A deafening silence plunged the room.
Welt wore a long, complex expression while March played with her fingers in hopes that it could help calm her down from the events that had just occurred.
"What… do we do…?" An unsteady voice escaped March.
"It's more like, what CAN we do?"
Stelle clicked her tongue in frustration.
Thinking back to the last few minutes, in her head it should have been straightforward.
She would find Yuuto who was out eating, bring him into the meeting room, discuss the plans going forward and move on with their way.
Pretty simple. Right?
Nope. Instead, her friend was now being convicted of murder, which they had no way of knowing was true considering that he's gone MIA.
Which didn't help in the slightest when the Vidyadhara, especially Preceptor Taoran, took the opportunity to throw a hefty amount of accusations.
At some point, Stelle couldn't take hearing more of Taoran's baseless lies so she began to refute back.
But once he showed a familiar-looking crystal dyed in red blood, it sent her into a frenzy to deny this obviously fake piece of evidence.
It wasn't a sword nor a spear that she knew Yuuto used regularly.
Just a single piece of ice.
Eventually, this argument led to them being escorted to a different room so the heated atmosphere could die down.
At the expense that Jingyuan would talk to them later to hear their side of the story.
"No matter what they say, I still refuse to believe Yuuto would do something like murder. Those were just empty claims they were trying to make!!"
"Even if it was for a reason, I can't imagine him killing her in cold blood like what that man described it to be…"
Even after imagining the scene and what could have possibly led to that point, Stelle and March still wouldn't believe it unless they saw it with their own eyes.
Spending a lot of time with him, they knew his personality and the boundaries he wouldn't cross.
Especially Stelle experiencing firsthand how stubborn that man was when it came to doing what he wanted to avoid unnecessary deaths.
"What do you think, Mr. Yang?"
Knowing that one of the most level-headed people in the room still hadn't expressed his thoughts, Welt gathered his words.
"While I also don't believe the narrative the Preceptor is trying to push, all that I can say is that it places us in a rough spot."
"Rough spot?"
March felt confused at what he meant, which Welt continued to clarify.
"Can you tell me our current identity at the moment?"
"Identity… Astral Express members?" March innocently answered.
"No, not literally… " Welt felt his mouth twitch. "I mean, what do the people native to the Loufu think when they first see us?"
March felt a bit embarrassed seeing the look Welt was giving her but she continued to think.
"Allies?"
"Maybe, but not the first thing."
"Foreigners? General's friends? Visitors?"
March was going to continue but Welt stopped her.
"You got the right idea. It's visitors. But to be more exact, an external party that came to help handle an internal crisis affecting them."
Welt tapped the table.
"While we may have the General's approval. We are still, in the end, outsiders that have no deep relation to the Luofu."
Thinking about the start of their journey when they were initially rejected by Yukong when they offered to help and were just about to be sent back.
It took Jingyuan, a person in power, to have their help accepted.
"However, now that a crime is being announced and more so, one that involves the murder of a notable figure who is a High Elder… "
Welt trailed off but the two already understood what he was getting at.
"There is also the fact that Bailu is a rather popular individual from what I saw, as she was a healer who helped manage casualties. If this announcement were to reach the public—."
"Their opinion of us would drop like crazy."
Welt nodded as Stelle got what he wanted to say. However, this only made her brain hurt more.
Opinions would vary but definitely not in their favor. While the people who have worked alongside them would possibly question the news itself.
The general public would lean more to the story the Vidyadhara is painting, considering they were natives to the Luofu and the person the story was centered around.
Compared to believing the words of some visitors who are guilty and have less of a reputation with them.
"I don't even want to imagine the issues Jingyuan is having right now. On top of the crisis, I'm sure that internal politics is the last thing he wants on his mind right now."
Stelle felt the energy drain from her body and fell headfirst towards the table in front of her. Silence returned, but Stelle still had a lot on her mind.
"Do you think that Jingyuan would believe it?"
She wanted to deny the possibility but knowing that Yuuto was missing and may return in cuffs made her anxious.
Sensing her anxiety, March tried to reassure her. "In my opinion, I don't think so. Do you remember what he said before telling us to leave?"
"I will talk to you later?"
"No, it was 'we will continue our talk in a bit, please wait a moment.'. It sounds like he wants to prevent the problem from growing and see the facts first."
While March was just assuming things, she felt like Jingyuan wanted to protect them for now and see the truth behind their words.
Something she at least hoped was happening but it was just her optimistic nature speaking.
—Knock Knock.
Mulling over what would happen once they returned, a knock came from the door and a person called for them.
"The General wants you to return."
Yanqing wore a neutral expression but the others couldn't help but stay quiet as they tried to read the intentions behind his words.
Possibly digging to see what could have happened during the time they were away.
Entering the meeting room where they originally left, a hint of tension lingered in the air.
