"In this matter, we are indeed at fault."
Masamune remained calm. A man who could dominate the Japanese underworld-even as an outsider-and rise to the position of Patriarch was never shallow. Morin's sudden outburst had only shaken him for a moment. He quickly adjusted, standing up and bowing deeply, displaying the composure of a true leader.
Morin almost commented that Japanese apologies were as common as drinking water, but swallowed the thought. Saying it out loud would burn the bridge completely-and while he did intend to burn it today, he didn't plan to do so under the banner of a Cassell specialist. Besides, the dragons arriving later would take care of that for him.
Still, a certain meme surfaced in his mind: a red-eyed duck mocking Japanese apologies.
Year one: "We are very sorry, but due to domestic pressure, we must discharge nuclear wastewater into the ocean... [bow]."
Year two: "We are sorry, but that is in the past. Please stop bringing it up... [bow]."
Year three: "What wastewater? I don't know what you're talking about! We did nothing wrong!" [red eyes].
Believing a Japanese apology, Morin thought, was about as reliable as believing a pig could fly. At least in extreme circumstances, the latter might actually happen.
"However," Masamune continued, bowing again, his tone filled with sincerity, "this matter is extremely serious. We hope the Academy specialists can share information regarding the Dragon King. This is not merely for us, but for the safety of the Japanese people."
His performance was flawless-textbook concern for the nation. If Morin hadn't already known exactly what kind of man Masamune was... and if he didn't have telepathy, he might have been fooled.
Caesar was stunned.
As the heir to the Gattuso family, he was used to arrogance, but even the Academy's internal records described Masamune as a titan. A man like this was bowing to them? He must be truly desperate. Caesar felt that refusing such humility would be petty.
"Mr. Tachibana, there's no need for that," Caesar said solemnly. "We came here for the Dragon King."
"But there is a condition."
Morin tapped the table sharply.
Caesar froze mid-sentence.
Morin sighed inwardly. A young noble, even a proud one, was far too easy to manipulate when faced with a shameless veteran of power politics.
"For the sake of the mission, we are willing to share information," Morin said evenly. "But our team is also tasked with inspecting the Japan Branch. We expect the Branch to stop obstructing us or stalling under false pretenses. Agreed?"
Masamune smiled, though a faint regret flickered in his eyes. If Morin had spoken just a moment later, they might have obtained the information for free.
"Of course," Masamune said. "That is our duty as a Branch."
Caesar looked at Morin.
I'm the leader, his eyes said.
Morin met his gaze calmly.
I'm the strategist.
"...Sorry. Please continue," Caesar said, lowering his head. He conceded without hesitation-Morin's recent achievements made arguing pointless.
Then a troubling thought surfaced.
Wait. I can't beat him in a fight either, can I?
So... what exactly am I the leader for?
Caesar fell into deep contemplation.
A moment later, he touched the Black Card in his pocket-and enlightenment struck.
Ah.
I'm the wallet.
...
Outside.
Constantine wiped his mouth, feeling as though he might actually spit fire-literally.
"Phew... phew..." Norton panted, jaw hanging open to cool off. "This place is trying to murder people!"
Beside him, Samson was downing water by the bottle. He opened his mouth, then wisely closed it again. He wanted to say, You're the one who demanded the highest spice level, but survival instincts prevailed.
"How does a place like this even have authentic Chongqing hot pot?!" Norton complained bitterly.
"Need help with the spice?" a voice asked.
"No!" Norton refused instantly.
"Water works very well, you know."
Norton shot Morin-the Water-Man-a suspicious glare. "Who knows where your water comes from!"
The water looked clear, odorless... but Norton understood alchemy. Matter didn't appear from nothing. Morin manipulated ambient moisture.
Which meant-
The more Norton thought about it, the closer he came to throwing up everything he'd just eaten.
"Stop thinking disgusting thoughts," Morin said cheerfully. "Focus on the bright side-like where you're going next!"
"That's exactly why I'm miserable!" Norton snapped. "Three grown men going to a host club? It's shameful!"
"Brother," Constantine asked innocently, "what's a host club?"
"Shut up!" Norton snapped. "Children don't ask about things like that!"
"Oh..." Constantine turned to Samson.
Samson shook his head. He wasn't sure either. Host club... maybe a place for people who herd cattle? He didn't see what was so scandalous.
"Counting the time you spent in the egg, you're over two thousand years old, right?" Morin said casually.
"Do you count years in the womb? You start from birth!" Norton retorted.
"Fair point," Morin nodded. "We're aligned there."
He waved down a taxi. "Alright, get in. Let's go."
