Belle composed herself as Zane approached, speaking softly once more.
"Zane, you're back."
"Yeah, I'm back."
Zane nodded, offering Belle a faint smile.
Noticing the peculiar look on Zane's face, Belle raised an eyebrow slightly before dismissing her curiosity without comment.
"What about the materials Trigger handed over to you? How did Shin react?"
Though Belle hadn't asked, Zane brought up the main business. After a moment's thought, Belle walked toward the video store while answering,
"The data analysis is complete, but it's rather complicated. It involves information related to those involved in what you did at the banquet earlier, as well as current municipal affairs and some details about the Financial Alliance..."
Recalling the materials Fairy had organized, Belle couldn't help but shake her head and sigh.
"They really give away anything..."
"It's a sign of their cooperation intentions, after all."
Zane chuckled, unsurprised. For those in Mars District and that faction, their concerns were inherently limited.
His existence was unique and precious to them—a rare beacon of light. As the saying goes, to hear the truth in the morning and die in the evening would be enough...
It was nothing more than that.
"Hmm... I don't quite grasp it, but I don't really need to understand it either."
Belle nodded, her voice soft. Then she brought up the message Trigger had asked her to pass on to Zane earlier that afternoon.
"Zane, Trigger said that no matter what, negotiations between the two sides aren't really appropriate. It'd be better to go see for yourself."
"Go see Mars District for yourself."
"She said if you're willing, you can contact her, and she'll take you there."
"See it for myself? That's not a bad idea."
Zane nodded, accepting the suggestion. His schedule wasn't too packed next, and though things were moving quickly on the Shin front, he still had some time.
"Alright, I'll contact Trigger later. You two can arrange a time..."
Zane followed Belle into the video store. As they entered, the shop door closed behind them.
On Sixth Street, the dim streetlights stood silently, shrouded in the night's embrace, a profound stillness hanging over the scene.
In the street corners, one or two small cats padded along, their footsteps leaving delicate plum blossom-like prints in the shallow snow.
Moonlight spilled across the pristine white snow, casting a cool, luminous glow.
Just as it always had.
...
"Tyce, you really have some nerve..."
"If not for earlier... plus the corroborating evidence now, I never would've guessed you'd actually plan this..."
Shin shook her head in amazement while continuing to study the electronic screen in her hands. Ever since Zane brought over the files on Vision Corporation and the White Noise, she'd been conducting her investigation.
Naturally, she'd made significant progress by now.
Hmm, had she known those Vision Corporation and White Noise members would spill so easily, she wouldn't have gone to such lengths...
No, it wouldn't have been this simple without Zane's unique abilities—not only could he produce extremely high-purity Ether substances, but he could also freely alter their concentration and purity.
Plus, the research over there had reached a crucial turning point... That's why she was so desperately hungry for Zane's insights.
She'd never possessed such a suitable bargaining chip before.
"Earlier?"
In the vast research facility, the man shot Shin a puzzled glance, having naturally noticed her pause and the unfinished sentence.
"Nothing."
Shin shook her head, lifting her gaze to meet Tyce's.
She certainly couldn't tell this man that she'd nearly pieced together the entire truth through Zane back then—doing so would expose Zane's existence.
She hadn't been implicated in the previous banquet incident, and currently, no one knew that Zane and the Fire Picker were the same person.
Others only knew that Zane was the newly appointed lieutenant of the Falkenhayn Mercenary Troupe.
As for the Fire Picker... elusive and unpredictable, who could say?
"Hmph. Since you already know, what do you intend to do about it?"
"Sending someone out specifically to invite us over this late at night... that's quite unlike your usual style..."
Tyce smiled calmly, then glanced at the woman seated in a wheelchair nearby. She appeared detached, engrossed in watching a new movie. Tyce murmured softly,
"Seems your people can't keep their mouths shut."
At his words, the woman glanced up at Tyce before promptly returning her attention to the tablet in her hands.
"Those people are nominally affiliated with Titan Tech, but they're not under my command. Besides, I couldn't control them even if I wanted to—not with the military involved, and those who originally belonged to the Academy."
"What does that have to do with me?"
"You two chat away. I'm just here for the show. Don't interrupt my movie—it's getting to the crucial part..."
"Though I must say, the way this film depicts the Special Ethereal does resemble the Fire Picker in my mind. That Fire Picker Society might be worth looking into..."
Her voice gradually trailed off, becoming little more than a whisper. Tyce watched her reaction, his lips twitching involuntarily.
"Heh, Mr. Tyce, don't go slandering me. What do you mean 'sent someone to invite you'? This is clearly your turf, isn't it..."
"Who knows what secret weapons or hidden facilities this research institute might be hiding? Ugh, I might just meet my end the next second..."
Shin took up Tyce's words with a light chuckle, then pursed her lips in a hint of resignation, her tone playful.
Clearly, she was in a good mood now.
Noticing Tyce's impatience, Shin dropped the banter. Straightening her expression, she looked at him earnestly and said,
"Actually... we could cooperate."
"After all, our objectives aren't conflicting. And concerning Hollow Zero... you can't possibly proceed without the Falkenhayn Mercenary Troupe's assistance."
"Indeed, across the dozen military districts of New Eridu, you have significant personnel. Within the municipal government too—you have ways to attract the profit-driven Financial Alliance."
"Even within the Falkenhayn Mercenary Troupe itself, if you lack direct operatives, there are like-minded individuals who share your goals. After all, I'm not the only Major in the Falkenhayn Mercenary Troupe..."
Shin placed a hand over his heart, paused, then continued.
"But you know, if I were to stand with you, your plan would proceed much, much more smoothly..."
"Why?"
Tyce regarded Shin, his gaze laced with wariness. He didn't trust this man who'd opposed him for so long.
"Because I believe your plan is correct and achievable."
Shin's expression settled as he regarded Tyce. Though the man's methods were despicable, the outcome might prove worthwhile.
"What are your conditions?"
Tyce didn't hesitate, demanding immediately.
At those words, the frost on Shin's face melted, revealing a faint smile once more.