A heavy silence fell over the room as neither of them spoke another word. The idea that something like this had been brewing for a long time unsettled everyone.
If Lola’s theory was true, then they were facing a war with the Bellemonte. However, that only raised the stakes, because a war with the Bellemonte would be easier than one with the other founding families.
The second question now was: which of the founding families was behind this?
Was it just one of them? Or all of them?
The questions that followed their conclusion flowed one after another, and with each one, the mood continued to sink.
"For now, this information will not leave this room." A moment later, Atlas’s voice cut through the heavy silence. "You are the only ones I have discussed this with, and if this information leaks, everyone here will be the first I investigate."
He paused, his expression as cold as ever. "And I will not be lenient."
Everyone’s expressions stiffened, but their eyes burned with determination. They nodded slowly, their silence more than enough to show their understanding.
"Even so, I believe whoever is behind this already knows that we know," Lola cut in calmly. "Act as naturally as you can. Don’t let anyone know how far we’ve uncovered things. If anything... if Pika and Tyga’s efforts were fruitful, then the only thing the enemy knows is that we might have uncovered the mystery of Ashkar and whatever Florida found in Jarvis’s home."
"Maybe just Ashkar, if we’re lucky," Florida added, giving Lola a knowing look. He had already told her about that part. "When I arrived at Jarvis’s home, it was already on fire. That’s what got my attention in the first place, as it was close to the governor’s residence."
That night, although fires had spread throughout the city, the governor’s residence itself remained untouched. Jarvis’s home, being consumed by flames, stood out like a black mole on a white canvas.
"Either way, all of you need to tread carefully once you leave this room," Lola remarked, her eyes scanning every face. "This isn’t just about Ravah or ourselves. It’s the entire Order—every family under the Zorken name—that’s on the line."
She paused, her expression sharpening. "This time, screwing up even a tiny bit will not be forgiven."
Another heavy silence settled over them. This time, her words carried real weight. Unlike before their first mission in Ravah, no one questioned Lola anymore.
"Keep your eyes sharp and your ears open," Atlas spoke again. "We don’t know the full extent of this yet, and I wouldn’t be surprised if they’ve already planted someone within the Order."
"Scarlet. Haji." He called their names, watching them look at him. "I need the two of you to investigate members of the Order. Start with everyone in Ravah, particularly the region of Ha. Do not concern yourselves with Ashkar for now. Slater is already aware."
Haji pressed his lips together, stopping himself from asking unnecessary questions. Even so, he was tempted to doubt Slater’s ability to manage Ashkar at all. The man likely had support from Atlas’s elite team—most of whom were stationed there—but Haji wasn’t exactly confident in him.
So far, all he had seen Slater do was complain and talk to his favorite snacks like they were people, hoarding them in a not-so-secret vault.
"Yes," Scarlet answered without hesitation. "Leave it to me."
Haji snapped out of his thoughts and nodded, then blurted out, "Why me and her, by the way?"
His question drew everyone’s attention. Scarlet arched a brow, and even Lola tilted her head slightly in confusion.
In everyone else’s mind, the reasoning seemed obvious. No one would question Scarlet if she started probing people—she was that type. As for Haji, he had just joined the Order, and this was his first mission. His curiosity and tendency to ask questions wouldn’t raise suspicion.
However, Atlas’s answer caught everyone off guard.
"Everyone’s interest in the two of you makes for an excellent distraction," he explained in his usual flat tone. "It draws attention away from others."
Haji’s face twitched, while Scarlet’s expression darkened, a vein bulging on her forehead. Her glare intensified when she heard a quiet snicker from Lola’s direction.
"Hehe... sorry," Lola muttered, lowering her head and looking away as she felt the invisible flames radiating from Scarlet.
"She really is terrifying," Lola whispered, dragging her chair an inch closer to her husband and vowing to avoid eye contact with Scarlet for the rest of the meeting.
"With that, everyone else will proceed with their assignments," Atlas continued, shifting his gaze around the room. "If you understand, then this meeting is dismissed."
Yet even after that declaration, no one immediately stood. They remained seated for a few seconds longer, grim expressions lingering.
"Let’s go," Tyga quietly urged Pika. "We still have work to do."
Pika perked up and nodded, rising to his feet and bowing slightly toward Atlas and Lola.
One by one, everyone stood, determined to uncover more—if possible—or at least do whatever they could to ensure the Order gained an advantage, or, if they were lucky, prevent a full-scale war.
But just as they were about to leave, Atlas spoke again.
"Ah." He lifted his head, eyes shifting to Haji near the door. "Hajime, have you answered her question? I’d like to hear it."
Everyone near the door froze, brows knitting in confusion. Haji’s face twisted.
"Huh?" he let out. "What question?"
Lola blinked as well. "Baby, what are we talking about?"
Instead of Atlas answering, Baby spoke. "The master is referring to the question you asked Haji in the square."
That made everyone pause and look up.
What had Lola asked that Atlas still remembered it amid everything else? Just how important could it be?
They didn’t realize until Baby spoke again.
"How do you plan to survive without me?" Baby repeated evenly. "That was the question."
The moment those words settled in the room, expressions stiffened. Slowly, all eyes turned to Haji.
Scarlet, standing beside him, scoffed. "You’d better have a good answer to that," she leaned in mockingly. "Yes, it’s a tricky question."
She smirked and walked away. Everyone else followed, offering Haji silent looks of sympathy before leaving him behind.
Haji turned to Lola, but as expected, she was no help as she only shrugged at him.
"So?" Atlas leaned back, eyes fixed on Haji. "How do you plan to survive without her?"
He paused and emphasized, "My wife?"