Lord Shadow



Alexei sighed, a mixture of frustration and determination in his expression. 

"Let him in and bring him here" then he added "Discretely" 

The maid sems to understood. 

When her master tells her to bring anyone discretely that means maximum security measure needs to be taken. 

The whole shebang. The anti-surveillance formation, the anti-Divine Sense arrays, Mist Arrays and Formation, all of these magical security measures need to be activated. 

Of course, all of this is not yet activated. It would only be activated when the maid goes to the entrance and brought that person in

But the maid could tell…. that whoever is coming…. his identity is a very sensitive one. 

The maid nodded, showing her understanding of Alexei's orders, and quietly left the pavilion. 

Alexei let out another sigh, feeling the weight of the world settling back on his shoulders. 

He returned his attention to the stone container, resuming his task of feeding the fishes.

But this time, his mind was far from blank. 

The information brought to him by the maid had stirred his thoughts, and now his mind was abuzz with calculations 

He couldn't simply relax and enjoy the tranquil scenery of the lake anymore.

As if on cue, the sound of footsteps echoed again, breaking the serenity of the moment. 

Alexei glanced up, spotting another figure approaching the pavilion. He sighed the moment he saw that man

The man walked up to the pavilion, seemingly at ease with the surroundings. 

It is very natural and then that man stands beside him. 

The maid was about to say something but Alexei just shook his head. 

And he gestures with his hand so that the maid would leave them alone.

The maid retreated, the snows keep falling, the winds keep blowing and now there is only two people in the pavilion, surrounded by large lake water and picturesque scene of tranquility

Alexei didn't interrupt his visitor, allowing the man to stand beside him.

They both gazed out over the lake, seemingly admiring the picturesque scene as the snowflakes gently fell around them.

But Alexei knows that this man beside him never had any desire to admire this lake of his. 

For a brief moment, they remained silent. 

Each meeting they have with each other had been filled with intrigue, their conversations veiled in layers of meaning.

"We meet again"

The man responded with a chuckle, a glimmer of mystery in his eyes.

The atmosphere around them felt charged with unspoken words and hidden motives, but the familiarity of their encounters allowed for a level of comfort.

"It has not been that long"

"It sure feels like it" 

Alexei studied the man standing beside him, taking note of his striking appearance. The blonde hair and bright blue eyes added to the charm of his handsome face, accentuated by an angular chin and a sharp nose. 

His slightly curly hair was expertly styled, giving off an air of sophistication.

Standing at an imposing six feet five, he exuded a sense of presence without being overbearing. 

His inviting smile and warm gaze could easily deceive the unsuspecting, but Alexei knew better. 

This man is not to be underestimated.

Despite the seemingly pleasant demeanour, Alexei recognized the underlying darkness that lurked behind those mesmerizing blue eyes. 

He was no stranger to this man, and he understood that this man, like himself, is not to be trusted.

After all, someone who could force Alexei to open up his residence must not be a good man. Because he himself is not a good man. 

Their paths had crossed before, and each encounter had left a lingering sense of unease. 

The man's friendly facade was merely a mask for the true intentions that lay beneath.

In the presence of the man standing beside him, Alexei's gaze held a mixture of wariness and resignation. 

Rarely did bad people associate with the genuinely good, and vice versa. This man before him is a master of disguise, a chameleon of personas. 

Today, he chose to present himself as a handsome individual, with blonde hair and bright blue eyes. 

His face today is sculpted to perfection

But Alexei knew better than to be fooled by appearances. 

He had encountered this man in various guises before. 

On another day, he might assume the visage of a beggar, tugging at the heartstrings of passers-by. 

Some days, he would appear as an ugly and repulsive figure, causing discomfort and aversion in those who crossed his path. 

To him, these disguises were nothing more than a game, and Alexei had grown accustomed to the charade.

As the snow continued to fall gently around them, Alexei couldn't help but feel a sense of weariness. 

Dealing with individuals like this man is always an exhausting endeavour. 

He knew that behind that friendly smile lay a cunning and calculating mind, always seeking an advantage.

Though he could not really blame the man. After all, he is also the same

Despite the man's seemingly warm demeanour, Alexei remained cautious. 

He was well-versed in the games of manipulation and intrigue that pervaded the world of politics and power. Trust is a precious commodity in these treacherous waters, and Alexei wasn't about to give it away easily.

And they never were the best of friend and trust between them is very…thin.

