Before King Alfred could voice his objection, the figure began to unwrap the cloth, revealing a face that mirrored his own in every aspect. It was as if he was staring into a distorted mirror, his features reflected back at him.


    "What sorcery is this? How can this be?" King Alfred''s voice faltered, disbelief washing over him.


    The man in theb coat stepped forward, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction. "Allow me to exin, Alfred. This doppelg?nger of yours is the true king of thisnd, operating under mymand. And as for you... who are you, really?"


    King Alfred''s anger red, his fists clenching at his sides. "You dare mock me? I am the rightful king, the ruler of this kingdom. This imposter is nothing but a pawn in your game. Do notpare him to me!"


    A wicked smile yed upon the man in theb coat''s lips. "Oh, but I no longer have trust in you, Alfred. That is why you must be eliminated, making way for this pawn of mine to take your ce."


    Fury coursed through King Alfred''s veins, his voiceced with venom. "You ungrateful wretch! I granted you power, bestowed upon you everything, and this is how you repay me?"


    "Well, I must decline your generous donations, but allowing you to takemand is out of the question. Your mental instability andck of patience make you unfit for my ns.


    Your naivety is apparent, as you failed to discern friend from foe, using me as a prime example. By manipting you with visions of an invincible and feared immortal army, I effortlessly obtained everything I desired. However, Alfred, you are now a mere stepping stone in my path toward a greater goal."


    "That''s why you must die," the man in theb coat proimed.


    "You deceitful bastard! You used me?" Alfred''s face contorted with anger.


    "Indeed, you could say that in a nutshell," he replied with a mocking smile.


    "Heheh... Hahahhahaha..." Alfred erupted into uproariousughter.


    "Hmm? Have you finally lost your mind, my friend?" inquired the man in theb coat.


    "Hahaha, no... Hahaha, it is you who''s about to lose," Alfred dered, his smile fading and a menacing expression taking its ce.


    Suddenly, the ceiling of the room slid open, and seven to ten assassins emerged from it, their bodies cloaked in shadows.


    The man in theb coat widened his eyes in surprise as he observed the assassins, their lethal presence undeniable.


    "Do you honestly believe I would risk my life by feeding a dog that could easily bite back?" Alfred questioned with a serious demeanor.


    "Hmmm... Those assassins appear to be well-trained, don''t they?" the man in theb coat mused, eyeing their poised stances.


    "They are the finest assassins within the human domain. Now, you have two options: either ept this ve cor and obey my everymand or die here and now. Make your choice," Alfred dered, summoning a ve cor in his left hand. Its cold, metal surface gleamed ominously.


    "Ah, well, since the odds are stacked against me, a wise man shall choose wisely. However, there is one thing I must give you before bing your ve," the man in theb coat said, searching inside his coat pocket with deliberate movements.


    A flicker of curiosity danced in Alfred''s eyes as he observed the man''s actions. What could he possibly have hidden within that pocket?


    "Assassins, if he makes any suspicious moves or reaches for a weapon, eliminate him immediately," Alfred ordered, his voiceced with authority.


    The assassins remained poised, their gazes fixed on the man in theb coat, awaiting the signal to strike.


    "Ah, there you are," the man in theb coat announced, halting his search and producing a small, gleaming object.


    Alfred''s curiosity gave way to suspicion. His instincts warned him of potential danger, urging him to remain vignt.


    "Here you go, my friend. This is the gift I wanted to give you," the man said, disying his middle finger to Alfred. A sinister smirk yed upon his lips.


    "You son of a bitch, haven''t you learned your lesson?" Alfred''s voice dripped with scorn.<novelsnext>I think you should take a look at </novelsnext>


    "Nope, I don''t learn. Teach me," the man mocked Alfred with a defiant smile.


    The assassins remained still, awaiting theirmand.


    "Assassins, kill him and this clone of mine as well," Alfred dered, pointing at both the man in theb coat and his own clone.


    Five seconds passed... Ten seconds passed... Nothing happened.


    "Oi, didn''t you hear me? Kill him!" Alfred eximed, his frustration mounting as he realized the assassins were not obeying hismands.


    Realization dawned upon Alfred. The man in theb coat held control over the assassins, rendering them immune to his orders.


    Alfred decided to bide his time, keeping his intentions hidden as he reached out for his sword lying on the nearby bed. Retrieving it would be his only chance at survival.


    Without dy, Alfred lunged toward the bed, his movements swift and calcted. His hand closed around the hilt of the sword, its familiar weight reassuring in his grasp.


    "Eliminate him," the man in theb coat uttered with an icy tone, his voice devoid of mercy.


    As if choreographed, the assassins sprang into action. In a blur of deadly precision, their des shimmered through the air, aimed directly at Alfred.


    Zzzzz


    Chk


    Chk


    Chk


    Chk


    Chk


    Chk


    Chk


    The sound of daggers piercing flesh echoed through the room as seven des found their mark, ending Alfred''s life in an instant. The assassins moved with an astonishing swiftness, rendering him defenseless.


    The man in theb coat approached Alfred''s lifeless body, a sinister grin ying upon his lips.


    "Well, that was all I wanted to inform you about the change of ns. I hope you understand," the man patted Alfred''s lifeless form from behind, a grotesque mockery of friendship.


    "You are now Alfred. Continue the supply of humans, meals, and money as before," the man in theb coat instructed the Alfred clone, his voiceced with authority.


    "As you wish, sir. I will dutifully carry out everymand you issue," the clone pledged, bending down on one knee, a subservient posture.


    "Good." The man in the coat vanished, leaving behind a lingering aura of malevolence.


    As the room fell into silence, the clone of Alfred, bearing his appearance butcking his essence, rose from his subservient position. His eyes glimmered with a cold determination, a reflection of the darkness that had overtaken his soul.


    [Author: The Real Viin has entered the story.]