Volume 1. Chapter 30. Diplomacy?

Kaito shoved his hands into his pockets and took a few lazy steps toward the guests. The wind tousled the ends of his long hair, but he remained as composed as ever."So, why are you here?" His voice was even, yet there was a trace of mockery in it.He let the question linger in the air, giving them a moment to grasp just how absurd their situation had become."Western medicine failed you, huh?" Kaito slowly turned his head—not looking at them directly, yet somehow making them feel as if he could see straight through them."So now you've set your sights on the East."A dry chuckle escaped him. Subtle, emotionless."And who told you that I'm a healer?"Silence fell over the room. No one knew how to respond.These people were used to their wealth and influence opening every door. But here, standing before this strange man, their power crumbled like sand.Madam Zhao narrowed her eyes slightly, studying Kaito with keen interest. A mocking smile played on her crimson lips as she smoothly crossed her arms under her chest, shifting her weight lazily onto one hip."Who said you're a healer?" she echoed, savoring his own words. "Well, let's put it this way… if a blindfolded boy starts tossing fireballs, some might assume he's a miracle worker too."She stepped forward, fixing her gaze on Kaito as if trying to unravel the mystery before her."Or maybe you're not a healer at all. Maybe you're just a magician—one who knows how to put on a convincing show."Leaning in ever so slightly, she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear in a slow, deliberate motion."What do you say, Lord Kaito?" Her voice was sultry, but beneath the surface, her eyes held nothing but cold calculation.Behind them, the air grew tense. Some of the men clenched their fists. Others swallowed hard.And Kaito?Kaito just smirked.Kaito took slow, measured steps toward her, his gaze never leaving Madam Zhao. When he was close enough, he extended his hand, gently but firmly lifting her chin with his grip. Everything froze, as if waiting for what would happen next."Magician?" he said with a quiet, almost chilling smirk, savoring her reaction to his touch. "I would say I'm a master at something else—doing things that others can't even begin to imagine."His fingers lingered on her chin for a few seconds before he gently withdrew his hand, as though his touch meant nothing at all.He took a step back, slightly leaning forward. His voice dropped lower, heavier, with a dangerous confidence that made one pause and reconsider."Madam Zhao, you're certainly a magnificent woman, but your role in this little play will depend heavily on how you play your part."He looked her in the eyes, and it felt like a challenge, yet at the same time, an invitation."Perhaps next time, you'll be more candid about your desires?" His tone was calculating, as if he already knew how to manipulate her ambitions.A thick silence hung in the air, and the entire room felt the weight of the tension. Madam Zhao remained still, but her eyes spoke volumes.Kaito, as if realizing his own sharpness, suddenly grimaced and, with a subtle shake of his head, playfully corrected himself. His smile was playful, yet slightly strained, as though he was enjoying how effortlessly he could manipulate those around him. He raised his hand again, as if apologizing, but his eyes betrayed an undeniable confidence."I completely forgot my manners. My apologies, I got carried away!" he said theatrically, as if reprimanding himself. "Let's continue our conversation in my chambers. Please, follow me, gentlemen."Without further words, he turned and headed toward the large doors, ignoring their reactions. His steps were measured, as though he already knew they would follow.However, as the others stood hesitantly, a voice suddenly broke through the tension. It came from Takeshi, who had been a silent observer, standing in the background. He spoke calmly but with quiet confidence."Master! Should I go too?"There was no immediate response. Sigero did not bother to speak. Instead, he merely waved his hand dismissively, as if sending his student off to continue his practice. In that gesture, there was no cruelty—just an exhaustion from the events unfolding, as if he had no energy left to explain the obvious.The guests watched Takeshi with confusion. His calm demeanor contrasted sharply with the tension in the air. Yet, Takeshi himself seemed unfazed by the situation. As always, he was cool-headed and composed. His steps echoed softly against the stone floor as he followed Kaito, disappearing into the dark corridors.Meanwhile, the assembled guests were slow to regain their composure after the events that had unfolded. The strange, antagonistic tone of the conversation, the restraint, and even the arrogance of the young man provoked mixed feelings. Many tried to figure out how to react. Were they afraid of him? Or was he simply another piece of the puzzle that needed to be solved? But one thing was clear — the situation was just beginning, and each of them instinctively felt that this meeting could be a turning point.The dim light filtering through the curtains lazily fell onto the floor as the group of guests followed Kaito through the dark corridors. The marble floors were cold, and the walls were adorned with austere Japanese paintings and exquisite carvings, as if inviting each person to momentarily immerse themselves in the ancient atmosphere. The space was not only luxurious but also mysterious — something alien, as though every corner concealed more than it seemed at first glance.They entered a room that sharply contrasted with the previous halls. This was a completely different space — more like an office than a living area. The walls were finished in dark wood, and the tables and chairs, crafted with exceptional care, created an atmosphere of near asceticism despite the opulence of the items. There was no relaxing ambiance here; instead, there was a palpable tension, as if the place was meant for work and contemplation, not idle meetings.As everyone began to take their seats, Sigero, paying no attention to the others, casually settled into an armchair, placing his feet on the table, as if it were his customary place. He was in no hurry, not restless; his posture exuded complete indifference and disdain for any social norms. His manners were far from ideal — it was clear that here, he considered himself the master, and his power lay not only in his actions but in the space itself, which he filled with his presence."I'll repeat