Messy hair brushed across the girl's vacant eyes. She seemed to have lost all courage and means of resistance, standing there as the broken light cut her shadow into countless pieces.
Akabane Tsubaki looked up, her lips trembling as she asked one last question, "Why?"
"Have you remembered what I told you?"
Xu Xiaoyou took off her mask. Natsu Kuri could finally see the face beneath it. There was no joy, madness, or distortion.
There was only the tranquility of a deep autumn lake; that expression had remained the same from start to finish.
"Repeat it."
Akabane Tsubaki didn't understand why the other was asking such a question. She felt like a string-pulled puppet being toyed with, repeatedly rejecting the reality before her eyes, drawing a line between her inner self and the outside world, severing all connection with her own body.
She gave up on thinking, gave up on wondering about anything. She didn't try to pick up her pride or self-esteem, nor did she resist Xu Xiaoyou's words.
"Obsessively following conventions only leads to self-destruction..."
A hollow voice weakly emerged from Akabane Tsubaki's moving lips, echoing through the empty room. The surrounding Eight-Spider members couldn't bear to see their little family head's humble and fragile appearance and silently looked away.
"Never easily believe what you see..."
"When you have the ability, be the dictator of rules, not the one who compromises..."
Xu Xiaoyou nodded and handed the gun to a nearby Eight-Spider member. "Follow me."
These words were meant for Akabane Tsubaki behind her. The Eight-Spider members parted to clear a path. Noticing the various gazes around her, Akabane Tsubaki smiled, as if mocking her own pitiful, bedraggled state.
With heavy steps, she walked past the armed figures and gradually disappeared under the pale lights. In the darkness, Akabane Tsubaki walked slowly, supporting her own arms. The skin of her scraped knees and calves was covered in dust, with blood constantly seeping from small, cracked wounds where glass shards had embedded themselves. The girl's tear stains had already dried on her cheeks. She kept her head down, her eyes dim and lifeless.
The former liveliness, stubbornness, and innocence seemed to have been stripped from this little family head. What walked down the corridor was merely a numb, wound-down puppet.
Though only a few minutes had passed, it felt like an eternity to Akabane Tsubaki. After an unknown amount of time, she realized she was standing before an old man. It looked like a hospital ward. Figures holding guns stood in sorrowful and solemn vigil. The room was fully equipped with various life-support medical devices. An old man lay on the bed, connected to tubes, his breathing weak.
Akabane Tsubaki recognized the old man on the bed. "Sebas?"
The old butler was significantly thinner than the last time she had seen him, his face gaunt and unrecognizable, his skin as dry as tree bark. If the old man had previously given an impression of martial strength, he now seemed like a patient whose life was like a flickering candle in the wind.
Akabane Tsubaki's dim pupils shrank. She stepped forward and grabbed the old man's hand. "Sebas, is it you?"
"What... what did you all do to Sebas?"
She looked around at the surrounding figures and questioned them hoarsely. Seeing the same sorrow on the faces of these Eight-Spider members, Akabane Tsubaki realized something and looked at Xu Xiaoyou standing at the door.
"I have fulfilled our agreement. It is time for you to fulfill your promise, Specter."
"Of course..." The person on the bed slowly sat up. He was still wearing that neat old butler's uniform. The light of the setting sun passed through the curtains, climbing up the old man's upright torso and illuminating the Red Tree family crest.
An Eight-Spider member stepped forward and handed a black-gold trimmed bank card to Xu Xiaoyou. "Miss Xu, this is a black gold card from Northern Bank. Your reward is inside."
Northern Bank was a subsidiary of Northern Heavy Industries, a branch of Universal Heavy Industries. All municipalities north of the Jotunheim Mountains line in Red Heaven were within the territorial jurisdiction of the Northern Heaven family's armed forces. The supreme leader of Northern Heaven was named Odin, who had guarded the far northern frontier for generations.
"Northern Heaven?" Xu Xiaoyou accepted the bank card.
That place was said to have the second safest bank in the world. When war broke out, many prominent families from war-torn regions would exchange their vast family assets for gold to store there. Compared to the illusory data streams of the Oasis, the thick permafrost of the cold realm clearly made them feel more at ease.
Northern Bank utilized a relatively primitive business system and did not open withdrawal channels on the curtain. It seemed she would have to make a trip to the north eventually. She was quite curious what kind of reward a renowned prism grade fixer could deliver to her.
"Miss, I am truly sorry for letting you see me like this," Sebas said with a slow, heavy smile.