"Welcome back."
Jingyuan greeted them with a small smile but it was obvious to them that their current situation placed them in a rough spot, which they expected.
"Before you say anything, I just want to say that the Vidyadhara will not seek trouble from you."
"But for Yuuto?" Welt questioned instantly.
"I won't say much but this…'issue' is hard to elaborate in just one sitting but know, I did what I could in my position."
Jingyuan felt his lips thin.
"While I want this accusation to be false, there are some things that led me to believe that High Elder Bailu is indeed in a state where she could be considered dead."
Stelle and March grimaced and looked like they had eaten a bitter pill but what else could they do but accept what he said. Jingyuan continued.
"I could protect you three but for Yuuto, I will not step in unless someone shows proper evidence for his innocence. If I do, the Preceptors will begin to point fingers and say that I am being biased to outsiders."
With the way the Preceptors were rather aggressive in their claims regarding Yuuto, Jingyuan had to find a bottom line and common point that they could agree on.
While it seemed unfair to them, this involved a valued member of the Luofu and being a High Elder on top of it.
Jingyuan could already see the leverage the Preceptors had over him.
'If I make a slight misstep now, the other Arbiter-Generals will step in and there are some people I don't want to meet at the moment.'
It was already draining as it is when it came to handling the current crisis but knowing that another problem was brewing on the surface.
Jingyuan was tempted to leave everything and turn his mind off.
But as an Arbiter-General, he knew he couldn't do that.
"With the crisis still at large, in the end I requested the news not to be released and a trial will be held after the crisis is handled but until then, Yuuto will be arrested and detained on sight."
His words were final and while it was something they didn't like hearing, they were able to see that this was the limit in how much he could bend the stick for them.
"Thank you for helping us the most as you could." Welt bowed his head but he didn't feel much joy despite Jingyuan's attempts to reassure him.
"You lot have already been of great help and this is the least I could do..."
Jingyuan waved his hand as Welt thanked him but he couldn't put a word on how he felt at the moment. He didn't deserve his thanks.
He managed to reach a deal to protect the three people in front of him.
But the person who needed help the most was now left to defend on his own.
'Allow me to apologize once this is over.'
He stood up from his seat. "Let's head out. The more time wasted, the more time the Arbor can be used for somebody else's selfish wishes."
Jingyuan took the lead. He was followed by Fu Xuan who held her head in silence and Yanqing who was just a step behind.
The crew followed along but there was a certain look in their eyes. The words started to sink in and what could come from Jingyuan's decision.
Welt was the first to feel something was being implied.
"He figured it out pretty fast…"
"As if you weren't already being obvious in the way you formed your sentences. General not being biased."
Fu Xuan groaned as her headache was still bothering her but her words were like a knife and sliced Jingyuan's conscience.
His words can be considered terrible, listening to it at face value but there were a few phrases that if they managed to catch it. They could understand his message.
[I won't do anything directly but I could turn a blind eye until the trial. Find evidence to prove his innocence.]
"If you were serious then you would just place him under a criminal status and organize a squad of Cloud Knights for a search party."
"But I was serious?"
"Sure you are. You say that you're not going to step in unless he's proven innocent, but this feels like you don't want to restrict him."
Fu Xuan could tell that Jingyuan wasn't serious in punishing Yuuto since she knew what it would look like if he really wanted to judge him.
But this decision was more so to rein in the Preceptors who began acting suspiciously.
"Whatever, but I hope you understand that you're playing into the Preceptor's game when you let them have that leverage over you."
Bailu's death is like a guillotine over his head. A bomb that is set.
As he already had a history with not one but two of the High Elders, which now eventually ended badly on both ends.
It could be rather easy to shift blame or even twist sides to paint him as a villain. Especially when he himself vouched for the recruitment of the Astral Express.
Fu Xuan eyed Jingyuan carefully trying to probe his thoughts which was hard as his expression didn't change from his usual one.
In the end, Jingyuan would only offer her a glimpse of what he was thinking.
"Do you know why I allowed them to have that leverage over me?"
"...Why?"
A soft chuckle came from him.
"They didn't even try to hide it but they were pushing for me to step away from this crime and they will bring judgment on their own terms."
"I'm guessing that they will decide how they want to punish Yuuto, meaning that you can't have a say in what they do." Fu Xuan tried to piece it together.
"I'm not certain of the types of schemes that the Preceptors are up to but their foundation within the Alliance is undeniable. But.. I feel like they may have shot themselves in the foot by choosing this."
Jingyuan felt his eyes relax. "Whatever plans they have at the moment, hopefully they're ready for what's to come."
"What?" Fu Xuan still couldn't follow.
Bailu's death is a serious scandal that the Preceptors have a right to act on but Fu Xuan herself also had some doubts.
