"What do you mean you have no idea??!" Leo shouted, then continued,"Everything points directly at you, Lonz. There isn't a single thing that could even slightly distance you from being the first—and only—suspect right now—"
"Why now?!" Raym interrupted, yelling..."Do you even have absolute proof to condemn him??!"
Everyone turned toward Raym, shocked and confused...Meanwhile, Leo smiled calmly, confidence clear on his face...
"Oh… so you came after all," Leo said..."Raym, give it to me. Now..."
Raym replied, nervous and confused,"What are you talking about??? Give you what???"
Leo sighed, took a deep breath, then smiled gently at Raym and spoke calmly:
"Raym… I know how close you are to Lonz... I know you see him as a father figure... I know he's kind.Believe me—even we are struggling to accept what's happening...That Lonz is the traitor among us..."
"All the evidence points to him.So, Raym… give me the piece of cloth you're hiding..."
Raym glanced briefly at Lonz, then at Zak.Zak lowered his head and spoke quietly:
"I'm sorry… but I can't allow a suspicious outsider to remain among us..."
Lonz couldn't say a single word...He looked at Raym, struggling to breathe...
Raym couldn't believe what was happening—but he had no choice.He handed it over.
Leo examined it carefully, then said:
"Lonz, do you have anything to say in your defense now???"
Lonz suddenly screamed:"Please… give it back!!!That sin is mine alone!!!Don't touch it!!!"
Raym heard those words—and couldn't even bring himself to look at Lonz.
Silence filled the room...No one spoke, yet their gazes alone were enough to explain everything...
Finally, Leo made his decision...
"Lonz… you've been with us longer than most...Some of us are aware of the tragic incident you once endured.But that alone is not a reason for hostility."
"You were a source of safety and inspiration for many of us,"he said, glancing at Raym, whose sorrow was painfully obvious.
"But I regret to say… you have nothing left to defend yourself with."
In a final, desperate attempt, Raym shouted:
"Commander Leo, but are these truly absolute proofs??!Isn't it strange that all of this surfaced at the same time?!?As if someone deliberately framed him?!?Isn't—"
Leo interrupted him calmly:
"Raym… please, be realistic—even for a moment.Don't let your emotions deceive you..."
"Emotions, as a whole, are trivial...One must rid themselves of them—especially in a world like this..."
Raym said nothing more...
Leo concluded:
"Very well...Lonz, given the current circumstances, I've decided to place you under surveillance in your room until Commander Seroh returns and determines the appropriate course of action..."
Lonz realized words were meaningless now...He remained silent...
Raym rushed out of the room and locked himself inside his own.He stared at his sword lying on the bed...
"Do I truly live in a world built entirely on lies???Did Lonz really seek to use me???Am I nothing more than a tool to everyone???Do they even see me as human…???"
"Time passed so quickly...
I didn't even know how long I was thinking...
maybe for a few hours..."
A vision resurfaced in his mind...
A woman slowly walking away, shouting:"Raym!!!"
Her face shifted—becoming Lonz...
"Raym… do you truly think I'm a bad person???Do you see me as someone who seeks to exploit you???I only want to help you, Raym—"
Then he vanished, screaming.
Raym jumped to his feet and rushed toward Lonz's room, panic overtaking him...
The moment he entered, he found Zak staring in shock at the corner of the room...
A massive hole behind Lonz's bed...
And Lonz was gone...
They exchanged a single look...
They both understood.
He had escaped...!!!