Akabane Tsubaki shook her head, gripping the old man's hand tightly. "What are you talking about? Let's go home quickly, back to Chi City. My brother will definitely find a way to cure your illness. Why didn't you tell me before?"
No matter how naive she was, Akabane Tsubaki had guessed that this old butler, who had cared for her since childhood, was the legendary, fierce, and brutal Roman. Perhaps she had noticed long ago; she had privately investigated the Eight-Spider organization and sent people to Dekvido City to inquire, but they hadn't found even a sliver of news regarding them.
It was as if they had appeared out of thin air in Dragonfly Town, barging into people's daily lives and loudly proclaiming their glorious past to make themselves look untouchable. At the time, Akabane Tsubaki had snorted in disdain.
"Sebas, you were fine when we met last time. Why did you suddenly become like this?" Akabane Tsubaki's voice was already hoarse from crying.
"Didn't I say I hate it most when you hide things from me? You promised me you wouldn't hide anything anymore. Has your health been like this for a long time? You never told me."
"Sebas... let's go home... let's go home..."
"Miss, I know my physical condition better than anyone. I cannot go back." Sebas smiled as he smoothed Akabane Tsubaki's messy hair, a complex light flickering in his weathered eyes.
In the blink of an eye, the little girl who used to ride on his shoulders shouting about catching dragonflies had grown so much. He had watched her grow up, clearing away too many lurking dangers so that she never encountered the dark side of the world, allowing her to retain her original naive, willful, and carefree nature.
Many said he had spoiled her, making her so headstrong. He had wondered if he had done something wrong, if he had protected her too much. But whenever she appeared by his side like a little sun, looking at everything with curiosity and warming everything around her, he would convince himself over and over to let this time last a bit longer, to let her innocent smile stay in his dull life for just a bit longer.
His wife had left him when he was young. For over a hundred years, he had held onto that original, sincere emotion without ever wavering.
If he had a daughter, and she was the same age as the lady, would she be just as innocent and romantic?
Perhaps he had long ago poured all the love a father has for a daughter into this little family head. From the moment she sweetly named him Sebas, he had let go of all his past obsessions and grievances.
Warm emotions had melted his icy, stone-like shell of the past, allowing him to pull his sharp edges and regretful remorse back into his flesh. He had grown a new framework and taken root in place, willing to use all the remaining time of his life just to grow into a large tree, casting shade to accompany this innocent girl while blocking all the intense heat and storms. He only wanted to create a carefree paradise for the girl, where she could sit on the grass and paint, looking up to see the blue sky and showing a brilliant smile.
"Were all those things done by you?" Akabane Tsubaki couldn't bring herself to voice her interrogation for a long time. Finally, she sniffled and spoke in a halting voice.
Sebas didn't speak. At this moment, several untimely voices rang out from behind Akabane Tsubaki.
"Whoa, don't push me."
"You pushed me first! I'm dizzy as hell!"
"You two, that's enough. Look at the atmosphere."
Akabane Tsubaki froze for a few seconds before woodenly turning her head. She saw the members of the Night Walkers standing in a row at the door, pushing and shoving each other, looking at her with sheepish smiles.
"You guys..."
"Ahem, I was worried my acting wasn't realistic enough for you to catch on," Night Owl said, clearing his throat. "I endured the smell of pig blood for so long; it's a relief the final effect was decent."
"Hey, Meijiu, you're really something. You were actually the little family head of the Chi family in Red Heaven. Do you know what my face looked like when I found out the truth?" Owl complained with her arms crossed.
"Exactly, exactly. We actually felt a bit guilty about using your little personal vault for the mission. Thinking about it now, we should have taken a bigger cut!" Sparrow said, holding her head.
"Meijiu, you really are stupid. Once you get worked up, you can't think straight at all. How could anyone die from falling a few meters? There were safety mats below!"
"Easy for you guys to say. When this person was pointing an anesthetic gun at my forehead, I was genuinely scared of the pain, okay!" Sparrow waved her fist and glared at Xu Xiaoyou.
Xu Xiaoyou smiled helplessly. Akabane Tsubaki's startled gaze shifted over. "You were teamed up with them to lie to me from the very beginning?"
Before Xu Xiaoyou could organize her philosophical words, the dark-red-haired girl threw herself into her arms, wailing like a child. "You guys are too much! Everyone was watching me make a fool of myself. This isn't fun at all..."
The girl in her arms cried so hard it was pitiful. The gentleness on Xu Xiaoyou's face slowly faded, and she said, "Because this was never a game. The time for playing house is over, Meijiu. You have reached the age where you must think about your own future and learn to take responsibility."
