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Chapter 385 - Crossing the Sea

"You make it sound like I'm about to do something dangerous..."

Zane glanced back at Ellen, muttering in mild exasperation. He didn't know exactly what Shin and the others were planning, but if it was only about subduing Hollow Zero...

It would be difficult, yes, but it shouldn't be too dangerous.

"Hmph. Should've kept my mouth shut. Annoying guy... Just don't get yourself into trouble, okay?"

At his lack of gratitude, Ellen pouted in annoyance, but still couldn't help slipping in a warning.

"Heh, if nothing goes wrong... will your tail still be around for me to chase?"

"You—!"

Amused by Ellen's flustered expression, Zane chuckled softly before waving goodbye and walking away.

After a few steps, a faint voice drifted to his ears from behind.

"Maybe... maybe there is..."

Zane's lips curved upward into a faint smile.

The flow of people soon swallowed up his figure.

Only after he had been gone a while did Ellen withdraw her gaze. Ruby and the others, standing beside her, wore the looks of spectators who had just witnessed a drama.

"What was that? A quarrel?"

"No way..."

"Who could possibly quarrel with him..."

Couldn't out-argue him, couldn't outfight him—and just now, she'd been led by the nose again. So frustrating.

"True..."

"After all, he's the one who actually got my Ellen to say 'maybe there is'..."

"What nonsense are you spouting?!"

"Oh, I heard it too—'maybe'~"

"That was just an empty promise for show! I would never—"

"Mm-hmm, sure, sure. But... 'maybe'~"

"Hehehe, 'maybe'~? Sounds more like a locked-in promise now. What's 'maybe' about that~?"

Ellen looked at her three friends, who clearly weren't budging and only wanted to tease her further, and her face darkened again...

...

Somewhere in New Eridu.

"So you used those people just to keep yourself hidden a little longer—not simply to stir up trouble?"

Shin raised an eyebrow after listening to the explanation.

"You really are a madman. Mobilizing an entire military district for robbery, just for that? You might suppress it for now, but when the reckoning comes..."

"That's assuming I live long enough to face it."

Tyce shook his head with a smile, unconcerned.

He gazed out through the glass at New Eridu. The smile on his face deepened. Everything was ready—only the operation remained.

"Tsk."

Shin clicked her tongue before speaking again.

"But are you sure you can hide this from the Church's embedded agents? I don't think it'll stay secret for long.

Even though we purged some during the municipal reshuffle and that trial, plenty remain well-hidden."

"It doesn't need to last long. Just a short while is enough. Otherwise, I'd have taken more time, made the plan more meticulous, instead of rushing like this."

Tyce's tone was calm as he continued.

"Even if they grow suspicious, it takes time to act—especially with me involved..."

"You? What do you mean, 'involved'?"

Shin looked at him curiously, surprised.

"My standing in the Church isn't exactly low."

Tyce smiled, his eyes gleaming.

"Huh?"

"Why else do you think I rose so quickly? Why I control so much? From the very start, when I gained influence over affairs outside New Eridu, the Church played an indispensable role."

Shin's pupils dilated slightly, her astonishment plain. She had thought she knew this man well enough—but clearly, not everything.

This guy had infiltrated the Church itself and climbed to the top ranks?

"When did it start?"

"Seven years ago."

"Seven years ago..."

"So you'd already envisioned all this back then? I remember seven years ago I was still in the clan, arguing with the elders, not even in the military yet..."

Shin shook her head slightly, a trace of admiration in her eyes. But she instinctively edged a little further from Tyce.

Truly terrifying.

"I wasn't that farsighted. I hadn't fully thought it out back then. The current plan took shape gradually as time passed."

Tyce shook his head. He was no longer young; even seven years ago, he already understood much about the Hollow and the forces behind it. It was nothing extraordinary.

"To be honest, the Church was good in the beginning. In those apocalyptic times, it was one of the few beacons of hope for humanity.

But later... the god they worshipped changed, and it became what it is now."

"Anyway, enough of that. How are things on your end? That 'Fire Picker'... If he joins us, he'll be a powerful trump card."

"He... there's no problem on my side."

Shin paused, her gaze turning toward the floor-to-ceiling windows. Standing in the vast conference room, she recalled the events that had led her here.

With Zane's personality, it should be fine.

But...

"I'm sorry..."

She murmured under her breath. Deciding on her own to draw Zane into this left her with a pang of guilt.

If she had stuck to her original stance—that their relationship was purely transactional—she would feel nothing now. It would have been simple.

But people aren't stone.

And Zane's character aligned so well with hers. True friends were rare—especially for someone like her, who had almost none.

She would just have to make it up to him later.

Tyce nodded at first, but his ears caught her mutter. Seeing her expression, he shook his head with a smile.

"You may be younger, but from the way we used to clash, I've always seen you as an equal."

Now I see you still can't escape certain things that come with age. Not a bad thing, necessarily, but still..."

Shin blinked, surprised, glancing at him.

What nonsense was this guy spouting?

Unbothered by her look, Tyce went on.

"Honestly, from your reaction earlier, it was already clear—the Fire Picker has integrated into humanity. That much is certain.

And he's close to you.

Now it seems those feelings run even deeper on your end. As for who he is, I already have my suspicions. A bit of investigation would confirm it—but I haven't bothered."

Tyce shook his head and chuckled.

"Because by the time I realized, the purpose of targeting the Fire Picker had already changed. Besides, you've already agreed to cooperate with us.

With you as the link, it's far better than us acting directly and risking worse consequences. I could engineer our 'atonement,' sure—but avoiding hatred altogether is far better."

Seeing Shin's wary expression, Tyce laughed twice.

"You're still too young. You can't control certain things, and you can't hide them very well either...

Heh. Since you've learned what you wanted, I'll take my leave. Make good use of your time."

He turned toward the door, but paused just before leaving. His voice drifted back.

"For your age, you've already done remarkably well. I believe New Eridu's future will rest in the hands of people like you...

...a truly beautiful sight."

His words faded softly as Tyce departed.

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