The group chatted in the video store for a while longer, but since Nicole's business still wasn't resolved, Zane didn't stay long.
As dawn approached, he left the video store to rendezvous with Hare's House.
It wasn't until daylight that the "Masked Fools" gathered in the Janus District finally began to disperse. Even so, the district was left facing a temporary "overpopulation" problem.
Still, it was only temporary and wouldn't cause any lasting impact. The authorities were already swamped with other crises and had no time to deal with this.
Zane, who had already removed his Fool's mask, walked among the masked crowd, scanning his surroundings. For the first time, he felt a strange sense of dissonance in the air.
After crossing much of the district, he finally regrouped with Hare's House at a prearranged spot.
Meanwhile, those taken from the banquet hall—unconscious when Hare's House had carried them out—were beginning to stir awake.
...
"That's it? Somehow, I don't believe that..."
In a damp, shadowy basement, Shin sat casually in a chair, a faint smile tugging at his lips as he surveyed the makeshift interrogation room before him.
His gaze lingered on the captive as he spoke again.
"Really nothing else to confess? No other information to give me?"
"There's really nothing more! I've told you everything I know! The scholars from the Society—"
Seeing the man still trying to hold out, Shin shook his head lightly, a touch of helpless amusement in his eyes, and said nothing more. The Falkenhayn Mercenary Troupe at his side carried out their "work" with practiced efficiency.
Before the next round of interrogation could begin, several voices echoed in from outside. Shin instantly recognized them—Hare's House, and Zane's among them.
She rose to her feet at once and stepped outside, ready to share the intel she had just squeezed out of her family's captives, eager to hear Zane's thoughts.
...
"So, what's your plan?"
"Are you going to send a gift, probe further, and dig deeper—or call it quits here?"
Shin smiled, her tone tinged with teasing as she looked at Zane. But he only gave her a calm glance, clearly seeing through her intentions.
"No need to worry. I don't quit halfway. But it seems the most we'll get is some peripheral scraps. As for what's truly important..."
Zane's voice softened, then trailed off.
Shin's smile faded, and she gave a small, thoughtful nod.
Exactly. Their secrecy was airtight. They barely knew anything about Titan Technology, let alone anything deeper.
Still, it wasn't as if they had learned nothing.
"By the way, Shin—you said the leadership of New Eridu has split into factions. How exactly are they divided?"
Zane folded his arms, one hand brushing his chin in thought.
Knowing their enemies clearly was critical. Vagueness only wasted effort.
"Ah, that's not complicated."
"The Exaltists, Vision Corporation, White Noise and the Ravenlock Family."
Shin spread his hands as he explained, then added when he saw Zane's look,
"Among them, the Exaltists and the Vision Corporation hold the most power. Most who went after you belong to the Exaltists. As for Vision... I have no interest in their so-called vision of the future, but their technical strength is undeniable."
He blinked at Zane, smiling faintly.
"You remember what I told you before, right? About the underground in Mars District... That's one of Vision's major gathering points."
Zane's eyes lit with understanding. Soldier 11 had mentioned Trigger heading to Mars District, and he'd later picked up more clues. He'd suspected it before—now it was confirmed.
"War machines?"
"Mm. More or less. War machines made from Ethereals."
Shin smiled as he said it, his gaze settling on Zane with a glint of deeper meaning.
"To deal with me?" Zane raised a brow.
"Of course not. They're built to fight Ethereals. You don't even count as one anymore..."
"Then why are you looking at me like that? That's weird."
"Because I feel like it."
Shin tilted his snow-white chin proudly, wings unfurling at his waist like those of a swan.
Zane's lips twitched. He casually plucked one of the feathers and turned to walk away.
"I've heard bird feathers make good pens. Let's test yours."
"Hey!" Shin winced, quickly retracting his wings. His expression darkened as he glared at Zane's back.
"You bastard! If you're curious, go buy your own! Who rips mine out?!"
And he wasn't even a bird—he was a Thiren!
Zane thought of a dozen comebacks, but what came out was only:
"Because I feel like it."
...
Time slipped by.
In just half a month, the banquet hall incident had faded. Shin was scolded by his family, but the matter was quietly dropped. Zane came out unscathed.
Hare's House was officially wanted, but it was obvious the authorities just wanted the matter buried. The notices mentioned only "Masked Fool accomplices," without naming Hare's House or giving any identifying details.
Everyone else played along, waiting for the case to grow cold and be sealed away.
But the ripples it stirred hadn't died down—they were still burning fiercely, even growing worse.
...
Sixth Street, video store.
"Zane! Zane!"
With a bang, Belle shoved open the door—but then quickly froze, bracing herself as if on guard.
Two seconds passed. Nothing happened.
She turned her head and spotted No. 6 sitting nearby, calmly watching her.
Between striking and not striking, No. 6 made the smarter choice. He had expected her arrival.
Belle tapped him twice on the head, then strode toward Zane.
He was stretched out lazily on the sofa, eyes closed—whether meditating or sleeping was unclear.
Belle frowned.
Hadn't he been in the exact same position when she left?
What the hell? She had run all over to gather intel, eager to share it with him, and he just...
Her irritation boiling over, Belle stomped forward and climbed onto him, kneeling sharply on his legs. Her knees dug into one thigh—
Zane's eyes flew open instantly at the pain.