𝘾𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙎𝙤𝙪𝙡 ♥︎

Chapter 57: Wings Of Victory

''So? What is it?''

''Why did you drag me all the way up here?''

Our footsteps tapped along the carpet quietly as we made our way up to my room.

The hallway was dim, but bright enough for us to see each other and our way. We passed by multiple rooms, some belonging to the girls, some being guest rooms, and so on.

''I have exactly two questions for you,'' I told her as we neared my room. ''I could've easily asked the first one back there, but the second one is more confidential.''

''... Confidential?'' Syuen scoffed, tugging at my sleeve to get my attention. ''Seriously? What did I do now?''

''That's what I want to know too.''

The door slid open, and we both entered the room. I turned on the lights, whilst Syuen went over and sat on the edge of my bed. I soon followed and planted down next to her.

''I won't waste much time,'' I said. ''My first concern was about that protest in front of the main building. It seemed pretty serious.''

Syuen simply rolled her eyes at my statement. ''Serious is an understatement, but I'll take it. Also, didn't I already explain it to you? About our situation and all?''

''... Maybe? Sorry, I could've forgotten.'' I sheepishly looked off to the side and rubbed the back of my head.

The small CEO's eye twitched at my ignorance. She released a heavy sigh and folded her arms. ''Around three days after you left with 'Exotic', some news about Vapaus came up on Tetra's news broadcast channel.''

''It was some anonymous person talking about how Vapaus kills the NIMPH and sets a Nikke 'free' as he called it.''

''Not only did he run his mouth about the nanomachines, but he also slandered the name of Matis by saying stuff like,''

'' 'Ooohhhh! Matis is gonna betray the Ark! Because now nothing can hold them back!-' Or something like that. I don't remember much.''

''And so the public's attention shifted just like that?'' I raised an eyebrow of consideration. ''... I know people may be dumb and rash when it comes to making decisions, but something like this... To the Ark's favorite squad of heroes... Just... Doesn't click.''

''... That's right.'' Syuen lowered herself and lied down on the bed. ''Because he provided proof.''

''Turns out, he sent them research papers and documents before the broadcast. And as soon as that reached the public, shit hit the fan like never before.''

''I was quick to realize that those papers he showed were from M.M.R. I tried to search for him, I sent out squads to turn him up, but we couldn't find him at all.''

''At the end, when we got the slightest clue of where he was, all our morale was exhausted.''

''So a researcher leaked everything,'' I concluded. ''And, just to clarify, I know you, Syuen. You told me you got a clue, right? What was it?''

''The guy is in the Outer Rim.'' She groaned desperately. ''I tried to get Mustang in on the matter to lend me Underworld Queen, but they were busy dealing with something else.''

''... He's in the Outer Rim?''

''... Almost untraceable.'' She finished.

Could it be that...