“We will crush this election itself. That means we will not lend Maya to Avalonia. —The keys are ‘disguise’ and ‘disclosure.’ The operation will proceed exactly as shown on the deployment diagram.”

  Operations conference room.

  Beatrice folded her hands and spoke quietly.

  The moment the others dropped their eyes to the plan, the members stirred in a low murmur.

  Maya felt heat bloom deep in her chest at Beatrice’s true intent.

  At the same time, the weight of the operation tightened around her throat.

  “With only three months left, there is no other viable course. Any questions?”

  Emma raised her hand, her voice trembling.

  “I understand your plan, Director Beatrice. But if we fail… what happens to us?”

  “Both we—and humanity—will head toward extinction… but we do have a chance.”

  “And the prohibitions are already set. None of you will rush to your deaths. In any situation, prioritize survival.”

  “We are immortal. As long as we live, we can wage a war of revenge whenever we choose.”

  “And Emma—your role as a healer is extremely significant to this operation. Be aware of that.”

  A quiet pressure.

  A quiet heat.

  “…Understood.”

  Exhaling under the weight of responsibility, Emma steadied herself.

  “I understand my assignment. Just in case, I’ll leave six spheres equipped with Cyber Sprawl functionality. Use them flexibly.”

  With serious eyes, Elisabeth offered a faint smile.

  “That helps. Have you already completed the data migration and disposal?”

  “Of course. It’s already done.”

  “Good. Then as of 13:00 today, this place will officially no longer exist. Tell no one the location of the next base.”

  After confirming there were no further questions or comments, Beatrice declared it.

  No one left as a group—each team exited the building in clusters of about three.

  (Goodbye, Luna Nordics Building. I hope we can come back someday.)

  Walking through the streets of Eldrant, Maya glanced back at the building in a way that wouldn’t look suspicious.

  This was—where Maya’s life had “begun.”

  The moment she realized that, tears blurred at the edges of her vision.

  (I’ll come back. I can’t lose to that disgusting woman.)

  Maya clenched her fist tight and started walking toward their new base.

  Time rewinds a little.

  Last night, in Gray Archives, Room Zero-600.

  “Excuse us.”

  After a knock, three figures entered—Beatrice, Victoria, and Ethan.

  This was both the conference room for Gray Archives’ senior staff and a reception room for important visitors.

  Despite being underground, warm lights like sunlight illuminated the room.

  “You’re awfully late,” Ilse Krone drawled first, answering with sarcasm. “Luna Nordics seems remarkably… relaxed about time.”

  Her dark brown hair was tied back short; dark hazel eyes fixed on the three. Still in a tactical suit, she leaned her back against the wall.

  (Again… she says it on purpose.)

  Ethan seriously debated what kind of face he was supposed to make.

  “Ilse, stop provoking them. Sit down.”

  In contrast to Ilse, Isaac pulled out a chair for the women and seated them with courteous precision.

  Ethan pulled out his own chair and sat.

  “That’s enough, Ilse,” Liine Saari said gently as she poured tea. “Today isn’t about fighting. And you already heard why they were delayed.”

  Ash-blonde hair fell to her shoulders; pale smoky-blue eyes. Today she wore light clothing—a sweater.

  For a moment, Victoria’s gaze was caught by the refinement that came with her thirty-ish appearance.

  Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  —Liine Saari, leader of Gray Archives.

  Deputy leader: Isaac Valta.

  Deputy leader: Ilse Krone.

  Nearly a thousand Returners lived underground.

  That collective—was Gray Archives.

  “Yes. We were late. My apologies,” Beatrice said quietly. “Nox and Cain of Avalonia appeared without warning, and dealing with them took time.”

  “Avalonia?!” Ilse snapped instantly. “Did you make a deal?”

  “Ilse, calm down,” Isaac said, glancing toward Ethan. “We hear them out first, right?”

  Ethan answered the glance with a silent look of his own.

  “It was only stalling,” Beatrice said. “May I move to the main point, Liine?”

  “Yes. Please, Beatrice.”

  Liine sat directly opposite Beatrice.

  “You’ve likely heard about Guardians of Humanity. Ethan extracted a confession. Until now they’ve been cleaning out the mafia, but their next target is Gray Archives.”

  “So that insect machine really was reconnaissance—meant to map our internal structure,” Isaac muttered, irritation naked in his voice.

  Liine and Ilse’s expressions hardened.

  “Their leader is apparently rallying them with ‘show no mercy to women or children.’”

  “Guardians is an organization that gathers elite soldiers and police officers, but they have little experience killing women and children.”

  “They’ll make them experience it—so they learn to exterminate Returners efficiently.”

  Beatrice stated it plainly, then took a sip of tea.

  “How can they do something like that… why…?” Liine whispered.

  “We tried not to burden human society… We only built a place where Returners without Exceed could live…”

  Liine clasped her hands and lowered her gaze.

  “Thanks for the bad news,” Ilse clicked her tongue. “But why did you come here to tell us?”

  “Luna Nordics will abandon our surface base and shift to defending Gray Archives,” Beatrice replied as if it were obvious.

  Silence.

  Neither Victoria nor Ethan—had been told this proposal.

  “You want us to take in a hazardous object like Luna Nordics?” Ilse said, releasing the safety on her gun.

  “Wait, Ilse.”

  Isaac stood, stepping between Ilse and Beatrice.

  “…Ilse’s ‘hazardous object’ comment was indeed rude,” Liine said, meeting Beatrice’s eyes. “I apologize for that.”

  “But tell me—why bring us this proposal? What’s your intent?”

