On the edge of the central district of the City of Wandering, an ancient building sat wedged among the residential area like an oil painting.

Twilight Memories, the lords of various Royal Families, though now, they should be those who have already died from the Royal Family. Calling them "old friends" would be quite fitting.

Lyle attended the regular gatherings of Twilight Memories, usually once a month. Unlike those royals who spent their days boasting in their rooms, he had many other matters to attend to.

The birth of Nia.

Flower of Vengeance, Sword Dance Mandala.

The tree-top Kingdom of Liveser.

Ranger Lord Echel, the current Queen Kayla of Liveser.

And the days spent monkeying around on the vines.

Fond memories seemed like only yesterday, yet he had also changed immensely since then. Twilight Memories had begun a new member recruitment, and this time, when Mr. Irene’s letter arrived at the Cup of Luxury, it conveyed a strong request for Lyle’s attendance.

"Perhaps they need something from me, and now, I should have the means to repay Mr. Echel’s kindness," he mused.

He tapped lightly on the brown wooden door, and the laughter inside was as ever-present as before, reaching Lyle’s ears after the can-like footsteps of the opener.

Lyle took off his hat and greeted the burly man who had opened the door.

"Hello, Mr. Reed," greeted the doorman, Mr. Reed from the Kingdom of Dreyar, a friend of Ranger Lord Echel, a mischief-maker at best.

The knight in armor stared at Lyle, a muffled sound like breath came from behind his helmet, or perhaps a swallowed-back word.

In the end, Reed said nothing further.

"...Welcome, Lyle, Mr. Irene is surely glad to see you, and that bastard as well."

Perhaps maintaining such etiquette had exhausted Lord Reed’s patience for he turned and strode towards the hall straightaway. He stayed close to one wall as he moved, leaving a narrow path for others to walk alongside, perhaps his silent act of kindness.

Unlike Reed, who silently took a seat in a corner, the moment Lyle appeared in the sight of the nobility, he was immediately welcomed with enthusiasm and cheers.

It was livelier than usual, even surpassing the social wild man Echel. The nobles’ gazes dwelled on him, but amidst the jostling, not a single word was said.

About half a minute later, the forthright Echel stood out, yet now he seemed as shy as a maiden.

"Long time no see, Lyle. How have you been recently?"

"Long time no see, Mr. Echel. Thanks to you, all is well."

"...Haha, Lyle, the weather is nice today, isn’t it?"

The assembly of nobles behind him realized that had been a mistaken remark.

The real person in charge stood out.

Mr. Irene with his feathered cap and a distinctive smiling mask conveyed an assuring confidence in his voice.

"Forgive our stiffness, Lyle, even the dead need face, and this might be the first time some of us have asked for help," he said.

"Help?" Lyle looked around at the shifting gazes of the assembly, his heart more surprised than amused, "If I can be of assistance to Twilight Memories, that would be my honor."

The nobles finally seemed to regain their grace, treating Lyle with even greater warmth.

"Then I shall speak plainly," Mr. Irene coughed lightly, "It might sound strange saying it out loud, but you must have noticed that the members of Twilight Memories are all... deceased, a special kind of deceased. Because of her special status, it’s difficult for us to mingle with other dead, and that is why we gather here."

Lyle knew, and he also knew that this special reason was due to their kingly status.

Lyle, the disguise on the Lich Andrey recently, that was your creation, wasn’t it? I’m actually a member of the Liches too, and I’ve hidden my identity and joined the Magic Research Society, so I know about recent affairs," Mr. Irene paused, "I have heard that that fleshly disguise can make the dead live again..."

"’Hunger Disguise can shape our appearance as it was in life, allowing liches to taste food, and if that represents being alive,’ Lyle showed a faint smile, pride echoing in his heart, ’I believe so, I certainly can achieve that.’

’We could also purchase this service from you, or trade for it in any form, right?’ Irene looked at the others, ’The biggest difference between us and other undead is that we still long for our living family members.’

’You’ve given us an opportunity, Lyle, one we’ve always yearned for. For this, we are willing to pay any price.’

Irene waited for Lyle’s answer, and everyone else did too, the spacious room silent as if not even the sound of armor scraping could be heard.

Lyle lifted his head, the lenses of the Plague Doctor mask reflecting the candlelight.

’Mr. Irene, you are from the Magic Research Society, do you know Mr. Jing?’

Irene paused for a moment, ’Oh, of course, Mr. Jing... he’s our president, I certainly know him. It’s just that I’m usually someone who stays in the lab, so Mr. Jing... probably won’t remember a nobody like me.’

’Mr. Jing is my senior, we were taught by the same teacher...’

’...Having a student as outstanding as you, your teacher must feel very fortunate, Lyle.’

’Mr. Irene, I have a close relationship with the Magic Research Society, it’s my teacher’s home, and therefore my own. By extension, I’m as close to Twilight Memories as family.’

’Family doesn’t require transactions, I will do my best to help Twilight Memories.’

Cheers nearly overturned the Twilight Memories, as they hugged each other in celebration, some even composed a song on the spot to praise Lyle’s noble character.

And so, while managing the Demon Race orders for the Necromancer Figure Club, Lyle began to create individual Flesh Disguises for the deceased of the Twilight Memories.

A few days later.

’Ohhhhhhhhh!’

’This touch! I’m going to die of my own handsomeness!’

It has to be said, the looks of the Royal Family are guaranteed in this era. A group of undead donning Flesh Disguises was like rejuvenated, and some even swore on the spot to start a new romance in the City of Wandering.

Handsome men and beautiful women rushed out of the ancient houses of Twilight Memories, and as Lyle watched their eager backs, he felt a tinge of concern. If the City of Wandering were to erupt in another lich calamity, they surely couldn’t catch me.

No, no, no, it can’t erupt, this is a restricted-level Hunger Flesh, without the capital for rebellion.

Soon, only a few people remained in Twilight Memories, and Mr. Irene carefully preserved his disguise. Strangely enough, he didn’t immediately wear it. Echel had already set up dozens of cool archery poses in the middle of the hall, and even Mr. Reed, restored to flesh, had taken off his helmet.

Facing Lyle’s puzzled gaze, Irene smiled.

’I plan to surprise my child with my new appearance.’

’Mr. Irene’s offspring?’

’Yes, he happens to be in this city.’

A robust arm slung over Lyle’s shoulder, Mr. Echel with a hint of rascality on his face let out a hearty laugh.

’Let’s go! Lyle, to Liveser with us, to give my precious granddaughter a surprise! And to properly thank you, young man.’ Echel looked to the side. ’Iron can, come with us, we’re close neighbors anyway.’

Mr. Reed’s frame stiffened for a moment, before he said in a deep voice.

’I better not, we shouldn’t disturb her, only by letting go of the past can we better...’

’Look at you, beating around the bush, disgusting! If you truly didn’t want to go back, then shed your new skin, and keep sulking for all to see. Some knight you are, just a wimp! Bottom line, do you dare to return or not!’

Reed donned his helmet again and strode over.

’Sooner or later, I’ll find a way to tear up your foul mouth.’ 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

’Perhaps he’s looking for me for some matter, with my current abilities, I should have the capacity to repay Mr. Echel’s kindness.’