"Do you understand?"
Butler Hans's voice struck like a metronome—precise, relentless, impossible to ignore.
"A servant, by definition, must uphold their master's intentions while also compensating for their shortcomings. That is the foundation of proper conduct. And yet—"
His sharp gaze swept over me.
"—your execution remains sloppy."
I nodded.
"Yes sir."
On the outside, I looked like the picture of obedience.
On the inside—
'Lexton is… dead?'
My eyes kept drifting.
I couldn't help it.
The body lay sprawled across the floor like discarded meat, dragged in by one hand and dropped without ceremony.
A massive frame.
Darkened skin.
Now missing its horns.
Missing its tail.
And most noticeably—
Missing its head.
Even without those features, I recognized it instantly.
Lexton.
Or what used to be him.
A faint shimmer flickered at the edge of my vision.
[Target eliminated: Lexton confirmed deceased.]
[Hostile entity neutralized.]
The message settled it.
