CHAPTER 27 — Visits and Pranks
Razan and Loona were having a quiet conversation in the main hall of the mansion when a hellhound, dressed entirely in black and equipped with sharp metal claws, suddenly appeared. He immediately knelt on the polished wooden floor, his armor reflecting the dim light of the chandelier above, and spoke with unwavering seriousness:
"Sir, Miss… I need to report something. The number of demons committing crimes has increased."
Razan looked at him, sighed deeply, and leaned back in the soft leather chair. The room was silent except for the subtle creaking of the wooden floors beneath the massive table. Razan finally spoke, his voice calm but firm:
"David, you can relax a little. You're too focused on your work."
David's gaze didn't waver. He answered in the same serious tone, his voice echoing slightly in the high-ceilinged room:
"No, sir. When you welcomed all of us, hellhounds who came to live in this city, and gave us a dignified life… I swore loyalty to you. And when you gave me the responsibility to lead the security barrier monitoring team, and gave us the power to fulfill that role… my subordinates and I are grateful for that and will not fail the task entrusted by you and Miss."
Razan's eyes softened as he recalled the fragments of power he had distributed that year. The memories flickered in his mind like distant lights: the Hyuuga clan's Byakugan, Bartolomeo's Barrier Fruit, countless books on healing potions and stimulants, the Surgery Fruit, the Shadow Clones' power, and various other model fragments. Each one had played a critical role in shaping the city into the thriving place it had become today. He adjusted his posture, placing one hand on the armrest of the chair, and responded:
"You don't have to carry so much weight alone. I don't regret my choice to welcome all of you. The Byakugan and Barrier power are because I trusted you, and you haven't disappointed me since taking on this role."
"Yes, sir. Thank you for your approval," David replied, his posture straightening with pride.
Loona, arms crossed, added with a softer tone that still carried authority:
"Well, I don't mind helping my kind, but you don't need to be so tense. Razan and I chose you not because you're hellhounds, but because we believe you're the best for this type of work that requires agility and discretion."
Razan leaned back, eyes narrowing slightly as he considered the ongoing issues in the city. "As for the increase in criminals causing trouble in the city… join Joe and sweep the area. Eliminate all that trash. Our city isn't a place for them to act as they please."
"Yes, sir," David responded immediately, vanishing in a blur of black fur and metallic claws, moving like a shadow to carry out the mission.
Razan slumped onto the plush sofa, letting out a low sigh of relief. "Having subordinates was the best idea ever. If I had to deal with all these idiots coming here to cause trouble myself, I'd already be completely insane."
Loona chuckled, the sound echoing lightly through the spacious room. "Well, they're not very smart… like when they spread rumors that you were Satan's son, the Sin of Wrath, just because you're a dragon."
Razan exhaled slowly, running a hand through his dark hair. "True… even today, he invites me to go to their council. I think he wants to confirm if I really am his son."
Loona's eyes twinkled with amusement. "With the chaotic nature of relationships in Hell, you can't even blame him. What if he really had a child and doesn't know? His doubt is normal."
Razan smirked, tilting his head blue slightly. "You have a point. But, Loona, knowing that… why don't you let me have a harem?"
Before he could finish the sentence, Loona's fist shot forward with precision, connecting with Razan's chest and sending him flying backward across the room. The chandelier rattled slightly from the shockwave of his movement. She shouted, her voice sharp and commanding:
"NO OPEN RELATIONSHIPS!"
Razan collided with the far wall, knocking over a small decorative table, and shouted as he recovered, clutching the edge of the wall to steady himself:
"YOU COULD'VE said no No need to try to kill me!"
At that moment, Charlie entered the mansion, accompanied by Laura. The two had come to visit their friends, unaware of the chaos about to unfold. Charlie's eyes widened slightly, then she let out a soft laugh:
"They're so lively. It's always fun here," she commented, watching Razan struggle to free himself from the wall.
Laura, ever the observant one, shook her head with a knowing smile as she glanced at Razan pinned awkwardly against the wall. "Miss, only you would fall for this kind of prank. The guy with other women on the street is like a block of ice. There was a time a girl tried to throw herself into his arms and he dodged—made the poor girl fall flat on the ground."
Finally, Razan managed to push himself off the wall, brushing the dust from his clothes. Spotting Charlie, his expression softened into a warm smile as he rushed forward to embrace her. "So… how's my favorite princess of Hell?"
Charlie crossed her arms, clearly irritated. "I'd be better if you stopped sending me sad dog movies."
Razan shook his head with exaggerated solemnity. "I refuse to stop. If I don't send you sad movies, it would mean I'd be sad alone. And I'm not going to be sad alone. I have to share it with you."
Charlie blinked in shock. "So that's the reason?! You don't want to be sad alone?! What kind of friend are you, Razan?!"
He puffed out his chest proudly. "A good friend. The best in Hell. Everyone says so!"
Loona and Laura observed the exchange from the sidelines. Loona let out a sigh, her arms folding as she shook her head. "I don't know why I was ever jealous of these two idiots. They have as much chance of being a couple as that bitch Velvette has of going to Heaven."
Laura chuckled softly, shaking her head in agreement at the comparison.
Meanwhile, in a darkened corner of the mansion, David and his team of hellhounds were gathered, their eyes glowing faintly in the dim light. He addressed them with commanding authority:
"The orders from the masters are clear. Let's join Joe and clean up the trash in our city."
A deep, resonant growl rolled through the group in unison, filling the corridor with the sound of coordinated power:
"YES, SIR!"
The hellhounds moved as one, slipping out into the streets like shadows, ready to enforce the law of the city and eliminate any criminals daring enough to defy its order. Their sleek black forms disappeared into the night, leaving only the faint echo of their growls behind.
Back in the main hall, Razan finally relaxed, sitting in the soft leather chair once more. Loona leaned against the doorway, arms crossed, watching him with a mix of amusement and exasperation. Charlie and Laura sat nearby, chatting quietly as the warm light of the chandelier reflected off the polished wooden floor. Outside, the sounds of the bustling city carried faintly through the open windows—a reminder that life in the City of Healing continued, orderly and thriving, thanks to their combined efforts.