Joude Mai and Zero watched silently as Emiya quietly stepped into the inner room and closed the door behind him.
The former lowered her head and murmured: "Now that Nono's awake… you think she overheard everything we said?"
Zero was quiet for a moment before speaking softly: "…Even better that way. Let her see the truth early — Emiya's the better person for her."
————
Several hours later, when Ange disembarked from his plane, he finally learned that Odin was dead and the incident was already over.
…No. Perhaps it was better to say, it was only just beginning.
Ange knew well the vastness and richness of this ancient land called Shenzhou, its people and its prodigies, its ancient bloodlines scattered among the endless sea of humanity. Over a century ago, he had befriended a heroic warrior from this land, Lu Shanyan, who perished gloriously fighting a Dragon King.
And there were surely many more talents here, perhaps more than even he could imagine. Even among the so-called commoner students of Cassell Academy, a significant portion of mixed-bloods came from Shenzhou.
So he never underestimated the Shijia — these ancient bloodline clans, if they truly stepped into the open, could unleash unimaginable waves.
Leaving his Gulfstream G550, Ange was greeted at the private airstrip arranged by the local Secret Party division. Waiting for him was Cheng Shuangfan — clad in a business suit, but looking weary and haggard.
By contrast, Ange, in his own black suit with gleaming Italian leather shoes and a red rose on his chest, looked more spirited than a man half his 130 years — his white hair shining, his eyes full of vigor.
The two greeted each other and walked toward the waiting car.
"Headmaster!" Cheng Shuangfan couldn't wait to start briefing him: "The Shijia's stance is very firm. I believe they'll follow up with even more moves we won't be able to counter, to create an 'ironclad evidence' scenario…"
Ange gently patted his shoulder, signaling him to calm down. "I already know the situation. At least the Shijia agreed to our request for talks — that's a positive sign."
At least it meant their goal wasn't outright severance with the Secret Party, but something else.
Still beaten down by bad news, Cheng was not so optimistic. He rubbed his face to stifle his exhaustion before opening the car door for Ange.
The car sped off.
"The worst part," Cheng continued, "is that the Shijia already control every potentially valuable site in that compound."
Ange raised an eyebrow. "You mean… all the 'evidence' sites?"
"Yes, Headmaster. That means we've likely lost any chance to regain the upper hand."
"The upper hand…" Ange's eyes were half-hidden by his bangs as he mused. "I heard the Shijia have testimony from a key Gattuso man? Just one?"
Cheng answered immediately — he had personally handled that negotiation. "Yes. From what we've gathered, the Gattusos originally came to discuss a marriage alliance. But under the guise of 'protecting the bride-to-be,' they brought a whole squad of bodyguards. Then the Chen compound erupted in internal conflict, and Gattuso and Chen forces clashed."
"Plus the other Shijia intervened out of nowhere, turning it into a three-way melee — and with inferior numbers, the Gattusos took the heaviest losses."
Ange sipped at the information, then asked casually: "Is that all?"
"That's what we have so far — rushed, but reliable. There's also a flood of chaotic records of Shijia infighting, but hard to tell what's real."
After all, the Shenzhou division was in charge of dragon-related matters, not clan surveillance — they'd done well enough.
"Infighting… I see." Ange nodded slightly. "No hurry. The key is to address the Gattuso testimony. I'll get Frost to cooperate…"
"But sir, I already reported this to Professor Manstein at HQ — he said Frost has yet to respond."
"Don't worry. Frost isn't the kind to abandon his family or shirk his duties. Whatever's delayed him, he'll come through."
As he spoke, Ange dialed Italy. Sure enough, after a moment Frost's tired voice came through.
"Ange? You're about there, huh." There was a weariness in his tone that Ange hadn't expected — much like Cheng Shuangfan's, and even like Schneider's earlier that day. It struck Ange how hard his old acquaintances had been having it lately.
"That's right. Frost, you can handle denying the Shijia's claims, can't you? This concerns the Gattuso family and the Party's reputation."
"No problem."
Though technically a rival faction, even Frost had no stomach for internecine squabbles at this point. He sounded like a man forced into his role by his elders.
"On the honor of the acting head… I swear the 'illegal experiments' charge is slander." His voice was low and tight, like he was grinding the words through his teeth.
Ange sensed something wrong, but let it slide with a laugh: "Very good, Frost. We may have our differences, but at least this time we stand together."
————
The negotiation site was an old, venerable restaurant. Ange was no stranger to banquet culture, and went willingly upon hearing the location.
Cheng, nervous and suspicious, assumed the banquet would be a trap and wanted to bring more personnel to scope out the area — but Ange waved him off.
"There's an old Shenzhou saying: 'The guest follows the host's rules.' If you show up to a negotiation armed and in formation, are you still a guest?"
And so he strode in alone with Cheng.
As expected, Wanu was already seated in a private room, along with the heads of the other Shijia.
Unexpectedly, there were no fine dishes, no wine, no music, not even tea. Clearly, Wanu had no intention of playing the gracious host to this foreign leader.
"I've long heard of Shenzhou's famed hospitality," Ange said in flawless, elegant Chinese, "but now it seems your customs are… austerity itself?"
Wanu replied coolly: "Since the Thirteen Hongs of Guangzhou opened, you've come and taken countless dragon-blood treasures from us. In modern times, so many of our finest talents have flowed to your Secret Party… Is that not enough of a 'warm welcome'?"
Her words froze the smile on Ange's face.
(End of Chapter)
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