Dominion of The Beast Masters

Chapter 203: Of Fire and Lies



Victoria sat at the head of her grand office, with the gathered aces of Golden Cosmos. Their expressions ranged from curious to cautious.

Victoria, unusually animated, leaned forward with a beaming smile.

"I've decided to participate more actively in our formation," she announced, her voice brimming with enthusiasm. "Not just as a leader, but to give you all the guidance you deserve."

The room fell silent. Kaida, Ryder, and Catarina exchanged relieved looks, Kaida muttering.

"So, Eratz only got banged figuratively? Thank goodness."

Ryder stifled a laugh while Catarina nodded solemnly as if it were a life lesson.

Zara, on the other hand, looked genuinely impressed.

"This is... unexpected. Victoria, it's been years since you've been this dynamic."

Victoria waved a hand dismissively, her tone humble.

"Oh, please. I'm just normal, like all of you. I have normal reactions."

Eratz, sitting quietly in a corner, flinched.

"That's a lie. You're not normal."

Victoria laughed, the sound warm and genuine.

"Well, to me you're the one special."

The lighthearted atmosphere lingered until Victoria's expression turned more thoughtful. She straightened in her chair, addressing the group with a calm intensity.

"I want us to succeed together. Where I failed with Tamara and Kallistra, I'm determined to do better with all of you. But for that, I need everyone to be open about their situations, your troubles, your doubts, your wishes. This team isn't just an agency; it's a family. We're here to build each other up, to be stronger together than we ever could be alone. No problem is too small, and no doubt is too big. If you face something, we face it together."

She leaned forward, her gaze sharp and determined.

"We're the Golden Cosmos. And we're not just going to win battles; we're going to redefine what it means to fight with honor, with heart, and with unbreakable bonds. So speak up, because your strength is this team's strength."

Mercury, who had been avoiding eye contact, flinched and raised her gaze. She met Victoria's gentle smile and understood the unspoken message meant for her. Summoning her courage, she opened her mouth to speak, but Catarina beat her to it, bursting into dramatic sobs.

"Thank you, Madam... I really need to empty my bag... My misfortune started the day I woke up in an infirmary," Catarina wailed, "and a monster stared into my soul..."

Kaida choked on her drink, while Ryder doubled over in laughter. Zara rubbed her temples, muttering something about "professionalism." Catarina, undeterred, continued sobbing theatrically, and suddenly pointed at Eratz.

"Him! You have no idea what he put me through behind your back... I've never been that dehumanized before!" she wailed.

Eratz raised an eyebrow.

"Of course... you're a cat."

Everyone laughed, the mood in the room lighter than it had been in ages. Catarina's dramatic sobbing and Eratz's dry comeback had the group in stitches.

With the power gained from the laugh, Mercury could share her own story.

She began to explain her situation, and the room grew heavy with tension as she recounted the painful history of her and Milo's father, his abandonment, the struggles of raising Milo alone, and the unanswered questions about his lingering legal power over their lives.

Zara spoke up, her tone firm.

"So the case never went to court? You sent lawyers, but they all came back with excuses?" Mercury nodded.

"Not just excuses. None of them answered my calls after that. It's like... they're afraid." She clenched her fists. "How does he still have more power over Milo's life than me? He abandoned us, and Milo's mother is still around somewhere. Legally, it doesn't make sense."

"It's disgusting," Kaida growled. "You've done everything for Milo. That deadbeat shouldn't have any rights."

"Why not go to court anyway?" Ryder suggested. "There's no way you'd lose. You're practically Milo's parent."

Mercury hesitated.

"I've thought about it, but I'm afraid to try. What if I lose? I couldn't bear losing Milo. My last lawyer said there's a problem because Milo dropped out of elementary school, and now he's fighting without his guardian's consent. This bastard of a father knows about it, and he insinuated he could use it against me. What if the court sees me as irresponsible? What if they take Milo away from me? I can't live with that..."

Victoria's voice cut through the tension, steady and reassuring.

"Focus on what you do best, Mercury. That's the maximum you need to do right now. I promise you, you won't be separated from Milo. The law isn't always fair, but together we'll make it right. You've been fighting this battle alone, but not anymore. Trust me, trust us."

Mercury's eyes softened, and she forced a small smile through her worry.

Victoria stood, looking at everyone.

"You have so many weapons around you. Your efforts, your current family, becoming world stars too is a big step toward immunity from this nonsense. It might sound ridiculous, but so is this nonsense your genitor is forcing on you. Face to nonsense, you fight with nonsense, and I give you my word, you're not ready for the amount of nonsense I can bring."

The room remained quiet for a moment as Victoria's words sank in. Then, one by one, everyone stood and moved toward Mercury.

Kaida was the first to place a firm hand on her shoulder, flashing her a confident smile.

"You've got this, Sis," Kaida said. "We're here for you."

Ryder joined, patting her other shoulder.

"Absolutely. You're not alone in this."

