The timing of Joey's potential contact with the Fourth Prince wasn't ideal.
His current state didn't allow a smooth transition out of Golden Experience Mode and back into his Emitter-type aura.
After earlier exertions, his aura reserves were worn thin. He wasn't weak, but he couldn't fight at full strength either.
That meant his most viable option was still assassination—relying on Killer Queen.
After weighing the risks, Joey chose to lay everything on the table with Kurapika.
The goal: persuade Kurapika not to confront the Fourth Prince head-on without a solid backup plan.
"This video could get us partial cooperation from the Fourth Prince, but it's not enough."
Kurapika gave his assessment after watching the footage Joey had of the First Prince.
"But if we manage to build some rapport during our next meeting, then this footage gains weight," Joey replied.
"That means turning the First Prince into a full-blown enemy."
"Depends on Shulricov's move tomorrow. If he attacks the Twelfth Prince, then that's the perfect moment to hand the footage over."
Kurapika nodded. If Shulricov made his move, that would signal the collapse of any illusion of peace—open war.
"But the First Prince might have prepared a trap knowing we have this footage," Kurapika cautioned.
"We won't hand it over directly," Joey replied. "We just tell the Fourth Prince where to find it. That way, any danger falls on him. If something goes wrong, we're in the clear."
The hidden surveillance device had been left in the Eighth Prince's quarters.
When Joey passed by Area 8 earlier, he'd expanded his irregular En, activated Golden Experience, and infused the camera-book with aura from a distance.
His Golden Experience wasn't a literal stand—it didn't require physical contact to activate abilities.
But he rarely used it remotely, partly to avoid giving away his range—and because his Emitter-type aura couldn't sustain that mode for long.
Only in Golden Experience Mode, backed by Wallet Aura, could Joey control it from longer distances.
Now, the book hidden in Area 8 could revive at any moment and spit out the consumed recording device.
The memory card within would be a golden chip for the Fourth Prince.
It not only revealed how the Eighth Prince died but might also expose the abilities of the First Prince's soldiers—and possibly the First Prince himself.
There was a catch: the Prince's identity was only implied in the footage. But with the right hint, anyone sharp enough could deduce the truth.
"The First Prince couldn't see the Eighth Prince's guardian beast," Joey explained.
"Watch where his eyes are focused. That detail cracks his ability wide open—if you know what to look for."
Kurapika nodded. "That'll be our bargaining chip."
"Also, what do you know about Morena, head of the Ei Ei Family?"
"Not much," Joey admitted. "Among the three major mafia families, I only know the Shyu family's boss. He's King Nasubi's younger brother—also the Third Prince Tserriednich's father. He's one of the survivors from the last Succession War."
"No. O'Neil never participated in the Succession War."
Kurapika dropped a bombshell.
Joey frowned. "You sure?"
"Yes. Juan told me. Only one survivor from the last war: King Nasubi. Every other prince died."
That froze Joey in place.
He had always assumed some princes could survive the ritual. Now it seemed: only one walks away.
Not even pardon meant anything. It was a lie—a false comfort.
This war would be bloodier than they feared. Every prince would become stained with murder.
"I see."
Joey exhaled sharply, then shifted the topic.
"Another thing—I've already swapped the Tenth and Eleventh Princes using our doppelgangers. I also confirmed the Eleventh Princess's ability."
"Secret Door?"
"Right. As long as Fugetsu wishes it, a door to her desired location appears before her.
Returning, though, requires the Tenth Princess's cooperation."
Kurapika's eyes lit up for once.
"So you've brought the Association into this war."
"No. It was just a deal. The Association can't afford to send manpower. But through Piyon, we can request some supplies."
"If we can map the Fourth Prince's quarters, Fugetsu can open a door. That's our ticket inside."
Kurapika bowed deeply.
"You've risked so much, Joey. Thank you."
Joey helped him up, almost embarrassed.
"We may not share the same goals, and I'm not a licensed Hunter.
But you hired me, so I'll act like one.
Besides, I've got my own reasons—if Kakin collapses, I'll never reach the Dark Continent. And that's a matter of life and death for me."
"If we reach the Dark Continent safely and you still need me, I'll fight by your side," Kurapika promised.
Joey smiled. "We're friends, right?"
"Of course."
Outside the Twelfth Prince's room, Hisoka—still partnered with Shulricov—sneezed.
He rubbed his nose, puzzled.
Around 1 a.m., Kurapika replaced him at the Prince's door.
In return, Hisoka brought Joey news about Melody.
She'd received numerous invitations.
Some of them... not really optional.
