"How did you know I wanted revenge?!"
Faced with Tendou Kisara's question, Rei Ao didn't bother answering. Instead, he curved his lips in a meaningful smile.
"Speak of the devil – and here he comes."
"Let's set aside your vengeance for now. Something interesting is about to happen."
Kisara hadn't managed to press for details when she heard a knock at the conference room door.
"Seitenshi-sama, Kikunojou Tendou-sama is here to see you."
Until a moment ago, Kisara had only looked confused. Now her eyes went wide.
Simply hearing that name triggered a huge shift in her aura. Sharp, fierce, brimming with violence – like a drawn samurai sword.
Her hand drifted unconsciously to the hilt at her waist. Everyone nearby could feel the keen edge of her presence.
Miyori Shiba frowned. She'd never gotten along well with Kisara anyway.
"Tendou Kisara, what are you doing?"
Kisara didn't respond. Her dark eyes remained glued to the door.
Her teeth ground audibly, as though she longed to devour someone alive. Her intent to kill coalesced so powerfully that no one could ignore it.
At her side, Seitenshi couldn't remain calm:
Kisara's voice, low and seething like a vengeful specter, escaped her throat. That name and that voice – never would she forget.
"He's the murderer who killed my parents—Kikunojou Tendou!"
Hissing her words out between clenched teeth, she emanated bottomless hatred.
From her experiences taking lives and fighting Gastrea, she'd honed a towering killing aura that now spilled out uncontrollably.
Only Haruno, standing beside her, felt discomfort from that oppressive intent. A large hand gently pulled Haruno behind it, and the feeling vanished at once.
Haruno looked dazedly at Rei Ao, who said nothing.
He's...looking out for me?
None of the others seemed too shaken by Kisara's transformation. They were used to death and killing – whether it was the handful of child soldiers or the heiress of a weapons company or a scientist, none found it surprising. But Seitenshi could not stay composed at all.
Hearing Kisara's words, her first reaction was disbelief, eyes betraying confusion and hesitation.
"Tendou-san, did you just say...Advisor Kikunojou is the one who killed your parents? Couldn't there be some misunderstanding?"
Kikunojou Tendou had always been her most trusted Advisor. Seitenshi placed extraordinary faith in him.
She couldn't imagine him murdering someone's parents, especially with them both sharing the Tendou name. She wondered if it might be a situation that could be resolved without violence.
Kisara spat out the word with an icy, cutting smile.
"We're both from the Tendou clan, but in his quest for power and status, he brutally disposed of my father and mother! That's how he climbed so high, becoming the Governor's most valued Advisor."
Seitenshi's heart pounded.
"That...that can't be..."
"Seitenshi-sama, Kikunojou Tendou-sama is requesting an audience."
Kikunojou's voice sounded again from outside. Rei Ao, who was happily anticipating a show, suggested:
"He's standing right there, so why not just do what I say?"
Beyond the door, Kikunojou Tendou raised an eyebrow, having heard that Seitenshi was inside. Yet twice, no one answered his knock, leaving him uneasy.
"Don't tell me Seitenshi isn't actually there."
He was about to push the door open to see for himself when:
It was Seitenshi's voice. He paused, then pushed open the door. The conference room was apparently deserted, with only Seitenshi and an unfamiliar man standing there. He halted for a moment on the threshold, then proceeded inside.
In truth, he'd walked right past the others.
Muroto Sumire was thrilled. Indeed, Kikunojou hadn't overlooked them on purpose – Rei Ao's "method" currently concealed and silenced them. Even if they tried shouting, Kikunojou wouldn't notice. In his eyes, there were only three people present, counting himself.
Kikunojou bowed respectfully. She nodded lightly:
"Advisor Kikunojou, you've come regarding the Cursed Children Rights Law, correct?"
Straight to the point. Though her head spun with questions, she had to keep it official.
"I did indeed come about that."
"Oh?" Rei Ao, at Seitenshi's side, suddenly interjected into their conversation:
"And what is your stance, Tendou-sama, on Seitenshi-sama's proposed legislation?"
Kikunojou's eyes narrowed, displeased. Nonetheless, he asked, "Seitenshi-sama, might I inquire who this young man is?"
Seitenshi faltered, unsure how to define Rei Ao's identity. She couldn't just say "he's an otherworlder planning to purge humanity."
"I'm a friend of Seitenshi-sama," Rei Ao offered, giving an answer that only sounded more suspicious.
"Yes, yes, Rei Ao here is my friend," Seitenshi pressed on, though it was obviously problematic.
A cunning man like Kikunojou easily sensed something amiss, but didn't voice it. Instead, he said gravely:
"I fully support Seitenshi-sama's decision that those unfortunate children should be granted proper rights."
"Thank you," Seitenshi responded warmly, relieved. She'd known her most trusted Advisor wouldn't oppose her.
Kikunojou's face twisted in displeasure as he glared at Rei Ao.
"Young man, what's the meaning of this?"
"Ha. You lie without a hint of shame. Truly a sly old fox."
With a flick of Rei Ao's finger, a wisp of black mist shot between Kikunojou's eyebrows before he could react.
Startled, he rubbed at his forehead. Nothing was there.
He demanded sharply, a growing sense of dread.
"No need to fear. It's just something to stir up your negative emotions, revealing what lurks in the depths of your heart – a little seasoning, if you will."
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