"No, something doesn't add up here," Leo said quietly, his eyes sharp with concern. "If a high-level demon was involved, we should have seen a Black Gate. This Red Gate doesn't make sense. Why were the threat levels off from the start?"
Skye let out a weary sigh, as if she was grappling with the same question.
"You're right. It should have been a Black Gate. The only possibility is that someone— or something— tampered with the sensors. Another powerful demon must have hidden the true danger of the gate."
Leo's fists clenched in frustration. An unsettling feeling stirred within him, suggesting that there was more to this situation.
"Even if that's true… if Belial, the most feared demon, was involved, no one should have made it out alive. Not a single person. So how did Abel Ashfall survive? How did the others get away? It all seems… too convenient. Like it's a trap."
He sighed deeply. "But without clear evidence, if we voice these concerns, people will think we're just being paranoid."
Skye nodded, her sadness now intertwined with a grim realization. "I know. I share those doubts. But the stories from the survivors are the only ones the Federation will pay attention to. Two of them are from our clan, and the third is Abel Ashfall himself. Their accounts align."
Her hands shook as she held them together. "They said Leonis was the demon's main target. Belial sensed his incredible potential and aimed to kill him first. And Father… they say he used all his power in one final, massive explosion to fight back the Archdemon, sacrificing himself to give the others a chance to escape and alert the Federation."
A heavy silence enveloped the room. Rina cried softly, her tears soaking Leo's shoulder. But Leo forced himself to remain composed, his mind racing with anger and doubt. Abel Ashfall was still alive. His father and brother were gone. Everything felt too perfectly tragic to be just an accident.
But now was not the time to succumb to grief.
"Big Sister…" Leo's voice was rough, yet his gaze remained steady, filled with determination. "We can't just sit here and mourn. If demons are truly making a move, we need to be prepared. We must get ready for what's coming next."
Skye looked up at him. For the first time that night, a flicker of strength returned to her weary eyes. She nodded slowly and firmly.
"I understand," she said. She gestured toward nearby seats. "Sit down, Leo. Share your thoughts. Let's create a plan. Together."
Noticing the serious shift in the conversation, Rina stood up gracefully.
"I'll go make you both some tea," she offered softly.
"Make mine a black coffee, please, Rina," Skye replied, sticking with her usual choice.
"Of course, sister," Rina said before quietly leaving the room.
Once Rina was gone, Skye's expression turned serious. She looked directly at Leo, her gaze filled with both affection and a strong warning.
"You've made a good choice with her. You have to cherish Rina—because if you ever hurt her, I will make you regret it."
"I know," Leo replied immediately. He understood completely how special Rina was, to him and to Skye as well.
Shifting back to the pressing issue at hand, Leo's face grew serious again.
"We need a plan to respond to this tragedy."
Skye nodded, watching him intently. Some might think it was cold to strategize so soon after their loss, but she understood. The Roschild clan couldn't afford to fall apart. To survive, they had to think ahead.
"You clearly have an idea already," she said, encouraging him.
"Tell me."
With their father and Leonis gone, the weight of leadership now rested on Skye's shoulders. Though only seventeen, she would officially become the clan leader in a few months after graduation. While Leonis was known for his brilliance, Skye was incredibly capable in her own right. Her impressive fire abilities and her forthcoming advancement proved her strength and commitment.
Leo looked at his sister, recognizing the immense pressure she carried. His days of being a carefree younger brother were over. In the wake of this tragedy, he knew he had to step up and help share the burden.
"I'm calling this plan… 'Act Before They Do,'" he declared.
For a brief moment, Skye almost smiled at the straightforward name. Even in dark times, Leo's personality peeked through. But she could sense the determination in his voice.
"You know what's coming next," Leo continued. "We've lost our two strongest warriors. Our enemies won't just watch. They'll see us as weak and will attack. Especially the Ashfall clan—they wouldn't miss a chance like this."
Skye's expression became grim as she nodded. This fear had been haunting her since she received the news. The Ashfalls had been their rivals for generations, suffering under Roschild rule for years. Now that they were vulnerable, they would likely strike with all their might.
It wasn't that the Roschilds were completely defenseless. They still had other strong backers such as the elders, but they were older now, their powers long past their peak, they were unable to further advance. Relying on them to act decisively, would be suicidal. Although , peak grandmasters (tier 3), those elders couldn't reach the next realm. From the Novice stage to the Grandmaster stage each stage was divided into three tiers, after the Grandmaster stage come the Transcendant stage, the ultimate stage.