Glenn rolled his sheets, smiling to himself. Never had his bed felt so comfortable. The temperature was perfect, he had found just the right position, and silence ruled over the house peacefully. It was such a huge contrast to the constant bickering with his teammates or Diamanes' commentary that he couldn't help but enjoy it.

  "Glenn! Wake up you slouch!"

  The young man's expression soured and he grabbed a pillow to mute the annoying sound. It probably was nothing anyway. What could be more important than the Devil's Hand's sleep?

  "There are guests at the gates! People from the Cleaner's Workshop!"

  Glenn clenched his eyes even more shut, burying his head deeper in his bed. 'Whoever came, they can certainly wait for a few more minutes, right?'

  "AH!" Diamanes' exclamation was like the most annoying ringtone. "That's it! The sound of problems! Quick Glenn, wake the fuck up! We got a King's Rise to burn!"

  Glenn opened his eyes in frustration. "I swear one day I'll get revenge for that. Fuck this shit..."

  He dragged himself out of bed, yawning. A glance outside the window told him it was barely dawn, making his annoyance grow even further. A flick of his fingers made his black Imoogi suit appear in a flash, covering him from head to toe. He cleaned his face and teeth with a quick, efficient Aqua Mundare, before practically kicking the door to his room open.

  Emily was waiting outside, already dressed and prepared for the day. She wore an impatient expression, her hands on her waist and her feet tapping constantly on the floor. She pointed downward at the manor's entry.

  "Finally! I've been trying to wake you up for five minutes already! You still haven't changed your bad habits whatsoever, I see?"

  Glenn rubbed the corner of his eyes as he pulled his Exan Egg from his dimensional pouch. He had thought he wouldn't ever see the pouch again, but Lucian had actually picked it up from some slaver's corpse. He only got it back during the flight back to King's Rise. The egg-shaped pocket watch was still ticking steadily.

  "It's...wha-? It's only five o'clock? in the damned morning?!" He clasped the watch shut, gritting his teeth. "Mom, you're telling me waking up later than that is a bad habit?"

  Emily crossed her arms. "The world belongs to those who wake up early—"

  "No," he shook his head, "It belongs to those who can blast Meteors at others. Now, if you don't mind, I'll shove our guests back the way they came from before I return to bed."

  "That hasn't changed either," she remarked, "You're still very much anti-morning, huh? Can't you try a little better and show your sister the good example?"

  Glenn pinched his glabella. "Listen, mom, I know you say this for my own good, but trust me, I am showing the best big brother's example in the world, 'kay? Not many people are considered living legends."

  His mother scoffed dismissively and slapped him on the shoulder. "Stop saying nonsense and go take care of your guests. That is not how I raised you to be."

  Glenn grumpily complied, at least to shut her up. Diamanes laughed the entire time, his mockeries echoing in his host's mind.

  'Hahaha, the high and mighty Devil's Hand, forced to wake up early by his mother! Isn't that a sight for sore eyes?'

  'You're just jealous you don't have a mom, Diamanes.'

  Diamanes gasped, insulted. 'I-I do have a mom! She just didn't get the chance to raise from the dead like yours!'

  Glenn shook his head as he left the manor. The Cleaners better had an excellent explanation as to why they woke him up so early if they didn't want him to raze their damned Workshop. Reginald and Veil were waiting patiently at the gates, one standing with perfect stature while the other yawned under his bandages.

  "Reginald, Veil, what do I owe the displeasure?" Glenn grumbled. "I just returned from fighting Newborn Rulers and whatnot, please tell me this is important enough to warrant waking me up."

  "Fixer Glenn," nodded Reginald. "Our apologies for that, but our leadership has determined this subject as a very important one."

  Glenn sighed. "What is it?"

  Veil cleared his throat as he adjusted the tightness of his bandages. "You've been officially invited to receive the rewards for your contribution in the fight for the Dark Wall as well as your expedition in the Beyond. Your comrades have also been invited, I name..." He scratched the top of his head, "...Reginald?"

  Reginald sighed. "Fixer Sahro, Fixer Milena, and Fixer Liara. I doubt his Highness the Crowned Prince would bother with this, but he also is invited."

  Glenn looked at them absently as he slowly clenched his fists.

  "...I hate all of you," he muttered. "When is that stupid ceremony anyway?"

  Veil clasped his hands behind his back. "In four hours exactly. We'll send you someone to bring you to the event. There'll be quite a few people invited, so I do suggest putting on your best attire."

  "And why would I care about that?" Glenn asked with a frown.

  "Because many will be high-ranking nobles," replied Reginald, "...who will be here to choose heroes to sponsor or invite in their families to bolster their strength. Considering you and your team are the biggest heroes of this matter, you'll be the highlights of the event."

  "Can I just not go and ask for some more interesting reward, like..." Glenn paused and scratched the top of his head. "Wait, what do I even need? I basically have infinite cash with all the favors people owe me."

