, queen, and Fourth Mother—not for you."
Jasper ordered the guards, "Carry the chest carefully... and do NOT open it. Not even a little."
When four guards lifted the chest together, their hands were instantly stained red with dripping blood. Their voices caught in their throats; the stench nearly made them collapse. Yet somehow, they carried the blood-soaked, leaking chest inside.
The procession looked surreal: Jasper leading the way, Alric and Cesar following, and at the rear, four guards struggling with the chest, looking as though they might faint at any moment.
As soon as everyone entered the palace court, Ignis asked Jasper, "Jasper, who are these two?"
Jasper replied, voice trembling, "Sire King, Madam Queen—these two are envoys of Luci... Lucifer. They have brought a gift sent by him."
Hearing the name Lucifer this time, both king and queen went pale. Bianca and Elemor grew even more confused and whispered to each other.
Bianca asked, "Is this our grandson Lucifer... or someone else?"
Elemor replied, "I don't know, Bianca. Let's see what happens next."
Ignis spoke, this time with utmost respect: "Honored envoys... what is this gift?"
Alric produced a magic crystal ball and handed it to Jasper. "Sire King and Madam Queen—the gift is primarily for the Fourth Mother, but you may open it as well. I know what the gift is; I stood beside my master while he prepared it. My companion and I fainted twice just from watching him make it. But the true enjoyment comes from seeing it fresh. Behold for yourselves."
In the back, behind the knights, captive Angelina was grinding her teeth in fury, her rage reaching its peak. She had a terrible suspicion about what the "gift" contained.
Jasper passed the crystal ball to Ignis, who activated the recording.
In the recording, Lucifer was methodically dismembering members of the Asher family and packing the pieces into the chest. Then he spoke directly:
"Alric... you and Cesar will take this to the palace as a gift. Only the king, queen, or Angelina Asher may open it. Return within six days. If you do not... I will come fetch you myself. Whether you are alive or not... there will be no more Virexion, and no more king."
Watching Lucifer and his gruesome work, the souls of Ignis, Veronica, Bianca, and Elemor trembled in horror.
Elemor and Bianca could not believe this was their own grandson.
Ignis finally spoke in a grave, solemn voice: "Open the gift."
The chest was opened.
Every guard screamed in unison: "AAAAAHHHHHHH...!"
"MOOOOOMMMMMMMM...!"
"UUWWAAAGHHHHHHH!!!!!!"
Veronica vomited violently on the spot. Jasper fainted outright. Angelina's eyes rolled back, foam bubbled from her mouth, and she collapsed unconscious.
Elemor and Bianca retched repeatedly, unable to stop.
Inside the chest, compartments had been neatly arranged. In one: Xavier's severed head resting atop his minced body parts. Beside it: the same for his wife—her head atop her minced flesh. Then Ravina... Haaland... Gerdy... Acery... Wendy... every member of the Asher family—their severed heads placed carefully above piles of their own ground, mutilated remains.