“You’re ruining this infiltration, Kendra.” I snapped at my ignorant apprentice. My golden crown shined with radiance as my gold chain jingled while my monster pelt complimented my rotating wrist-hourglass as well as my spiffy jacket and white shorts. Just in case the disguise wasn’t enough, I wore shaded spectacles to hide my eyes.

“How?” Kendra replied as she looked away from me.

“You’re just wearing your plain old clothes!”

Kendra looked down at her gold-striped grayish blue robes covered by a half-cape and shrugged. “What are you even talking about?”

“We’re infiltrating my opponent’s public speaking! We can’t give away the fact that we’re political enemies! Do you know what happens to political enemies?!”

“You’re not political enemies, for Goddess’ sake. You’re just candidates for the presidency. We don’t need a blood feud,” Kendra sighed. “Not that you’ve got any blood to shed anyway…”

“Hmph. I suppose you’re right.”

“Where’d you even get that ridiculous outfit?” Kendra asked with visible disgust.

“At the copper piece store,” I answered.

After a long exhale, Kendra asked, “A thrift shop?”

“Why? Do you want to look as fancy as I do?”

“No! This is ridiculous! I don’t want a disguise!” Kendra answered.

“Fine, fine.” I said as I waved my hand, “To be fair, you did grow your hair out so it’ll be harder to identify you from afar.”

“What? Is it really that long-”

“Quiet, quiet,” I ordered. “It’s starting.”

The crowd on the town square quieted down as a long-haired woman stepped onto the wooden platform. She looked so flimsy that it wouldn’t be a surprise if she was blown away by a strong gust. The woman shuffled slowly towards the podium and meekly took her position.

“H-Hello…?” she quietly murmured into the voice amplifying orb. She grasped her hands—almost mimicking a scared cat—as she scanned the crowd gathered before her.

“This is my opponent? I don’t see how she could be a threa-” I was about to finish my sentence but was interrupted.

The woman suddenly clutched her shoulders and screamed. Her limbs started twisting and cracking like a monster trying to get out of a fleshy cage. Her body grew twice in size, and her docile appearance was replaced by a crazed look in her eyes while her sharp teeth were laid bare for all to see.

“Honored citizens of Gravia, lend me your ears!” her loud voice boomed across the entire plaza, even catching the attention of the undead in a different city block. “Many of you already know me, but to those who are new, I am Senator Particia Gravelock!”

The crowd cheered and held up their banners supporting the woman. Particia held her hand up then nodded her head. “As you know, I am trying to run against Senator Terebnis in this election, but we’ve also got a new independent candidate… uh… Mr. Boss, running against me! The elections are heating up, and I am once again asking for your support in our bid for a better Gravia!”

“Particia! Particia! Particia!” the crowd chanted.

Particia went on to talk about her agendas and her future plans, and soon, the time for questions came in. Citizens went forward holding notepads, magical apparatuses, and quills while bombarding her with questions.

The usual questions came up regarding her policies, and Particia went through them one by one with ease until the serious questions popped up.

“Senator Particia, what is your stance on the demon threat?” a dullahan asked.

“You might already know that Senator Terebnis believes in his conservative approach of isolating ourselves from the worldly affairs, but I think the opposite! We’ve always been the bulwark against the Tea Parties, and I don’t think we should stand idly while the south burns!”

“Down with the demons! Down with the demons!” the crowd chanted.

“It will be a matter time until the south falls, and we shall be next!” Particia claimed with confidence. “That’s all I can say regarding the demons for now! Next question!”

“Questions from Rotting News! What do you think of the new candidate?” an undead asked.

“Boss? My sources indicate that he has no records of living in Gravia at all. In fact, we have no information on him what-so-ever. We don’t even know what an archlich is!” Particia replied. “You there! The man over there! Do you really think we should entrust the fate of a city on some stranger we’ve never met before?!”

Oh crap! She’s pointing at my general direction!

Luckily for me, there was a huge hulking beast blocking my view and-

WAIT, HE MOVED SUBTLY TO THE SIDE! THAT BASTARD!

I pointed at myself in hopes that she wasn’t actually talking to me.

“Yes, you! Come over here and let everyone know what you think!”

Damn it!

The crowd split apart as they opened a path towards the podium. If I could gulp, I would’ve drowned from my own saliva. As I moved closer to the platform, my fake gold accessories clanked against my body.

“Uh…” I started when I got up on the podium. “Er…”

“Don’t be shy! Tell us what you think!” Particia urged me on.

“I think… that a new candidate is what this decrepit nation needs!” I declared.

The crowd gasped with shock at the unexpected answer.

“That’s right! I said it! We’ve had decades-old seniors on the seats for too long! We should put them all in a museum because they’ve done nothing but cause trouble for this city!” I boasted. “As someone who is new, Boss is the breath of fresh air we undead couldn’t even have the privilege of literally experiencing!”

“Eh-” Patricia exclaimed.

“I’m not done yet! If the foundation of the republic, the Enforcers and the Commissioners, supports Boss, why shouldn’t we trust him?! Are you saying that the upholders of the law, our own police, are corrupt?!”

The people gasped again once more, and a large ectoplasm person even fainted on the ground, turning into mush. Soon, the crowd started booing, telling me to get off the stage.