  (An older sister-disciple who once taught me Duality Martial Arts. She’s strong and ruthless, but she doesn’t abandon the weak.)

  “After Gray Archives is destroyed, Guardians will move on to destroy Luna Nordics,” Beatrice said. “And after that—Avalonia.”

  “We’re doing this to strike first—before our forces are split and we’re picked off one by one.”

  Beatrice took a second sip of tea.

  “I support Beatrice’s proposal,” Isaac said firmly. “The confession—was it real, Ethan?”

  “It was,” Ethan answered. “And with the number of combatants we have now, I don’t think we can defend all of Gray Archives.”

  He paused.

  “But taking in people who won’t follow combat command is a defensive disadvantage,” Ilse said, as if biting the words back.

  “Let me be clear,” Beatrice continued.

  “Everyone will obey Ilse Krone’s combat command. We don’t know the underground layout of Gray Archives.”

  “A unified chain of command will make defense easier.”

  Ilse fell silent at last.

  “I appreciate what you’re offering, Beatrice,” Liine sighed. “But we don’t have the funds to ‘hire’ you for a fight like this.”

  “Money isn’t needed,” Beatrice replied calmly. “Provide my members with shelter and food. That’s enough.”

  “They’re all my direct disciples. They’ll be useful.”

  “Hmph… I’m strict about disobeying orders,” Ilse said, avoiding Beatrice’s eyes.

  “That’s fine. Train them,” Beatrice said, a faint smile touching her lips.

  “Liine—what’s your decision?”

  “With those terms, we’d welcome you,” Liine said with a small smile. “Ilse, Isaac—are we agreed to accept Luna Nordics?”

  Isaac: enthusiastic approval.

  Ilse: conditional approval.

  And so, Luna Nordics would relocate its base to Gray Archives.

  (This is surprising. I imagined underground would smell musty.)

  To Maya, Gray Archives looked more sanitary than she’d expected—and lively, like a city.

  “If it’s here… maybe I can practice singing too,” Clara said happily.

  “After we exterminate every last scouting bug,” Ethan replied as he walked like an escort.

  “The ingredients here look delicious too~,” Emma said, swallowing as she stared at a grocery shop.

  “Don’t wander around however you like,” Ethan sighed. “I greeted them, so we’re fine for now, but Ilse’s orders are absolute. If you defy her, it’ll become a headache later.”

  “That scary-looking person? Even you have someone you’re not good with, Ethan~,” Emma laughed.

  “I’m saying it for your sake,” Ethan muttered. “And Isaac’s a womanizer. He won’t touch minors, but…”

  “If it’s not a minor, then that’s Victoria,” Maya said bluntly.

  “I hate men,” Victoria said with a bright smile. “I just never said it out loud until now.”

  (Same as me… Did something happen to her too?)

  Maya glanced at Victoria and stayed quiet.

  “If anything happens, contact me first,” Ethan said. “And there may still be more scouting insects. Destroy them the moment you find them, and report to me.”

  “Big bro!”

  Faelan’s voice.

  Faelan and Elina approached the Luna Nordics group.

  “This is my disciple, Faelan. And this is Elina—she’s in middle school. Don’t bully them.”

  “Ooh. I’m Emma,” Emma said cheerfully. “So, Faelan—what are you learning from Ethan?”

  (Emma’s like this… she really is amazing.)

  Maya watched with admiration.

  “Um, you’re Emma, right? Big bro told me about you,” Faelan said. “He’s taught me coin-flick techniques, and—wisdom for surviving.”

  “Oh? Good attitude,” Emma said. “And what did Ethan tell you about me?”

  “Th-That is… um…”

  Faelan looked worriedly at Ethan.

  Ethan looked away.

  “He said… that deep down, he really respects you…”

  Just before Faelan finished, Ethan clamped a hand over Faelan’s mouth.

  “Faelan. Are you done with today’s coin-flick training?”

  “No… not yet.”

  “Then do double the usual today. That’s your master’s order.”

  Ethan’s eyes went cold.

  “Y-Yes. I’m on it.”

  Faelan ran off down the inner corridor.

  “Hey, Faelan! Um—sorry! Please let us talk again sometime!” Elina called, chasing after him.

  After the two disappeared, Ethan let out a long sigh.

  (Deep down, he respects her… huh.)

  Emma was grinning.

  Then—the wristphones rang.

  Maya found the sound strangely cold.

  “Gray Archives combat training. Luna Nordics, assemble at the training facility.”

  Ilse sat in a chair at the training ground, watching the combatants train without blinking.

  (Luna Nordics… I need to see how capable those women really are.)

  At the same time.

  Enely entered a building that looked, at first glance, like a ruined shell.

  She stared at a painting deep inside—depicting a woman.

  A laser swept across; her pupils were scanned.

  Next came voiceprint verification.

  Her voice was hoarse, so an error appeared once—but on the second attempt, the lock released.

  A side wall slid open, revealing a new metal elevator.

  (Guardians of Humanity…)

  Enely descended. Basement level ten.

  The sliding doors opened.

  The moment she stepped inside—the air changed.

  Every eye there locked onto Enely.

  All members, including Victor Holloway, were watching her.

  “Enely Vint. I have returned… from the Returner organization Luna Nordics…”

  Before she could finish, her strength drained away.

  She dropped to her hands and knees, breathing ragged.

  “Are you alright, Officer Vint?” Victor rushed over.

  “No need to worry, Captain,” Enely managed, forcing a smile.

  “I… learned their weakness. I think we can build a plan to dispose of them.”

  Her smile slowly twisted into something cruel.

  Victor nodded, satisfied.