Gathering Wives

Kein remained kneeling before Cassandra and Selene, his hands trembling dramatically as if he were truly terrified.

But inside his mind, he and Fiora were having a completely casual conversation.

["Great Master, they still haven't attacked. It seems they're still confused."]

"Good. Let's confuse them even more."

Kein lifted his head slightly, glancing at Cassandra, who was still frowning, and Selene, who looked on the verge of frustration.

Then, out of nowhere, he started crawling toward them with an exaggeratedly terrified expression.

"Please, don't kill me, oh beautiful and dignified ladies! I'm just a humble clown! I can't even read, let alone use magic!"

Cassandra instinctively took a step back.

Selene also retreated slightly.

They had no idea how to respond.

"WHAT IS THIS?!" both of them thought.

"The fake Kein… is a clown??" Cassandra murmured, no longer sure of her own sanity.

Kein didn't stop there. He suddenly sprang to his feet and started performing a bizarre dance.

"Look! I can even dance for you!" he exclaimed before hopping around like a rabbit, flailing his arms.

Cassandra and Selene were left speechless.

"...."

"...."

Inside his mind, Fiora almost wanted to cut off their connection.

["Great Master… I never imagined you were capable of this."]

"Hahaha! This is psychological warfare! They're probably wondering, 'Is this guy really our enemy? Why is he acting like a lunatic?!'"

["...I'm starting to question whether you're a genius or just looking for entertainment."]

Finally, Selene raised her hand, stopping Kein, who was still flapping around like a penguin.

"…Enough."

Kein immediately halted, putting on an innocent face.

"…So, who are you really?" Cassandra asked, her voice a mix of irritation and confusion.

Kein blinked a few times with an innocent expression, then pointed at himself.

"Me? I'm just a traveling clown passing through! My name is… Clowntino! Yes, Clowntino!"

"…Clowntino???" Cassandra nearly choked on air.

Selene let out a long sigh. "Okay, my patience has run out. Let's tie him up, take him with us, and interrogate him."

Kein immediately leaped backward, dramatically flicking his scarf.

"NO! I am but a mysterious street clown! I cannot be captured!"

Then, in an overly theatrical fashion, he threw a smoke bomb at the ground.

DOOM!!

Thick black smoke engulfed the entire train car.

By the time it cleared…

Kein was gone.

Cassandra and Selene stood frozen, their expressions blank.

They couldn't believe it.

"…We just got tricked by a clown," Cassandra said flatly.

"…And I feel like an idiot," Selene added.

In the distance, Kein was already hiding in another train car, struggling to hold back his laughter.

["Great Master… I don't know whether to be proud or embarrassed."]

"Hahaha! That was an amazing performance, Fiora! And it's not over yet!"

["Great Master, I believe they'll give up and go another way."]

"Hahaha! Of course! There's no way they'd waste time chasing a clown. Besides, I'm already too far—"

CRAACK!!

A silver axe, engraved with roses, burst through the wooden door beside his head.

Kein froze.

His golden eyes slowly turned toward the axe, embedded just inches from his face.

Through the cracked door, he saw a pair of sharp, glowing red eyes.

Cassandra Moretti.

A cold, heavy voice came from behind the door.

"Found you, you damn clown."

Kein felt his blood freeze.

["…Great Master."]

"Yeah?"

["I don't think they find this funny anymore."]

"YEAH, I NOTICED!!"

THUNK! THUNK! THUNK!

The axe was pulled back, then slammed into the door again.

The cracks widened, and Kein could now see the deadly smirk forming on Cassandra's lips.

He gulped and immediately jumped back.

But before he could escape—

BAM!!

Another train car door was kicked open with force.

BRAAAK!

Selene Moretti.

Her face was dark, her eyes cold, and her presence felt like approaching death.

"...Where do you think you're going, Clowntino?"

Kein shivered.

He knew he had just awakened hell.

["Great Master, I don't think there's any point in running anymore."]

"Damn it! I underestimated them!"

Cassandra pulled her axe free, casually twirling it in her hand as she stepped forward.

Each step was slow—but heavy.

Selene stood behind him, blocking the only exit.

"So," Cassandra rasped, "why don't we take off that clown makeup and see your real face?"

Kein swallowed hard.

Then, without hesitation, he dropped to his knees again.

"I AM BUT A HARMLESS CLOWN!!!"

"YOU'RE DEAD!!"

BOOM!!

Cassandra's axe flew toward him.

Kein dove backward, rolling across the train floor.

The axe embedded itself into the seat where he had just been sitting.

["Great Master, your comedy strategy has failed."]

"I KNOW THAT, FIORA!!"

Selene stomped on the floor, making the entire car tremble slightly.

Cassandra pulled her axe free, spinning it in her grip.

"You can't run forever, 'Clowntino'."

Kein started to panic.

"Fiora, give me any skill that lets me escape!!"

["Recommending skill: Phantom Step – Increases movement speed for 10 seconds."]

"ACTIVATE!!"

Suddenly, Kein's body felt lighter.

He dashed to the back of the train car, leaping over tables and seats, dodging Cassandra's axe swings.

Selene tried to grab him, but Kein kicked off the wall, flipping over her head.

"WHAT?!—"

BOOM!!

Kein crashed through the train door, bursting outside.

Cold night air rushed against his face.

He was now standing on top of the train, his scarf fluttering in the wind.

Looking down, he saw Cassandra and Selene turning to glare at him, their faces filled with murderous intent.

Kein took a deep breath.

Then, with dramatic flair, he bowed deeply.

"That concludes tonight's performance, my beautiful and dangerous ladies! Until we meet again!"

And with that, he jumped to the next train car.

Cassandra let out a long sigh.

"...I am going to KILL him."

Selene pinched the bridge of her nose.

"It's time to stop playing around… Let's go after him."