--Thirteenth Day of the Festival of Lights--Second Week--

Sonata make a clock-in to National Postal Service Headquarters, stretching her arms upwards as her wolf ears perked up so does her wolf tail. "Claire and Master Alastair are absent... where are they?" she murmured, some Mail-Hunters didn't know what happened until she informed them about it. "Have you seen Claire and Master Alastair, Suona?" she asked her childhood friend, Suona shrugged with a frown. "No... I don't know where they are, I haven't seen them from yesterday after we finished our postal activities."

Suona explained, making Sonata's wolf ears perked up by her response. "They must be busy with something," she said, before she heard someone greeted her. "Good morning Sonata!" Mathilda greeted her when she stood behind the administration desk, keeping an eye on the secretaries who were working on their papers and administrations. "Good morning, Master Mathilda! Did you happen to know where Claire and Master Alastair are?"

Sonata asked her, Suona was busy with checking the packages and checking the dates to see when they were supposed to be delivered, or what is the package's contents. "I heard they were absent today, which is rare because they don't usually skip work like this," Mathilda said while smiling to Sonata, as she placed down the folder on the table. "I believe they need to take care of something outside work, probably with their express passports but… the expiration date should be next year and it hasn't been end of the year yet…"

Sonata tilted her head, as she stood beside the desk, taking out an envelope from her bag that contained a letter addressed to her personally. As her wolf ears drooping down a bit, she was reading the letter from Stardust Express Station in case they were around or giving an update. "They've been working hard to prepare for the next assignment and shipment to our headquarters--but they didn't say much details about it, that's the last time Master Alastair and Claire told me about it," Mathilda explained to the Winter Wolf Emissary, while she was writing something down into the folders.

"I see..." Sonata nodded, then she was surprised by Gabriel suddenly opening the door without their knowledge. "Eeek! Gabriel, don't scare us like that!" Sonata yelled at her best friend, Mathilda was worried why is he suddenly here. Suona shrieked to see him opening the door by surprise, she almost dropped her documents. "Sorry for interrupting your work, guys... I came here because I wanted to discuss something important with you two... and it's very serious…"

Gabriel said while panting after running from the housing complex, he looked worried and scared because he's afraid that he'll interrupt his co-workers' work--after he entered the office and closed the door behind him. While the Secretary-General watched Gabriel walking around the room and looking at all the paperwork scattered around the room, Mathilda sighed deeply and stood up from her seat. "I suggest you to calm down for a moment, Gabriel," she said to him, as Sonata agreed with the Master. "Yeah, tell us what's wrong!"

"Well... something has been off lately... but I couldn't pinpoint what exactly it is..." Gabriel admitted, which made Sonata furrowed her brows in confusion. "Have either of you seen Master Alastair and Claire on their way?" he asked her, before standing beside them.

"Suona and I didn't see them from yesterday," Sonata replied while holding her letter, thinking deeply. "Wait a minute, what are you talking about?" Mathilda asked, she could see the worried look on his face-a mixture of anxiety and fear. "I lost contact with them after last night's festival… and I can't find them in the Stardust Station either, I didn't saw her because I just got back after Sonata."

Sonata lifted her eyebrows at him, last night she slept too early because she need to save her energy for tomorrow's festival. "You mean… you're suspicious about them...?" Mathilda questioned him, while Sonata was nodding slowly because she felt the same thing too--even though she is not able to pin-point the reason why, but she had a bad gut feeling about it.

"Well... I've been wondering what's the cause of Claire and Master Alastair's absence recently... if they were busy with the Stardust Express and National Postal Service, then why didn't they inform us? They are not even in their usual places during work hours... so I thought I should check their whereabouts."

Gabriel explained himself, before he gulped and shook his head in disbelief as he folded his arms. "Uhm... why do I have bad guts about this...?" Sonata asked with worried tone, her wolf ears perked up a bit. "I tried to make a telephone call for Claire, but she didn't respond... then I tried to ask one of Stardust Express' manager... but they said that they haven't seen or heard from either Claire or her father since their last visit here..." Gabriel said as he looked at his coworker-friends' faces which showed mixed emotions towards the news he just told them.

Mathilda tilted her head a bit, before she recalled what happened last night--she noticed a strange behavior from Master Alastair when she was finishing her reports overtime at her office room last night; he was quiet and was in deep thought as if he was pondering something--while he was trying to keep his cool, but failed miserably due to how agitated he is in front of her. Especially when his daughter Claire was around, at first Mathilda thought he was just worried about his daughter's condition, but after hearing what Gabriel just revealed to them--she felt uneasy about it.

