"Jinzhou is willing to reveal what we can—for the time being," Sanhua said evenly.
Scar scoffed. "Still keeping secrets, are we?"
Lian turned to him, unshaken. "And are you planning to reveal everything, Scar?"
His smirk faltered. He scratched the back of his head, shrugging. "Ah, truly now—do you expect that?"
Lian shook her head gently. "Of course not. In business, some strategy must remain hidden." Her eyes shifted to Rover, voice softening. "But I'm not the one steering this negotiation."
She stepped closer, resting a light hand on his shoulder, her expression calm—not commanding, but steady.
"If you must speak," she said, stepping behind him.
With a gentle push forward, she nudged Rover ahead. "Then speak with all your will. Fight—for what matters to you."
Rover took a few steps forward, his thoughts racing. 'Damn, she's strong.'
He knew she'd only given him a small push—gentle, almost casual. But even that slight touch carried surprising force.
Apart from that, what unsettled him more was the knowledge that her powers weren't even at their peak.
'What even is she…?' Rover wondered, a chill running through him. To him, her abilities didn't feel human.
Regardless, Rover lifted his gaze and looked ahead, his eyes settling first on the members of Fractsidus—naturally, as they were the first in his line of sight when Lian had nudged him forward.
For a moment, he wondered if Lian was subtly steering him toward them, urging him to choose their side.
But no—he realized quickly. She had only nudged him toward the direction where honesty had come first, and was merely showing respect to the one who offered first.
"So," Scar began, folding his arms with an almost theatrical ease, "where should we start?"
He gave Rover a long look before continuing. "We heard you'd lost your memories. At first, we weren't willing to believe it. But now that you've confirmed it—let's skip the obvious."
He took a step closer, expression unreadable. "Before you even knew a thing about this world," Scar said, "you were already at the center of its conflicts."
"You're the unknown variable—the one we've all been waiting for," Scar revealed, spreading his hands with theatrical flair. "Forces are clashing to gain control over you."
From the sidelines, Sanhua clicked her tongue in irritation as she watched him. She knew—just as well—that Rover was special. But even she was left in the dark. Her knowledge was limited to what the Magistrate had allowed her to know.
"From the moment you opened your eyes, everyone you met…" He gestured toward Yangyang without breaking stride. "Even that girl—they all knew exactly how valuable you are."
"The world is cruel, Rover. You may be flesh and blood, but to many, you're just a piece on the board." He paused, then gave a rare glimmer of sincerity.
"That's why I'm here," Scar said, his voice sincere. "Because we see you as more than that—as a dear friend. And I want you to share in the truth."
His smile faded slightly. "I'm so, so sorry for everything you're about to face."
Then, in a low voice. "…But truth hurts sometimes."
Rover narrowed his eyes. "As if you're any different."
Scar chuckled. "Heh. I figured you wouldn't be someone I could sway with pretty words."
Rover shot back, "You're just trying to drag me to your side."
"You could say," Scar replied, flashing a grin, "I'm looking forward to your choice."
He shrugged his arms, letting out a soft breath. "My goal's simple: to deepen our mutual understanding. Nothing more."
"Come on, Rover. Take a moment. Look around." Scar gestured expansively. "As you uncover more of this world, your true desires will begin to surface. And when that happens... well, our little game will get a lot more entertaining."
A shadow passed through his voice as he added, "And before that happens, I won't let anyone interrupt my precious alone time with you."
Scar's gaze swept over the onlookers—everyone except Lian. Even he knew she wasn't here to disrupt their negotiations and understood her place. There was no reason to warn her—nor could he, even if he wanted to.
"That's all." Scar simply explained.
But Rover was not swayed, his tone sharpened as he demanded. "What did the Fractsidus do to this village?"
Scar sighed in mock disappointment. "Aww, why jump to that conclusion? Why assume we're the culprits?"
"Because that's your nature!" Sanhua snapped.
Scar groaned, clearly irritated. "Shut it."
Then he turned back to Rover, eyes glinting with mischief. "Maybe," he said, "you should be asking what really happened here."
"But I won't spoil everything just yet. That would be too dull. As I said—why not look around for yourself?" He stepped aside like unveiling a stage, his smile widening.
Rover's eyes swept the surroundings as Scar's voice cut through the air. "So. Go on. Tell me—what do you see?"
Rover's voice was steady. "A large-scale ritual. Injured civilians. And… a strange Tacet Discord."
Scar beamed. "Bravo! Didn't think you'd catch on to that so quickly."
"Now—what's the conclusion you've drawn?" Scar asked eagerly.
Rover hesitated, then spoke firmly. "The Fractsidus manipulated the villagers."
Scar sighed. "Ah, the classic tale: savage wolves versus helpless lambs. Good and evil as clear as day."
He shook his head, his voice dropping lower. "It's a tired little story people cling to. Helps them sleep at night. Keeps their fragile lives in order."
"But let me ask you..." Scar stepped closer to Rover, lowering his voice to a whisper, "do you really believe the real world is that simple?"
Rover's expression was guarded. "I don't trust Fractsidus. But… it's also possible the villagers killed each other."
Scar tilted his head, amused. "So you don't trust them either. Interesting."
He grinned. "Ah… so they were right about you. You really are exceptional."
