Nikolai Ivanov, Mayor of the Navy Line, was currently plagued by the events unfolding in Ark.
The White Line raid.
A catastrophe of such magnitude that every line was now on high alert, but the real issue was this—one of the culprits was from the Navy Line.
'It might've been fine if it were anyone else… but of all people, it had to be her.'
If it had been someone insignificant, the situation might have been salvageable.
But the culprit was a well-known figure within the Navy Line.
That made Nikolai Ivanov's current position nothing short of a nightmare.
"This is driving me mad."
He bit down hard on a cigar and lit it.
As the thick smoke rose, it brought him a fleeting sense of calm, but smoke alone couldn't resolve the disaster before him.
He hit the call button and summoned his secretary.
A highly competent aide who always acted as his counselor during such crises.
Soon, the door to the mayor's office opened.
"You called for me?"
"Yes. Sit down."
Nikolai Ivanov puffed heavily on his cigar and began.
"You know what kind of situation I'm in right now, don't you?"
"Yes. I understand it's quite dire."
"Ha! Dire? That's putting it lightly. One wrong move and I'm finished."
The Mayor of the Navy Line trembled as he smoked.
Normally, the Mayor of a line wielded near-absolute power.
But the Navy Line was an exception.
For it was ruled in truth by the Belov Family—the ones who controlled Ark's night.
The real power was in the hands of Anton Belov, the capo of the Belov Family.
In other words, Nikolai Ivanov's title of 'mayor' held very little real authority.
The Navy Line was practically Belov territory.
"Has Sophia Belov's whereabouts been confirmed?"
"Regrettably, no…"
"Tsk."
If they could at least locate Sophia Belov, they might pin the blame on her and find a way out.
But it was as if she had vanished from Ark itself.
"The rear lines, starting with the Red and Blue Lines, look ready to declare war. We have to fix this before that happens."
"Is denying any connection to Sophia Belov an option?"
"If it were, I wouldn't be suffering like this. Sophia Belov is a public figure here. She's the capo's niece! You think we can just pretend she's not ours?"
That was the crux of the issue.
Had it been anyone else, the Navy Line might've escaped unscathed.
But it was Sophia Belov.
And her ties to the capo were widely known across Ark.
"Besides… I doubt the capo would allow it."
"Even in a situation like this, they'll still protect the family? Shouldn't she be disowned?"
"That's what family means."
If the Belov Family had casually discarded its own during their rise, they never would've gotten this far.
Family is family.
The Belovs never forget that.
"Then how about attending the Line Assembly? You could claim this was Sophia's lone action, completely unrelated to the Navy Line's intent."
"Even if I said that, who would believe me? I can't believe it myself."
It was only logical.
It made more sense to assume the Navy Line and Belov Family were behind the raid than to believe Sophia acted alone.
That meant the Navy Line was about to wear the label of instigator.
And could become the focal point of civil war.
"What if we obtained testimony from the Belov Family?"
"Are you insane? That would violate Omertà. I'd be dead before nightfall."
Everything was a dead end.
The secretary was feeling equally stifled, but he understood.
Nikolai Ivanov was stuck in the worst possible position.
"Then how about speaking to the capo directly?"
"The capo?"
"Yes. This is no longer something you can handle alone. You need to consult him."
"The capo, huh…"
Now that he heard it, it made sense.
Fear and instinct had kept him from considering the option, but at this point, he had no choice but to face the capo.
"But even if I do, what can the capo really do? I can't exactly ask him to abandon family."
"You won't need to."
"There's a way, then. Let's hear it."
"This all depends on how we sway the other lines' leaders and assembly members. And the capo—he's got connections throughout Ark. If he pulls some strings, this might just blow over."
"Hmmm…"
Smoke curled around him.
"Even for the capo, this might be too big to contain, no?"
"We won't know unless we try. It's our only chance."
"I suppose…"
And the truth was, Nikolai had no other options left.
