The week of UN meetings had ended.

  The massive Diablo vessel sailed out from Allianz Port, leaving the waters behind.

  The city and its people slowly returned to life.

  And at Anfield—

  “Anfield? Really, brother? What a lame name.”

  Dan stood with his hands on his hips, demanding an explanation. His eyes were on Randy Moss—

  whom the entire world believed had already sailed home.

  “This place is so shabby. You could’ve picked somewhere better.”

  Everton covered his nose, giving the wall of his brother’s house a light kick.

  “No one asked you to stay. If you don’t like it, get lost.”

  “Oh, come on, I came all this way to visit, and you’re throwing me out like that?”

  Randy clutched his chest dramatically, stepping closer.

  “I heard you don’t have a single friend. Must be lonely… truly pitiful.”

  Everton’s smaller but older brother leapt up, yanking him down by the scalp and grinding his head toward the floor.

  “Ow, ow, ow! I’m playing! I have business, I swear!”

  “When did you start infiltrating Zentinel? And when did you set up a factory there? Why wasn’t I told?”

  Kick after kick landed until Everton’s backside would certainly remember it.

  “You’ve been working too hard, brother. I just want you to enjoy a quiet, retired life.”

  “Freya, drown him.”

  “I’m telling the truth!”

  His words came out muffled, his face trapped in his brother’s arm.

  “I infiltrated the human world because I’m heading off on an adventure—just like you.”

  “Adventure? Is that what you call your shady agendas now?”

  “That’s such an embarrassing way to put it.”

  Everton pried his brother’s arm away, peering up.

  “From now on, I’m Randy Moss, not Everton. I’m on a mission. And I’m not here to play tag with a wife.”

  “You’ll do anything except forgive my debts, huh?”

  “Gotta give you something to live for.”

  “Go to hell. Asshole.”

  Rustle—

  Princess Nora emerged from the bushes, startled.

  “…What is going on here?”

  “Princess Nora?”

  “I thought you’d gone back already, Mr. Everton.”

  “I thought you shouldn't be here, princess?”

  Stolen novel; please report.

  “I knew this place before you did, Mr. Everton.”

  Randy turned to his brother.

  “You let the princess drop by often?”

  “And why should you care?”

  Everton stroked his chin.

  “…No reason.”

  The weight of a million unspoken thoughts hung in the air.

  “Nora, do you know about this guy’s factory?”

  She looked at Randy.

  “I’ve heard you set up a candy factory in Zentinel.”

  Or at least, that’s what he claimed.

  “Candy factory?”

  Dan eyed his brother suspiciously.

  “It is a candy factory. Just… a cover.”

  Everton shrugged, smirking.

  “Behind the scenes, it’s the slow build of my empire—as Randy Moss.”

  He’d been setting it up for years.

  “How have you avoided Zentinel catching you?”

  “Oh, brother… you’re so narrow-minded.”

  “??”

  “Zentinel is far too vast for a little sugarcane-side factory to draw notice. And I’m not lying about the candy. It’s a real product.”

  He pulled a blue-wrapped sweet from his pocket and dropped it into Nora’s hand.

  A real candy—with “Blue Toffee” on the label.

  “Is it edible?”

  “Do you think I’d hand you something inedible?”

  “I mean, is it safe for humans?”

  “It’s made from pure cane sugar.”

  Nora unwrapped it and popped it in her mouth.

  “Not bad… why is it so sweet?”

  “So it’ll sell better, of course.”

  He chuckled.

  “Next time we meet, Randy Moss might be a major business figure in Zentinel.”

  “Why Zentinel in particular, Mr. Everton? Is there a specific goal?”

  “You’re asking such irrelevant questions.”

  “Hey.”

  Dan growled low in his throat.

  “She asked you something—answer properly.”

  “It’s nothing special. Zentinel is the world’s producer of consumer goods, isn’t it?”

  “Yes.”

  Everton smiled.

  !

  “Well, I won’t be staying in a dump like this for long.”

  He grabbed a black briefcase.

  “You’ve got a day and a half for that human, brother.”

