Chapter 12: An Unexpected Visitor
Hiding away in the tavern, untouched by the changing seasons.
The battle between the Inverted Cross Legion and the Elder Council finally erupted in the winter of HxH Year 1998, with the first snowfall.
Just as Madou had predicted, the battle ended in a crushing defeat for the Inverted Cross Legion.
But no one had expected it to be so devastating, so absolute.
Noah and most of the key officers died on the spot, with only a handful managing to escape—their current whereabouts unknown.
Mord, clad in weighted training gear, lifted a stone barbell like a sword, practicing his swings in the courtyard.
These days, it was as if none of the chaos outside had anything to do with him.
In Mord's eyes, the Inverted Cross Legion was doomed to fail. This was evident from the moment Noah tried to recruit him, immediately offering him the position of second-in-command.
Mord knew his own limits well. How strong could a legion like this possibly be?
In his view, only Noah could barely be considered a skilled Nen user.
Only a fool would agree to join an organization destined for destruction.
After finishing his daily training, Mord wiped the sweat from his brow and glanced up at his house.
"Now that things have finally settled and supplies are mostly prepared, it's time to embark on the next journey."
On the very day Mord made this decision, a guest arrived at the Shinjuku Tavern.
Though the battle had ended, the repercussions it left behind were not so easily erased.
The tavern was still mostly empty.
Since he wouldn't be staying much longer anyway, Mord had resumed his role as a tavern server. At the moment, he was idly wondering where Madou had gone off to.
Just then, the door suddenly swung open.
Mord instinctively looked up, and a flicker of surprise surfaced in his eyes when he saw who had entered.
Standing at the tavern entrance were two figures—one man and one woman, one large and one small, one tall and one short.
The man was extraordinarily massive, with messy purple cropped hair, dark skin, elongated earlobes, and a face adorned with numerous piercings and several gruesome scars.
Dressed in rugged work clothes, his appearance resembled something out of a mad scientist's lab.
At that moment, he stood in front of the tavern, his head nearly brushing against the doorframe.
The girl beside him presented a stark contrast.
She appeared to be around eighteen or nineteen, with a pure and innocent face, also sporting short hair and black glasses. Her unfocused eyes gave her a naturally dorky charm.
Yet her figure was remarkably voluptuous. A black turtleneck sweater paired with casual jeans unexpectedly exuded a natural sensuality.
As she walked, the inverted cross necklace around her neck swayed gently, emitting a pleasant chime.
"Um, is Sister Madou here?" The mad scientist bent down and entered the tavern, approaching the counter where Mord stood, his voice unexpectedly gentle—completely at odds with his fierce appearance.
Phantom Troupe?!
Number 7, Franklin, and Number 8, Shizuku.
Mord hadn't expected members of the Phantom Troupe to appear in Meteor City at this time.
Were there only two of them, or had the others returned as well?
Was it for the Noah of the Inverted Cross Legion?
Countless thoughts flashed through Mord's mind in an instant.
After hearing Madou's past stories, Mord knew her ties with the Phantom Troupe ran deep. Franklin, who had been part of the group since its inception, was clearly an old acquaintance of Madou's.
"Sister Madou went out early this morning," Mord replied truthfully.
Franklin nodded and fell silent, simply taking a seat at the bar.
Shizuku sat beside him.
"Would you like something to drink?" Mord asked.
"Two glasses of water, please."
Mord turned around, poured two large glasses of water, and slid them toward Franklin and Shizuku.
"Sister Madou should be back soon. You can wait a little longer."
The water glass looked almost like a toy in Franklin's large hands as he cradled it. He took a sip, then set it down, lapsing back into silence.
Shizuku, too, remained quiet.
Neither seemed to be the talkative type.
After a moment of silence, Mord ventured, "If I may ask, what brings you two here to see Sister Madou?"
Shizuku pointed at Franklin beside her, indicating it had nothing to do with her.
Mord turned his gaze to Franklin.
Franklin pondered for a while before answering, "...Nothing much. We just happened to be back in Meteor City and thought we'd drop by to see Sister Madou."
"Understood." Mord nodded and stepped aside, dutifully fulfilling his role as the tavern's attendant.
The arrival of the Phantom Troupe had caught Mord off guard.
Though they had been amiable since entering, Mord intended to remain a silent observer until they left.
For now, he had no plans to get involved with the Phantom Troupe.
After a while, Madou finally returned.
As expected, she and Franklin were old acquaintances. Shizuku, however, clearly didn't know her, so she and Mord simply sat quietly, watching Madou and Franklin catch up.
From their conversation, Mord pieced together the gist of the matter.
Franklin had returned to Meteor City specifically to pick up Shizuku, the successor to the Troupe's Number 8, and had stopped by the tavern to greet Madou along the way.
He wanted to let her know that Machi was doing well.
"Don't bother reporting that girl's safety to me anymore. The moment she left Meteor City, her fate was out of my hands." Whether intentional or not, Madou glanced at Mord as she spoke.
"Is this little girl your new partner, Franklin?" Madou looked at Franklin as she spoke.
Franklin nodded.
"Shizuku."
"Little girl, do you know what kind of organization you're joining?" Madou studied Shizuku's innocent appearance, which seemed completely at odds with the Phantom Troupe.
Shizuku blinked.
"The Phantom Troupe."
Madou's sidelong glance caught a glimpse of the tattoo on Shizuku's waist. Since it was her own decision, there was nothing more to say.
"...Have you heard about Noah?"
Franklin nodded and said, "Shizuku was there when it happened. She's Richard's disciple."
From the Elder Council?
How had she never heard of this person before?
Madou couldn't help but look at Shizuku again. She'd lived in Meteor City for so long, yet she'd never known.
"The boss said everyone must take responsibility for their choices. Since Noah chose that path, his death is no one's fault but his own."
Franklin slowly stood up. "It's getting late. We should go. Is there anything you'd like me to pass along to Machi?"
Madou glanced at Mord, then shook her head.