“Since you came all this way to receive guests, shouldn’t you at least say, ‘Please, have a seat’? Luna Nordics.”

  Nox’s lips curled upward. Even as hostile stares stabbed at her all at once, she looked as though she were enjoying it.

  “Spare me the chatter. Sit wherever you like. What do you want?”

  Beatrice’s eyes narrowed to slits.

  “What a charming greeting. Fine.” Nox smiled. “Cain, let’s sit.”

  Nox and Cain lowered themselves into the nearest chairs.

  Beatrice remained standing, facing them.

  Maya’s knees buckled with nausea, and she dropped to one knee on the floor.

  Emma pressed Healing Palm to Maya’s back and braced her like a shield. Clara gripped Maya’s right arm, trying to lend her strength.

  “I think everyone at Luna Nordics should sit as well,” Nox said. “I didn’t come here to kill each other today.”

  “Spare me the chatter. Then what’s your purpose?”

  Beatrice’s voice was low, carrying a chill.

  “Then I’ll get to the point.” Nox continued evenly. “You annihilated Lumen Day. As a result, the country created an armed anti-Returner organization called Guardians of Humanity.”

  Nox went on, matter-of-fact.

  “And they’re arresting, torturing, and killing Returners across the nation. —All because you went and did something unnecessary.”

  (Unnecessary…?)

  Anger flared inside Emma, but Beatrice was the one facing her. Emma couldn’t interfere.

  Clara pressed her lips together, tightening her grip on Maya.

  (Maya… This time, I have to protect Maya.)

  Maya glared up at Nox, fury burning in her eyes stronger than the discomfort.

  (…It’s brutal. Even so, I can’t bend. I can’t.)

  The rest of Luna Nordics stayed silent. Their inner temperatures differed, no doubt—but no one spoke.

  “Of course, there are ‘those people’ behind the country. But that aside, I’m only stating facts. It’s inconvenient if you aim your hostility at me here.”

  “And?” Beatrice prompted curtly.

  “This situation is a crisis that threatens Returners’ very survival.”

  Nox inhaled slowly.

  “In three months, there will be a presidential election. I want Luna Nordics to cooperate so that the candidate Avalonia will put forward wins.”

  “Isn’t it beautiful?” she purred. “Enemies joining hands.”

  Her voice was intoxicating—sweet, with a blade hidden inside.

  “If you win that election,” Beatrice asked quietly, “what do you gain?”

  “Avalonia’s ideology is Returner supremacy. The superior should rule the world.”

  “And superior Returners like Luna Nordics will be granted the position and honor worthy of that power.”

  “Then what happens if you lose?” Beatrice asked.

  “The same as now. Even if you crush Guardians of Humanity, a more refined armed organization will simply be born next. Again and again, until Returners are driven into hell.”

  Nox appealed with a serious gaze.

  “Beatrice. We’ve had our conflicts, but let’s put them behind us—now is the time to unite. There is no way for us to survive except by taking power.”

  A few seconds of silence.

  Then Beatrice spoke.

  “I see. How generous. In that aristocratic ‘order’ of yours—who will be placed in the position of slaves?”

  This time, Nox fell silent. The silence stretched, taut and unmoving.

  “Human girls. And among Returners, those without Exceed. Especially children.”

  Beatrice said it for her.

  Nox smiled.

  “Heaven exists because hell exists. The world was made cruel from the start.”

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  “The victors, the strong, have always ruled the world, made the laws, and taken privileges. That is human history itself.”

  “If you hate being weak, then become strong and claw your way up. Avalonia won’t deny even that effort.”

  She stroked her polished nails as she spoke in a sweet voice.

  “I see.” Beatrice’s breath drew in—an aether breath, thin and sharp. “Then—do we need to prove, here and now, which of us is stronger?”

  At that moment, Cain—silent until now—spoke.

  “Lady Beatrice. Today’s purpose is not combat. Lady Nox does not desire that either.”

  His voice was low and composed, even feigning sincerity.

  “However—if our objective is not achieved, and Lady Nox and I do not return on schedule…”

  “The ‘insurance’ placed on Gray Archives will be activated.”

  (How far will they go with filthy tricks…?) Ethan’s mind flashed with Faelan and Elina’s faces, and he could barely keep his composure.

  “What, specifically, is this ‘election cooperation’?” Beatrice asked, flicking a glance at Cain before returning her eyes to Nox.

  “I’m glad you’re finally asking the real question. I want you to lend me people—useful personnel for the election.”

  Nox’s eyes glimmered as if wet.

  “The one I want most is Maya Graves. She’ll become a symbol.”