  Veil glanced at their surroundings and lowered his voice slightly. "I'd suggest coming to the ceremony anyway, Fixer Glenn. There have been rumors of some Houses moving in strange ways, some related to even House Sorenas." He paused dramatically, as if expecting some sort of reaction from Glenn.

  "...Who?"

  Reginald pushed down on his top hat and similarly spoke with a low voice. "A new member of noble society has been declared yesterday. Nothing too important usually, happens all the time."

  Glenn looked at Reginald when suddenly he realized why it might be related to him. "Tell me more."

  The Cleaner took a short breath. "Milena Dela Lune Sorenas has completed the Test given to her by her family, and has returned to the Court to complete her official introduction into noble society."

  'So this was indeed about Milena. That's why she did not return from wherever she went. Shit, did she ditch us?'

  Veil seemed to read the concern on his face. "We gathered some intel pointing at this being done without Fixer Milena's agreement. The House of Sorenas is reputed for shady dealings and low actual importance, despite their esteemed ancestry."

  Glenn crossed his arms, his expression hardening. "What about her father's family? The Dela Lune? I know she's related to Exan, can't the fucker give her a hand and intervene in the matter?"

  You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

  Reginald and Veil exchanged an awed glance.

  "You really are fearless, Fixer Glenn. Not many people would dare badmouth the Omniscient himself." Reginald said carefully.

  Glenn sneered. "Then again, not many people fought against evil gods and entire cults. And he's not that far, just a rank away. I'll dethrone him soon enough."

  "That, I can believe..." Veil muttered to himself.

  "To reply to your question, the House Dela Lune has been charged with taking care of the access to the Beyond and establishing a safe perimeter," explained Reginald. "Sir Exan's technology is perfect to establish a secure perimeter inside and outside the dimensional passage."

  "And not to say, but Duke Vanderian, Fixer Milena's father, is reputed as one of the greatest negotiators who ever lived, in addition to being a powerful Archmagi," added Veil. "Your comrades' reports concerning the presence of amicable demons within the Beyond made it mandatory for Duke Vanderian to head there."

  Glenn sighed as he felt a headache coming. "So, to resume it, her father's family can't help her right now, nor can Exan. Great. Really great. Phew..."

  Reginald brushed his mustache, pinching each end with his gloved hands. "Also, I wouldn't want to worry you, but we've heard that the Sorenas have been dealing with Count Mortelli before his betrayal. We've also noticed a few discrepancies in their economic reports pointing at connections with Baron Howards dating from a year ago."

  "How did you even get that?" Glenn questioned, only to quickly shake his head. "Nevermind, I don't care. Shit, they're also connected to the mosquitoes, then?"

  Reginald's eyebrows creased. "Mosquitoes?"

  "Vampires," translated Veil with a certain amount of veneer. "Any ideas whether that operation we've been pushing for has been accepted?"

  Reginald looked at his bandaged coworker, deadpan. "You tell me, Sir Veil. You're higher ranked than me."

  Veil rubbed the back of his head, grinning under his bandages. Glenn sighed and slowly rubbed his face.

  "Alright, I got it. Thanks for the warning you two."

  Reginald chuckled softly. "No, thank you, Fixer Glenn. The number of Archmagis in our organization can be counted on one hand. That and your achievements made the Cleaner's Workshop shine even brighter. For that, we are infinitely grateful. If you need anything, simply transmit the request to me or your assistant Kevin. He has been put at your entire disposition."

  Glenn thought back to the scrawny assistant and smirked. It had been a while since he had last seen Kevin. Maybe he should go say to him once he's done exterminating all the pests determined to make his life a struggle.

  'Oh, I love that! Let me take notes: exterminating... all the... pests. Great line! Almost villain-like!'

  "We will see you later then, Fixer Glenn." Reginald bowed slightly while Veil simply gave a polite nod. "Have a great day."

  Glenn looked at the two who walked away, thinking. He silently returned inside the manor, surprised to find Sahro and Liara standing in the entry hall, yawning yet geared and ready.

  "What are you doing here?" He questioned, confused.

  Sahro pointed his chin at the upper floor. Emily was leaning on the guardrail, watching with a smirk. She waved at him before turning away.

  "We heard everything," said Sahro as he made his knuckles crack. His prosthetic creaked and hissed as a bit of steam blew through the gears, as if alive.

  "When are we leaving?" Liara asked as she adjusted the position of her sword and spear on her back. "To help Milena, I mean."

  Glenn laughed softly and raised his eyes to the sky. "I really found some good teammates, didn't I?"

  "Yeah, try and hog all the credit." Sahro scoffed. "So, what do we need to do?"

  "Right now..." He looked up and down at his comrades and grimaced. "We go shopping."

  If there was one thing the Black Heirs weren't expecting, it was certainly that. Sahro was wearing his usual desert-style clothes, his hood off and his sword hanging at his waist, while Liara wore a simple leather armor with simple, wide clothes to allow for ease of movements. Her sword and her spear were both sheathed on her back, waiting to be drawn and used.

