CHAPTER 2: THE PRICE OF SILENCE

The next morning, the news of the exploded truck was heard everywhere. The authorities accused the Resistance forces as the masterminds behind it. They were still holding a grudge after the fake harbor incident failed to be exposed to the public. But an issue about Federation weapons began heating up, replacing that news. The Crossaint authorities claimed they found many weapons made by the Federation, and the Federation immediately released a statement:

"We are not involved in any incident. Perhaps the terrorists stole our cargo."
said the Asian Federation Embassy in front of the media.

Meanwhile, Suzuki, who heard that the prisoner truck had exploded, was extremely shocked. It left her traumatized. She believed the culprit was not the Resistance.

"It must have been the Authorities themselves. I’m sure of it."
She said inside the car with her sister.

"Suzuki, enough. How many times have I told you not to care about their fate!"

"But sister, at least have some humanity toward them!"

"STOP TALKING LIKE THAT, SUZUKI!"
Yuki snapped, tired of her sister's remarks.

When they arrived home, Suzuki ran crying to her room. At the door, a white-blond-haired, violet-eyed Prince was waiting — Lucard Valen Saint Claire, the future husband of Masahiro Yuki. He welcomed her formally.

"Welcome back, my future bride!"

"Lucard, I’m back. And I apologize for my sister earlier. I’ll scold her later."

"No need, Princess. She is probably just in her growth phase."

"You’re right. Come, let’s go inside. My father will be hosting a dinner tonight!"

Meanwhile, ARK went to the office of the corrupt officers responsible for the truck execution. The drunken men laughed, mocking the screams of those who burned alive. Suddenly, the lights went out.

Jleeek.

"What’s going on? Power’s out?"
"Damn it, Ursula, turn the switch back on!"

As Ursula reached for the breaker, a sudden slash slit his throat. He died instantly. The drunk officers panicked as a grenade rolled toward them.

BOOM

Their office exploded. ARK avenged the victims in the same way they murdered them. The surviving officers were immediately finished off by a woman — Natsume Airi. Brown ponytail, gentle eyes, simple clothes or a black jacket when undercover — she stood beside ARK and prayed for those who died in the truck.

"Ark, I’ve gotten information that the group from The Saintless Front wants to meet you."
Airi said after finishing her prayer.

"Meet me?"

"I’ve told you I don’t like amateurs!"

"This time is different. And they also have something they want to show you."

After that, Ark and Airi headed to Rebel Island.

Meanwhile, at the residence of King Sanctus Veridian, a dinner party was being prepared. The generals were invited to discuss recent incidents.

"What did you say? The security center in Shinagawa was just attacked?"
"Damn it, they’re far more cunning than us!"

The room fell silent when the King appeared — an old man with gray hair and blue eyes. He began the dinner ceremony and discussed his daughter’s wedding.

In another room, Masahiro Yuki, dressed neatly, was getting ready. She still thought about the young man she met earlier — Kamito Ryuga.

"Such an interesting person… if only I could meet him again, perhaps I’d hire him."

Yuki left her room and walked toward the hall. But before she arrived, she heard faint moans from Suzuki's room.
Through the gap in the door, she saw something unbelievable:

Lucard Valen Saint Claire was having sex with her younger sister.
Suzuki seemed to enjoy it.

Yuki covered her mouth, shocked and devastated.
But unfortunately, Valen noticed her.

"Yuki? Wait, I can explain—"

Yuki ran. Tears streamed down her face as she reached her room. But suddenly, a man in black ninja-like uniform appeared.

"Let me go!" she screamed.

Valen and Suzuki entered the room.

Yuki stared in disbelief.

"W-what are you two doing…?"

Suzuki's wicked smile appeared.

"What I should’ve done a long time ago, sister."

She continued:

"I plan to overthrow you. And ruining your reputation is only the beginning — and it worked perfectly."

Yuki trembled.

"Why are you doing this, Suzuki? After all we’ve been through?"

"WE? That’s why I hate you. Mother and father always talked about you. No one ever cared about me. Not even those closest to me!"

Suzuki stepped closer, filled with malice.

"Now look at me. I’ve taken everyone close to you — including your fiancé. Tonight, the throne will be mine once you die."

Yuki begged Valen:

"Valen… please save me…"

Suzuki laughed.

"It’s useless. He already belongs to me. Once we marry, he’ll become the next king!"

Valen injected something into Yuki’s neck.

"With this, you are no longer a Saint-blooded."

Anti-Magic flowed through her veins.
Yuki collapsed, powerless, her eyes empty.

Suzuki kicked her aside.
They lifted her and stuffed her into the trunk of a car.

Yuki’s broken gaze drifted toward the darkness.

She wished someone would save her…

But no one came.

Until—

BRAAAAK

The car was rammed and immediately attacked by ARK and his allies.

"A car this expensive must be hiding something interesting, right Ark-san?"
Sento grinned, killing the driver.

"Ark, are you sure this is the cargo you meant?"
Airi asked.

"According to intel, yes. This source is always accurate."

When they opened the trunk, ARK’s eyes widened.

Masahiro Yuki — the girl he met that morning —
her wrists tied, her expression defeated.

"Hime…?"
Ark whispered in disbelief.

Yuki’s blurry eyes softened.

"Kamito… thank goodness…"
she thought.

Sento disposed of the car into the sea.
ARK carried Yuki gently.

"Ark, are you sure about bringing her? She might expose our base."

"If she does… I’ll end it myself."

Airi sighed.

"From the trace in her blood, she’s been injected with something called Anti-Magic. Anyone who gets it will never use magic again. She’s already infected."

"Is it contagious?" Ark asked as he drove.

"No. But… I pity her. She’ll never use her Saint power again."

Airi looked at Yuki sleeping weakly in the back seat.

ARK and Airi continued toward Rebel Island, where Saitou awaited their arrival.