Saito looked around at his crew.
The festival was still alive with music and laughter.
No one else knew what was about to happen.
He took a deep breath.
"...Alright."
"We split up."
Everyone immediately focused on him.
Saito looked at Alya first.
"Alya."
She adjusted the device on her wrist.
"Yes?"
"You go with Bomb."
"Try to create a distraction."
He glanced toward the crowded festival grounds.
"Draw the visitors away from this area."
"The fewer civilians near the stage, the better."
Bomb grinned.
"I've got a great distraction."
He reached into his bag and pulled out one of his small bombs.
He tossed it into his palm with a smirk.
"Nothing dangerous."
"Just loud."
Alya smiled faintly.
"...I'm in."
Bomb laughed.
"Let's make some noise."
The two quickly headed toward the opposite side of the festival.
Saito watched them go before turning to the others.
"Rin."
"Fanny."
The two stepped forward.
"Yeah?"
Saito pointed toward the rows of buildings surrounding the festival square.
"You two climb onto the rooftops."
"Take opposite sides."
"Watch every street that faces the stage."
"If you spot anything suspicious..."
"Tell us immediately."
Rin rested his scythe across his shoulder.
"Heh."
"Finally."
"A rooftop job."
Fanny nodded confidently.
"Got it!"
The two sprinted off in opposite directions.
Within moments, they disappeared into the crowd before climbing onto nearby buildings.
Saito then looked at the only person still standing beside him.
"Kaito."
Kaito met his gaze.
"...I'm with you."
Saito nodded.
"Good."
"We'll stay near the stage."
"If Void makes a move..."
"We'll respond immediately."
Kaito looked toward the brightly lit stage where Marquis continued speaking to the cheering audience.
"...Let's hope we're not already too late."
Without another word—
The two walked toward the center of the festival.
Meanwhile—
Bomb and Alya disappeared into the sea of visitors.
Rin and Fanny raced across the rooftops.
And above the celebration—
Unknown to them—
The first pieces of Void's plan were already falling into place.
Martha hurried through the crowd, weaving between rows of spectators.
Her heart pounded with every step.
"Mom!"
Aria turned as soon as she heard her daughter's voice.
"Martha?"
She smiled gently.
"What's wrong, honey?"
Martha grabbed her mother's hand.
"We need to go."
"Right now."
Aria's expression changed.
"What happened?"
"We need to get Dad."
"Please, just come with me."
Seeing the fear in Martha's eyes, Aria didn't ask another question.
She simply nodded.
"...Alright."
"Let's find your father."
The two quickly made their way toward the stage.
People continued watching the festival, unaware of the danger around them.
Then—
Bump.
Aria had accidentally brushed against an elderly man walking with a wooden cane.
The old man wore simple robes.
His eyes were clouded white.
Blind.
Martha immediately bowed her head.
"I'm sorry, sir."
The old man smiled faintly.
"...It's an honor, Your Highness."
Aria froze.
"You..."
"You know who we are?"
The old man's smile slowly disappeared.
"...Sir Void will succeed."
A chill ran down Martha's spine.
The cane slipped from the old man's hand.
Instead—
His other hand reached beneath his robe.
Shing!
A sword flashed into view.
"MOM!"
Aria instantly stepped in front of Martha, spreading her arms protectively.
The old man raised his blade.
Before he could strike—
Clang!
Another sword intercepted it.
Sparks burst between the two weapons.
The old man turned his head slightly.
Standing before him—
An elderly man with silver hair rested his cane beside him.
Alpha.
"How about..."
Alpha smiled calmly.
"...you and me fight instead?"
The blind man's expression remained unreadable.
"...Alpha the Lightning."
"So..."
"You're here."
Alpha twirled his sword once.
"I couldn't exactly miss a festival."
The blind man—Johnson—lifted his blade.
"...Then I'll remove you first."
Without another word—
He lunged.
Clang!
Steel collided again.
The force pushed both old warriors backward.
Alpha steadied himself.
Then called out without looking away from his opponent.
"Your Highness!"
"Get the King out of here!"
Aria nodded firmly.
"Come on, Martha!"
She grabbed her daughter's hand.
The two rushed toward the stage as Alpha and Johnson continued exchanging blows, their swords ringing through the alley while the festival carried on, unaware that its hidden battle had already begun.
Saito and Kaito pushed through the crowd, heading straight for the stage.
The music continued.
The audience clapped as another performance began.
But Saito's attention was fixed on one thing.
Marquis.
He had to reach him before Void did.
Just as they broke through another row of spectators—
A figure stepped into their path.
"Stop."
Saito came to an abrupt halt.
"...Norway."
Captain Norway stood with several police officers behind him.
His sharp eyes studied Saito carefully.
"...You again."
He sighed.
"Are you here to create chaos again?"
His right hand suddenly began to change.
The skin shimmered like liquid.
Moments later—
It hardened into a gleaming metal sword.
The officers behind him immediately tensed.
Saito quickly raised both hands.
"No, no!"
"Norway, you have to listen to us."
Norway's eyes narrowed.
"...Speak."
Saito took a step forward.
"We think Void's target is King Marquis."
For the first time—
Norway's expression changed.
"...You know Void is here?"
Saito nodded immediately.
"Yes."
"His men have already made their move."
"They're all over the city."
"We don't have much time."
"We need to get the King out of here."
Norway remained silent.
His metal blade stayed raised.
"...And why..."
"...should I trust a gangster?"
Saito met his gaze without looking away.
"Because if I'm lying..."
"You lose nothing."
"But if I'm telling the truth..."
He glanced toward the stage.
"...every second we waste brings Void closer to the King."
The crowd continued cheering behind them.
Completely unaware of the conversation taking place.
Kaito stepped beside Saito.
His voice was calm.
"...I'm a former Noctarion."
"I know how Void operates."
"He never attacks the place everyone expects."
Norway looked between the two men.
His grip tightened on the metal sword.
The decision had to be made—
And quickly.
Sakura looked at Norway, waiting for his decision.
"Captain…"
"What should we do?"
Norway stayed silent for a moment.
His eyes remained on Saito.
The young gangster stood there seriously, no longer joking or acting careless like usual.
Only urgency remained in his expression.
Norway sighed.
"…Fine."
He turned toward his soldiers.
"Escort the king away from the stage."
The sergeants immediately nodded.
"Yes, Captain!"
The officers quickly moved forward, pushing through the crowd.
Saito looked at Norway.
"Thanks."
Norway glanced at him.
"Don't thank me yet."
His metal sword slowly returned back into his arm.
"Let's just hope you're right, Blue Scarf."
Saito gave a confident smile.
"I am."
Kaito looked toward the stage in the distance.
The sound of the crowd was still loud.
The performance continued.
But now they knew something was wrong.
"We need to be quick."
Saito nodded.
"Yeah."
The two of them immediately rushed toward the stage.
Norway and his officers followed behind them.
The crowd began noticing the sudden movement of soldiers.
Confused voices started spreading.
"What's happening?"
"Why are the soldiers moving?"
But Saito didn't slow down.
His eyes stayed fixed on the stage.
Where Marquis was still standing.
Where Void's real target might be waiting.
And somewhere in the middle of the celebration—
The enemy was already moving.