Grand Lust Sovereign

Malnourished Santa Claus was making hotdogs on a hotdog stand, with a signboard overhead containing the words 'Token Deposit Center' in big, bold letters. 

"Would you like some freshly steamed hotdogs?" The merchant asked, proudly showing a long piece of hotdog. 

Julien's first instinct was to deny this, but he did not find any food yet and this seemed to be the only option for the time being. 

"How much for the hotdogs?" Julien asked.

"It's free if you have a token, hoho!" Santa Claus twirled his mustache while showing off the big glizzy. 

Julien handed over the token, and the merchant let out a hearty laugh, setting the hotdog down. 

"Want to see some magic?" 

Without waiting for a response, the merchant flipped the coin into the air with a swift *twink!* before catching it. His hands moved rapidly, shuffling side to side. 

Finally, he paused, opening both palms to Julien with a flourish. 

"Ta-da! Hohoho!"

[Ding!]

[The Player Christopher Ingress is eliminated!]

[All team members of Pact of Ingress have been eliminated!]

[Pact — Pact of Ingress has been dissolved!]

[Teams left: 73]

"Hohohohoho!" Malnourished Santa Claus seemed to be having the time of his life with how joyous his laughter was. 

Julien shook his head, took his free hotdog, and asked if there was anything available to trade. 

The merchant gave him two packed hotdogs for his teammates and said, "I will have to apologize, Player, for trades with merchants can only be done before the start of a trial, hoho!"

Julien didn't linger. Every time he talked to him, he would lose a few brain cells, so it was in his best interests to make his way back quickly. 

Five minutes later. 

Julien reached Amelia and Jackie. The nun had finished healing the wounded boy, who now showed signs of waking up—his fingers twitching and eyes fluttering. 

Slowly, his eyes opened, revealing a dull look in their bright orange hue.

"Wha..t…"

"Please refrain from talking, Jackie." Amelia placed her palm on Jackie's forehead and said. 

She then patted his head and continued, "The new one here is my savior, no, our savior, and also our third teammate, Sir Julien. Please be at ease."

Julien wanted to ask her to not call him sir and so formally, but he dropped the matter knowing she wouldn't listen anyway. 

"Hi Jackie, I'm Julien. Are you able to move?" Julien said calmly. 

"Hnn…" Jackie grunted and tried to get up. 

Amelia supported his back and slowly but surely, he was able to get up and sit cross-legged on the ground, facing his two teammates. 

Julien had a proper look at him. 

Jackie's hair was a mess and rough with knots in multiple places due to the dried up blood in it.

His face was oval with a gently tapering jawline. The dude looked so delicate that one would think even a blade of grass could cut him. What was such a person doing in the trial was unknown, but to survive till the third round and two days at that… it was commendable. 

Amelia was blind, polite, and kind, but she definitely had some secrets as well. Without it, there's no way she would've been able to survive until now. 

At this moment, Julien realized how astonishing and perilous this world could be. A kind nun could send someone to the afterlife without them even knowing, while a young boy could wield a sword with such skill that his opponents would be in pieces before they had a chance to act.

While Julien was assessing Jackie, the latter was doing the same. 

Julien's suit was tattered and stained with dried blood. His raven-black hair was tousled, and his blue eyes were vibrant and clear. In those eyes there was something that captivated Jackie—something only he could see. 

After a moment of assessment, Jackie stopped staring, looked around and noticed his own condition. His right arm was missing, and his once-thin body had become even more emaciated.

Jackie tried to get up, but his legs trembled with the effort.

"Here…"

Julien offered support, and Amelia joined in, helping Jackie rise to his feet properly.

As the three stood in front of each other, Julien found Jackie to be similar in height as him. It was nothing to be amused about as both were short, shorter than Amelia, who seemed to be a head taller than them both. 

"Sir Julien…" Jackie looked at Julien and placed his palm on his chest, then bowed. "I shall forever be indebted to you for your kindness."

"You don't have to be so formal. We're teammates, it's alright." Julien waved his hand and tried to tone down the formal speech. He really wasn't used to this. 

Jackie shook his head. "You underestimate the thing you've done, Sir Julien. You underestimate the impact this would have."

