Ron didn't answer right away. He simply gave a mental command, and Natsu appeared.
Natsu stepped forward and unfastened the chains binding Elita. As soon as they were removed, the suppression of her Nen lifted, and her body began recovering at a visible pace.
"Thank you, Lord Ron," Elita said quietly.
"Let's go."
"Yes, Lord Ron."
Ron led Elita out of the No. 2 experimental facility.
Meanwhile, Illumi returned to the conference room.
The resources the Underworld Mafia had promised had been delivered, and so they pressed "Oster" for results again.
"We need results as soon as possible," one of the Ten Dons demanded coldly. "We expect you to form a team comparable to the Shadow Beasts."
At this point, the Ten Dons still didn't understand the true difference in strength between the Shadow Beasts and Oster's biological experiment squad.
"Within six months, we expect the squad's numbers to double."
Illumi nodded calmly. "Understood."
"Then go. Don't waste time—hurry!" another barked.
As Illumi left, the Ten Dons turned their attention to another matter.
"Since the Phantom Troupe has been wiped out, let's proceed with the auction as planned. We've already suffered enough losses… canceling would cost us even more and would damage our image."
"The underlings are already restless. If we show weakness now, there will be consequences."
The trouble with the Phantom Troupe hadn't been their fault directly. But as the leaders of the Underworld Mafia, the Ten Dons bore ultimate responsibility. Power brought obligation.
It was the same with the collapse of the United States of Saherta: many people were responsible, but the royal family bore the heaviest share.
No one noticed Elita's disappearance.
The No. 2 laboratory had been under Oster's exclusive control. With his death, no one else held the proper authorization.
Illumi, meanwhile, used a simple excuse to remain "inside the lab," controlling a few staff members with his needles to maintain the illusion that "Oster" was still working.
In truth, Illumi had already left Aurean.
When Elita spotted him, her pupils contracted sharply. A deep wariness filled her gaze—because Illumi still hadn't dropped his disguise. He still looked exactly like Oster.
Elita's voice rose urgently. "Lord Ron, be careful!"
Illumi met her wary stare briefly before turning to Ron.
As he pulled the needles from his body, the transformation unraveled. His figure distorted for a moment—swelling and then shrinking back as his features reverted to his true form.
"Ron," he asked evenly, "did you get everything you came for?"
"I did."
Ron gestured toward Elita. "This is Elita. She used to be one of the experimental subjects at the No. 2 lab—not this current one, but an older facility. For a time, she even served as a cadre in the Underworld Mafia."
Illumi's expression sharpened with interest. "Elita, do you know where the Ten Dons are hiding?"
After the Hunter Exam, Ron had instructed Elita to gather intelligence on the Underworld Mafia. She had delivered quite a bit of useful information, which was how Ron had learned so quickly that Oster was working with them.
"I don't know," Elita admitted, shaking her head.
Ron shifted his line of questioning. "Then have you ever heard of something called a 'place of absolute safety'?"
Elita frowned, thinking hard. "I might've heard something... yes."
Her memory seemed to clear as she spoke. "One of the Mafia officers told me: even if the whole world were destroyed, the Underworld Mafia would survive. Supposedly, there's an Ark hidden within the organization."
"An Ark?" Ron's eyes narrowed slightly.
"That's right." Elita nodded. The recollection seemed to grow clearer as she spoke. "He said: as long as you enter the Ark and follow its rules, nothing outside—flood, fire, earthquake—could harm you."
Ron and Illumi exchanged a glance.
If this so-called Ark truly existed… then it might very well be the Ten Don's sanctuary.
"What kind of rules?" Ron asked.
"I don't know. The officer who told me didn't know either."
"Cousin Illumi," Ron said quietly, "I'm going to take Elita back to Yorknew."
"Alright."
Illumi had already narrowed down the Ten Don's general hideout. But the internal structure was unknown. Unknown factors meant danger.
For now, Illumi intended to stay nearby and gather more intelligence.
And with the clue about the Ark… that might be the key to uncovering more.
Ron and Elita departed for Yorknew.
Illumi, meanwhile, pulled out his phone and called Silva.
"Father."
"Illumi," Silva's voice came through, "what is it?"
"Father, do you know anything about an Ark?"
"An Ark?"
"Yes. Supposedly a place where you can hide from any disaster. No flood, fire, or earthquake can touch it."
"Never heard of it."
"Alright."
Illumi hung up and immediately called Zeno.
But Zeno didn't know either.
"Grandfather," Illumi asked, "do you think Great-Grandfather would know?"
"No idea. But your Great-Grandfather is still in seclusion."
While Illumi worked his network, Ron was also trying to track down information.
He first tapped into Chii's network channels.
Then he placed a call to Mizai.
(Note-Mizai is Mizaistom, it is his nickname)
"Mizai," Ron asked, "can you give me the number for Piyon?"
Piyon was a member of the Hunter Association's Zodiacs—the literary hunter.
If any Zodiac might know about a mysterious thing like the Ark, it would probably be Piyon.
Mizaistom agreed, and Ron immediately started dialling her.
Before long, Piyon picked up.
"This is Piyon," her voice came smoothly. "Ron, right? Mizai gave me your number."
"Yes. Ron Zoldyck."
"I've heard of you," Piyon said cheerfully. "Ging's mentioned you. He said you're quite talented."
"You flatter me."
"So, what can I do for you?" she asked.
"I heard of something called the Ark. Supposedly, if you hide inside it, no disaster outside can touch you. Flood, fire, earthquake—it doesn't matter. Have you heard of this?"
Piyon sounded intrigued. "No, I haven't. But it sounds fascinating. Where did you hear about it? If you're going to investigate… mind letting me join? I'm very interested."
Ron hesitated for a moment. "I heard about it from a member of the Underworld Mafia. But… the intel is still thin. If you're thinking of investigating, it might be premature."