"I like it. That keen eye, sharp judgment, and unsettling grasp of human nature…" He leaned in slightly. "Let me offer a few more hints."
"The truth?" Scar said. "It's far messier than you think."
"First—who are our players?" He began to count on his fingers. "An innocent girl. A revered leader. And a flock of simple villagers."
"Now—what makes up our plot?" He smiled wider. "False devotion. Fleeting kindness. Collective deceit. Senseless killings. And, at the center of it all—one fragile soul, driven down a path of ruin by the crowd."
Scar's voice dipped lower, a sly smile playing at his lips. "Do you wish to hear the story of the lamb and the shepherd?"
Without waiting for consent, he began—a tale old as time, yet unsettling.
He spoke of a peaceful village, home to carefree lambs who toiled by day and sought shelter by night, ever wary of lurking wolves.
A shepherd arrived, promising abundance and protection, and soon the lambs basked in comfort, worshipping him like a god.
But the shepherd's gifts came with a price. The lambs, tempted and compliant, traded freedom for fleeting security. Among them was a solitary black lamb—the only one to see the cracks beneath the veneer of prosperity.
When the shepherd demanded a sacrifice for every wish granted, the black lamb refused and was cast out. One by one, lambs disappeared, and the flock turned on the outcast.
Scar's tale revealed a world where fairness was an illusion, and every desire extracted its toll—often paid by another.
Fear and greed intertwined as the lambs continued their doomed dance, until the brave black lamb's defiance shattered their fragile peace, exposing the bloodied cost of their obedience.
"How do you like my story?" Scar asked the onlookers, but silence met his words—no one spoke.
Except Lian, who clapped her hands quietly. All eyes turned to her, and with a hint of embarrassment, she asked, "What? Don't people clap when stories are told?"
"Hahaha." Scar chuckled, a gleeful sound that echoed through the ruins. "Well said, Maverick. You're growing more interesting by the minute."
Scar turned to Rover, his gaze sharp and probing. "How do you like my story, Rover?" he asked, voice low and deliberate. "What really happened here? I suppose you've already pieced it together."
He paused, letting the weight of his words settle. "The black lamb who defied the rules, and the white lambs who gave in to their own greed.
"The innocent maiden sacrificed," Scar's voice dropped lower, almost a whisper.
"And the villagers turning on one another in a ruthless frenzy…"
"They had it coming." His eyes darkened, shadowed with cold certainty. "All the shepherd had to do was eliminate the rebel. That's how he kept the flock in line, preserving the status quo."
Scar's eyes gleamed as he faced Rover. "Now that I have you here, standing before me, I want to hear your answer."
He leaned in slightly, voice low but charged. "Tell me—do you want to be the rule-setting shepherd, or the rebellious black lamb?"
"If a sane soul survives in a realm of lunatics," Scar continued, "would you call them the last beacon of reason… or the sole apostle?"
He paused, letting the question hang in the air. "Think on this: the shepherd isn't some preordained embodiment of truth. Once he's gone for good, the black lamb can reclaim the trust of its herd."
"Then… maybe, just maybe, there won't be any more 'victims' or 'oppressors,'" Scar concluded, his voice heavy with meaning.
Lian's gaze shifted to Sanhua, and with a subtle nudge, she prompted, "Sanhua, it's your turn to speak for Jinzhou."
"He hasn't answered my question!" Scar snapped, eyes fixed on Rover. "So tell me—what will you become, Rover? The shepherd… or the black lamb?"
Rover's breath caught. 'Rule… or rebel?'
Neither felt quite right. He didn't even know what he was yet—only that he didn't want to be used without his consent.
All he truly longed for was the simple freedom to choose his own path.
Just as Rover gathered breath to answer, Lian intervened. With a swift, decisive motion, she carved a fresh scar—a ten-meter rift—into the earth at Scar's feet.
"This isn't your pulpit," she said, her tone even but edged with steel. "Let him choose without your noose around his thoughts."
Scar tsked, unwilling to thread further. "You midget demon," he muttered, retreating, unwilling to test her resolve in open conflict, not now at least.
Lian turned her gaze to Sanhua and gave a small nod. "Sanhua, please."
Sanhua stepped forward and began to speak—relaying all that she knew. She explained how Rover's arrival had been foretold by the Sentinels, how vital he was to the balance of current world affairs.
Unlike Scar, she had no parable, no twisting story to offer—only sincerity.
"That's all I know," Sanhua admitted quietly. "We never intended to harm you. But… we're not capable of handling what's ahead on our own."
From the side, Yangyang stood still, her hands clasped near her chest in something like a prayer. She hadn't known these deeper truths—but she'd always sensed that Rover was different.
Still, she hesitated. Whatever forces surrounded him, they were far larger than anything she had imagined.
And now, with what little could be revealed laid bare, Scar turned to Rover once more.
"Well then, Rover," he said with a smirk, "now that the beans have been spilled—a little—whose side will you choose?"
Rover looked around at all of them, a strange coldness flickering in his eyes—brief, uncertain. But before he could speak, Lian stepped beside him and gently tapped his shoulder.
"Do not falter," she said softly. "Seek what your heart desires."
Rover drew in a breath, steadying himself.
"I want to help Jinzhou," he said at last, "and its people."
To be continued...