"Still, thanks for the save," Ryuk called out, waking Rakshasa from her thoughts as the snowardocraft floated forward, its hatch opening up for both of them.
"You would have gotten out anyway," she said with a shrug, continuing up the open hatch.
Ryuk followed inside, Isha in his arms.
Soon enough, the hatch shot closed and the snowardo’s entire surface thrummed with power, sending a ripple of white frost-like energy before shooting into the distant void, fading completely from view.
______
"I guess the mission took a toll on you. You’ve been off for five days now." The words echoed in the dining room, where Ryuk sat opposite Old Jack, who chewed on his food.
The calmness with which he ate surprised Ryuk a bit, since in this house, Old Jack would usually rush through the dishes, due to his need to arrive early to work.
He unconsciously turned up his holograph and raised an eyebrow when he saw the time.
Turning to look at Old Jack, he saw him flashing a satisfied grin, seemingly waiting for something.
"You woke up quite early today, Old Man," Ryuk spoke, watching the man’s grin stretch wider, but he wasn’t going to let him have it.
"What’s up? Got threatened with a sack for being late before?" he added, watching in satisfaction as Old Jack’s expression immediately plummeted.
"Tsk, you wish!" He said with a hmph, causing Ryuk to chuckle happily.
"And jokes on you, even, I’ve gotten an even better job than my last one," Old Jack said, making Ryuk pause mid-step.
Jack’s grin widened even more.
"You sure it ain’t just a dream? You know, Old Jack, it’s a good thing to dream of a higher—"
"It’s not a dream, you bloody mutt!" Old Jack silenced him with exasperation, while Ryuk rolled his eyes.
"Congratulations then. Tell me, what are you doing now?" Ryuk asked, watching as Old Jack hmphed in pride.
"Take a guess?" he said, watching Ryuk pause before his grin stretched from ear to ear.
"You really want me to ruin your mood today, eh, Old Man?" Ryuk teased.
"It’s like a lower butler job with one of the Royal Houses," Jack answered himself, and Ryuk’s brows rose in slight surprise.
The Royal Houses only ever related to Angels at the Archguard levels.
Old Jack was only a Fallen, a position not even worthy of staying too long in the sight of a Royal.
Somehow, it was a thing to be proud of but also alarming, as Ryuk knew dealings with royalty were like dancing on a thin rope.
"Yes," Old Jack said.
"How did you even get the job?" Ryuk asked curiously.
"I met this Angelic Seraphim Lady."
"She’s a seemingly ordinary and regular reader at the library where I worked, and of course, with my godly charm that was too hard not to notice," he added, emphasizing the last part, making Ryuk roll his eyes.
"She finally revealed her deep interest in me," he continued.
"Oh really? Deep interest, huh?" The voice came from the stairs where Mrs. Lynia was calmly stepping down, an eyebrow raised at him while her hands continuously tapped on her holograph.
"I mean professional interest, of course, my love," he corrected with a smile that made Ryuk grin.
"And through her, I got the offer. It’s essentially making sure the lower Royal workers are properly managed and do their jobs."
"Like a supervising position?" Ryuk asked, and Old Jack nodded.
"You nailed it."
"I have to agree," Ryuk said, then muttered in a lower voice. "As much as I hate to admit it, that’s quite the level up. From a bookshelf arranger to a supervising position in a Royal House."
Old Jack’s chest unconsciously rose higher.
"I told you, I just need some time to adapt to this place, and soon enough, all of Ammamora’s control will be in the center of my palm!" he declared grandly.
But then he noticed Ryuk’s expression sour, and even his wife was staring with the same doubtful look.
"What?" Jack asked.
"You said the entirety of Ammamora’s control being in your palm?" Ryuk asked, and Old Jack replied.
"What’s wrong with that?"
"Nothing," Mrs. Lynia said. "Except it seemed eerily similar to Endearth, when you had everything under your control."
Old Jack scratched the back of his head.
"Of course, that won’t repeat itself. It’ll be for good this time, I swear it," he said, the pressure in the air dissipating only slightly.
"Don’t tell me they allow you to walk into the Royal House and then return back home the same day?" Ryuk asked.
"Yes, that’s the catch," Old Jack sighed.
"Today is Monday, and I’ll only be able to return on Friday evening. I’ve only got two days free in a week."
Ryuk hummed. He knew there was no way the Angelic Royals would allow someone to walk in and out of their mansion daily.
Although it appeared harmless, it still posed a potential risk to the family.
"You know," Old Jack said, leaning closer toward Ryuk while covering his mouth from his wife, "I’ve been given quite the big mansion back in the Royal House, and I’ve been thinking, won’t it be great if we all moved—"
"That won’t be happening." He was immediately cut off by the unforgiving words of Mrs. Lynia, who continued her meal without a care.
Old Jack could only sigh.
He had always tried to convince his wife to move closer to the Royal Houses, where life was more comfortable, and he could remain closer to his family, but no matter what, she always shut the idea down.
Still, he mentioned it to Ryuk, hoping he might persuade her.
The young man kept eating quietly without questions, a sign which Old Jack understood to be that of quiet understanding.
CLAAANG.
CLAAANG.
The powerful sound of hooves clanking against the ground echoed from the door a few minutes later.
Old Jack disappeared into the carriage pulled by the three-horned white horses—creatures Ryuk couldn’t identify but which seemed otherworldly.
Silence soon reigned in the dining room after his departure, leaving just him and Mrs. Lynia.