The Psychopathic Beast Emperor

The western district of Aurora was, without question, the most prosperous part of the capital.

Broad avenues paved with polished white stone stretched between elegant estates surrounded by wrought-iron fences and flowering gardens. Crystal street lamps lined every road, while enchanted fountains decorated intersections, their waters glowing faintly with mana. Merchants sold exotic goods from every kingdom on Terra-Mythos, including elven silk, dwarven runic tools, beastman leatherwork, and even preserved coral jewelry imported from the Merfolk Kingdom. It was a place where appearances mattered, and that was exactly why Bahamut’s team had chosen it.

"So..." Alya looked over the disguises that had been prepared for them. "...who’s playing what?"

Bahamut glanced over the expensive outfits before sighing.

"I’ll be the young master."

"Obviously," Lily answered immediately.

"No arguments there." Alya nodded. "The prince already prepared an identity."

She handed Bahamut a leather folder.

"Lord Kai Valen. A young noble from one of the smaller merchant houses visiting Aurora."

Bahamut flipped through the documents. There were a birth certificate, travel permits, a family seal, and letters of introduction.

"These are frighteningly detailed."

Victor had clearly spared no expense. Sel would’ve probably enjoyed reading through every single page.

"What about me?" Alana asked excitedly. "I’ll be your maid!"

"No."

"Yes."

"No."

"Yes."

"You don’t have to..."

"I already decided."

Bahamut rubbed his forehead.

"Alana... You’ve never even worked as a maid."

She puffed her cheeks. "I know how to clean!"

"That’s not the issue."

"I can cook."

"Not the issue."

"I can carry luggage."

"Still not the issue."

She folded her arms stubbornly. "I want to."

Bahamut looked toward Alya for help, but the woman just smiled.

"She’d make a convincing maid."

"Don’t encourage her."

Lily burst into laughter, while Exildra covered her mouth to hide her smile. Eventually, Bahamut surrendered.

"Fine."

Alana immediately threw both fists into the air. "Yes!" She looked far happier than someone assigned extra work should have.

"What about us?"

Lily pointed at herself and Exildra. Alya thought for a moment.

"The role of noble companions would attract too much attention." She looked between the two girls. "How about... personal bodyguards?"

Bahamut blinked. "The pretty kind?"

Alya nodded.

"There are nobles who employ attractive female guards both for protection and status. It isn’t uncommon."

Lily grinned. "I like that."

"It suits us." Exildra nodded calmly.

Their attire changed accordingly. Rather than armor, they wore elegant black coats over fitted combat attire that allowed free movement while still appearing refined. Twin enchanted swords rested at Exildra’s waist, while Lily carried only a decorative fan. Anyone underestimating that fan would regret it. As to whether they could use those weapons, only in action would anyone realize.

"And me?" Alya asked. Bahamut looked at her.

"You’re our caretaker."

She blinked.

"Caretaker?"

"You’ll act as the experienced steward managing our affairs."

She smiled."I’ve actually done that before."

"Perfect."

Less than thirty minutes later, five individuals walked leisurely through Aurora’s western district. At first glance, they looked exactly like a wealthy household. Bahamut walked confidently at the center, his long white-and-black hair tied neatly behind him. Instead of his usual clothing, he now wore a luxurious navy-blue coat embroidered with silver thread over white formal attire.

His blindfold remained, though now it appeared less mysterious and more fashionable. Behind him, Alana carried several shopping bags despite them containing almost nothing. She wore a classic black-and-white maid uniform with long sleeves and a modest apron. Oddly enough, she looked genuinely happy. Every few seconds...

"My lord."

"..."

"My lord?"

"Yes?"

"Are you thirsty?"

"No."

"Hungry?"

"No."

"Need anything?"

"No."

She nodded seriously.

"I’ll keep asking."

Bahamut sighed. "Please don’t."

Lily leaned toward Exildra.

"I think she’s enjoying this a little too much."

"A little?" Exildra smiled. "I’d say immensely."

Alana heard them.

"I do!"

She wasn’t embarrassed in the slightest. Their leisurely stroll wasn’t meaningless. Bahamut’s enhanced perception continuously swept through their surroundings. Every conversation, every scent, fluctuation of mana, every unusual movement, nothing escaped him.

Exildra quietly observed rooftops while Lily paid attention to passing nobles and servants. Alya subtly guided them through areas where rumors tended to circulate.

"This district has had fewer disappearances," Alya explained softly. "But, several wealthy families reported servants vanishing."

Bahamut’s ears twitched.

"Servants?"

She nodded. "They disappear without witnesses. No forced entry, no blood, and no struggle."

Lily frowned. "They specifically target servants?"

"Not exclusively."

"But it happens often enough to notice."

Bahamut stored that information away. Their first stop became a luxurious café overlooking one of Aurora’s central gardens. It was filled with nobles exchanging gossip over tea. Perfect.

Alya effortlessly blended into the conversation. Meanwhile, Bahamut simply sat quietly. listening to them. His senses filtered dozens of conversations simultaneously.

"House Roderick lost another servant."

"No body?"

"Nothing."

"Heard they simply vanished overnight."

At another table.

"Third disappearance this month."

"My husband refuses to let our daughter leave home."

Another.

"Someone claimed to see cloaked figures."

"Nonsense."

"It was probably thieves."

Most were rumors, fear, or speculation, but patterns slowly emerged. No one ever mentioned violence. Only disappearances, clean, silent, and planned. After leaving the café, the group continued deeper into the western district.

Hours passed peacefully, almost too peacefully, until Bahamut suddenly stopped walking, causing everyone to nearly bump into him.

"What is it?" Exildra asked quietly. Bahamut slowly turned his head.

Across the street, an elderly groundskeeper worked alone inside an enormous noble estate. This was nothing unusual as it happened in most noble houses, except that, he wasn’t gardening. He kept glancing toward the same alley every few seconds as if he was waiting. Whatever or whoever he was waiting for, it had caught Bahamut’s keen attention and he was going to get to the crux of the matter, by hook or crook.

Bahamut narrowed his eyes.

"Interesting." A faint smile appeared on his face.

"I think... we’ve just found our first thread."

With that, he led the way towards the man, trying very hard to appear normal and just curious, to not draw his suspicion.