  Not to say, they weren't exactly in the fashion of a meeting with nobles and other persons of importance. Usually, Glenn couldn't have cared whatsoever about this, but a plan was beginning to form in his mind. A plan that would require a cool entrance, nice clothes, and most importantly, a good capitalization on the group's fame.

  "Oh-ho, this is going to be fun!"

  Nelg walked into the Main Hall, rubbing his eyes tiredly and dragging his feet. "What did I miss?"

  Glenn looked at his doppelganger in disbelief. 'Can a weapon even get tired?'

  ***

  "This...This is the most perfect day of my life."

  Camille Langley was, and still is, the most renowned seamstress in the entire Bourgeoisie. Her workshop was located in the best part of town, Noble's Square, the XXVIth district. All the nobles worthy of the name had their clothes made at Camille's atelier, Les Mains de Fée. Yet few were fortunate enough to work directly with Camille Langley, dealing instead with her apprentices or subordinates.

  This was not the case for Glenn and his pals. The moment they stepped into the shop, which had been recommended absent-mindedly by Janica during one random conversation, every workers had stopped what they had been doing to inspect them, asking for signatures and handshakes.

  The owner, Camille, had come out running from the back shop to meet them. She practically fainted when they saw them.

  Back to the present, Glenn was standing rigidly as Camille was taking his proportions. She was a small person, maybe below a meter and a half, and was wearing half-finished clothes. Scissors and fabrics, ribbons were messily hanging from her belts. Her red hair possessed that same chaotic nature, dressed in a manner incomprehensible to mortals.

  "Y- You sure my white suit isn't good enough—"

  "It's combat gear, not clothes," snapped Camille as she shamelessly began sizing up Glenn's crotch. "No, I simply cannot allow the Devil's Hand to go at his first noble gala in combat gear, that's unthinkable!"

  She turned to her apprentices, who were similarly taking measures for Sahro and Liara. "Take everything! I want to make their clothes perfect!"

  Glenn restrained a chuckle. "I have to admit, I'm a little surprised to find out that a tailor knows about us."

  Camille stopped in disbelief. "Who wouldn't know about you? Be it with Baron Howard's scandal, the recent war beyond the Dark Wall, the Dark Wall, itself, and the recent expedition to the Beyond! No, you truly are heroes deserving of fame. Ah, not many know about these last parts, but you know, nobles love gossiping."

  She sighed and wiped her forehead. "I've been a fan for the longest time. I kept reading the journal and listening to the nobles about a group of young Fixers going around destroying everything. Be it their leader, the mysterious Devil's Hand with a purple limb, the cool Black Swordsman with his prosthetic, the Witch or even the Desert's Rose, they all sounded like living legends! And here they are," she frowned, "Well, most of them at least."

  Glenn paused as he restrained laughter. "Wait, wait, I didn't know Milena and Liara had official surnames now. The Witch and the Desert's Rose?"

  Camille nodded as her scissors snipped and cut. "Yes, yes. The Witch, transcending men and women, controlling monsters and humans alike, playing with their mind, while the Desert's Rose would fly on her sword and pierce the world with her spear covered in light. There are a lot of popular songs about your friends' achievements, Sir Glenn—though I have to say, the Devil's Hand is still the number one favorite for children and mothers' alike. Ah, similar to the demon kings of stories, you see?"

  Glenn nodded slowly, overwhelmed. He glanced at Liara, finding her lips sealed and her cheeks flushed red from shame. The corner of his lips curled upward slightly.

  "I think Desert's Rose is nice, but not suitable. We need something cooler for the team's princess, right?"

  Sahro grunted in agreement while Liara turned away, refusing to meet his gaze. Glenn chuckled, pausing as he felt warmth in his chest.

  'This is so nice. Going shopping with my friends. Listening to gossip. Shit, normal life really has its positives.'

  'Yeah, yeah, try to convince yourself to think that what you felt was simply happiness. I'm telling you, romantic relationships are the most chaotic things around! I want one! Two, even! Wait, why would I restrain myself?'

  'Shut the hell up Diamanes.'

  Nelg scoffed in a rare interjection. The doppelganger had chosen to forego the entire process by simply returning to Glenn's soul. He had been quite reluctant at the idea of having to take his armor off and have other people touch him.

  "I'm sure she wouldn't even consider you anyway. Who would want a relationship with someone bearing a demon in his hand?"

  'Hey, now that's just hurtful!'

  Glenn's grin disappeared as he silently let Camille do her job. Eventually, she was done taking measures and cutting strips of fabric. She excused herself and asked for an hour before running away into the back shop, followed by her cohort of apprentices.

  An hour later, Glenn, Liara, and Sahro stared at each other and their new clothes.

  'Wow. Just... wow.'

  Even Diamanes was speechless.