Chapter 98: The Watcher Factions

The dim glow of a desk lamp illuminated the small, cramped room. William leaned back in his wooden chair, his fingers tapping rhythmically against the table, the sound sharp and deliberate. Across from him, Rayl sat with a heavy expression, seemingly weighing his next words.

"What if," William spoke suddenly, his tone calm but laced with a hint of anticipation, "there was a way to obtain the power of a war god? The Watchers wouldn't just level up—they'd finally stand on equal footing with the Aka House."

Rayl's expression flickered, but he remained silent, clearly troubled by the implications. As the pause stretched, William's gaze shifted to the door, and a sly smile curled his lips. "To those outside—come in."

The door creaked open, and Yahageshii, Yame, Myouka, and Riyugi stepped into the room, their faces tinged with unease and a touch of guilt.

Yame was the first to speak, his tone apologetic. "Apologies, Father. We didn't mean to eavesdrop. We were passing by after training and heard something."

Yahageshii, however, made no effort to hide his disdain, cutting in sharply. "If what you're saying is true, and they all turn into war gods, what's the point of fighting them?" His voice was edged with scorn but carried an undercurrent of wariness.

William paid no mind to Yahageshii's bluntness and instead chuckled with mild derision. "From what I know, the Watchers are fractured into multiple factions. They're not the unified force they pretend to be. Among them, there's a conservative faction adhering to ancient doctrines, believing all ability users must be eradicated to prevent the birth of another war god."

Myouka nodded slightly, her voice taut with suppressed anger. "Preventing a war god might be necessary, but their methods are nothing short of indiscriminate slaughter."

Elder Kasamaki, leaning on his cane, chimed in with a gravelly, cold tone. "To them, it's better to kill the innocent than risk letting the guilty escape."

Riyugi lowered her head, her lips pressed tightly together, her eyes shadowed with a mix of sorrow and helplessness.

William's laugh was faint, almost mocking. "Beyond the conservatives, there's also the so-called 'Predators.' They claim to purge ability users but are really just satisfying their bloodlust under the guise of righteousness."

Rayl scoffed, his voice tinged with irony. "And let's not forget the treasure hunters—those who exploit the Watchers' intelligence network to chase after mythical lakes, forests, or hidden powers."

"The most amusing part," William continued, his tone turning derisive, "is that if any of them truly find a way to harness the power of a war god, the Watchers would implode from within."

Yahageshii let out a bitter laugh, dripping with disdain. "Snakes and rats, dressed in the robes of justice. That such a group dares claim righteousness is laughable."

William's laugh deepened, carrying a sinister undertone. "Their internal chaos is our opportunity. But don't underestimate them—no matter how much snakes and rats squabble, they remain snakes and rats."

Rayl raised a skeptical brow, directing a question at William. "And what's your plan?"

William didn't answer immediately. His gaze swept across the room, finally settling on Yame and Yahageshii. "Plans will come. For now, we need more intelligence. As for the power of the war god... it's time to investigate."

The room's atmosphere turned frigid. Yahageshii's fists clenched involuntarily, while Yame lowered his gaze to hide the unease in his eyes. Myouka and Riyugi exchanged glances, their mutual worry and caution plain to see.

This discussion was merely the prelude, and the schemes behind it were bound to stir an even greater storm.

As Yahageshii and the others exited William's room, the hallway was dimly lit. He was about to leave when he caught sight of a figure approaching from the other end. It was a young woman, her long hair a striking blend of snow-white and icy blue. Her cold, alluring face exuded an air of frost, and her steps, though light, carried an oppressive aura that seemed to fill the corridor.

Yahageshii froze, his gaze locking onto the woman as if time itself had stopped. He muttered, almost reflexively, "Miyazawa Kuhina?!"

The girl paused, turning her sharp, knife-like eyes toward Yahageshii. After a brief, icy appraisal, she spoke in a tone laced with disdain. "That idiot's cousin? At least you seem slightly sharper than his dull brain."

Yahageshii opened his mouth to respond, but before he could, she continued, her voice cutting him off. "You've mistaken me. I'm her sister, Miyazawa Yuko." With that, she pushed past Yahageshii and entered William's room without so much as a backward glance, her indifference leaving him stunned.

For a moment, Yahageshii stood rooted in place, his mind awash with memories of the past, as though Yuko's sudden appearance had torn open old, forgotten wounds.

Riyugi noticed his peculiar behavior and approached, her curiosity piqued. "Do you know her?" she asked softly, her tone probing. "She's beautiful."

Indeed, Miyazawa Yuko's beauty was arresting, her cold allure leaving an indelible impression, even on Riyugi.

Yahageshii hesitated before responding, his tone flat yet tinged with an unspoken weight. "Back then, Shingin had a group of childhood friends. Kuhina was one of them. They were inseparable, but I never liked hanging out with them."

Riyugi frowned slightly, dissatisfied with his vague answer. "And then?"

Yahageshii sighed, his voice lowering. "Then... things happened. Some of his friends died, and the rest left the city. Kuhina was one of the unfortunate ones."

Riyugi's eyes widened, her brows knitting together. "Kuhina... Is she really dead? But her sister Yuko is here…"

"That's precisely why things are complicated," Yahageshii murmured. "I don't know why Yuko is here, and honestly, I don't want to know."

Riyugi nodded quietly, though her expression turned contemplative. "I remember seeing an old photograph in Shingin's room—a group of kids. One of the girls had snow-white, icy blue hair…"

"That was Kuhina," Yahageshii confirmed after a pause. "He's always kept that memory close."

Riyugi sighed lightly, choosing not to press further. However, as she glanced at Yahageshii, a thoughtful look crossed her face. She couldn't help but sense that these past ties might reveal more about Shingin than he let on.

The hallway fell silent once more, as though nothing had happened.