"Hurry up now, would you?"

Eluscan spat at the two struggling Dragonesian guards, trailing behind him. The three were clearly making their way through the thick forest in a disguise. However, it was a pity that Eluscan had been given two fools instead of worthy guards. He could have left them behind but in case of possible dangers, they would come in handy.

Not for fighting, but for throwing them as a sacrifice, of course.

"What did 1103 say about this revolutionary shit?"

"They said that Alana is there, at Bronte, which is a secret revolutionary organization," one of the guards informed, with occasional difficulty in breathing.

"And we still do not know who this 1103 is?" Eluscan clicked his tongue in annoyance, "Father seems to have extreme faith in whoever this person is."

"Pardon me Prince Eluscan, but if I may," the other guard spoke up, his voice trembling with anxiety at the same time, "1103's identity is supposed to be kept confidential, as ordered by the High Lord himself. According to High Lord, 1103 is a very proficient and efficient spy—"

"Did I ask about 1103?" Eluscan questioned, while his cold eyes bore into the guard's skull.

The guard immediately shook his head.

In the time being, the other guard had caught hold of something which looked akin to a palace.

"Prince Eluscan, I think we have reached our destination."

Eluscan's eyes lit up like a child who had been gifted with his favourite candy. The only difference was that the bright glint twinkling inside the Dragonesian prince's eyes was sadistic.

"If I manage to persuade King Jocasta, we would finally begin The Takeover, and my first target shall be Alana Thornheart."

"But Prince Eluscan, King Jocasta is your father and he is back at the Dragonesian Palace. Who are you—"

Gurgling black blood filled up till the brim of the guard's mouth. He soon collapsed down on the ground and closed his eyes forever while trying to hold onto the blood splattering like a fountain from his slit throat.

Eluscan wiped off the splattered blood from his face before he stared at his blood coated sword, proving his fiendish nature. The other guard staggered up without any word, as he stared at his now dead companion.

"Feels good to be able to slaughter nosy and useless nobodies once again," a cackle left Eluscan's throat before he glanced at the remaining guard.

"I hope an invitation won't be required. Lead the way, dumbfuck."

"Y-Yes, Prince Eluscan." With that being said, the guard somehow regained his composure and walked ahead, thus leading the way. However, he could not remove the fear when Eluscan's sword's sharp blade was right behind him.

Eluscan Heirora seemed to be back to his old, barbaric self. Now more monstrous and bloodthirsty than ever.

Especially, for Alana Thornheart.

The smell of alcohol, particularly that of red wine, reeked everywhere. The interior was darker than Eluscan had expected it to be. Not that the mansion's black walls only screamed a dark abyss, it was the ominous ambience that suffocated the elder Dragonesian Prince; even when he himself was corrupted with enormous iniquity. Without any doubt, Eluscan's father's palace was constituted of tenebrous architecture. The surprising prospect was that, it was oddly comfortable, unlike the mansion of King Jocasta. This could obviously be defied if Eluscan saw it in the perspective of being habituated in the palace, since his childhood.

"How may I help you?"

A gasp left from the mouth of the guard leading the way. A lady, tall and clad in a glamorous pantsuit, appeared in front of the guard, almost out of nowhere. Her natural resting face scanned the fear stricken guard's demeanour and then moved to the prince behind him.

"May I have your identity?"

Harshly shoving the guard aside, Eluscan stepped forward in his confident, dominant stride. Perhaps to intimidate this female Dragonesian and give her the impression that she was talking to the son of the most feared Dragonesian King. But oh well.

The woman seemed unfazed. Totally.

"Prince Eluscan Heirora, the son of the Dragonesian King, Jocasta Heirora."

The sparkling purple eyes of the Dragonesian woman twitched with intrigue, while the corner of her lips danced crookedly. "It is you," her breezy voice whispered.

Within the blink of an eye, and beyond any being's comprehension, the woman transformed into none other than King Jocasta.

The true King Jocasta.

"How did you do that?" Eluscan inquired as he followed Jocasta up the staircase and into the huge, living room.

"I made a treacherous bet with a witch once, you see," the King answered with a chuckle.

"Witches exist?"

"Not anymore. It was the last witch on the Earth. Her being old was advantageous to me, as it was easier to trick her. And then what? She had to grant me this valuable power of shapeshifting.

Also, why is this lowly being following us?"