"And if…"
"If?"
"If just one mayor or assembly member from another line took our side… we might find a way out."
"Sounds like a dream."
He denied it with his lips.
But in his heart, Nikolai was praying.
Praying that a miracle might actually happen.
* * *
Rose Line.
After the fall of the Black Line, it had become the frontline of Ark.
One of the most critical and heavily fortified places in the entire city.
The reason I'd come was simple.
There was someone I needed to meet.
["I've been here a few times, but the air still gives me chills."]
'It's the front line.'
Esther wasn't wrong.
Compared to the Red and Orange Lines, the Rose Line's defenses were on another level.
Each gate had its own massive war engine.
["Everyone looks terrifying. And not just how they look. Even the air around them."]
That wasn't all.
True to its status as Ark's last bastion, the soldiers here were in a league of their own.
["Hm?"]
Esther flinched as several soldiers turned their attention her way.
Though hidden, they'd caught the scent of her ether.
'So, these are Rose Line's ether adepts.'
To sense Esther like that…
It said everything I needed to know about their caliber.
["Let's go already."]
'I was going anyway.'
I hadn't come to marvel at Rose Line's defenses.
I had a destination.
And I moved toward it without delay.
That place?
One of the most heavily guarded sectors in the entire Rose Line.
Not only the Rose Line, but every frontline in Ark was under the influence of a single powerful house.
The Tripathi Family.
That was where I stood now.
["Whoa… this is insane. If I could live in a place like this just once, I'd have no more wishes."]
'Don't say stupid things.'
The Tripathi estate was nothing short of massive—there was no better word for it.
The towering wall that surrounded it—no, fortress—looked sturdy enough that even if the Rose Line fell, they could hold out here for a while.
As I approached the estate's gate, I felt the gaze of dozens of sensors and cameras scanning me like I was entering a high-security military checkpoint.
And after a short pause…
From a speaker at the gate, a voice spoke.
["Please state your identity."]
"Carl Marcus."
["Identity confirmed. What is the purpose of your visit to the Tripathi Family?"]
"I wish to meet with Ganesha Tripathi."
["We apologize, but without a prior appointment, you will not be able to meet the honorable councilor."]
Of course.
If meeting with a Tripathi councilor was that easy, I wouldn't have come all the way here myself.
I reached into my coat and pulled out something I'd kept for a long time.
A triangular emblem, each point marked with a star.
The insignia of the Tripathi Family.
「"This is the symbol of House Tripathi. If you're ever in trouble, present this at our gates."」
Just as Ganesha Tripathi had promised, the estate's massive doors slowly began to open the moment I raised the symbol.
Rumble…
The gate parted with a low grind.
As if they'd been waiting, a house butler emerged from within to receive me.
"You've come to meet with Sir Ganesha Tripathi?"
"Yes."
"Please, follow me. This way."
As expected of the Tripathi insignia…
The butler didn't waste time with unnecessary words, instead leading me promptly into the estate.
The Tripathi mansion boasted a garden as massive as its main residence.
If someone were to get lost here, they might truly become a missing person.
["…This is amazing."]
Even Esther, who had been to the Tripathi estate several times before, was impressed.
That was how overwhelmingly grand the grounds and estate were.
"Councilor Ganesha Tripathi is currently enjoying tea in the garden."
"Is that so."
That explained why we were walking such a long distance rather than heading directly to the house.
"Yes. This way, please."
I followed the butler through the enormous garden.
And before long, I arrived at the central gazebo where afternoon tea was being served.
"The councilor awaits you there."
The butler gave a respectful bow before stepping away.
It seemed that by presenting the family insignia, I'd been treated as a most honored guest.
'Well, he's not wrong.'
Regardless, I continued forward without hesitation.
"Ah."
And there he was.
"…Carl Marcus?"
Ganesha Tripathi.
The young councilor from the Rose Line, and the one whose life I had once saved.