The situation Wazhu feared did not occur.
The other families behaved themselves, fulfilling their respective duties—meticulously eliminating the "Heroic Spirits," arresting and interrogating suspicious individuals, and resolutely blocking the Secret Party's execution division personnel. Like human-shaped radars, they dragged out every agent trying to sneak into the park for intel.
Everyone, including members of the Zhou clan, looked at Shirou, Wazhu, as well as Mai and Rei, with awe, reverence, and in some cases, fanatical admiration.
Though the world of hybrids claimed to value bloodline and lineage, in truth, it respected strength.
And the most direct display of power? Undoubtedly slaying a god in front of a crowd. A mythical feat.
In ancient times, such a deed would warrant historical records and a hundred different retellings of the legend.
Were it not for Wazhu's glance warning them off due to Shirou's injuries, the crowd would have swarmed them in celebration, abandoning all decorum.
"Zhou Yuxuan, what's the status?"
At a temporary stronghold in the ruins of the park, Wazhu found someone from her family.
Zhou Yuxuan took the broken Ryūtaitai and heavy sword case that Rei had been carrying for Shirou and began his report.
"The casualties among our main house and the other families have been tallied. Equipment and documents recovered from the Chen estate have been cataloged. The Chen family's main manor has been sealed, and any stubborn resisters were executed on the spot.
"After a detailed investigation, it turns out the Chen family controls over thirty medical institutions, most implicated in 'illegal biological research'... and numerous research centers, orphanages, nursing homes, and medical academies..."
As Zhou Yuxuan glanced at the still-riding Shirou, he hesitated. "Wazhu-sama, perhaps you should hand Shirou over to the medical team?"
Only then did Wazhu realize she was still tightly holding onto Shirou. A flush of embarrassment crossed her face, yet she was reluctant—what if others handled him roughly?
Shirou coughed, "I'm just in rough shape. Let me rest for a bit, and I should be able to walk."
"No way!" Wazhu treated him like a fragile treasure. "Mai! You carry Shirou!"
...Me? You mean me?
Still resting, Mai pointed to herself. It wasn't that she didn't want to carry the heroic Shirou, but she feared Wazhu's deadly glare.
"Fine, fine, I'll do it! Don't worry, I won't let a single drop of sweat fall from our hero, let alone hurt him! No blood, no tears! Rei, let's move!"
With Wazhu's death-stare looming, Mai mentally chanted, "Customer is god… customer is god…" and took Shirou from Wazhu.
Shirou felt his back shift from a small, soft figure to a tall, elegant one. A curious new experience.
Zhou Yuxuan, head bowed, carefully ignored the strange aura between the women and the tension in Wazhu's eyes.
Once Shirou was out of earshot, Wazhu turned serious. "Let me handle the follow-up here. Zhou Yuxuan, go take care of two things."
"Yes, Wazhu-sama."
"First, we need to go on the offensive against the Western Secret Party. Organize strong evidence, and with our key witness, direct as much suspicion toward the Secret Party as possible.
"Second, deliver two urgent invitations—one to Sir Snowdon at Westminster in London, and another to the Grand Master of the Knights Templar at the Solomon Temple in Vatican City."
She had promised to shake up the Secret Party—and this time, it couldn't just be the Shenzhou families taking action. The Western side had to move too.
————
The Secret Party was already in disarray.
What had once been a peaceful meeting room at Kassel Academy had turned into a verbal battleground.
Leading the chaos was none other than Professor Manstein, now wearing scholarly glasses.
"...Do I need to repeat myself? The Shenzhou families have submitted a severe accusation against the Secret Party—with complete documentation and undeniable evidence... We must ensure the Gattuso and Sigurd families are cleared of suspicion—"
"Enough!"
The man arguing with Manstein wore a black mask over half his face, with a breathing tube and red scars where the mask didn't cover. His face was almost completely destroyed.
This was Von Schneider, head of the execution department at Kassel Academy—the one most connected to execution divisions worldwide.
He glared coldly. "Clearing the name of a board member family and an Elder Council family? That's the same as letting the Secret Party take the blame. What did you tell the Shenzhou division? Now we're stuck with these baseless charges."
"What are you implying—that this is my fault?" Manstein shot back, glaring.
"It is procedure! The Gattuso agents were on-site!"
"Forget the details!"
Schneider slammed the table. "The Shenzhou families suddenly uncovered tons of secrets in the Chen estate, yet our agents knew nothing. I think they are hiding something! If they want to play dirty, so can we!"
"Thank you for the reasonable suspicion. If you had said this a few hours ago, I might have considered it!"
Manstein knew that if he had taken that route, not a single Shenzhou agent would've made it out of that lockdown.
"Then consider it now! Before they clean the scene or find a credible witness."
Schneider's voice wheezed like an old bellows.
"Order our agents to sneak in. Better to act now than sit around waiting for the next wave of accusations."
"Wait!"
Manstein raised a hand and glanced down. He had just received a new update from the Shenzhou division.
His expression shifted to shock.
"What? The Gattuso agent was arrested and gave a confession on the Secret Party's involvement—on the spot?"
(End of Chapter)
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