  The instant Maya met Nox’s heated gaze head-on, her stomach twisted.

  (This—this is it. This is the one who’s been watching me all this time…)

  Holding Maya up, Emma begged desperately at Beatrice’s back.

  (Don’t give Maya to them! Say it—!)

  “Why are you so obsessed with Maya?” Beatrice asked.

  “No explanation is needed. You understand. Don’t you?”

  Nox didn’t look at Beatrice. She looked only at Maya.

  Seconds passed—like eternity.

  (If I refuse here, that ‘insurance’ triggers. The underground burns…)

  Beatrice opened her mouth.

  “Fine. We’ll lend you Maya.”

  The operations conference room went so still it was as if even sound had died.

  A few seconds later, murmurs rose from the Luna Nordics side.

  (So that’s the Director’s decision… If everyone can live because of my sacrifice…)

  Maya couldn’t even bear to think anymore. Her vision swayed.

  Emma tried to protest, but Victoria gently covered Emma’s mouth.

  Victoria looked into Emma’s resisting eyes with quiet kindness.

  Emma understood. She bit her lip and fell silent.

  “However,” Beatrice continued.

  “We lend you Maya only after Avalonia wins the presidential election.”

  “Which of us will be more useful in bringing together the opposing local assemblies, public opinion, and the humans?”

  “Of course, we will instead lend you attorney Alicia Werner as our proxy, and counselor Camilla Lorenz.”

  “Both have abundant clients. They can contribute to securing your voter base.”

  “Law will ‘guide’ human judgment in the ‘right direction,’ while counseling will care for minds that break and help them adapt. I’d say they’re well-suited.”

  Beatrice spoke evenly.

  Nox fell silent, thinking. She exchanged a few quiet words with Cain.

  “I see. Using them to control this country is indeed more effective.”

  Smiling, Nox stood from her chair and extended her right hand.

  Beatrice took it without changing her expression, and they shook.

  “Today becomes a commemorative day—one where we overcome our conflicts and seize the Returners’ future together.”

  Nox smiled warmly.

  “Let’s hope so,” Beatrice said, nodding with cool composure.

  And then Nox and Cain left.

  Beatrice released a small breath and turned around.

  The members of Luna Nordics surrounded her in silence.

  “Each of you has something to say. As scheduled, we’ll discuss the details at tomorrow’s operations conference.”

  Beatrice’s face remained calm.

  Emma—who Victoria had held back—understood she would hear the explanation tomorrow. Supporting Maya by the shoulder, Emma left the room.

  Only Victoria and Ethan remained as Beatrice spoke again.

  “Thank you for sharing Nox and Cain’s emotions with me.”

  “Thank you. Was I of use?” Victoria asked.

  “Of course. It will get harsher from here. It’s late, but—both of you, come with me.”

  “Understood. Let’s go.”

  A Volvo carrying the three of them left the Luna Nordics building.

  The scene shifted.

  Nox was on her way back in a luxury car driven by Cain.

  Even inside the car, Nox was in high spirits, issuing instructions to her subordinate.

  Meanwhile, Cain kept a smile on his face, gripping the wheel with eyes grown cold.

  (I was read. The whole time—.)

  (The alliance. Beatrice. I don’t like it. But I only need to win.)

  (After we win, I’ll reclaim everything. And as for who I’ll vent on… there are as many as I want.)

  Cain turned on the blinker and smoothly changed lanes.

  Luna Nordics, Basement Level Two. The holding room.

  (…The electronic lock is open?)

  Enely Vint—a female operative of Guardians of Humanity.

  She had been confined in Luna Nordics, forced into confession, and slept in humiliation and fear.

  But she woke suddenly.

  Perhaps from the intense light used during the confession—her headache still lingered.

  Even so, when she groped around, she confirmed it.

  The lock—was open.

  On the surveillance monitor, the red indicator light that should have been there was gone, too.

  Enely held her breath and listened.

  She heard nothing.

  (A mechanical failure…? Or—?)

  She forced strength into her exhausted body.

  The humiliation of being captured hadn’t vanished. But if she returned with the information she’d obtained, it wouldn’t just clear her name—

  She could have revenge.

  (Now I can avenge my sister. I can bring hell to those monsters who ruined her mind…!)

  Avoiding the elevator, Enely carefully searched for an exit by taking the stairs.

  And she found it.

  In front of the door, she took a deep breath and slowly opened it.

  She must not be noticed. She had to act normal.

  Why she alone had been left alive—

  At this point, Enely had no way of knowing.

  In the corridor, only the lingering trace of sweet perfume drifted through the air—like someone had just passed by.