"You still haven't told me what you want us to do there," Norton said, herding Constantine and Samson into the car before buckling himself into the front seat. He stared at Morin in the driver's seat. "You're not doing this just to mess with us, are you?"
"Of course not," Morin said, starting the engine. "Do I look that bored?"
"Yes," Norton replied without hesitation.
"There's a gift waiting for you," Morin continued smoothly.
"What gift?"
"The person who killed the former Lord of Oceans and Water will be there tonight," Morin said. "Not his true body-but if you kill this avatar, it'll draw him out."
"Anyone capable of that isn't ordinary," Norton said slowly.
"Wow," Morin whistled. "Does awakening really boost IQ that much?"
"I was always smart!" Norton roared. "That's basic deduction! Basic!"
"Alright, alright, you're smart," Morin said, flooring the gas. "But for you, does anything really matter besides strength?"
"Only kill that one," Morin added. "The rest are... tolerable people."
"Tolerable people aren't tolerable dragons," Norton sneered.
"Agreed," Morin nodded. "I've never met a 'good' dragon."
"You think we want to be this way?" Norton shot back. "You're the one who said it's genetic! And as a dragon yourself, aren't you insulting yourself?"
"First, I never said I was a good person or a good dragon. Second, my type of dragon is different from yours. So when I say 'you guys,' I'm not including myself."
...
"Does Mr. Water-Man count as a dragon?" Constantine finally asked.
He'd been asking hundreds of questions lately. Norton was irritated but answered anyway-better than letting the kid cause trouble. The Encyclopedia covered a lot, but it didn't account for dragons using human tools. For example, it said turn the doorknob, not turn it without crushing it.
If dragons ever integrated into human society, Norton decided, he'd write a Dragon Edition Encyclopedia, classified by generation and physical stats. It would be an industry standard. He could already see the profits.
"Old Tang's soul really influenced you," Morin's voice drifted over. "A Dragon King planning to make money by writing books? Seriously?"
"I told you to stop reading my thoughts!" Norton snapped. "And I was just thinking-I didn't say I'd do it!"
"It's only reading if you don't notice," Morin replied calmly. "I'm doing it openly."
"That's not better!"
"Probably because you're secretly planning to do it."
"I'm trying to forget it!"
"Sure you are."
"...I hate you."
"We're here," Morin said, pointing at a brightly lit, luxurious building. "Go on. Channel all that anger at the target. Think of him as a punching bag."
Norton slammed the door and stormed out, Constantine and Samson following. He considered leaving them outside-but given their appearances, the location, and Morin's unpredictability, he decided to keep them close.
Guards? Irrelevant. They weren't here to sneak in. Morin had already masked their presence from human perception.
Then Norton locked eyes with a man in a black suit-a stereotypical "tough guy."
"...You said you wanted to crash the place anyway," Morin appeared beside him.
"You're not worried I'll hurt people?" Norton asked coolly.
"Everyone here has blood on their hands," Morin replied. "You won't kill an innocent by mistake."
He gestured invitingly. "As the Lord of Bronze and Fire, you must be holding back centuries of rage. Why not vent a little?"
At that exact moment-
Electromagnetic shielding: Deactivated.
Data modification: Reverted.
Mind control: Released.
Satellites, cameras, and human perception snapped back into place.
All the suppressed information flooded outward.
In the Cassell Academy library control room, a red dot flared on the screen. Alarms blared.
"What's happening? EVA!" Schneider barked.
Unable to locate Norton earlier, the Academy had activated EVA's full persona-five times her usual processing power. She'd found nothing... until now.
"I have located the Lord of Bronze and Fire," EVA said, her voice tinged with something dangerously close to anxiety.
"All of them."
"That's good!" Schneider said instinctively. Finding everyone at once was preferable.
"I mean everyone, Professor," EVA continued.
"The Twin Lords of Bronze and Fire-Norton and Constantine-their subordinate, and the Lord of Oceans and Water are outside this host club."
"And inside," she added, "are our specialists: Caesar, Chu Zihang, Morin, and Lu Mingfei. Along with Syndicate Patriarch Masamune, and the heads of the Genji and Inuyama families."
"...What the hell?" Schneider nearly lost his breath.
The good news had instantly turned into a nightmare.
"Why," he demanded hoarsely, "are they at a host club?!"
"I have ordered an immediate evacuation," EVA replied.
"The reason for their presence is that Caesar rented the entire venue and invited the others."
"I knew that playboy would be trouble!" Schneider nearly coughed blood.
In his panic, he failed to notice something critical-
EVA had issued orders.
Without being instructed to do so.