Volume 1. Chapter 31. Continuation of the Discussion

The conversation had hit a dead end when, almost as if on impulse, Tadashi let out a small cough and finally decided to speak up."Sir Keito," his voice was slightly tense, but he pressed on. "A couple of years ago, you treated someone with a similar illness. That's… that's why we're here."As if on cue, the others in the room immediately nodded in agreement, their movements quick and almost synchronized."Yes, yes, that's right, we heard about it," Yelena said, her tone firm yet carrying a hint of hope."We just want to understand if there's a chance our fathers can be helped," Zhao Meili added, unable to hide the urgency in her voice."That's right, Sir Keito," Friedrich, usually composed, showed a rare trace of impatience. "If you were able to help before, then maybe… you can do it again."Once more, all attention turned to Keito.He remained as he was—lounging back in his chair, legs casually resting on the table, hands stuffed into his pockets. His posture wasn't just a habit; it was a statement, a quiet declaration of absolute control.He didn't rush to answer. His gaze, slightly tired yet sharp, hovered somewhere in front of him, as if searching for something important in their words—something they themselves couldn't grasp.The silence in the room stretched, so thick it felt almost tangible.Then, after resting his chin on his hand and pondering for just a moment longer, Keito finally spoke. His voice was so calm it felt as if time itself had stopped."Maybe I did treat him," his words slipped effortlessly into the space between them. "But I don't remember."He remained in the same relaxed position, as if the fact that he had once healed someone was of little importance to him.His guests fell silent, stunned by his indifference.Tadashi, unable to hide his confusion, quickly pressed on."But, sir, you were the one who suggested the method that saved that man... Why are you so reluctant now?"Keito didn't answer right away. Instead, he slowly raised a hand and rubbed his temple in a light, absentminded motion—almost as if debating whether this conversation was even worth his time."Healing isn't simple, Tadashi," his voice was low, steady. "Who said I'm obligated to help everyone? Each case is an experiment to me. And not every result meets expectations."His gaze swept across the room, lingering on each of them in turn. For most, there was nothing to see. But for those who could look deeper, something flickered in his eyes—something cold and piercing, slicing through them like a blade against bare skin."Maybe you really think I'm some kind of magician, able to solve your problems with a mere glance?" Keito's lips curled slightly, the faintest hint of a mocking smirk appearing. "That's not how it works. I helped that man because his case caught my interest. But this time…"He let the words hang in the air before finishing, his voice laced with quiet finality."Each of you has a price. And I'm not sure I'm willing to pay it."The silence in the room wasn't just an absence of sound—it was a silence filled with questions. Questions no one had the answers to.Only Haruko, perched on the edge of her seat, could feel the tension thickening, turning into something more. With every word he spoke, her perception of Keito shifted. He wasn't just a man with power. He was something beyond control, beyond understanding.She couldn't hold back any longer.Her words tore through the air, sharp and sudden, like the strike of a blade against steel."So that's it? You see us as nothing more than test subjects? We're trying to save the people we love, and you… you won't even help?"Her voice trembled with anger.The words hung in the air like a storm cloud, heavy and unrelenting.Keito slowly shifted his gaze to her. There was no anger in his eyes—just an eerie calm, a quiet indifference. The look of someone watching a cat toy with its prey."You need to learn to control yourself, Haruko." His voice was steady, detached, as if discussing something trivial. He didn't move from his chair, didn't change his posture. "You're in no position to demand anything from me. I can help… but only if I decide it's worth my time."His words struck like a hammer.They weren't a direct threat, yet they carried a weight so heavy the air itself seemed to tighten. Every glance from him felt like a blade pressing against skin.There was no menace in his tone—only a shadow of amusement. And that made it worse.With every word he spoke, Haruko felt an overwhelming urge to throw something at him, to force him to react, to make him show something—anything. But she knew.This man wasn't afraid of them.Not their power. Not their desperation.Nothing she said could shake him.Keito, noticing Haruko's reaction, didn't let the argument continue. His voice filled the space once more, as if he held everyone in the palm of his hand."I can see you're all deeply concerned," he said, his tone light yet still scalding in its calmness. "But let's get to the point. If you want treatment, then ask yourselves—what are you willing to offer me in return? Your fathers are sick, yes. But who's to say what I might need?"Silence fell over the room.No one spoke, yet the unspoken words weighed heavy in the air.They all understood—this was about more than just a cure.Keito was playing his own game. And no one knew what it was that he truly wanted.Yelena, sensing the tension thickening around them, stepped forward despite the uncertainty creeping into her voice."What do you want from us, Lord Keito?" Her words were earnest, but not enough. "If this is about money, or something else—just say it outright."He didn't even look at her.His gaze remained locked on Haruko, who now sat cold and composed, mirroring his expression—an unreadable certainty, as if they had merged into two unyielding forces, each rooted in their own truth."Not everything is about money, Yelena," he murmured, his voice quiet yet laced with unmistakable amusement. "Money is only a small piece of the game you're all playing. It can be a tool, a form of leverage… but it's never enough."He fell silent for a moment, letting his words hang in the air.Time seemed to slow.Everyone could feel the weight of the pause, stretched out and heavy with unspoken meaning."What do I want from