Julien scratched his cheek and smiled awkwardly. 

With his palm still on his chest, Jackie tried to kneel. Amelia helped him once again, and the lad's knee was on the ground. 

Jackie bowed again and continued, "For saving my life, I am forever indebted to you. Sir Julien, no amount of wealth can repay the kindness you've shown. Therefore, the only thing I can offer is my allegiance."

"Sir Julien, from this day forward, let me be your sword and shield. Though I've lost an arm, my will is stronger than ever, and I shall serve you until my last breath."

"…"

Shock would be an understatement for what Julien felt. As a modern man, he was unprepared for such formal tones and gestures, and was left speechless.

Adding to his discomfort, Amelia also knelt on the ground. Joining her hands, she said, "I am indebted to the savior as well. This faithful servant has nothing but her allegiance to offer. Savior, please accept my pledge and allow me to guide you toward the light."

"What is wrong with you two? What are you doing?" Julien knitted his brows and said. 

This was madness. How did his cursed luck get him to have two subordinates, and that too a beautiful healer nun and a polite warrior?

"Sir Julien, do you perhaps not want me as a subordinate?" Jackie looked up and asked. 

"No, I don't." Julien, unsure how to handle the situation, outright rejected Jackie.

"I see. Then…" Jackie looked down. "…the debt of life shall only be repaid with life. I thank Sir Julien for granting me a second chance and wish you a prosperous journey ahead. Farewe—"

"Wait! Stop!" Julien rushed toward Jackie, pushing him down and restraining him.

A dagger clattered to the ground.

"Are you out of your mind!?!" Julien snapped. "How can you be so reckless with your life?"

"Sir Julien…" Jackie struggled to speak, his body aching. "…If I cannot be of use to you… I must not be worthy. If I'm not worthy… my existence is in vain…"

"Who told you that? For fuck's sake!" Julien was visibly frustrated.

"Savior…" A calm, gentle voice echoed in Julien's ears. "This devoted one shall follow Jackie and—"

"Shut it!" Julien bellowed. "You're not going to do anything to yourselves."

"Is that a command, Sir Julien?" Jackie asked.

"Yes!"

"So have you accepted us as your subordinates?"

Julien was about to refuse but gritted his teeth and said, "Yes… so stop."

Jackie's lifeless eyes brightened and gleamed vividly with an orange hue. 

Amelia was all smiles and quickly prayed, thanking god for granting her this opportunity.

Julien furrowed his brow and helped Jackie to his feet. He felt a headache coming on from this strange encounter and couldn't quite grasp how things had escalated to this point.

"Sir Julien, no, Master, I thank you for your grace." Jackie said. 

"Savior— I mean, Master, this faithful one thanks you for your grace too." Amelia said.

Julien clutched his forehead and sighed. What did he get himself into? What was going to happen from here onwards?

His head throbbed from considering all the possibilities, and in the end, he gave up trying to make sense of it.

"Here, I got you guys food." Julien handed the hotdog packages. 

"Thank you, Master." Jackie's tone was calm and his demeanor serious as he placed his palm on his chest and bowed. 

"Thank you, Master." Amelia clasped her hands and bowed as well.

Julien didn't chat with them further and turned around to walk a bit. 

It had only been a few steps away when…

"Um… Master…"

Julien rolled his eyes and sighed while turning around. "What is it now, Jackie?"

"Well…" Jackie turned his head to the side, not matching his gaze with Julien's. 

His face had dried up blood on it and was dirty, but Julien could swear he could see it heat up and turn red, as if he was blushing. 

Tsk. Am I starting to imagine things now? 

"…Master… your clothes…" Jackie said hesitantly in his soft voice.

"My clothes?" Julien echoed, glancing down at himself. He saw nothing wrong. "What about my clothes?"

Jackie closed his eyes, mustering all the courage he could, and said, "Master, your clothes… they're… ripped apart… from the back…"

He sighed in relief after getting the words out, but Julien suddenly froze in place.

*Swisssshhhhh*

A cold breeze swept past and made Julien's clothes flutter. 

His expression darkened. 

…and without turning around…

Julien finally understood…

Why he felt colder on his back.