"Mhm, that's me."
The Kuranta girl with long silver-white hair responded casually. Her white outfit matched her name, and her snowy hair flowed like a waterfall down her shoulders and back. Her features were flawless—refined, elegant, almost surreal in beauty.
But if you mistook her for a decorative doll, you'd be fatally wrong.
When it came to assassins, Kazimierz's Headless Alliance was among the top on all of Terra.
And among them, Platinum and Blue Gold stood at the pinnacle—two of the elite "Inverted Triangle" assassins.
Blue Gold narrowed her eyes, staring at the girl in front of her with obvious suspicion.
"So, the famous 'Platinum of Kazimierz.' What exactly does someone like you want with me?"
She knew that the current Platinum had only taken the title recently—after the previous one failed a mission. In terms of pure strength, Blue Gold might still edge her out. But that wasn't something she could rely on.
"I was sent to bring you back—dead or alive."
Platinum's tone was flat, like she was commenting on the weather.
"Dead or alive, huh? Looks like those old men in Kazimierz finally figured out I'd never go back willingly."
Blue Gold smirked bitterly."If I returned, I'd either be locked away until I rotted or drugged up and forced to fight to the death in the arena. Maybe the latter would at least be useful—at least I'd be earning someone money."
"I don't know the specifics." Platinum shook her head."But I believe, if you truly did nothing wrong, the Grand Elder would protect you."
Platinum was well aware of how harshly infected were treated in Kazimierz. Not as cruel as Ursus, perhaps—but still deeply unjust. And someone like Blue Gold, who held dangerous knowledge about the elite, would be seen as a threat.
"The Grand Elder? If he truly cared, infected like me wouldn't be treated like trash."Blue Gold sneered."He only cares about one thing—legacy. And his precious 'knightly spirit.' That's all that ever mattered to him."
Platinum paused."How… did you get infected?"
"Last mission target. He was infected—and knew he wouldn't survive. He rigged his entire home with primitive Originium bombs."
Blue Gold's face went pale, clearly recalling the trauma."Most of the squad died… including 'Xuan Tie.' I didn't get caught in the blast, but I still inhaled too much Originium dust."
"...I'm sorry."
"No need to apologize. You're just doing your job."
Blue Gold raised her bow, arrow already nocked."But don't forget—I'm still Kazimierz's Blue Gold. If you want my life, ask my bow first."
Platinum surprised her.
She didn't move to attack. Instead, she let out a long sigh.
"Did I say I planned to complete the mission?"
—Scene break—
The "cargo" was brought out from the back room of Liu Gang's headquarters.
But the moment Revy saw the boy, he shook his head.
He knew what the real Seventh Prince looked like—and this wasn't him.
This was a decoy, a body double trained to act as the real one and cover his escape.
"Is something wrong?"
Liu Feiyun asked nervously.
After realizing how dangerous the situation was, all he wanted was to wash his hands of it. He was ready to cut ties—no matter the cost.
Even Revy's slightest reaction made him panic.
"Nothing."
Revy stood up and slowly approached the boy. The child had remained silent ever since seeing the Rhodes Island insignia on Revy's coat.
"You're the fake… which means the real asset must still be on you, right?"
Revy asked.
The boy didn't respond right away.
But after about ten seconds, he turned his head toward Revy and asked quietly:
"…Verification phrase?"
"The guiding light has faded… but we still chase it."
The boy was stunned—but nodded. Then he held something out.
Revy gently accepted the object and tucked it into an inner pocket beneath his coat.
"Damn it!" Kunlun grumbled from the side, still bitter from his earlier defeat."We checked every inch of that kid. What'd he do, hide it up his—?"
Liu Feiyun didn't understand either. He opened his mouth to ask, but Revy spoke first:
"Some things… you're better off pretending you never saw or understood.""That's how you stay alive. Got it?"
"Cough, cough…"
Liu Feiyun forced a few fake coughs to cover his embarrassment."So, Mr. Revy… what should we do next?"
"Nothing."
"...What?"
"I said—nothing needs to be done."
Revy stood up again, a sense of finality in his voice.
"The rest is my job."