you?" His gaze deepened, almost piercing through them. "Let's be honest—every single one of us is here to get something from the other. I will help you, but only if I see that you are willing to give something in return. Otherwise... why should I waste my time?"The guests exchanged glances.They had reached a dead end.But now, one thing was clear—they stood at a crossroads, faced with a difficult choice.Keito was too unpredictable.His intentions were not as transparent as they had hoped.With every word he spoke, the situation only grew more convoluted.Haruko finally leaned back in her chair.The tension that had gripped her features faded, replaced by something new.A fire lit in her eyes.It was as if she had made a decision, as if some internal barrier had crumbled away."What do you want, Keito?"Her voice was steady, but there was a quiet determination beneath it—an understanding that she now held more than just her own fate in her hands.She carried the fate of everyone in this room."I'm willing to do whatever it takes to save my father. That's why we're all here. So tell me—what do you want in return?"Keito blinked, pulled from his thoughts.For the first time, his expression shifted—just slightly.Surprise flickered in his eyes, unguarded, impossible to hide.He raised an eyebrow.And despite his usual restraint, something in his gaze sharpened with interest."Now that is a different conversation."His lips curved into the faintest hint of a smile—small, barely there, but somehow sharper than mere satisfaction.Zhao Meili stepped forward, her eyes gleaming like those of a predator ready to sink its claws into its prey.She was a master of high-stakes games, and wherever she went, she carried an air of temptation, cold calculation, and merciless precision."Lord Keito, name your price."Her voice was deep and assured, laced with a barely perceptible threat—the voice of someone accustomed to getting exactly what they wanted."Like our organization, we are prepared to fulfill your every request. Women? Money? Influence? Or perhaps... something more refined?"Her words slithered into the air like poison, shifting the atmosphere in an instant.Everyone in the room could feel it—the way reality itself seemed to tilt, bending around her presence.She spoke as someone who had long since accepted that the world belonged to those who had the strength to take what they desired.And there was no doubt—she knew Keito would hear her.Her gaze met Shigero's.His face remained utterly impassive, showing no reaction at all.Still the same—calm, detached, unmoving.But something about the slight tilt of his head, almost imperceptible, made her wonder.Perhaps he was closer to a reaction than even he realized.Keito did not rush to answer.As always, he watched.His eyes betrayed nothing—neither fear nor interest—as they swept over her, searching, unraveling her intent.He knew that every word she spoke carried hidden meaning.His gaze, no longer playful but heavy with indifference, was far more dangerous than before.There was no amusement in it this time, only quiet assessment.A silent warning.He was not someone with whom one could strike a deal so easily.Keito's lips curled into a faint smirk—his usual, almost disdainful expression—as he regarded Zhao Meili with mild interest."Zhao Meili," he said, his voice cold as ice, detached, as if he were merely observing a game others were so eager to play."Women? That can be arranged. But I doubt I need you to offer me anything of the sort."He shook his head slightly, as if dismissing the thought of such primitive bargains, then continued, carefully choosing his words."Money? Influence? All of it… far too insignificant for a wager of this scale."He tilted his head just a fraction, his gaze trailing over her face—not just looking, but probing. Searching for the hidden motives she tried to conceal beneath her composed exterior."But something more… refined, something deeper?"His voice dropped slightly, laced with sarcasm and the faintest trace of a threat, as if he were unearthing a secret even she hadn't fully realized."Are you truly willing to pay the price, Zhao? And more importantly—do you even know what that price is?"Silence.His gaze drifted across the room, piercing through each person gathered there, measuring their reactions. The air grew denser, suffocating.Even those who had entered with unwavering confidence were beginning to feel it—the slow, unsettling realization that the situation was slipping beyond their control.And Keito?Keito was sinking deeper into his game, unconcerned, unrushed—his cards still hidden.Then, at last, he spoke again, his voice quieter now, yet no less commanding."As I've said before…"His tone carried weight, not just of words, but of something undeniable."I am not merely a healer. I am a mentor."His smirk lingered, faint but deliberate."Instead of offering me what you think I might want—consider instead what you're willing to surrender to make me want to help."The weight of his words settled over the room, freezing the air in place. This was the turning point—everyone present understood it. The stakes had soared too high, and now, every step carried a price.Yet Zhao Meili never looked away.She had accepted the challenge. That much was clear.But Keito? He didn't rush. He never did. He knew precisely how to manipulate a situation—not by giving direct answers, but by pulling his opponent into the same position as him. If she wanted something from him, she would have to play by his rules.Zhao Meili's lips curled into a slow, knowing smile. Her gaze sharpened, burning with the same fire that lurked in the darkest corners of the game—the kind that consumed everything in its path to reach its goal."So, we're only just beginning?"Her smile deepened, more enigmatic now, as if she already knew how this would end. But something flickered in her voice—just for a second. A shadow of hesitation? Or perhaps… the thrill of a new challenge?She was making it clear.She was ready to see this through. No matter the cost.The space between them grew heavier, thick with unspoken intent. The air itself seemed to contract, pressing down on the onlookers.And in that moment, everyone realized—This was no longer about money.No longer about profit.The stakes had become something far greater.