"How much longer can Sebas stay with you? A month? Two weeks?"
"A ship is safest in the harbor, but that is not why ships are built. Ships are born to sail toward the sea and the distant horizon."
Akabane Tsubaki sobbed with her head buried in Xu Xiaoyou's embrace, nodding gently.
"Everything that happened tonight, and the words I've urged upon you—you need to use the days ahead to keep them in your heart and digest them, until you grow into a responsible leader worthy of others' trust and following."
"This world is not a fairy tale. There aren't that many beautiful stories. Parting and death are common occurrences. A harsh reality like Yugawa Mao's is what everyone should learn to accept."
"Your future is destined to stand in a bright and glorious place, to become a lighthouse for the majority, pointing the way for people in the dark and inspiring their faith and courage. You have already wasted too much time. You must grow up quickly now. Do not let your footsteps be bound by the past. More precious things worth protecting will always be waiting for you on the road ahead."
Xu Xiaoyou gently patted the girl's back to comfort her.
"Remember, Meijiu. This is a ceremony before parting, and it will also be your last lesson before facing the true and cruel reality."
"Then, what about Chi Tianyi?" Akabane Tsubaki asked.
"He will be sent back to the Chi family," Xu Xiaoyou answered.
Akabane Tsubaki's face darkened slightly upon hearing this. She didn't throw another tantrum, but only asked softly, "What about the mothers of those girls?"
Xu Xiaoyou didn't answer directly but turned on the television in the room.
"We interrupt with an emergency news broadcast."
A gentle female voice echoed in the room. On the screen, armed helicopters flew over a suspended airway. A prison van moved forward under the escort of several armored vehicles.
"Chi Tianyi, a member of the Chi family who has been missing for several days, was found a short while ago. He is currently being escorted by an armed convoy to Chi City and will undergo a public trial within the next fifteen days."
"Next, the head of the Chi family, Chi Autumn, will give a speech."
The scene shifted to the other side. In an office illuminated by light, a young man sat upright.
"Everyone."
The young man's expression was calm and solemn. He wore a red military uniform with the Red Tree family crest pinned to his chest. His handsome features gave off a sense of aloofness, and a dignified, majestic aura emanated from him.
"To all citizens of Red Heaven, I am the current head of the Chi family, Chi Qiu. The Chi family has always adhered to the iron-blooded principles of justice and discipline. It was so in the past, it is so now, and it will be so in the future. Chi Tianyi has seriously violated family rules. When a family member commits a crime, they are naturally as guilty as any citizen."
"The current situation of Red Heaven is not optimistic. Every citizen here bears a heavy future on their shoulders. You should understand what kind of existence we are fighting against. You should understand the heavy burden and mission of the pilots. We may make mistakes, we may lead everyone in the wrong direction, but that does not mean we are neglecting, condoning, or abusing the privileges bestowed upon pilots by the Red Tree."
"The people are the foundation of the state; when the foundation is firm, the state is peaceful. We will reflect on ourselves, we will constantly correct our mistakes, and we will bring a better future to each of you. I hope all citizens of Red Heaven will give us their trust and confidence. The previous rulers planted many seeds of brutal evil. I know that regaining the people's heart is as difficult as rebuilding a collapsed tower; the road is long and difficult, but we will reach the end if we keep moving."
"The power of words is pale and weak. Time will prove our attitude and determination, and prove that we are walking in the right direction."
"As a warning to all those with ill intentions or who hope to get lucky, the public trial of family member Chi Tianyi will take place in half a month. At that time, I will personally preside over the trial. All evildoers will meet a just trial and receive their due punishment."
"May the glory of the Red Tree shine upon the earth, illuminate the darkness, and guide and protect his people forever. That is all."
"A public..." Akabane Tsubaki's eyes reflected her brother's figure on the television. "Trial?"
"Miss, this is also the last lesson I want to teach you."
Sebas's slow and steady voice came from behind.
"We are in a dark era, but that doesn't mean the darkness of the era is right, nor does it mean we must become a part of the darkness. Do not defend the darkness, do not take pride in crawling through it, and do not mock those who stand up bravely with faith."
"One who carries firewood for the masses must not be left to freeze to death in the wind and snow, or be trapped by thorns."
"Better to be humble as dust than twisted as a maggot."
"Even the most naive justice is worth protecting."
"Believe firmly that even in the darkest places, there will be a faint flame burning."
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