Catarina purred softly, rubbing herself gently against Mercury's arm. Zara stood as well, placing a reassuring hand on Mercury's shoulder and offering a warm smile.

Mercury's smile grew stronger as she looked at each of them.

"Thank you," she said softly. "Really, thank you all."

Meanwhile, at the Infinite Twilight Agency, Leonidas sat in his office, his brows furrowed as he faced Kallistra. She leaned back in her chair, an amused smile playing on her lips. "You're getting obsessed with Eratz Pandora," Leonidas said. "He's undefeated, sure, but you're acting like he's Tamara reborn."

"He might be closer to Tamara than anyone else," Kallistra replied, her voice laced with conviction. "I absolutely want to meet him."

Leonidas groaned.

"And do what? Kidnap him? All you'll do is exposing us before the big day... And knowing you,

if you try something, it will be illegal."

Kallistra waved a hand dismissively.

"Illegal? Really? Did you forget the whole purpose of our partnership?"

Leonidas, exasperated, leaned back on his chair.

"Everything is pointless as long as Tamara is around. Once she'll find out you're after an

ishtarian, she will come to us."

Kallistra's fiery determination cooled. She crossed her arms, annoyed but thoughtful.

"You're really underestimating me, right, Leo? I was only thinking of a way to approach him.

Befriending him, perhaps."

Leonidas raised an eyebrow.

"It'll be a miracle if he trusts you, considering..." He trailed off as the door swung open.

Eliza entered, a pile of documents in her arms. Leonidas and Kallistra immediately stopped their conversation, turning to look at her with matching expressions of annoyance.

Leonidas sighed heavily.

"I asked to not be bothered."

"Apologies for the intrusion," Eliza said briskly. "But these need your signature, sir."n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Leonidas massaged his sinuses.

"Put them on the table, I'll deal with it later. You can go."

Eliza bit her lower lip and held up a specific paper. "Sir... This one seems... urgent. Just an

event, so it only need a signature..."

Leonidas's eyes narrowed, his irritation boiling over as he leaned back in his chair.

"Who's the director here? I decide what's urgent," he said sharply.

Eliza maintained her composure, despite his tone, and pushed the paper slightly forward.

"This event, sir, could have significant implications for Infinite Twilight's reputation. It's a great opportunity for your agents," she said evenly, her words calculated to cool his anger while emphasizing the importance of the matter.

Kallistra smirked, watching the exchange.

"This is why I never wanted to create an agency. Paperwork. I'll leave this to you, Leo. Meanwhile, I'll head for... what's the name of this Pharaoh's town again?"

Eliza froze for a moment, her expression unreadable, before she suddenly dropped a few

papers.

She hurried to pick them up, muttering a quick apology under her breath. Once she stood, her cheeks flushed slightly as she straightened the papers. Then, without missing a beat, she

asked,

"My apologies... but... Lady Kallistra... Are you referring to the Pharaoh, Eratz Pandora?"

Kallistra raised an eyebrow.

"Yes. Why?"

Eliza straightened, attempting to regain her composure.

Eliza straightened, her gaze carefully neutral. After a pause, she subtly asked, "I'm curious,

Lady Kallistra, why are you so interested in him?"

Kallistra leaned back with a teasing smirk.

"Oh, I just happen to enjoy what happens when curiosity kills a cat," she said, her tone

dripping with amusement.

Eliza coughed, flustered.

"My apologies, I didn't mean to pry," she muttered quickly, straightening the stack of papers

in her arms. Then, regaining her composure, she added with a calculated tone, "It's fortunate

you asked, though. This event happens to concern Eratz Pandora directly." Kallistra's interest piqued. She tilted her head, intrigued.

"Does it now?" she asked, her teasing demeanor replaced with a glint of genuine curiosity.

Eliza, seizing the opportunity, straightened and adopted a measured tone, crafting her response carefully.

"Eratz Pandora was once a part of Genova Academy," she began. "It's the very place that shaped him into the competitor we know today, by mistreating him completely. It's possible, even likely, that he still maintains some grudge for them, so I'm convinced he would come too and put on a show. We definitely have to participate too... Especially if we're interested in

him."

A moment of silence filled the room, and Eliza felt the weight of Kallistra's gaze like a boulder pressing down on her shoulders. Kallistra rested her chin on her hands, leaning forward slightly. "You seem to know quite a lot about him," she said teasingly. "Why is that, young lady? Are you his long lost not Ishtarian sister?"

Eliza hesitated, her mind racing. Saying too much could unravel everything, but staying silent

would only make things worse.

Finally, she frowned slightly and replied with measured restraint.

"It's very normal, I've been following the story of an undefeated fighter. It's... inspiring, and

as part of my role, I've studied his history."

Kallistra's smirk widened further, her gaze unwavering.

"Is that so? Then you won't mind sharing everything you know about him, will you? I happen to have become a pseudo big fan of him too."