The evidence that they presented was strong but it lined up too perfectly.
His disappearance, the multiple witnesses that saw the crime, and even the piece of ice that had Bailu's blood(?)
Fu Xuan felt like the meeting was more like an announcement of what had happened rather than a wish for justice.
There wasn't a hint of grief or sadness the more she heard their voices and demands.
"So you're saying that Bailu's death is being faked?"
It was a reasonable question but Jingyuan shook his head.
"Like I said before, I believe what the Preceptor said wasn't a lie but it wasn't the whole truth as well. It's my gut feeling."
"Here you go with your gut feeling again…"
Fu Xuan was speechless but what else could she do but agree with him.
"So in the end, you're going to leave Yuuto on his own to face the Preceptors?"
"Oh? Are you feeling worried for him? I didn't know you were that type of person, Lady Fu Xuan~"
"As if… That annoying man can face all the troubles he gets. He for sure deserves it…"
Her expression darkened thinking about the number of times he had teased her so far and her knuckles turned white from clenching them too hard.
Jingyuan expressed his worries for Yuuto seeing the face Fu Xuan was making but for her question, he didn't feel the need to worry much.
Still, there was a hint of reluctance and guilt in thinking about what would pass.
He once again apologized in his head but deep inside, he was already willing to step in if something were to happen to him.
When they interacted just briefly, he felt an odd feeling of nostalgia whenever they met and it reminded him of a person from the past.
His master.
Not only the atmosphere but their characteristics of sheer stubbornness that bordered on foolishness.
It all felt the same.
'Even if it is just a feeling, I'm certain, just like her, he could handle it in his own way. Not to mention…'
He glanced back to see Welt, Stelle and March in deep thought.
Seeing this, he felt satisfied.
"Now all we need to do is—--"
—BOOOM.
"....!?"
Jingyuan stopped in his tracks and a feeling of urgency shot up as he summoned his lance in his hands.
He felt prickles on his skin, his spine shivered from cold sweat.
Leaving behind the others who were confused, he ignored them and rushed outside.
Past the buildings that hindered his view, he saw a cyclone of ice rising from the ground towards the sky. Each snowflake held a chill that bore deep into his bones.
And a silver streak of light that he felt was all too familiar to him. A light that had been drilled deep into his memory.
"Master…"
There were many questions he wanted to ask but it all stopped once he felt a deep shadow gradually covering the city.
One that conveyed a feeling of insignificance. Where all that they could do was look up in horror.
"Rahu…"
He clenched his jaw. "We have to hurry and reach the Arbor's roots. Now."
***
With the appearance of Rahu, there was one person who was oblivious to all this.
–Jingle
The room was dark and the air was thick with dust.
Once silent, the rustle of chains filled the room as the person tied up to these restraints started to feel their senses return.
"Where the hell am I…"
With his vision returning, Yuuto blinked a few times to have his eyes adjust to the dark but all he could see so far was the sight of stone bricks and an opaque door.
"I swear Phantylia always finds a new way to piss me off…"
Yuuto felt his blood boil as he tried to remember what had happened and brought his hand to his face. However, as he moved his arm, the feeling of metal dug into his skin.
Sensing his movement restricted, Yuuto finally took the chance to see what was wrapping around his body.
Thick iron cuffs and chains that wrapped his body tighter the more he moved. It looked like he was in line for an execution he did not know of.
"Great, now I have to plan for a jailbreak?"
Yuuto stopped moving as the chains were beginning to constrict his limbs and the next thing he didn't want happening was the need to chop off an arm or leg.
Kneeling in the dark and being chained up, Yuuto closed his eyes to think and wondered how much time had passed.
There was still the Arbor, the Sanctus and Phantylia that he was worried about.
Along with variables that started to slowly appear which he did not know of.
His mind kept churning on these various things. Thoughts flowed, and he was too occupied that he didn't even notice the person impishly smiling at him in the corner.
Amused at his current situation.
"Hey Yuu~~" A voice sweet as honey tickled his ear. "What are you thinking about?"
His eyes snapped open and the chains rattled as he shot forward to grab the person but it wasn't enough. Seeing as his fingers were just inches away from her neck.
"You scared me! Try not to jump on a lady like that again. Know the time and place!!"
"You… what are you doing here?"
Yuuto narrowed his eyes and looked at the woman. Her face, tone and even manners were the same, but there was something uncanny about her eyes.
A five-petaled cherry blossom. Radiating a bright fluorescent pink.
"What are you here, Sparkle?"
Sparkle felt the hair on her skin rise as his voice was much colder than usual. One that she wasn't familiar with.
It wasn't the teasing voice she was used to but one that felt like a blade was dangling right at her throat.
This feeling was new and made her tremble…
But she didn't mind in the slightest.
"Yuu~? Why don't we play a game?"