"Besides, Elder Gentleman, you've been in retirement for so long. To step forward now over these matters..."
In the study, Shin clasped her hands before her. She looked at the elderly man nearby, standing before a bookshelf flipping through a book, and spoke softly.
Her gaze was calm as water as she regarded the white-haired elder.
She didn't voice all her thoughts—some were too harsh. His strength was far from weak; who knew how he might react.
The old gentleman could have been enjoying his twilight years in peace.
Relaxing her hands, Shin suddenly recalled their past discussion about the Fire Picker. Perhaps her perspective back then had been somewhat skewed.
The old gentleman had not grown old and feeble. He had simply grown more cautious in certain matters. His stance toward the Fire Picker had only differed from hers out of concern for the bigger picture.
And now, his choice still commanded respect. Sometimes, taking a side openly was far more dangerous than waging war in secret.
"Haha, Shin, isn't this exactly what you were hoping for? Or rather... have you grown somewhat impressed with this old man now?"
The white-haired elder laughed heartily, ignoring Shin's earlier words as he teased her instead.
At that, Shin shook her head slightly.
"In my heart, I've always admired you, Elder Gentleman."
After all, how could one not respect a general who once led the Falkenhayn Mercenary Troupe? Her earlier thoughts had only been a sigh over a hero's twilight years, never dissatisfaction with him.
"I believe that."
The elder smiled and nodded, then closed the book in his hand. His resolve was already made clear in a single phrase:
"Silence is complicity."
It was not only his judgment of those officials—it was his judgment of himself and others as well.
He could not demand that others stand up. But he could stand up himself.
"Still, I do worry... now that I'm retired, how much influence do I really have left?"
Shin's eyes flickered as she replied.
"Elder Gentleman, you once held that position. Even now in retirement, that fact cannot be erased."
"A tiger with its fangs pulled is still a tiger."
"I don't believe the rats would have the courage or ability."
Her expression was calm—though in truth, it had never wavered from the start. In the old man's presence, she had long since cultivated the habit of remaining composed no matter what.
"You still speak with such bluntness."
The old man gave a wry laugh at Shin's words, shaking his head as he spoke.
Shin's expression faltered slightly. Hmm, that woman had once said she had a sharp tongue too...
Hmm... Was that really so?
Zane never said anything like that.
Just then, a voice came from outside the door.
"Miss, Mr. Zane has arrived."
At the words, Shin's eyes brightened. She glanced at the elder, then moved to go greet him.
Just as she thought of him, he appeared. The timing was... quite interesting.
After all, this was a true Fire Picker. The genuine article.
"Zane? Are you the one who was recruited into the Falkenhayn Mercenary Troupe earlier? I've heard of you—your strength is said to be extraordinary."
"Perhaps I could help assess him."
The elder chuckled, his words carrying a hint—he had heard rumors of Shin's unusual connection to this young man, and it seemed even Shin's father was aware...
At that, Shin raised an eyebrow, then nodded. She had already intended for the elder to meet him. Whether it was to boost Zane's standing within the Falkenhayn Mercenary Troupe or for other reasons, it would be beneficial.
Shin opened the door and stepped out, the elder following close behind.
Moments later, in the mansion's reception hall, Shin found Zane seated calmly, sipping tea.
"Zane, so late at night..."
She asked curiously. In her memory, Zane rarely sought her out unless it was something important.
Zane lifted his eyes to hers, then stood. His gaze shifted to the elder at Shin's side, his eyes searching.
As Zane took him in, the elder was also sizing him up, quietly nodding to himself. Young, powerful, seemingly steady in temperament—and his looks carried a touch of his own youthful charm...
Shin's taste wasn't bad.
"Oh, I forgot to introduce you. This is..."
Noticing Zane's expression, Shin moved aside to make a simple introduction, but the elder waved his hand, cutting her off.
"You and Shin are of the same generation. Just call me Grandpa Mu."
At the words, Shin's eyes flickered slightly.
Zane responded quietly.
"Elder Gentleman."
Though the elder had kindly suggested "Grandpa Mu," Zane had noticed Shin did not use that address—she called him "Elder Gentleman."
He wasn't interested in prying into their relationship, but since he was with Shin, he chose to follow her lead.
The old man blinked in surprise at the implication in Zane's response, then broke into a smile.
This young man... in temperament, he was a bit like Shin. Hmm, both rather blunt.
Shin smiled as well, a little surprised that Zane had followed her wording. Her gaze softened slightly as she asked again.
"Is there something you needed?"
At that, Zane countered with a question.
"Won't you invite me inside?"
Hearing this, Shin immediately understood his meaning. This wasn't the place to talk.
So moments later, the two returned to the study. The elder, meanwhile, went to seek out Shin's father for a conversation.
In the study, Zane began sharing his suspicions with Shin.
As time passed, Shin's expression shifted—first calm, then shock, then utter disbelief, before she finally forced her emotions back under control.
When Zane finally finished, he noticed her gaze had grown strange... as if she were staring at a monster.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing... nothing at all..."
Shin shook her head. Perhaps this was simply Zane's sharp intuition—but then again, he had always been clever.
"I'll investigate this matter. But for now, there's something more important."
Meeting Zane's eyes, Shin spoke earnestly.
"In two days, at the High Tribunal hearing—I want you to come with me. I had actually planned to bring this up with you, but since you've come tonight, there's no need."
"The High Tribunal hearing?"
Zane sensed she might be shifting the topic, puzzled, but his attention turned to the hearing she mentioned.
"Exactly."