Chapter 27: Conclusion and Revelation

A young man steps out of a luxurious black car in front of a high-rise building, assisted by what seems like his secretary. His long blonde hair is dashing, his outfit screams wealth, his posture is magnificent, and his eyes are…

"Kirisame-sama, your next meeting will come in twenty minutes, I shall use the remaining time to prepare your new suit."

Kirisame Magnolia. The current head of the most prestigious and successful Enterprises in Japan, mainly focusing their products and services in technology advancement. More importantly as everyone knows, he is also the current Ninth Herald, whose mask is currently hidden elsewhere.

"Do that, and don't forget to cancel my booking to London. Something…came up."

His secretary nodded. As soon as he stepped up from the stairs to enter the building, he sensed a presence which was somewhat familiar to him. He clicked his tongue as if he had no time to deal with the individual, which is somehow true due to his schedule.

He turns his gaze towards the man.

"What do you want? I'm pretty sure you know that I'm a busy man and my time is more important than anyone else, Tokisada."

Tokisada threw his cigarette aside before stepping out of the shadows. He then tips his hat and shortly bows as a show of some formality.

"Hehe, I never knew you recognize me well enough to know my presence. I'm honored." Tokisada says with a carefree smile on his face.

"Tsk. Spit it out, you don't want to waste any more of my time."

His secretary takes out her mask and looks at Tokisada with a hostile glare. As a response, Tokisada puts his hands up and chuckles.

"Hey there missy. I believe I haven't seen you yet, you must be new. Anyway I'll heed your Lord's advice."

Tokisada then presented Kirisame with the scroll that Akafuyu gave him. He then explained the situation briefly to not waste more time.

"Akafuyu faced such a problem, poor girl. Hmp, do whatever you want."

Kirisame just threw the scroll aside and walks away, which made Tokisada's expression turn serious. He caught the scroll and folded it back.

"That was rather easy. Thought you'll be more defensive with your shareholders, a major one in fact." Tokisada seems like he's testing Kirisame out.

"Yoshu already exhausted his usefulness to me right after he pulled out a major share and transferred it elsewhere. Besides-"

"Hooh?"

— — —

The whole ordeal lasted from dawn until the afternoon when the sun was starting to set. It was evident: the [Swords] have won the battle. The [Scythes]'s officers were all caught and had their masks confiscated, with the exception of Juzo, or rather, Zaiaku who was killed in battle and his mask destroyed.

Their leader, Rivet (Orochi), however, got away like the snake she is. Though with Gwyn striking a fatal blow to her, she will definitely lie down for a long time. Everyone greeted and hugged each other after the ordeal. The S.T.R.I.K.E team were all very happy after seeing each other well and still-standing despite the injuries they've taken.

"I knew you'd come out victorious Kiyoto, and it looks like you have some interesting stories to tell us. But for now, let's head back and celebrate our victory here."

Johan patted Kiyoto's shoulders and assisted him to walk.

"Thank you. I'm glad everyone's safe. Let's head back and greet those who are waiting for us."

Everyone nodded in response. As soon as Kiyoto thought of asking where Commander Gwyn was, he showed up in front of the manor, waving at them with his hands covered by bandages. The gang is now complete and ready to head back.

To summarize the next following days after the ordeal:

The captured members of the [Scythes] were all kicked out and were blacklisted into entering the territorial city. Their names and identity were all listed in their files for references. They were asked before, if what does Orochi offered them and they all answered the same thing: authority over the territorial city, where everyone has their own mask.

It was a vague idea, but Rivet was a master of deception. Her flowery mouth can produce one of the best pitches, like she can be a perfect sales lady. And what if it was not effective? Well, she can always rely on her toxins. Now that she's confirmed to be still living and on the loose, the [Swords] patrolled all the areas that she may have used as a nest, but she has not been found. Thus, they theorized that she already left the territorial city.

As for the arrest of the Magnate-

"I see…looks like he has nothing in his name anymore."

Akafuyu commented after hearing Tokisada's report.

Magnate Yoshu, without the knowledge of everyone with the exception of Kirisame, has already auctioned all of his belongings to a man named Kōshō. Though the said person didn't actually use the manor or any of Yoshu's belongings after getting it, which made it suspicious. Since they do not know the reason, they just guessed that Rivet has something to do with it.

