In the empty brass council chamber, a faint, unique metallic and bloody scent hung in the air.
Tendo looked at the brass council, where there was no one alive except Scorpio Layton. His expression was calm.
The world was never black and white, but a delicate gray. Tendo didn't care whether the brass nobles' actions were right or wrong, or whether his own actions were born of good or bad intentions. Because when a good intention leads to a bad outcome, or a bad intention leads to a good outcome, the important thing is never the intention, but the final result.
Tendo knew very well that as long as everything went according to his plan, he would be considered to have done a great service to the entire New Federation and all of humanity. When that day came, it would also become his shield, allowing him to finally appear before everyone in the light.
"My lord, everything has been taken care of."
Layton's voice interrupted his thoughts. In his palm rested a metal tray, on which seven quantum keys were gently vibrating, emitting a faint green glow.
Since it wasn't time for a full confrontation yet, Tendo didn't take out the special 'Quantum Cube' at this time. He looked up at Layton, a gentle smile on his lips.
"Layton, for the next period of time, you will represent the Brass Council and stabilize the Association until the day my plan succeeds."
Tendo looked at Layton and said with certainty, "...Don't worry. Once that day comes, the entire Steam City and the Grandmaster's faction will become your greatest backing and shield."
Hearing this, a complex expression appeared on Layton's face. A high-ranking, intelligent astral beast, in the end, would have to rely on humans for support? If this thought had occurred to him before, he would have torn the person who said it to shreds on the spot. But ever since he got on this 'pirate ship' with Tendo, he had no way to turn back. What's more, he couldn't give up everything he had in Steam City, nor could he give up on that 'woman' who was always saying crazy things.
Some lies, after being told a thousand times, become the truth. At some point, the codename 'Scorpio of the Hidden Star Society' had long since disappeared. In its place was just an ordinary brass noble of Steam City.
Thinking of this, Layton took a deep breath and replied, "I understand, sir. I won't fail you."
Tendo nodded, then turned and walked out of the council chamber. The camera angle of the animated series suddenly rose from his shoulder, overlooking the entire brass council chamber. The once magnificent chamber was now visibly much dimmer. At the same time, unlike the high and mighty air the brass nobles had when they first appeared, the twelve brass seats were now mostly empty. On the seven occupied seats, their owners were slumped in various twisted postures. Dark red blood stained the chairs, and the light cast from the dome above painted a picture of 'Hell.'
'Holy crap, this shot is giving me goosebumps.'
'They were just swaggering around, but now they've been wiped out? Ink Wash is so ruthless.'
'Ink Wash is resurrected, the council is wiped out, and Vivian is about to be executed... I have a feeling something big is about to happen.'
'Don't panic, kids. Tendo is here. No matter what the outcome, Tendo will always show up to save the day.'
'As a Tendo fan, I'm telling you, all the Ink Washs are just stepping stones for Tendo. Just wait and see.'
[That night, in an unnamed villa in Steam City]
The warm, yellow light of the villa fell on the quantum cube in Tendo's hand. Twelve keys lay quietly in the depths of the cube, strangely forming a seamlessly connected, complete whole.
"As expected, these twelve quantum keys are the 'Signs' of the Stone of Miracles: Law."
He played with the quantum cube in his hand, his movements so casual it was as if he wasn't worried about breaking it at all.
Character, Book, and Sign. Tendo had known for a long time that these were the three most important 'cornerstones' that made up the Stone of Miracles: Law. He had already obtained the Character and the Sign. As long as he got the final Book, he would have a weakened version of a complete 'Stone of Miracles: Law.'
Among them was the one from 'Bishop Clive,' which Tendo had Euphemia hand over to him a long time ago. Although he would only obtain a weakened version of the Stone of Miracles: Law, it would still have all the functions of the complete Stone of Miracles: Law. It was enough for him to construct a complete Perfect Formula: Purgatory Rashomon.
However, Tendo had a plan for the process of obtaining the Book at the end of this second season. He looked at the quantum cube in his hand, a cunning smile on his face.
To others, the Stone of Miracles was a treasure that could change one's destiny. But to Tendo, his true 'treasure' was his unique 'popularity system.' Therefore, everything Tendo was doing at the moment was to gain a higher 'popularity rating.'
And this final process of obtaining the Book was the biggest popularity boost in Tendo's 'High Heaven Plan.'
Tendo rubbed his chin, like a director in charge of everything, and said with a smile, "Kong, you've had the spotlight for more than half of the second season. It's my turn to reap the popularity."
"Just think about it. Watching former comrades go from fighting side by side to becoming enemies. This kind of scene not only allows the audience to truly feel the pain of 'loss' but also lets them experience that twisted, shattered sense of satisfaction. It's such a classic trope."
"Because it will make the audience subconsciously question themselves when watching the characters' choices—'If it were me, would I abandon my friends for a path?'"
"This kind of self-reflection not only makes the characters more tangible but also elevates the story beyond entertainment, giving it deeper value for discussion."
With that, the quantum cube in Tendo's hand spun faster and faster.
"As long as I bring Vivian to the trial in a few days, I'll be able to use the Brass Road to fully enter the 'Gear Hub.'"
"The opening of the Brass Road and Vivian's temporary entry clearance, which the Gear Hub acknowledges, are all crucial mediums that I can't do without."
"After all, without these, even if I had the complete 'quantum keys,' I would only have the right to use the 'Steam Furnace' and not the right to change it."
If not for this, Tendo wouldn't have waited until the brass nobles had confirmed Vivian's guilt and opened the Brass Road before he appeared.
To swallow the Book that was the 'Gear Hub' whole into the quantum cube, Vivian, the key... was indispensable.
At the same time, he desperately needed Chen Kong's 'complicated' feelings for Vivian.
"Because only then will I have a proper reason and motivation to beat the protagonist's group to a pulp on the Brass Road."
Tendo's tone was full of playfulness, clearly having thought of something amusing.
"But taking Vivian away by force in front of Kong... that plot has a bit of a 'netorare' feel to it."
After all, at this point in the story, Vivian had basically cemented her label as the 'female lead of the Starry Saga,' and it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call her Chen Kong's official partner.
With that, Tendo subconsciously adjusted his sunglasses, and a sly look appeared in his eyes.
"Although I despise netorare plots, the popularity points are too sweet. So... I'll just have to put up with you, Kong, having a little green light on your head."
"But then again,"
Tendo suddenly touched his chin and said shamelessly, "When a woman is at her most desperate, a man suddenly appears on a cloud of seven colors to save the day. No matter what the final outcome is, that act and attitude alone are enough to leave an indelible mark on her heart, right?"
"So, in that sense, you should thank me for setting you two up."
With that, Tendo leaned back lazily on the sofa and looked up at the ceiling.
"Sigh, first I had to be the pinnacle of the Starry Saga, and now I have to be the matchmaker. I'm really tearing my hair out for the playback numbers of this show."
"If I don't get a few million popularity points out of this, it won't be worth all the silent effort I've put in throughout this second season."
Just as Tendo finished speaking, a clap of thunder suddenly came from outside the villa window. Soon, the sound of rain began to fall outside the villa. The upper district of Steam City, which had been clear for a long time, was now unknowingly covered by a dark cloud.
Amidst the flashes of lightning and thunder, Tendo sat in the shadows of the villa, quietly waiting for that important day to arrive. The efforts of an entire season were finally about to bear fruit. He was... very much looking forward to it.