0

Finished with the redecoration of the Cagehouse, which took about an hour to redesign the layout to make it easier to traverse, as well as monitor, I found myself walking along the streets of the still developing city.

Looking around, the city looked like a mix of western Renaissance and medieval era buildings and architects. The rocky texture of the stone road beneath my feet felt rough to the touch, and swaying lamps that ran on gas hung from the poles extending from various buildings.

There were also lamp posts, but they weren’t that abundant due to fear of a fire spreading if one got knocked down.

‘Hmmm… Looking good…’ I appreciated the view of various monsters working together to build a place for themselves. Some who were taken in peacefully might’ve considered a new home, but I knew that most of the monsters under my rule here just threatened to do my bidding.

However, most of them also agreed that this place is rather nice and relaxing to live in. Take that lone lizardman, for example… He’s lying on a patch of grass just outside the walls, probably on break. I can even see him indulging himself with a fruit.

‘I guess lizardmen are omnivores.’ I mused to myself in thought while scratching my chin. Strolling around the developing city proved to be a relaxing activity. Seeing the fruits of my effort playing out in the form of a city made me smile.

‘For all those past weeks that were incredibly frustrating and annoying, seeing this does put a smile on my face.’ I looked around once more, feeling pride at my actions that caused this city to be born.

And then came the realization that I had to manage a city full of monsters that held some grudges against me for putting their lives under my thumb.

‘… Well then, when in doubt… Find a scapego- I mean figurehead…’ I searched my memories for the inhabitants of the Human area who would make a great leader in this place that valued strength over wisdom.

Naturally, the Shaiydons are out, as well as Luke, who still had a headache about Bentley’s view of his position about it being the future of his children.

The demi-humans were also out. They are Hunters, I’ll give them that, but pit them against an entire community of monsters and the outcome will not be pretty.

That only leaves the remaining inhabitants of the Human Area, and that is the person I do not want to tango with currently. Sure, the monsters would likely do nothing against me, since I rule this entire area, but I’d like a healthy dose of paranoia to keep me safe, thank you very much.

So, in order to reduce the requirement for my presence in this city, I’ll have to hire the only man I could think of who could command the monsters with his presence alone.

‘Nicholas, I think it’s time you and I had a talk.’

[]

[]

[]

~ Third Person POV ~

“Alexa, you there?” Nicholas knocked on the door leading towards the current bedroom of his daughter. No response was given to him, other than the slow breathing of his daughter inside the room. “I’m coming in.”

Nicholas pushed open the door, giving him vision of his daughter lying on the bed with her arms covering her eyes.

“Hey there, stoirin.” Nicholas was met with silence once again, the young adult woman shuffling in her bed, her back turned towards her father. “How’s the place doin’ ya?”

“… Fine, I guess…” This time, instead of keeping silent, Alexa responded back with her back still turned.

Nicholas stared at his daughter for a few seconds before sighing and closing the door. He walked towards the bed, avoiding the furniture placed around the bedroom in this cramped room. Lifting his foot up to avoid stubbing his toe against the drawer, Nicholas sat at the bedside of Alexa’s bed.

“So, you want to talk about it?” Nicholas professional tone and accent briefly lost itself to give way to the original way he spoke back when he was a wee little lad. “I can lend an ear if you want.”

Alexa stayed silent for a few seconds before sitting up from her lying position and staring into the eyes of her father. Nicholas noticed the dry tear streaks lining her cheeks, as well as her red, puffy eyes.

“… I can never get them back, can I…?” Alexa sounded so defeated, like she was just done with her life and wanted to end it all in that instant. “My job… My friends… My dreams…”

Nicholas silently listened to his daughter’s venting, her silent tone slowly gaining more intensity.

“It’s been more than a week, and I still can’t get over it! We should still be there! Back in that room! With me reprimanding my colleagues! With me trying to reach and surpass you! With all my friends and family I have gained in my life!” Alexa was now crying once more. Her eyes were no longer resting on her father’s face, but on the sheets below, slowly getting wet from the tear drops cascading down her face. “Why!? Why did this happen!? IS IT THAT DAMNED PRINCE!? IF SO, THEN GIVE ME THE CHANCE TO MAKE HIM PAY!”

Her screams were no longer directed at her father. In fact, the moment she said those last words, she looked at the ceiling, her screams piercing through the air, echoing throughout the silent district, and witness to all this was her father, quietly listening to his daughter vent out her frustrations.

Her words died in her mouth, her voice now cracking as she sobbed louder. In response to this, Nicholas promptly placed her in his embrace.

“There, there. Mo stoirin.” Nicholas lent his shoulder toward his daughter, who continued to sob softly. “This ain’t over yet.”

“‘Cause when I’m dahne wit de shethead prence, ‘e’ll wesh fahr deat.”

[]

[]

[]

~ First Person POV ~

After a few minutes of walking, I was finally back in the Human area. This place greatly contrasts with the Monster area, since this place is still devoid of inhabitants, while the town has more than 100 monsters living within.

‘I need to get some more humans/demi-humans to live here.’

Nervously approaching the building which housed the Gallaghers, my steps slowed to a crawl once I neared the door. Sue me for being nervous. Nicholas has that presence that he could snap me in half if he so wished, and with that body of his, I have no doubt he could do so to me effortlessly.

Did my danger instincts increase the moment I became an animal? If so, that is incredibly useful, and my danger instincts are telling me not to fuck with Nicholas.

Anyway, steeling myself for a moment, I rang the doorbell.

“Coming!” A voice came from the other side of the door, along with the sounds of footsteps shuffling. The shuffling slowly got louder and louder until it came to a halt, then the door opened.. “Oh, if it isn’t Jionni. What can I help ya with?”