CHAPTER 32
"Hehehehehe… boys, have you started spreading the rumors?"
Brick walked leisurely toward the town square, hands tucked behind his back like a king admiring a kingdom he didn't earn.
"Yes, sir," one lackey replied. "But… we also found out that the former king's boys told people their side of the truth. A few citizens know what really happened, but many still believe our rumors."
"Heheheh… good," Brick chuckled.
Domino, walking beside him with calculated calmness, added, "Then push it further. Tell them the king fought bravely until the end, but his own son sold him out. They already trusted their king, so they'll believe the lie more easily. They don't know the prince was protecting them from the shadows."
They stepped into the Market Jurisdiction—one of the five sectors of Kexzaz:
• Central King Town
• East Market Town
• South Port
• North Forest Sector
• West Residential District
As Brick and Domino entered, conversations died instantly. Even the wind seemed to hold its breath.
Brick raised both hands dramatically.
"People of Kexzaz! I am Brick Vand, your new king! And trust me… I would have wiped every single one of you out—" He yanked Domino forward, "—but this man BEGGED me to spare you. He promised he'd make you cooperate."
The crowd gasped.
"So," Brick continued with a wild grin, "if you value your lives, thank him. Praise him! Otherwise… you would all be ash."
Many people bowed and muttered thanks, while a handful—those who had seen through the scheme—kept a straight, numb face.
---
Present Day
"So that was his story…" Ren muttered as he strolled down the street, hands in pockets. "I like him."
"You like Keptyn?" Digil asked, confused.
Ren smirked. "Hahaha… of course. I'm going to get my new crewmate."
He laughed lightly—calm, confident, as though the world itself bent to his pace.
---
Inside the Palace – Central Town
A lackey burst into the throne room, sliding to his knees.
"Captain Brick! The foolish prince did something again! This is the perfect time to execute him!"
Brick turned toward Domino—now older, his face colder.
"Domino. What do you say?"
"He's useless to the plan now," Domino answered without looking up from his wine. "Eliminate him. Also, I have business elsewhere—don't disturb me."
BOOM—
Another lackey crashed in.
"Captain! A strange pirate ship just docked on our island!"
"Heheheheheh!" Brick grinned. "Take some men. Destroy them. Bring me their treasure."
He waved lazily.
"The rest of you—escort the foolish prince to the execution tower. Bring the executioner. End him."
---
Ren Arrives at Central Town
The city center buzzed with panic. Rumors flew like arrows.
"Did you hear!? The king wants to execute the foolish prince!"
"That bastard who sold out his father! Serves him right," another spat.
Ren walked calmly through the chaos, hands still in pockets, Digil sighing behind him. A shop stall caught his eye—an Oni mask, crimson and sharp-toothed.
"Eh?" Ren paused. "Grandma… you're the same old lady that fell ."
The old woman blinked, then brightened. "Ah! You're that good child! Anything you want, I give free!"
Ren chuckled lightly. "No need. I'll just take this mask."
He dropped more than enough change on the counter and slipped the mask on, tilting it slightly to the side—mysterious, stylish, almost playful.
Digil blinked. "What's with the weird aesthetics?"
Ren shrugged. "Just felt like adding some mystery to my identity."
He kept walking casually toward the execution tower as if it were just another errand.
---
Execution Tower
The crowd roared with bloodlust.
"KILL HIM!!"
"KILL THE FOOLISH PRINCE!!"
Keptyn stood at the platform, hands bound, bruised from previous confrontations. The executioner stepped forward and unrolled a parchment.
"By order of King Brick Vand, I hereby sentence Gaxy Keptyn to death. He has been forgiven countless times, yet refuses to change his ways. His life shall now end."
The mob screamed.
Digil's eyes flooded with tears.
He stared at the same people his brother had protected all his life—people who never knew the truth, who never saw his sacrifices—and now they demanded his death like savages.
Keptyn lifted his head, eyes meeting Digil's.
A single tear escaped him—quiet, controlled, as if he'd held it in for years.
At the edge of the crowd, Ren walked in with calm, unbreaking steps.
Hands in pockets.
Mask on.
Presence sharp yet silent.