"Hold on, let me contact the Stardust Express Station authority about this," Mathilda spoke, grabbing a vintage rotary phone and dial a number of the station. Zhilan was in her office of the Stardust Express Station while her husband Xingfa was helping her with some paperworks, examining the paperwork files that were left.

Then, she heard her rotary phone ringing and she grabbed the phone to answer the call. "Zhilan Hastings here, how can I help you?" she answered the phone, greeted by Mathilda on the phone who spoke. "It's me, Matilda White--we have a problem right now... we received a message from the Emissary named Gabriel Galbraith who said that he hadn't seen or talked to Claire and her father Alastair since they visited your Station yesterday. Have you seen their departure anywhere?"

Mathilda asked, waiting for the answer. "Give me a minute, please," Zhilan said with a smile, before she checked the schedule and noticed that none of their names are checked for this month. "No, I didn't see both of their departure yesterday, not since they both made a clock-out yesterday. Maybe they could've left through another entrance or simply got lost somewhere," she replied, causing Mathilda gasped.

"Okay... thank you, Mrs. Hastings."

After she hung up, Mathilda glanced back at them. "This is strange... I contacted Stardust Express earlier about this, turns out they didn't know where Master Alastair and Claire was!" Mathilda said aloud in disbelief, it made both of them gasped and looked at Gabriel--whose expression changed rapidly to panic. "What?!" Suona asked, panicked by the news from her boss' office. "Does that mean..." Sonata widened her eyes, Suona lowered her gaze towards her boss.

"Have you ever notice strange behavior from my apprentice?" Mathilda asked him, she was worried about Claire because she was her apprentice and it was Mathilda's duty to be her mentor--and now she's not even there. "What sort of strange behavior?" Gabriel answered her with worry, but Mathilda stopped him and continued. "When did this happen?" she asked him, making Gabriel sighed heavily as he remembered that night as he folded his arms.

"You see, after Sonata is asleep at 8 PM... is that right?" he confirmed that to Sonata, seeing her nod and then he continued. "Well, Claire hasn't returned to the mess… Master Solvine said that he hasn't seen her either after he got home the last, He was too busy with some of the paperworks in the office--plus helping Master Lloyd's chores last night, so… you know how busy he is, and I don't see Master Alastair either."

Gabriel told them while looking at both of his coworkers' faces which were concerned for Claire and him-since they're not sure what will happen next. "If something happen to her... I feel like it's gonna be bad, and... let's ask the others about this case."

They saw Senja came inside, who was surprised that they were gathering here in Mathilda's office. "What's going on?" the Coordinator-General asked, holding his cup of coffee. "Master Senja, when was the last time you saw Master Alastair and Claire?"

Sonata asked him, he blinked while processing her question--recalling what happened last night. "O-Oh right... I was finishing my reports with Mathilda last night overtime due to deadline, is that right?" he asked before Mathilda nodded, confirming the truth as he continued with folding his arms. "I saw Master Alastair passing by my office, but he wasn't himself," he stated. "His eyes look emotionless and dull... like a ghost... and he doesn't look like himself."

"He looks like that?" Sonata wondered as she furrowed her brows, which made Mathilda nod and agreed with him. "Like a ghost, I think he was acting weirdly... but that doesn't mean he was actually a ghost or dead okay? He looked so pale, like clearly pale," Senja clarified, before he sighed. "Long story short, I called him in my office room for a few minutes--to see if I could cheer him up by showing him the photos we took during our trip in Selene," he continued on to tell them. "But when I entered my office room and closed the door behind me... he already locked himself in his office and refused to talk to anyone until I forced the matter."

"Crap... let's ask Xinglan about this."

Xinglan was making checklist for the next shipment of the Huaxian goods when he saw the group came towards him, he tilted his head as Mathilda asked. "Xinglan, when was the last time you saw or heard Claire and her father?" he frowned when he was thinking, before answering their question. "Well... yesterday before the festival begins, Master Alastair told me that he needs to take care of some personal matters in his office room... and I didn't see her or her father that night after our last rendezvous together."

Suona frowned, before she saw Sonata's father Solvine who was informing the guards in the lobby. "Let's ask your father, Sonata," she said, Sonata nodded and joined the group who followed her--while Solvine was talking to the guards. "Master Solvine, have you seen Claire and Master Alastair?"

