Inside the royal study, a large map of Roma City was spread across the table.
Several locations had already been marked with ink.
Marquis rested both hands on the edge of the table.
"These are the places where my guards reported suspicious activity."
He pointed to three different marks.
"If the reports are accurate..."
"...their people are already inside the city."
Saito leaned over the map, studying each location carefully.
"I see..."
He nodded quietly, trying to remember the streets he had already visited.
The study door opened.
Bomb walked in first, followed by Rin and Kaito.
Bomb looked around.
"...What's going on here?"
Then his eyes landed on the elderly man standing beside Marquis.
"...Who's that?"
Saito looked up.
"Oh."
"Everyone..."
"This is Alpha."
Alpha gave them a polite nod.
"It's a pleasure."
Bomb stared for a moment.
Then his eyes widened.
"...Alpha?"
"...You mean..."
"...Alpha the Lightning?"
Saito looked at the old man in surprise.
"So..."
"That was your nickname?"
Alpha let out a quiet chuckle.
"...That was a long time ago."
"I haven't heard anyone call me that in years."
Rin scratched his head.
"Lightning?"
"You don't exactly look like the lightning type anymore."
Alpha smiled.
"Age has a way of changing appearances."
Kaito stepped closer.
His expression became more serious.
"...Alpha."
"One of the Balance Table."
"I've heard of you."
Alpha met his gaze.
"Yes."
"And you're Kaito..."
"...the former Noctarion."
Kaito gave a small nod.
"So..."
"Why are you here?"
Alpha rested both hands on his cane.
"I came..."
"...to clean up the mess in this city."
He glanced at the map.
"It appears your former organization has sent people to support Void."
Kaito looked down at the marked locations.
"...I see."
The room fell silent for a moment.
Bomb folded his arms.
"So..."
"We're not dealing with just one enemy anymore."
Marquis nodded gravely.
"I'm afraid not."
Saito looked around at everyone gathered at the table.
Then back at the map.
"Looks like..."
"...this vacation just turned into another mission."
Alpha tapped one of the marked locations on the map with his cane.
"It seems..."
"They didn't just send ordinary assassins."
He looked around the room.
"They sent their top officers."
The atmosphere immediately became heavier.
Marquis frowned.
"So..."
"Void requested reinforcements?"
Alpha slowly turned toward Kaito.
"You were once one of them."
"Do you know anything about this?"
Kaito remained silent for a few moments.
Everyone waited.
Finally, he spoke.
"...The top officers..."
"...are almost as strong as the Noctarions."
He paused before continuing.
"We only deploy them..."
"...when a Noctarion encounters serious trouble."
Bomb folded his arms.
"So..."
"Void called for backup."
Kaito nodded.
"...Most likely."
"He probably requested it himself."
Alpha gave a slow nod.
"That confirms our suspicion."
He looked back at the map.
"Then..."
"We should assume they are already operating somewhere within Roma City."
Saito crossed his arms.
"So we're not just hunting Void anymore."
"We're hunting his officers too."
The room fell quiet as everyone realized the mission had become far more dangerous than they had first imagined.
Saito studied the map for a moment.
Then he pointed at one of the marked locations.
"Then..."
"Maybe we should start here."
"...Moa Village."
Alpha looked at the map and gave a slow nod.
"A reasonable choice."
"We'll send any new information to you once you arrive there."
Saito nodded.
"Got it."
Marquis looked at Saito with concern.
"I can send some of my troops to accompany you."
Saito smiled and shook his head.
"No need."
"We can handle it."
He glanced toward another mark on the map.
"As for the areas closer to Roma Village..."
"...General Darren can take care of those."
Marquis considered it for a moment before nodding.
"Very well."
"Then I'll leave Moa Village to you."
Saito stepped away from the table.
He looked at Bomb, Rin, and Kaito.
"Let's move."
The three nodded.
Without another word, the Blue Scarf crew left the royal study together, heading out of the royal mansion to begin their next mission in Moa Village, while Alpha and Marquis remained behind, watching the young gangsters depart.
Saito and the others stepped out through the front entrance of the royal mansion.
Waiting near the front gate were Alya and Fanny.
Alya waved.
"There you are."
Fanny looked at the group.
"So..."
"Where are you all going?"
Saito adjusted his blue scarf.
"We're heading to Moa Village."
Fanny tilted her head.
"What for?"
Saito answered simply.
"To defeat some enemies."
Alya's smile faded.
"So..."
"The mission starts already."
Saito nodded.
"Looks like it."
He then turned toward Kaito.
"You okay?"
Kaito was quiet for a second.
Then he nodded.
"...Well."
"They're already searching for me."
"So..."
"Let's fight them."
Saito smiled confidently.
"That's the spirit."
Bomb cracked his knuckles.
"Looks like we're moving again."
Rin rested his scythe on his shoulder with a grin.
"I was getting bored anyway."
The group gathered at the mansion gate, ready to leave Roma Village behind and begin their journey toward Moa Village, where the Noctarions' officers were rumored to be waiting.
Meanwhile...
At a small house on the outskirts of Roma Village...
Void stood quietly near the window.
His emotionless mask hid any hint of expression.
The door creaked open.
Two men stepped inside.
One carried a massive, thick-bladed sword across his back.
The other rested a dagger loosely in his hand, casually spinning it between his fingers.
Void turned toward them.
"So..."
"They sent you to help me."
The swordsman bowed his head.
"Yes, Sir Void."
Void remained silent for a moment.
"I don't need help."
The two men exchanged a glance.
Then Void continued.
"...But..."
"Perhaps the two of you can make my work a little easier."
The man with the dagger smiled confidently.
"Of course we will."
The swordsman nodded.
"Just give the order."
Void walked over to the table where a map of Roma City was spread out.
He placed one finger on Moa Village.
"They're moving."
"And we'll be there before they are."
The two officers smiled as they looked at the marked village, ready to carry out Void's next command.
The man with the massive sword stepped forward.
"Sir Void..."
"Let me handle them."
A confident grin spread across his face.
"It's time to show them what a true assassin can do."
Void remained silent.
Then he slowly turned toward both men.
"And remember..."
"...one thing."
The two officers straightened.
"Yes, sir."
Void's gaze settled on them.
"Never..."
"...touch Kaito."
The man with the dagger let out a quiet scoff.
"Heh."
"He's already a traitor, sir."
"Maybe..."
"...I should take his place."
Void stared at him without emotion.
"You're too young..."
"...to take his place."
The room fell silent.
"Kaito became a Noctarion..."
"...at the age of twelve."
Void took one slow step forward.
"Can you do the same?"
The dagger wielder's confident expression faded.
He looked away with a click of his tongue.
"...Tch."
Void's voice remained calm.
"If either of you..."
"...lays a hand on him..."
"I will make your head..."
"...explode into pieces."
The two officers immediately lowered their heads.
"...Understood, Sir Void."
Void turned back toward the map.
"Your targets..."
"...are everyone else."
The room fell silent once more as the two officers realized that, despite Kaito's betrayal, Void still considered him untouchable.