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Zayne struggled to maintain composure under Kumoko's terrifying aura. Russell's question jolted him from his shock.
"That's correct, my lord. But rest assured—I led the operation against the Society base personally, ensuring no casualties." He hesitated. "Are you asking because you seek revenge?"
Looking at the unfamiliar face before him—Lux's disguise—Zayne considered arguing against retaliation.
But Russell surprised him. "...You handled it well. No real damage was done. We'll just reveal a few more Sect bases to the Association in return."
Zayne swallowed his prepared arguments, bowing respectfully. "Your wisdom is evident, my lord. I hadn't considered the broader picture."
Russell's eyes flickered with interest at the Public Security Director's submission. Zayne kept his head lowered, feeling that penetrating gaze but remaining perfectly still.
After a moment, Russell spoke again. "I called you here to ask... I heard the Unification Sect was defeated by the new Vice President Russell recently. Your thoughts?"
Zayne's expression remained neutral as he chose his words carefully. "Vice President Russell is indeed talented. Creating a Gold-level card shortly after promotion—red quality by my observation. You've likely seen the clips circulating online. As for personal interaction... my subordinates found him kind and composed."
Russell raised an eyebrow at the praise.
Noting the reaction, Zayne quickly added, "Though he's surely desperate to eliminate certain trusted enemies. Of course, his card pales before yours, my lord."
Russell didn't comment. While Kumoko might edge out Mikoto in raw power, a death match's outcome would be far from certain. Not the overwhelming superiority Zayne claimed.
Zayne continued, "My lord, President Simon and Luther appear to have secret plans targeting Russell."
Russell's attention sharpened. Finally, useful intelligence. "Elaborate."
Zayne shook his head slightly. "Forgive me, I don't know specifics. But it likely relates to Russell's sudden appointment. Without him, Luther would have claimed the Vice President position."
Russell sighed internally. As expected. He'd already deduced one of the directors would have benefited from his absence.
"Tell me about the Association's structure."
"Simon leads, aligned with Luther from the Secret Realm Office. The HR Director suffered injuries years ago that crippled his cards—he's essentially semi-retired now."
That explains his eagerness to avoid involvement, Russell thought. East-Haven's Association is fractured.
"Any other questions, my lord?"
"Return carefully. Avoid detection."
"Yes."
Before departing, Zayne felt eyes upon him. The spider monster's scarlet compound eyes stared silently from the shadows. Thoroughly unnerved, he hurried away.
"Well? What did you find?" Russell whispered to Kumoko once they were alone.
"Hehe! The Great Kumoko makes trivial matters simple! You underestimate me, Russell!" The spider preened before sharing her [Ruler • Wisdom] findings:
[Name: Zayne]
[Title: Public Security Director, East-Haven Cardmakers Association (Spirit Society Agent)]
[Level: Gold]
[Holding Card: ???]
Russell fell silent. Compared to the omniscient appraisal from her original story, this was... sparse.
He pulled out Jin's communicator. "Spider, appraise this too."
"Hey hey! Leave it to Spider-sama!"
The results matched Russell's own investigation exactly.
"So cards need direct observation for details? Or does it show what I already know?" He preferred the former theory. "We'll test later."
"Prepare Spatial Magic. We're leaving."
Though his identity exposure risk had decreased, he'd maintain the charade. Tomorrow he'd skip half a day, pretending to return from Northgate. A temporary solution—ideally, Russell and "Lux" needed to appear simultaneously.
Right, Aizen?
For Lux's body double, he'd already chosen Kai, who knew both identities.
"Hold tight! Spider Express departing! Choo choo~!"
Amid Kumoko's endless monologue, they vanished.
Meanwhile - Leigh-Xie's Location
The young man in dragon robes touched his right cheek, phantom burns still tingling.
After confirming no scars remained in the mirror, he snarled through gritted teeth. "Russell... I swear vengeance! Just wait!"
Remembering why he'd come to East-Haven, laughter bubbled up, growing louder and wilder.
Knock knock. "Young Master, your father summons you."
Leigh-Xie straightened his robes. "Coming immediately."
Secret Chamber
"Do you know why I called you?" The darkness couldn't hide the calm menace in the middle-aged man's voice—his father, Leigh-Shuo.
Leigh-Xie's heart sank. That tone meant severe displeasure. "Because I borrowed your card to confront Russell?"
Leigh-Shuo sneered. "You think I wouldn't know? No. Look at yourself. Where's your royal dignity? You've shamed the Leigh family!"
"Father, you never let me create cards!"
"That's not the point. Making enemies of traitors is acceptable. But a prince personally entering danger? Don't you understand—a gentleman doesn't stand beneath crumbling walls? And facing an unbeatable opponent, why didn't you retreat? Without the Ancestor Card's intervention, you'd be dead!"
Leigh-Xie couldn't admit his rage had overridden reason.
Disappointment flashed through Leigh-Shuo's eyes. "Enough. Return to your quarters for reflection. Don't emerge until our plan completes."
Leigh-Xie froze. House arrest was worse than death. But his father's next words dissolved resistance:
"Be patient. Once this matter concludes, we return home. As my only son, you'll naturally be Crown Prince of Coria."
The promise left Leigh-Xie dizzy. "Father, I understand my mistakes. I'll reflect properly."
After his son's departure, a young man with surgical scarring entered.
"Your Majesty, the Spirit Society heretics reported more Sect bases."
Leigh-Shuo's anger flared. "Those fleas reject the toast, they'll drink the forfeit. Time to teach them the consequences of obstructing my plans."
Association Headquarters
"We have a situation," President Simon announced irritably. "The Sect and Society have started open warfare. The coastal uninhabited zone is chaos. Fortunately, no civilian casualties yet."
His frustration was understandable—transfer in months, and now this mess. His appeasement policy had failed spectacularly.
"Damn it. Luther, Zayne—go there immediately. Contain this quickly. I've messaged President Russell to return."
Simon wouldn't go personally—someone needed to guard headquarters against diversion tactics.
"Yes!" Both departed.
Alone with the HR Director, Simon watched the man glance nervously at the door. "May I return to my office, President?"
Coward! Simon thought, but waved dismissively. "Be careful."
Coastal Battlefield
"Search for any remaining residents," Zayne ordered his cardmakers. Once they dispersed, he turned to Luther. "Let's see what they're planning."
A middle-aged man in red dragon robes appeared.
"Leigh-Xie?" Luther questioned.
"No," Zayne corrected. "The Corian Royals and Sect are definitely allied."
The man noticed them. "Well, well. Lawless traitors. Stay put obediently, or I won't mind dealing with you too."
Both directors bristled at the dismissal of Association authority.
"We strike after they exhaust each other," Luther whispered.
"Agreed," Zayne replied, though wondering why Lord Six hadn't appeared. Where was he? Alone, Zayne would act, but Luther's presence forced him to watch Society members fall. Not from sentiment, but fear of Lord Six's punishment.
Then a cold voice cut through the chaos:
"Think you have control, don't you... Leigh-Shuo?"
A young man appeared, followed by a ferocious white spider.
"My subordinates appreciate your 'care.' As reciprocation, you can stay here... beast of the Sect."
(End of Chapter)
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