Chapter 203: Melting the Iceberg of Kinship

The two sat beside the campfire, the flickering flames casting shadows across their faces and dispelling some of the surrounding darkness. It was a rare quiet night—no fighting, no chaos, just the soft crackle of burning wood and the gentle whisper of the night breeze.

Tsubasa was the first to break the silence. Her voice was cool, yet it carried a trace of curiosity. "What are you planning next? Avenge your mother?"

Shingin remained silent for a moment, his gaze fixed on the flames, his expression complicated. "I need to find my sister, Shizuku, first... I worked so hard to find her, but now she's disappeared again."

He paused, as if weighing his words. After a moment, he spoke slowly. "I've been thinking a lot. I don't have to fulfill their dying wishes. But this fight made me realize—I can't go on like this. Even what Watcher 17 said had some truth to it... Pure white hands can't reform a corrupted world."

His voice carried determination and defiance. His gaze shifted past Tsubasa, through the distant haze, as if piercing the darkness to glimpse the hidden future. "Looking at this rotten world, at the selfishness and corruption in people's hearts, I've decided on my own way to start a revolution."

Tsubasa stood still, her red eyes flickering with faint curiosity. There was no mockery in her gaze, nor overt approval—just a deep, probing look. She chose silence, as though giving Shingin the space to voice more of his thoughts.

But Shingin suddenly stopped. His lips twitched as if to speak, but no sound came out. Instead, he seemed to wrestle with his own thoughts.

Tsubasa's brow twitched ever so slightly. Her expression remained unchanged, yet a subtle impatience, like a gust of cold wind, seemed to seep through.

"What is it now…?" Shingin scratched his head awkwardly, like a child caught doing something wrong. His voice wavered, and his gaze darted around, avoiding hers.

Tsubasa let out a soft hum, crossing her arms over her chest. Her tone was calm but carried an edge. "Nothing. I just thought you'd say something worth hearing."

Her crimson hair swayed lightly as she spoke, her tone sharp yet laced with an undercurrent of cold encouragement.

Tsubasa stood gracefully, brushing off the dust from her skirt with an air of indifference, as though shaking off trivial matters.

"Tsubasa, are you leaving?" Shingin's voice was tinged with panic as he rose to his feet, unable to mask his unease.

She turned her head slightly, her gaze remaining indifferent. But deep in her crimson eyes, there was something unfathomable. Her voice was cool, almost taunting. "What else? Stay and marry you?"

Shingin's face flushed bright red as if struck by lightning. He stammered, waving his hands in panic. "You—how can you say that? Girls shouldn't—"

Tsubasa watched him quietly, her expression betraying a faint flicker of amusement. Her lips curled slightly, but she didn't fully smile. In a low voice, she replied, "If I shouldn't, then I'll leave."

Without waiting for his response, she turned and began to walk away. Her steps were steady and unwavering, her crimson hair fluttering behind her like a pair of solitary, elegant wings.

In a moment of desperation, Shingin reached out and grabbed her wrist. Her skin was cool and delicate, sending a chill up his spine. His breath caught as her icy gaze pierced through him, freezing him in place.

"Sorry, sorry!" Shingin quickly released her, his face a mask of embarrassment. But he still mustered his courage to speak. "I... I can't do this alone, Tsubasa. Since we're both revolutionaries, why don't you join me?"

Tsubasa lowered her gaze, contemplating his words. The firelight danced across her face, casting soft yet somber shadows. After a long pause, she spoke in a quiet voice. "Fine. But on one condition."

"What condition?" Shingin asked eagerly.

"If you gather more allies, I won't show myself. Only you can know of my existence. Break that rule, and I'll leave," Tsubasa said with a calm but commanding tone.

Shingin nodded vigorously. "Thank you, Tsubasa!"

She said nothing, only giving him a slight nod. Her expression remained tranquil, though her thoughts seemed distant.

Although Shingin was relieved by her agreement, his excitement was short-lived as he realized he still had no clear direction for the future.

Noticing his hesitation, Tsubasa spoke coldly, "Go to Visana City."

Shingin was taken aback. He had heard of Visana but knew little about it. "Why there?" he asked, puzzled.

Her gaze fixed on him, her voice carrying a cryptic weight. "Because it's closest to hell."

She offered no further explanation, leaving Shingin to wrestle with her words.

As they began to pack up to leave, a familiar female voice called out from the distance—

"Wait!"

Startled, Shingin turned to see a figure rushing toward them. The firelight illuminated a familiar face—it was Yuko.

Yuko, breathless from searching for Shingin, hesitated as her gaze fell on Tsubasa. Her tone turned wary. "Who are you? Where are you taking Shingin?"

Tsubasa merely glanced at Shingin, her cold gaze filled with disdain and a hint of warning. She had just agreed to remain a secret, and now it seemed her presence was already exposed.

Caught between the two, Shingin panicked. "Yuko! Tsubasa is—she's just a new ally!"

Yuko frowned deeply, her voice tinged with frustration. "You're too trusting, Shingin. You've always been this way, letting people lead you by the nose."

Shingin scratched his head awkwardly, trying to explain further, but Yuko silenced him with a stern look.

Tsubasa, standing aside, remained indifferent. Yet, when Yuko mentioned that Tsubasa had saved Shingin, her crimson eyes flickered, revealing a momentary ripple in her otherwise cold demeanor.

"Yuko, I..." Shingin began hesitantly, only for her to cut him off.

"Since she saved you, I won't argue. But," Yuko paused, her tone firm and resolute, "I'm coming with you."

Shingin's protests were quickly silenced by Yuko's unwavering determination.

Tsubasa watched from the sidelines, her expression inscrutable. Her presence was a shadow in the firelight, enigmatic and solitary.

Inwardly, Yuko harbored a growing suspicion. Why was Tsubasa so determined to remain unseen?