The Fourth Prince extended a polite offer.
But the First and Fifth Princes issued summons.
The Third, Sixth, and Seventh Princes had sent requests too.
Melody suggested she'd start with the Fourth Prince, to "read his soul" via Heart Song.
Joey didn't even consult Kurapika.
He vetoed it instantly.
The Fourth Prince was far too dangerous.
Worse—his guardian beast could detect lies.
In the manga, lying to the Fourth Prince triggered three warnings:
A wound-like mark.
Verbal warning and aggravated injury.
The liar became a non-human entity.
The specifics were unclear.
But Joey would never let Melody be the guinea pig.
To delay the beast's development, he'd risked sending a fly-shaped message to Theta outside the banquet.
The message had only two phrases:
"Don't act."
"Beware of time."
That was all he could transmit with a fly.
But even two lines could make a difference.
Whether Theta would understand… that was out of Joey's hands.
Still, if they could stall just a few more days, the trap they'd laid during week one might finally snap shut.
If that failed, no point in diplomacy.
Time to kill the bastard.
Which was why Melody should leave Deck 1.
Her ability was too dangerous.
The moment people knew, she became a target.
Melody, however, refused.
She promised not to meet the Fourth Prince, but she'd remain in Area 10 and keep guarding the "Prince."
From tomorrow, she would begin visiting the upper princes.
She could decline an invitation.
But a summons from the Second and Fifth Princes… she couldn't refuse.
—
Inside Area 4, the Fourth Prince wasn't resting.
He held a telephone receiver. His aura was ominous.
"She's not in the V2 area?"
"No. Probably bribed a steward and went into hiding on the lower decks."
"I've been too busy to care…"
Near him, guards were scrubbing entrails from the floor.
Elsewhere, piles of broken tools glistened with dried blood—badges of torture.
"Do we proceed with the plan?"
"Of course. Go all out.
By the way—have you heard of a man named Dio?
He's a bodyguard for the Twelfth Prince.
Possibly connected to Morena."
"Dio? Dio Brando, maybe?"
"Brando?"
The Prince turned to a guard.
"Yes. From the Republic of Bartochia. Listed as a merchant."
The voice on the phone continued, now excited.
"He investigated the Ei Ei Family.
And the Shyu Family.
Also dug into the Eighth Prince.
He got a VVIP ticket from the Vincent-Murk Family.
But most importantly—he visited Hunter Association HQ a month before the voyage."
"The boss grew interested. We dug deeper.
His real name—you know it."
"I do?"
The Prince's eyes widened.
Then the connections clicked.
"Yoshikage Kira."
"Bingo."
The Prince laughed.
"So he's finally showing his face.
I thought he'd vanish forever.
And here he is… trying to kill me. And the Eighth Prince too.
Seems he already succeeded once."
"Shall we eliminate him?"
"No. Stick to the plan."
"Understood."
After hanging up, the Fourth Prince ordered:
"Send our agents to locate Morena.
And at 8 a.m. tomorrow, call the Twelfth Prince's room.
Invite Kurapika and Dio—formally."
"An invitation?"
"Yes. He'll accept."
A smile spread across the Prince's face.
"Too bad I didn't keep that First Prince soldier.
His spine would've made a nice addition to my collection."
In the shadows, Theta watched it all. Her face remained unreadable.
She'd seen it before—the dismembered corpses, the private torture sessions.
It didn't rattle her.
At 1 a.m., the Prince retired.
Theta and Sarvok returned to the guards' dorm.
Theta sat at the desk, sketching the path of the fly Joey had sent.
The arcs of flight formed a message:
"Don't act. Beware of time."
He knows I'm going to attack.
Her heartbeat quickened.
Sarvok peeked at the page.
"He's the Yoshikage Kira the Prince mentioned, huh?"
"Mm."
Theta tore up the note and reached out her hand.
Sarvok handed her a lighter.
"Can we trust him?"
"I don't know.
But he clearly knows something.
And tomorrow, he'll be in Area 4.
We'll get answers then."
"What's this 'time' warning mean?"
"Use your head."
She rolled her eyes.
"One possibility:
He knows I'm training the Prince.
He wants me to stall.
He saw me and the Prince training when explosions rocked Areas 4 and 6."
"Another possibility:
'Beware of time' is about himself or the Prince's nen beast.
Maybe if I act too soon, I'll fail."
"The Prince just awakened."
"But he's a Specialist."
Theta's gaze grew serious.
"Yoshikage Kira may be able to see the future.
Not precise visions—but vague ones.
How else could he predict what I'd do?
How else would he know my intent—without ever speaking to me?"