503,
Upon closer inspection, the appearance of the leader looked like that of a well-behaved child, with innocence mixed with seriousness, and seriousness filled with purity. This is the Water Sect's leader known by people, Louis the 53rd, the ruler of Kakarl.
Cyclone slowly stood up, observing every subtle movement of the leader. The wings used for attacking were gone, and everything just now seemed like an illusory dream. Yuna stood in front of Cyclone, holding a dagger in a reversed grip, battle preparations completed. However, the situation did not evolve towards a battle.
"Enough playing, let's talk business!" Alexander stepped forward, turning his back on Yuna, arriving between Cyclone and the leader. "The current issue is Marcina, not Cyclone." With Alexander's protection, the leader, witnessing this scene, had to open his arms and shook his head.
After a few seconds, perhaps as the single wing folded back, Yuna also lowered the dagger she had raised. As the guide, Alexander went straight to the point and questioned Cyclone, "Do you know Marcina?"
This question made Cyclone hesitate. Cyclone had never heard of the name Marcina, let alone knowing the person. However, Cyclone couldn't simply answer "Don't know." Behind Alexander's question lay multiple layers of causality. Who is Marcina? To Cyclone, this was not important. What mattered was that the Water Sect believed Cyclone knew Marcina, and because of this relationship, led Cyclone here.
The revelation of being a black-market doctor, covering up the attack by the arson assassination group, and various other clues all pointed to one thing: a reason why members of the Water Sect needed to protect themselves. This deduction was made after reasoning, but behind this conclusion, the leader was a monster.
If Cyclone were to honestly answer "Don't know" now after learning the Water Sect's major secret, it would inadvertently deny the "reason" for being there. If that reason happened to be why Alexander was protecting Cyclone, denying it directly would undoubtedly push oneself to the brink of death. After thinking for a moment, Cyclone replied, "I've never heard that name."
It was just a name, a form of concealment. By this answer, it didn't outright deny the possibility of knowing Marcina while avoiding telling a lie. However, to Cyclone's surprise, the leader stood up from the bed. "Do you know? I have lived for over five hundred years." The leader sighed and continued, "Witnessing the end of the ancient war, the grace of the four goddesses, I tell you, young one..." At that moment, Yuna raised the dagger again. Even Alexander changed his stance, as if facing a formidable enemy.
Ignoring everyone's vigilance, the leader got off the bed and sat at the edge. "I have lost interest in killing. After seeing the dance of the waters of rhythm, I vowed to continue the beauty of the Water Goddess, to pass on the love and justice of the gods." As the leader spoke these words, there was a slight change in his gaze.
Cyclone remembered that look, once seen under a moonlit night. Similar to someone much smaller than himself, yet speaking of things even Cyclone found to be remote.
Unlike Yuna and Alexander, Cyclone fearlessly approached.
Despite not knowing what offensive pose the leader would strike after the illusion, Cyclone still arrived before him.
"Young man, stop playing language games. For the sake of those lovely disciples, all you need to do is speak the truth."
"I understand."
To the leader's final words, Cyclone replied readily, but...
"However, before I answer you, please show some sincerity first, at least... explain the situation."
The leader gazed at Cyclone, his eyes locking onto Cyclone's.
"Hmm, very well."
Lifting a foot, the leader shifted to a more casual sitting position.
"Hey, kid! Did you hear that? Explain now."
Pointing at the older gentleman Alexander, the leader transformed into a capricious and whimsical child once again.