Eluscan glanced back to find the guard following him. Being taken aback, the guard retreated away. He was confused since Eluscan had initially ordered him to follow him, but now the fiery glare of the prince said otherwise.

"Do you think that you have suddenly been blessed with a high status to tag along with us?" Eluscan proclaimed authoritatively.

"B-But Prince Eluscan, you ordered me to—"

"Did I ask you to speak?"

The guard wanted to snap at the egoistic prince, but he did not, fearing for his life.

"Hmm, a mere guard should not have seen my special power," King Jocasta's eyes glinted, narrating the nefarious tale he was plotting secretly, "Do you mind Eluscan if I execute him?"

"Not at all."

The guard widened his eyes and fell on his knees immediately. "King Jocasta, you can have my word. I will tell not a single soul on this Earth about your power. Please spare me."

A mocking laugh was heard in return as the King crouched down to his level, and made him stare into his eyes with his slender fingers.

"I will not kill you, no. I am quite merciful, you see. But that does not mean that I won't snatch away your speaking ability."

With one snap of his fingers, the screaming and wailing guard was dragged away to get his tongue detached from his mouth.

"Let us proceed with our meeting, then. And actually get to the reason you are here for tonight." Jocasta said, after taking a sip of his red wine.

"Well, there is apparently a secret organization, run by human revolutionaries, known as Bronte," Eluscan began, "We have already gathered as many Dragonesian provinces, kingdoms, empires, all over Dragonesia, as we could. We are preparing to begin The Takeover with our first attack on Bronte."

"So that the place where the majority of humans can be found is destroyed first?"

Eluscan nodded in affirmation, "Exactly."

"What was the main motive of The Takeover, again?"

"To terminate as many humans as possible. Of course, we will show mercy to the people who on their will agree to join us, and then turn them into our slaves. That is the main attribute of The Takeover; take control over humans. However, the individuals who would fight back will face nothing but slow and excruciatingly painful deaths."

Jocasta hummed before questioning, the curiosity evident in his voice, "I have no army or kingdom of my own, and you are well aware of that. All I have is this old mansion and a few people who work under me, but do their work fairly well. I am curious to know Eluscan why you are so keen on wanting my help? Even when, as per you, almost the entire Dragonesia is marching to the Main City. Not to mention, I was given the title of King only because I had managed to kill the previous owner of this mansion."

Eluscan leaned back on the chair with a smile that resembled the devil, on his lips. He stared into the orange eyeballs of the Dragonesian, in his late thirties. Both were staring into one another's eyes with much intensity, in silence, as they tried to comprehend what could be happening inside the other's mind.

"You have powers which might differ from the norms of the power that Dragonesians of different classes hold. Besides transforming into your dragon form, you hold the power of shapeshifting, which can be of great use when it comes to deceiving people. You are wicked, sly, and above all, callous, just like me. If you join us, we will have the brains to construct a strategic plan.

The first and foremost rule to winning a war is not to follow the strength and rather, the brain. You are our dark horse, King Jocasta."

Jocasta could not help but chuckle, "The Lord has taught you the art of flattery well. It is especially required in politics."

Eluscan simply chuckled sarcastically in response. "It wasn't my father who taught me the art of flattery. I had to learn it on my own. You know, to survive in this world full of betrayals here and there.

Well then, should I take your eagerness as a positive answer?"

"Should you really?"

Eluscan knew King Jocasta. He was testing his patience. And the prince was not ready to give in to a shapeshifter Dragonesian who in reality had no royal blood flowing through his veins.

"I believe there is another reason why The Master is initiating The Takeover so soon. And my quick senses say, it is not your brother, but rather the human girl who has run away with him. Am I wrong, Eluscan? After all, I deserve to know at least the name of this individual when I was generous enough to let the Master use my name to hide his real identity while I had to stay hidden."

With clenched fists, Eluscan let out, "Yes. It is that girl. Now stop beating around the bush and give a straight answer. Also, I should make this clear to you, the Master is altruistic enough to allow you to speak in such a way behind his back."

Jocasta smirked, "And what would I receive in return?"

"Whatever you want."

"Very well then," Jocasta's eyes lit up in brutal joy, "I want to become the right-hand minister of the Master, and, the ruler of one of the most established Dragonesian kingdoms. I do not care what would happen to the present ruler, but I want it."

"Fine. You will get it, but only if we succeed."

"We will. I am sure of that."