Security members went up the platform and urged, “Please sir. We’d like to ask you to leave.”

“Why are you booing me?! I’m right!” I shouted before getting off the stage.

I quickly ran off with Kendra in tow and once we were far enough, I cheered, “Sabotage complete!”

“You! We were supposed to be just observing her! What will happen if your reputation gets tarnished for ruining your opponent’s public rally?!” Kendra groaned.

“You forgot?” I asked while tapping my shaded spectacles. “I’m in disguise. They didn’t know it was me, the one and only Archlich Boss, who was on the stage!”

Out of nowhere, Daggerless appeared and greeted us. “I saw that scheme play out, Boss! That was an excellent example of political maneuvering!”

“See? Even Daggerless agrees with me.”

“Daggerless literally has no brain so his opinions are worthless!” Kendra retorted.

I ignored Kendra and turned to Daggerless. “So, why are you here? Where’s your princess disguise?”

“Well, Boss, Asha seems to hate the fact that she’s now some kind of wrestling legend so she forbade me from disguising as her ever again. Anyway, she’s been invited to the city’s largest museum this evening, and she can bring a few guests with her as well,” Daggerless explained as he handed tickets to us.

“A museum? Finally! I can do some touring!” I cheered.

“That’s in the evening. First, you need to work on preparing for your campaign,” Kendra reminded.

“I can just improvise on the spot. Didn’t you see me up on the stage? I didn’t even know what I was talking about,” I pointed out.

“Whatever, you’re hopeless. I don’t even know why I care. It’s not like I would lose anything if you lose this election.” Kendra sighed. “Can you at least get rid of that ridiculous outfit in the meantime?”

“What? I spent good fortune on this outfit! All five copper pieces! I’ll be sure to use this all day long!” I declared.

*

*

*

“I am so sorry, Particia,” my advisor whimpered as we both walked down a red hallway.

“It’s fine, really. I just can’t help but feel so frustrated that he sent the first attack. This Boss person is seven steps ahead of us, Agha!” I hissed while scratching my head. “And we’re still at step zero.”

“Particia, it could just be a coincidence. The man you picked could’ve really just been a random citizen who supported... alternative candidates. Bad luck falls upon the best of us sometimes,” Agha claimed.

“But why now of all times?!” I groaned.

“This isn’t the end of the world, Particia. I’ll make up for this failure, I swear. For now, focus on your current target - Princess Asha.”

“Right,” I sighed as we stopped on our tracks. I closed my eyes and breathed in. I imagined a lovely cemetery with dying black roses littering the gravestones. My happy little place.

“Feeling better?”

I nodded and exhaled. I felt a surge of positivity and enthusiasm which befit a senator and a presidential-candidate of Gravia. “Okay, our main objective right now is to get on the good side of Princess Asha.”

Agha nodded and added, “It would surely benefit you if you contacted her first before Boss or Terebnis.”

One of my helpers appeared from the corner and said, “Senator! Princess Asha is coming!”

At her signal, I slowly charged my body with the essence of undeath, growing slightly larger. My nails became longer, and my eyes glowed with a yellow hue.

I checked my appearance once last time before turning the corner, only to be greeted by a group guarded by two commissioners. Right at the center was a little red-haired girl with a burning crown on her head.

“She looks different from the descriptions we gathered…” I murmured.

“Particia,” Agha whispered.

“Oh!” I snapped out of my trance and got straight into business. “Princess Asha! It is an honor to meet you. I am Senator Particia Gravelock of the Republic of Gravia. I’m so pleased to finally-...”

The red-haired girl tilted her hair and asked, “To finally?”

…

…

I realized that I was staring at the person standing next to Princess Asha.

The person who was also the man that was… on the stage… a few hours ago. The person with the questionable fashion sense…

“... to finally meet you,” I finished.

“Ah, yes. It’s nice to meet you. If I could remember correctly, the relief package sent to Angolia was organized by you, wasn’t it?” Asha asked.

“Yes. It’s quite a tragedy that a monster portal appeared at the heart of Angolia. How are things back at home?”

“Very good. After the demon attack, the people are more united than ever. The Angolians will have their revenge on those that dare to hurt their homeland and my father, the king.” Asha produced a smile which radiated with royalty and dignity.

“It’s why Gravia and Angolia should work together to deal with the demonic threats, Your Highness,” I said.

Asha put a finger up and waved it. “Forgive me for my rudeness, Senator Particia, but official business can be done at official time. I’m currently busy with an important guest.”

The princess waved her hand towards the person next to her, and he simply opted to cup his hands as he stared back at me with his shaded spectacles.

“Ah. No, it is I who is intruding on your leisure time. My apologies.”

“It’s fine. Perhaps you would like to join us, Senator Particia?”

I looked at the spectacled person one last time and replied, “I just remembered that I have important business to finish. I shall take my leave, Princess Asha.”

I quickly left the hall and walked towards the exit. While my body shrunk, my anger enlarged. “I knew it! It wasn’t a coincidence, Agha! He was an agent of Boss!”

“Tsk! We’ve been outmaneuvered twice! I’ve been outmaneuvered twice!” Agha roared.

“Boss is clearly declaring war with us! We shall respond happily!” I declared.