The man looks at the sky and he look at the snow and his eyes are cold. 

"She is angry and the entire Moscow had to feel it" Alexei could feel that man hidden anger. Well, considering he knows a bit about this man history more than he did before, it is now understandable why. 

"Is it so surprising?"

"It should be" the man said with a hint of anger in his tone

"Gods" he mutters

Alexei understood what this man talks

"What name?' Alexei suddenly asks. The man raises his eyebrows like he doesn't understand. 

"Before, it was Peter Pettigrew. Now, which name you take for yourself?"

"John"

"John what?"

"Doe"

Alexei chuckles a bit

"You should stick with one theme"

"I didn't have time"

Alexei sighed and then he scattered more feed to the fishes. 

For a moment there is only silence between them.

"Speak" John said

"Katarina is here"

Hearing this John smiles

'She is not Death Monarch. Up there, is not her domain" John did not have to point it for Alexei to understand. Death Monarch is the Heavens.

This is the talk of some common people. 

What most people didn't understand was that Death Monarch possess the power of the Heavenly Will because he possesses one third of the Heavenly Will

He usurped the authority of Heavenly Will before it has intelligence.

So, theoretically, Death Monarch, if he wanted to find someone, he could merge with the Heavenly Wil and project himself all over the world 

He could mobilize heavenly thunder and could create disaster and affect many other things because of his connection to the Heavenly Will

But Katarina isn't. Jean isn't and Hikigaya isn't. All of those people, all is below the Heavenly Will. And while some have the power to use the energy of the Heavens, they themselves does not have the kind of authority that Death Monarch has

Jean and Hikigaya could conceal themselves from the eyes of the Heavenly Will because of the virtue of their strength

But Katarina is not a Divine Comprehension leveler. The cosmic forces that she could control could not rival those that are in Divine Comprehension level.

She could still be contained. She could still be killed.

And so, she is not Death Monarch. 

And so, Alexei should not have worried. But he said those words, and mentioned her name

It seems Alexei dread this conversation. Alexei sighed. 

"Then, we have to talk"

"I doubt you came here to check how I am doing?"

John nodded

"What do you think of the weapon?"

"It creates chaos. And it took even Death Monarch by surprise. All in all, I think the weapon that the Magician created is quite…. magical"

"Then your people should have called my people. And then my people would call the Magician"

"Heh" Alexei snorted a bit. 

"Did you forget that the Crime Alliance had just lost many of their operatives. Crime families' crumbles and operation stopped in many places of the world. Not to mention, all of the Pirate Lords are scurrying around the sea, trying to hide from the sharp edges of the world power. This is not a good time for buying weapons and standing out"

This time, it is John that snorted. 

"You try that the last time didn't you. You all bow your head, hide in the dark, and scatter away with just hearing the name of Death Monarch.  Did it work?"

Hearing this Alexei did not know how to refute John work

But then sighing he reply

"Well, fighting him head on would not work either. Or did you just forget what happens in the war that happens just a week ago. The Crime Alliance bet almost ninety percent of their forces in this all-out attack. There is Kaiju, there is the Pirate Lords and we attack everywhere all at the same time. We thought at least, it would inflict great damage to the world power and force to negotiate with us"

He paused for a second and then continued

"But what did happen? Jean alone is enough to quell the attack on other places in the world. And a few places that we did hit, is not a population center or an important enough city to inflict damage to the world power. It is not like we want to hide; it is our only choice to survive right now"

John only smiles and spoke

"There is a vacuum right now. Your people going to need weapons and arms. And the bomb and the weapon need to be upgraded" Alexei nodded slowly. And John smiles become even wider. He then continued

"We believe that Death Monarch is going to enter into seclusion. Jean is worried about his woman. Hikigaya would not meddle with anyone as long as people does not touch his interest. This time…. tell your people to rebuild the Crime Alliance to be stronger and more unified' he paused for a second before saying

"You lost a lot of people this time. But, let's think of it positively. Now, it is easier to reorganize and do some reform. New blood could rise. The Crime Alliance should be a real alliance. You should tell those old people that things need to change. Or they would be swallowed by the tides of time"

Alexei heard what the rat says and he frowns a bit. He knows the Rat. And he knows who the Rat is working for. 

He is working for the Magician. But the Magician while he is adept in many magical methods, one thing he is not, is that of a strategist

Someone else is giving the Rat all of these ideas. 

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