Myouka crossed her arms, her gaze icy as she watched the Watcher 20's broadcast on the big screen. Her voice dripped with disdain. "Insane. These people have lost their minds!"
Elder Kasamaki sat in his wooden chair, hands folded, his eyes as deep as a still lake, seeming to see through the chaos. He slowly shook his head, his voice steady but weighted. "They're not mad. They've simply revealed the truth a step ahead of this world."
Riyugi lifted her head, her brows slightly furrowed. "The truth?"
Elder Kasamaki squinted, as though seeing the coming storm. "Unrest is brewing everywhere. The situation is a spark away from erupting into a wildfire. It won't be long before disputes and wars break out across the globe. They've merely laid bare the hidden secrets while we're still hesitating."
Standing by the window, Rayl looked down at the city lights in the distance, a cold smile playing on his lips. "Exactly. They've spoken first. At the very least, they've shifted the early chaos in their favor. The pressure on them will lessen significantly because of it. Don't you understand how terrifying the power of public opinion can be?"
His words struck like a blade, cutting through everyone's thoughts.
Riyugi lowered her gaze in silence, her expression a mix of turmoil and frustration. Myouka clenched her fists, her knuckles white. Even Yahageshii, usually full of confidence, seemed visibly shaken.
After a brief silence, Yahageshii finally spoke, his voice low and gruff like distant thunder. "What will the other factions think of their actions? The Watchers… Do they really have the strength to take on the Crimson House?"
The air grew even heavier. No one dared to address the looming question.
Myouka suddenly slammed the table, her voice sharp with a tinge of fear. "Could it be… Could they have already gained the power of the Warlord? Is that why they dare to stand so tall and proclaim themselves?"
Her words detonated like a bomb, sending shockwaves through the room's tense atmosphere.
Rayl's gaze sharpened, an unusual seriousness flashing in his eyes. "It's also possible… they're forming alliances, gathering forces under the chaos to expand their territory."
Before anyone could respond, a faint groan echoed from outside, cutting through the heavy air.
Riyugi sprang to her feet and hurried out. Pushing the door open, she saw someone collapsed on the ground, covered in blood, their breath so weak it was barely audible.
"Someone's injured!" she shouted, drawing everyone to rush out.
Rayl's eyes filled with rage the moment he saw the person lying there. He knelt down, grabbing the man's arm. "Kyohei! Kyohei! What happened? Who did this to you?"
Kyohei struggled to open his eyes, his trembling hand clutching Rayl's arm. His voice was faint, fragmented. "It… It was the Watchers… Shingin… he… left… someone… save me… they…"
Before he could finish, his breath left him, and his hand fell lifelessly to the ground.
"Kyohei! Wake up!" Rayl roared, shaking his lifeless body in vain.
Riyugi stood frozen in the doorway, her expression like ice, unable to move. The metallic scent of blood lingered in the air, while Rayl's fury ignited like a wildfire.
"Kyohei!" Rayl's voice reverberated, raw and filled with grief as he gripped his friend's cold wrist. The once-vivid spark in Kyohei's eyes had faded forever.
Myouka glared at Kyohei's lifeless body, muttering through gritted teeth. "Those lunatics!"
Elder Kasamaki stood silently to the side, his clenched fists betraying his calm demeanor. His gaze was as deep as an abyss. He sighed softly, his voice tinged with sorrow. "The Watchers have moved too quickly…"
"Too quickly?" Rayl's head snapped up, his eyes blazing with fury. "No, Elder. This isn't speed. This is provocation!"
Yame finally stepped forward, her voice trembling as she addressed Rayl. "Calm down. Maybe we don't know the whole truth yet—"
"The truth?" Rayl roared, cutting her off. "What truth do we need? They killed Kyohei! Our comrade! What more 'truth' is there?!"
Rayl's fiery gaze swept over his companions, each word like a hammer on steel. He stood tall, his fury a storm about to erupt.
"Leader, let's go to war!" Rayl's voice thundered, echoing through the courtyard.