( Beginning of Arc 4.1 )
The situation was dire. What happened felt like a nightmare for everyone.
(Illustration Artwork: Seina Karino, after her battle against Renne [Available Only In The Original Platform])
A hush fell over the whole group, until Seina finally broke the silence with her own words. "There's no need to worry. We've done our best, but the battle isn't over yet… For now, we have to return back to the PHG and regroup at the meeting room."
Everyone started gathering their things and prepared to leave. But Hiroki remained kneeling on the ground, staring at where Renne had disappeared. She took Amaya with her, yet he couldn't stop her.
Seina watched him for a moment before she stepped closer. She extended her hand for him to get up. "Come on, sitting here will only drown you in thoughts with no answers."
Hiroki looked up at her, with regret filling his heavy eyes. A few moments passed before he pushed himself up—without taking her hand, not saying a single word.
He turned towards Yoru and Kenji, who were already waiting for him to leave with them.
Hiroki, Yoru, and Kenji walked in silence through the dimly lit corridors, and their footsteps resonated gently. None of them spoke.
Kenji frequently looked at Hiroki, waiting for him to speak. But Hiroki's eyes stayed fixed ahead, showing no emotion.
Yoru sighed lightly with her arms crossed. She wanted to say something too, but words felt useless.
After a long quiet walk in the cold of the night, they finally stepped through the entrance of the PHG's main hall
They continued walking until they arrived at the meeting room, with a gloomy mood hanging over them.
Hiroki, Yoru, and Kenji stood in their usual spots, but something was missing.
"Ayuri's not back yet," Kenji muttered with his hands in his pockets, "Guess she's still out doing her special PHG missions."
No one responded. Hiroki, who was standing near the table, hadn't spoken a single word since they returned. His head was slightly lowered, and his thoughts were running in endless circles.
Yoru's eyes fell on him quietly, softening for a moment. She hated seeing him like this.
She took a quiet breath before speaking, redirecting her attention. "So… Renne said something about one month… and the Kingdom being in danger. If that's true, their target could be… Reon-Sama, the current king?"
Seina, who had been listening with a sharp focusing gaze, finally responded. "Interesting… I expected this, they're trying to target the sensitive roots. However… some aspects are still unanswered."
The next side chair creaked when Ryuuji leaned forward, crossing his arms. "Why would they go after a king who isn't even of the original royal bloodline?"
Seina's expression didn't change as she turned towards him. "No idea what their full plan is yet. But… if they succeed, it could trigger widespread chaos inside Yumix."
Kenji frowned. "Why do you think so?"
Seina glanced at him. "If the current King is removed, the radicals will use it to their advantage. Some people already believe he's a false king. They'll take it if he dies as a sign that justice has been served. From there, turmoil would break out, giving Renne's side the chance to seize control."
A thick silence fell over the room after her words.
"…So their plan is to turn the people against each other?" Yoru's voice was cold, yet full of curiosity.
"Most likely," Seina replied, her expression remained composed, but inside her, thoughts were racing, "No… their aim isn't just a political collapse. There's still something missing… something deeper… something they need hidden behind all this chaos. I just haven't seen it yet. One more piece… I just need that one key to lead me…"
With a sigh, she dismissed the thought for now.
"For tonight, you three should rest." Her gaze flickered toward Hiroki, who had barely moved this entire time. "Hiroki-kun… If you want to retrieve what's precious, you need to get stronger. So restore your concentration, and work on elevating your capabilities for the future."
Her words weren't that harsh, but Hiroki felt them cut deep. His shoulders tensed slightly for a moment.
Yoru noticed his subtle reaction, and the faint tension in his posture.
Yet, he still replied with nothing.
As they left the room, Kenji stretched his arms above his head. "Man, what a long bad day…"
Then, he glanced at Hiroki. "Hey, you gonna be okay?"
"Yeah, I guess," Hiroki's tone was flat, indifferent. "Don't put big worries on me."
Kenji scoffed lightly. "Tch. I wasn't really worried anyway."
They walked in silence for a few moments, before Kenji suddenly spoke up again. "Besides… Amaya's probably still alive."
Hiroki paused, turning his gaze toward him. "Why do you think that?"
Kenji shrugged. "Think about it. If they wanted her to die, they would've already done it, right…? They wouldn't have taken her without a reason. Either they need her for something, or they plan to use her as a trade, as that girl called Renne said. That's just how these types of people work."
Hiroki didn't respond right away. His fingers twitched slightly. "A trade…"
Kenji rubbed the back of his head, realizing the weight of his own words. "Uh—not saying I want you to go with them or anything. Just… something to keep in mind."
Hiroki sighed quietly, running his hand through his hair. "You might be right…"
His voice was low, yet something was underlying—perhaps, the smallest faith of hope.
"Thanks," he added after a short moment of silence.
Kenji waved him off casually. "Yeah, yeah, don't mention it. Just don't turn into some brooding edge-lord over this, alright? It's just something a friend should do."
Hiroki let out a weak chuckle.
Yoru, who had been quiet for a while, watched him closely. She finally felt some satisfaction when she saw his spirit come back.
As he walked off towards his room, disappearing down the hallway, she spoke without turning to Kenji.
"…I didn't expect you to be so effective."
Kenji glanced at her. "Huh?"
She crossed her arms, gaze still locked in the direction Hiroki had gone.
"Even so… I still feel somewhat uneasy."
[ To Be Continued ]