it's noon. Back at the inn. Zao has arrived to find it empty. Sicily arrives behind him.
Sicily: general Zao, I presume?
Zao:... I am. You were one of the residence that stayed at the inn.
Sicily: yes. I am Sicily Hale from Camus La Verse.
Zao: ah. The guardian everyone has been speaking of. It is an honor, though I apologize for the late greeting and the... Horrendous actions taken here the other day.
Sicily: hmph...
Zao: ... Is there something you wish for?
Sicily: take me to the highers at the tower. I'd like to know whats really going on here and why this place is so overrun with criminals on the other side.
Zao:...!? As you wish, my lady.
Zao and Sicily head to the center tower were the highers are gathered.
Meanwhile, Maini guilds most of the residence of the inn to a newer building. Some of the ones that were hurt were guided down to the underground. The others were left in disarray and confusion as they debate whether or not the new system of Silica is right after what they went through. Some of them were royals from around the continent.
In the underground, Main guides the others to the old man and John who was still tending to Caya. The old man hears them out and directs them to separate sections to be treated. Maini sees John using a vile and cloth to do something to her.
That night before the big day...
Gen returns to see the old man and John in a cluster and bickering to each other about something. Some thing looked wrong with Caya as she slowly starts to get worse.
Old man: Why isn't it working?! It has to work doesn't it? You have all you need.
Maini: is the blood wrong?
John: No. She'd have had a different effect and it would have put her in more pain.
Old man: Then what's wrong?!
John: the cause of envy can't be the general. I had Rexar follow him to get his hair but it didn't do anything at all.
Gen: oi. Whats going on?
John: Gen... The cause of envy is wrong. The serums not working.
Gen grabs John's shirt.
Gen:what the fuck do you mean it's wrong? What's wrong!? Everything was right on the mark and pointed directly to Zao being the cause!
John: Gen, relax! Now's not the time to....
Gen: to get frustrated?! Too late! I got no time left before my mission finally starts and it's the best fucking chance I got to getting everyone the fuck out of here! Don't you fucking dare tell me she can't be fixed after getting my hopes up.
John: THE CAUSE OF ENVY IS WRONG!! WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU WANT ME TO DO?!!
John's sudden shouting shocked everyone to silence. Gen let go from the pressure.
John: think for a second. Why the hell doesn't it make sense that Zao isn't the source of the wicked envy? Yeah, everything we were told does point to Zao. But then again why are we still doing this? Why is it the witch hasn't made her move on Zao at all yet? If it's not him, then who?
Gen: ... No.... No way.
John: when I think back, Arnwall was the only one she's had the most time with than any of the other guards. She must have found Caya and Zao a hindrance. Why is Zao the one getting depressed and Caya sick? Because they're always with him when he's alone.
Gen: That's just crazy?! Why didn't she curse Zao too?!
John: the wicked envy only works on the female target. Which either means she wasn't the first target and wanted to get rid of Zao first some how, or....
Gen: found out about them through Arnwall and it triggered the selection automatically.
John: exactly. With that being the case, she's most likely completely unaware of what shes done to all three of them.
Gen: it still doesn't answer how or why Caya has to be in this condition in the first place. I mean come on. Shes about to be married to Zao and Arnwall is single and their friend. After talking with him, its so obvious that he values that friendship. She should realize this also so what... Could...
John: what?
Gen thinks for a moment then looks to Caya.
Gen: ... The rumors... Arnwall told me recently there were rumors going through the whole guard sect from the higher spouting nonsense about the people.
John:... What the hell?
Old man: what do we do!? At this rate!
John: relax! Get Arnwall and bring him here. If his hair doesn't work then we have to convince the witch to stop this somehow. Or worse off...
Gen: she'd have to die. Take this. Its more of her blood.
Gen hands the blooded rag he got from Arnwall to John.
John: alright. Hurry.
John takes the rag from him. Gen rushes out to the black market. At the tower, Arnwall walks outside to the grass area and sees Basell sitting by the tree in the back reading a book.
Arnwall: aren't you her servant boy?
Basell: *gasp*! Oh... y-you're that commander from before. I'm sorry, I don't know your name.
Arnwall: Glace Arnwall. You?
Basell: just Basell. My family was slave born so we don't have a surname.
Arnwall: I see. Mind if I join you? I don't really have much to do until later. I'll just sit on the other side.
Basell: Ah! Not at all!! You can sit next to me if you like!
Arnwall: really?! Ah, thanks. I'll take you up on that.
As Arnwall walks towards him Basell's face immediately showed fear as he saw Gen reach for Arnwall's head. Arnwall turns around and pulls his blade. Blood is spilled and they both vanish in Arnwall's shadow below, leaving nothing behind. Basell drops his book and screams. Zao hears it from nearby and rushes to the scene.