"And where's Yoshu?"

Akafuyu inquired as she scanned through the reports of the previous ordeal while massaging her temple.

"Untrackable."

Tokisada answered.

Akafuyu and Klauss were surprised at his statement.

"Since I had the spare time back then, I thought of going after that Yoshu next so that I can clear up some confusion. But his tracks lead to nothing as if he just outright vanished." When Tokisada declared the person untrackable, that means there's nothing they can do.

"That's certainly suspicious. You think Rivet is the one who did it?"

Klauss asked since Tokisada and Rivet were once members of the same organization.

Tokisada chuckled.

"Haha, I can't say for sure. We're really not close, I would rather stay alone than to have a talk with her back then."

A knock came from the door.

"Ah, I think that was Kiyoto-dono. Let me get the door."

"Well I think I'm dismissed for now. If you need me again, you know how to reach me Akafuyu-chan. I've got a lotta free time anyway."

"Oh I know, you don't have to tell me."

Akafuyu immediately replied with a sarcastic tone, as if to ease up the tense mood.

Tokisada just chuckled and was about to exit the room until he saw Kiyoto walking towards Akafuyu. As if time has slowed down, Tokisada observed him for a while and then-.

"Eh?" Kiyoto reacted.

Unknowingly to him, Tokisada halted Kiyoto by blocking his path with his hand. Realizing this after a while, Tokisada snapped himself back and smiled towards him. He then commented:

"Interesting mask you got there." He then left.

"Strange old man as always."

Akafuyu remarked once again regarding Tokisada's behavior. She then gestured to Kiyoto to be seated in front of her desk.

As for the reason why he is here is because of the report regarding Zaiaku's destroyed mask.

Kiyoto told them everything that had transpired in his battle with Zaiaku. Interestingly or rather unfortunately enough, Kiyoto seemed to forget about the voice and appearance of the woman who was speaking to him as he unleashed the power of his mask. But he remembered the detail of activating the mask. Also one more thing, he concealed the information regarding Akimitsu.

"The power of your mask…is the ability to modify its power in accordance with what you are resolved to change…" Akafuyu summarized, yet she still can't believe how powerful that was.

"The Mask of Change. Interesting, that will be its name from now on. Hmm? I just realized something. If that mask is also able to destroy another mask, does that mean you've done it on your own?" Klauss pointed towards the crack in Kiyoto's mask.

Kiyoto looked down.

"I also thought about that myself. Though I can't think of any reason why I have done it, since I have no recollection of my past memories."

"Thought so." Klauss says.

Akafuyu looked at the vault where the Mask of Fervor is being kept. She then smiled wryly, which Klauss seemed to notice. He then puts his skeleton hand in Kiyoto's shoulders.

"The Helm of Fervor as you can see, is quite not what it used to, Kiyoto-dono –"

Hearing this, Akafuyu immediately turned to Klauss and stopped what he had to say.

"Klauss, what are you saying to Kiyoto!?"

"My Mistress, I want to help you overcome these odds. The Helm of Fervor accepted you as its owner, but it seems to be getting weaker. I know for certain that your resolve is not the problem, but there is something else in play. I have to take a chance that Kiyoto-dono can do someth–"

"Enough Klauss!"

Akafuyu speaks with emotion. It feels like she was disheartened.

"I know…I know that I might be the problem here. I'm still lacking, that's why I have to work harder than usual."

Klauss frowned with his skeleton eyes. He just told her what he feels, and for Klauss, Akafuyu is not lacking, she already has the resolution and power to wield the Helm of Fervor. But the alarming decrease of its potency is worrying Klauss.

Kiyoto knew the problem. It was the lingering regret and doubt of its previous owner, Akimitsu. In order to address this problem, Akafuyu must know the truth and accept this burden wholeheartedly and turn it into a fiery resolve. He clenched his fist as he didn't think twice about helping her. The truth might hurt her, but she needs to accept it in order for the Helm of Fervor to move forward.

"Klauss-san, Miss Akafuyu…I might have some idea regarding the Helm of Fervor's decreasing power."

— — —