Chapter 171

## Chapter Guide

**"King"** (キング, *Kingu*?) is the one hundred seventy-first chapter of the Shadows House manga series.

## Summary

Douglas remains intimidated by King who bullies him. Noting his similar hairstyle to Finn, King decides to cut Doug's bangs with his soot power to create knives. Evelyn uses her soot power to manipulate his arm into nearly cutting himself, and feigns ignorance when confronted by the adult. Kate and Evelyn decide to report him to Edward for a delay and King attempts to break a cart's wheels with his knives. Douglas uses his soot power to reflect them back to King, shaving part of his hair in the process.

In the parlor, the Star Bearers barely arrange the food on time and leave through a secret door. Douglas and Evelyn make up somewhat, and Kate closes the door just as the newest children arrive with Edward.

## Plot

Back when King was still in the Children's Building, he threatens a young Douglas into staying quiet. He uses his soot power to create knives, and cuts Douglas' cheek.

Back in the present, Douglas calls out to King in order to stop his inspecting of Rum. He struggles to speak to King on equal terms despite his status as a Star Bearer, as the adult snatches his medal. King bullies him, noting that his hairstyle is the same as Finn's and orders him to apply for a change of hairstyle. Creating a soot knife, King picks up Doug's bangs and decides to cut it himself against Kate's protests. Before the knife can connect, King loses control of his arm, turning his smugness into shock. His arm continues to move, pricking his neck with the tip of the knife, forcing him to cancel his soot power. Behind him, Evelyn had used her soot power to take control of King's arm and quickly disperses her power once King notices. She feigns ignorance when confronted by King, stating that her soot power can't match an adult to his displeasure. Checking the time, Evelyn sternly states this has created a notable delay. Kate points out the veiled dolls have begun to pile up in the Passageway of Glory which Evelyn writes down. The girls note the delay may interfere with the Debut, and they must report King to Edward. They decide to include his littering and bullying of Douglas which comforts Douglas. In his anger, King summons two soot knives and throws them at the wheels of Rum's cart in order to blame the delay on poor maintenance. Douglas jumps in and uses his soot power to reflect his knives back to the adult, who falls back in shock. Picking up his medal, Douglas scolds his former team leader, stating his habit of stealing credit is why his soot power is lacking. The Star Bearers walk away while King reveals his face to see that Dogulas' counter has shaved a part of King's head.

In the Debut parlor, the Star Bearers barely arranged the food in time. Douglas voices his surprise seeing Evelyn challenge an adult, as Evelyn notes that his hairstyle was an important momento. Douglas apologizes for what he said about Gilbert, though Evelyn claims she cannot trust it. The two leave through a hidden door followed by Kate who notices Edward walk in. She closes the secret door just as the new debutante class walks in.

## Characters

* King
* King's Doll (Flashback)(Non-speaking Role)
* Douglas
* Doug (Non-speaking Role)
* Evelyn
* Eve (Non-speaking Role)
* Rum (Non-speaking Role)
* Kate
* Emilico (Non-speaking Role)
* Finn (Fantasy)
* Finn's Doll (Fantasy)
* Edward (Background)
* Laurel (Non-speaking Role)
* Lulu (Non-speaking Role)
* Oskar (Non-speaking Role)
* Oscar (Non-speaking Role)
* Matilda (Non-speaking Role)
* Mattie (Non-speaking Role)
* Danny (Non-speaking Role)
* Dan (Non-speaking Role)
* Stella (Non-speaking Role)
* Candy (Non-speaking Role)