After the meeting was adjourned, all the other heads left, leaving Zed and Lancelott in the room.
Lancelott sat in his usual seat, as Zed sat a few rows to the side.
Looking at Lancelott, Zed broke the silence.
"So? When are you planning on dispatching our traitors?"
"Haven't you already done that?"
"Ah."
Of course he knew.
The two were long time friends. Even he knew most of Lancelott's tendencies.
"Just give them a little scare. Kill off a few. They'll realize someone is onto them, but we won't give them any confirmation that we know."
Then, Lancelott raised his head, meeting Zed's gaze.
With a cold expression, he spoke indifferently.
"But you've already done that, haven't you?"
"You know me well. I've put Moriarty to work. He should be done by now."
And the first topic ended there.
Shifting to the next topic, Zed carefully looked at the keen expression on Lancelott's face as he went on to say,
"That aside, any reason why you wanted Evangel? I can understand Moriarty, but for the former...."
Hearing his words, Lancelott's eyes momentarily flicked towards his direction as his fingers drummed the table.
Then, he opened his mouth.
"She's interesting. It's like she's here for no reason, no aspirations, no goals, simply just here."
"Then...."
"She's a blank canvas."
"Ah."
Realization dawned upon Zed as he heard those words from Lancelott.
Evangel.
Or rather, Evelyn Cessna had successfully created a new identity. One that Lancelott had found to his taste.
An aloof individual with mysteries surrounding them. Someone that isn't a 'yes' man.
The kind of traits Lancelott seemed to be looking for.
Zed had been aware of this for a long time. It was for that reason why they had been best–friends ever since meeting each other.
Most people would be intimidated by Lancelott, which is why he had only regarded Zed as his only friend.
For reasons unknown, Lancelott had never changed his ways and had never formed close ties with the other heads.
While all the heads grew up together, Zed and Lancelott had always seen them as lackeys.
A thought suddenly surfaced in Zed's mind and he secretly clenched his fist.
His family's demise.
All because of the syndicate's actions under Lancelott's instructions.
Even if Lancelott hadn't known about Zed's family, the deed was done.
At the time, he had already distanced himself from the syndicate after they started engaging in illegal business.
Yet regardless, his past had followed him.
Then, he was broken out of his thoughts as Zed's voice reached his ears.
"For that Moriarty guy, well... I wasn't really interested in him at first. But I heard he was the only Evangel often talked to."
"Yeah."
"Mhm. Which is why I want to see him for myself. Just what kind of person had caught her attention?"
Listening to Lancelott's words, it sounded as if he was in love or something....
How peculiar.
The only times Lancelott had met her was whenever Zed brought her.
Moriarty.
The person he had now regretted recruiting along with his late friends.
Infernis and Link.
They were both dead.
Killed by the same man who was hunting him.
It made no sense.
He knew Moriarty was about the same strength as them.
Yet for some reason, in each turn, they just couldn't touch him.
As if everything had been specifically curated to work in his favor.
But what he had found outrageous was the fact that he had never used magic.
Just his sword.
And that sword.... They couldn't predict it.
He had never faced a duelist with that kind of technique before.
And due to that, his two friends were killed.
There was no use in fighting him.
It was for that reason why Aqua chose to shamefully flee.
Pride?
Such bullshit wasn't present anymore.
He had to run for his life.
"Haa... Get away!"
Waving his hand without looking back, a magic circle formed and water bullets shot behind him, rippling towards Moriarty's direction.
Swoosh, swoosh—!
However, he missed.
"Tsk."
Clicking his tongue, Aqua was about to stop and fight for his life when all of a sudden, fog started to permeate the entire vicinity.
"...."
He glanced around, scanning, only to realize Moriarty had disappeared.
Then, a cold voice echoed from behind him.
"Dominion."
And those words....
It was the same he had muttered back then.
He felt the ominous pressure boring down on him, as he felt the back of his throat tighten, as if something was choking him.
His legs slightly shook, and far started to grip him, but he stood his ground.
He had to—
"Akh!"
A sharp pain struck his back as he stood frozen.
Drip. Drip...!
He glanced down, only to find the tip of a sharp blade pierce right through his chest, blood dripping.
No, his heart.
Thump!
Gradually, he was losing strength as his knees gave out and his vision grew hazy.
Drip. Drip...!
Thump!
He saw his life flash through eyes until eventually....
Darkness.