  “Yeah, yeah. Acting all put out—pathetic.”

  He pulled on a black hat.

  They’d be back whenever they needed something.

  “I’m off, Princess.”

  Nora stepped aside. Everton clapped her shoulder lightly as he passed.

  “May the light be with you~”

  Nora gave a hesitant nod.

  And the younger brother was gone.

  Dan shook his head, signaling Zeedee to resume sweeping snow from the roof.

  “So now there’s another Diablo lurking around, Mr.Fury.”

  “Who said just one?”

  “Huh?”

  Galatasaray was already waiting for Everton—

  and three of Fury’s Royal Guards were scattered across the area, embedded in various places.

  “They’re still here?”

  “You might pass one in the market without even realizing.”

  “What did you order them to do?”

  “Gather intel on humans and find me more ways to make money. I have to grow that ten million I’ve got.”

  “You’re really not worried about them?”

  “No need. They can handle themselves. They followed me into the human world during the war.”

  Nora could imagine Livramento or Roma surviving easily—

  Valencia, though… maybe not.

  “They gave me that pleading look, so I gave them jobs. Whether they wanted to stay or serve Diablo’s glory—I don’t know anymore.”

  Zeedee: “You shouldn’t have brought them.”

  “If you can come, of course they’d want to as well. I have to be fair.”

  Zeedee: “I hAvE tO BeFaIr”

  “Two hundred thousand years. Keep scrubbing until I say stop.”

  Zeedee: “Mylord!!”

  Dan swept snow in front of the house while Nora sat in a makeshift wooden camp chair, opening her notebook with a faint smile.

  “Mr.Fury, you’re a kind boss.”

  “Wouldn’t know.”

  “With both the elder and younger prince wandering a human city… it’s unbelievable.”

  In Nora’s notebook was a sketch of Everton’s demon form and President Fofana, alongside meticulous notes.

  “You’ve got it all down.”

  “I understand what you wanted me to see… I get it now.”

  “Good. Remember what just happened—this is reality.”

  Nora nodded.

  “And while I don’t like to say it, remember what Everton told you about this. He’s the best teacher for it.”

  “That’s why you sent him to me, isn’t it?”

  “I’m not great at everything. If he’s better at something, I want you to hear it from him.”

  “You really have no ego, Mr.Fury.”

  “Sometimes. Depends on the situation.”

  “Speaking of ego…”

  Nora closed her notebook, resting her knees up while Dan lit the fire.

  “No trouble at the Academy?”

  “…Not really?”

  “Mr.Fury… I’ve already sent someone to investigate.”

  “Then why ask?”

  “I just wanted to know if you want me to deal with Rafinya for you.”

  “???”

  Dan looked up.

  “Say that again?”

  “I hear she wants to duel you again. People say you broke her mentally—hurt her pride—and the Pauli family is considering proposing an engagement between you and her.”

  “You have spies in the Pauli family?”

  Zeedee: “Shall we kill her in her sleep, mylord?”

  “Don’t you dare come down before the two hundred thousand years are up.”

  Zeedee: “Mylord!!”

  “What you heard is true. She told me herself her father wanted that.”

  Dan sat opposite Nora, skewering fresh river fish to roast.

  “But I refused. That’s all there is to it.”

  “I doubt they’ll take no for an answer, Mr.Fury.”

  “They’ll have to. Who’s my sponsor? That’s right—my lovely wife.”

  “Was that last part necessary?”

  “With Casca around, who’d dare touch me?”

  “I don’t know…”

  Nora shrugged.

  “Casca may be your sponsor, but not your master. They might think the engagement offer is unrelated to you being under her wing. She gotta come up with some reasonable excuse.”

  “No reason to get tangled in another family mess at all.”

  “The first time must’ve been such a pain, huh, Mr.Fury?”

  Nora narrowed her eyes knowingly—the first time was her.

  “Sarcasm suits you. Freya taught you, didn’t she?”

  “I got it naturally after spending time with you.”

  “Oh so it's MY fault now?”

  “I don't know? Might be?” ,Nora grinned.