once more, I'm not a healer, gentlemen," his voice was lazy but confident, like that of someone accustomed to their power, used to having no one question their words. "I'm more of a spiritual guide. If you were hoping for medical treatment, you've wasted your time."At these words, a heavy silence fell over the room. Haruko could no longer contain herself. Her hand clenched into a fist, and her eyes blazed with fury. She tried to regain control, but it was clear that his behavior was becoming increasingly intolerable. Catherine, standing beside her, threw a quick glance at Yelena Gromova, whose gaze was just as full of displeasure. At that moment, Zhao Meili stood up, her gaze hard and determined, her face flushed with anger. All the daughters moved as if on cue, but none dared to break the silence first.The fathers were equally stunned. Sergey Gromov, always confident in his strength and influence, quietly crossed himself, his expression darkening. Zhao Linfei, though he tried to remain calm, also sensed that the situation was slipping out of control. Reijiro Yamato, who had been silently observing everything, could feel his patience wearing thin with each passing moment."So, are you going to teach us something, or just keep babbling?" Haruko couldn't hold back anymore. Her voice sounded like a taut rope, ready to snap. "Are you out of your mind?"All eyes turned to her. Zhao Meili looked at her friend, jaw clenched. Yelena Gromova flinched slightly but remained unfazed. They were all on the brink of exploding.Sigero, however, didn't flinch. He didn't even glance at Haruko, his eyes still fixed on the space around him, as if the whole world were just a game to him. Without a sound, he raised his hand, as if to signal that she was far too insignificant for him to waste time on."You're all so nervous… like children." His voice was light, but laced with irony, as though speaking to people standing on the outskirts of the real game.Kaito slowly turned his head toward Haruko. Despite the blindfold covering his eyes, he exuded a penetrating aura, as if he could see everything happening around him. A faint smirk tugged at the corner of his lips as he tilted his head."Haruko," his voice was even, but there was a subtle threat woven into his words, "I don't like your tone."Haruko felt the cold words pierce her soul like an icy torrent. She struggled to keep herself in check, but inside, everything burned like an uncontrollable fire. The atmosphere in the room shifted instantly. The air grew thick, as if it could be sliced with a knife, and the tension hung over them like a heavy cloud."You call this wisdom," Haruko couldn't hold back, "but it's nothing more than manipulation. You're enjoying playing with us, humiliating us, because you can."In the corner of the room, Sigero, comfortably lounging in his chair, lazily raised an eyebrow. He glanced at Haruko, his smile barely noticeable, as if this argument were just an amusement for him, not something of any real importance."You're still clinging to old stereotypes, Haruko," his words were soft, but each syllable struck like a hammer on stone. "Wisdom isn't always logical, and your need to control everything... only complicates things."Yelena stood nearby, listening closely. First, she looked at Haruko, then shifted her gaze to Kaito. In her eyes was not just curiosity, but a hint of unease. Someone among them had to yield—and she was starting to doubt which side to lean toward.Yelena couldn't hold back anymore, and, as though with her last ounce of strength, she blurted out:"Why all this? Why does everything have to be so... complicated? We came here for help, not to play some kind of game."Kaito turned his head, his gaze hidden, but his voice oozed danger, like poison in the shadows."Help?" His voice was quiet, yet it pierced through the silence as if it were tearing it apart. "You call this coming for help? Or is this just another attempt to prove to yourselves that everything can be solved with money and power?"Zhao Meili, standing with her lips pressed tight, suddenly couldn't hold back."Don't play games with us, Sigero. We didn't come here to be part of your theater. Our families need real help, not empty words!" Her words were calm, but there was strength in them, like a knife hidden beneath the surface of the water.Kaito looked at her, and his barely noticeable smile seemed to carve through the air."Games? Perhaps you should learn to play this game if you want something more. Everything you're searching for... is not accessible to those who are too eager to take." He tilted his head slightly, his smile becoming more intricate, almost mocking.Yelena felt the atmosphere grow even heavier, and the word "game" hung in the air like a harbinger of something inevitable.Silence settled, and everyone watched as each of the present tried to gather their thoughts, process what had been said, and decide what to do next.Friedrich, finally unable to keep quiet, spoke in a voice as firm as a hammer strike."Enough," he shot Kaito a cold glance. "We all understand that you're... special, but don't think we're here to be your toys. We're not fools. We don't need games. We need results."Kaito slowly turned his head, narrowing his eyes as if sizing up Friedrich, trying to find the perfect moment to cut him down with words. A faint smile curled at his lips, and there was something dangerous in his gaze, like a predator calculating when to strike."Results, yes..." He drew the word out, like the edge of a knife. "But tell me, what are you willing to give to get what you want? It's not about money, not about power. It's about your sacrifices."Ludovic, twisting his lips in disdain, quickly interjected."Sacrifices? Are you serious? What, are you predicting the end of the world again?"Kaito tilted his head, and his gaze deepened, as if looking into an abyss where all darkness reflected back."No, Ludovic," his voice was soft, yet it pierced like an icy wind. "Sacrifices are not always death. Sometimes, it's simply letting go of everything that binds you. The familiar fears, those beliefs that keep you chained. And only when you're ready to leave all of that behind... only then does the real game begin."His words rang out like a challenge. Not just to them, but to their inner selves. Each word felt like a needle poking into the deepest corners of their minds. And now, each of them began to wonder: what lies behind this person? He wasn't just some strange young man—there was a power behind his words, one that was hard to argue with.