Senja asked, catching the Mail-Hunter by surprise before nodding. "When was the last time you saw Claire?" Mathilda inquired, seeing him thinking about the recent events. "It's was last night, I saw them walking down the hallway but in different wings. I forgot which one Claire headed, but Alastair returned the papers that he borrowed from me with an empty expression," Solvine told them, he didn't realized that someone was watching them and listening.

They headed to Oswald, since he usually the one who keep an eye on all Mail-Hunters in case there's a strange behaviors from them--he was in his office when they began to take a visit of him. "Alastair and Eleonora? They were indeed acting strange," he explained, reading his book while eyeing on the surveillance monitor and gave them the day before their disappearances. The screen shows Claire looking around as she was pacing back and forth with anxious face, then there's Alastair in his office and he also having the same expression on his face.

Oswald watched the surveillance camera for a moment, before the screen went black as he narrowed his eyes a little. He realizes that somebody tampered with his camera, making him adjusted his glasses. "Someone tampered with my office, an intruder must be the one coming," he grumbled, they got another clue that there's an intruder tampering with his camera. Something's bad, this is not good for them.

The next person is Suiren; Suona's father who they will be asking, which Sonata asked if he saw either both of them. "I don't know about Master Alastair, but I saw Claire was roaming around alone in the west wing's garden and then heading back inside--that's the last time I saw her," he explained, making them had to ask for other witnesses. Amaris ended up being asked, which she shake her head. "I don't see them during my patrol, but I did throw glances at them before I left my shift."

Then, they began to walk out and saw Lloyd was at the administration desk, they decided to ask him. "Master Lloyd, have you seen Claire and her father?" Senja asked, folding his arms curiously as he tilted his head a bit. "Claire? Master Alastair? Well… I did saw them last night," Lloyd answered, he was confused that why are his subordinate-colleague and friends asked him about it.

"As for Master Alastair, he was leaving early when I was about to go back to the office and when I asked him why did he leave… he didn't answer my question, just facing his back at me before I came inside to ask Master Solvine. As for Claire, I haven't seen her last night… I was in the office with Deputy Postmaster-General."

Solvine nodded, before he explained next.

"Oh right, one more thing--not only I didn't encounter Claire as well even after work, I managed to see Master Alastair in the office with me. He was acting strange, like he was looking around anxiously as if someone is following him and when I asked him what's wrong… he said: 'It's nothing.' Even after he left, I was really concerned about his behavior and went to asked him if everything was fine between him and Claire... I only can remember him answering: 'Maybe, it depends, it's complicated...' and I don't even know the context on his answer."

The Emissaries were worried, they now have to figure out where had Claire and Alastair gone to. This raised alarm to each of them. If something bad happens to Master Alastair or his daughter, they don't want their absence to keep dragging. Surprisingly, Alastair wasn't in the office and there's no signs of his presence nor Claire's presence.

However, there's something inside his office which caught their attention.

Claire's Automotive Gear, Pachelbel's Canon in Major that was laying on the counter behind his office desk. Mathilda hummed when she sees that, then she looked back at Gabriel who was looking at the gunblade. "Claire's Automotive Gear, isn't the usual one," Gabriel said as he picked the gunblade up by the weight, it was slightly light but a bit heavier. "Usually she always clean up routinely before putting it inside her bag or pocket... but right now, it is just lying there on the floor... and there's a blood--did she resist against someone who tried to attack her?"

Sonata murmured, she stared at Gabriel for a moment before she sighed and turned her attention back to Alastair's desk where Alastair's Automotive Gear; Canon and Gigue D Major, T-377 as Lloyd was inspecting it. She stared at Gabriel while he was inspecting Claire's Automotive Gear. "Master Alastair's Automotive Gear was stained by blood… but it wasn't his blood," Solvine stated, sniffing the scent due to his wolf instinct still within his human body.

"Hmm... I don't think Claire would leave it inside... she probably put it inside her bag or pocket," Mathilda said while she examined her Automotive Gear from the back of its handle. The Secretary-General didn't want to tamper it because he know how protective Claire was towards her weapon, and she knew that Claire wouldn't let it off from the holster without reason.

"This might be a hint... maybe she used this to defend herself against whoever took her away last night. As for Master Alastair's..." he said, looking over at Alastair's Canon and Gigue D Major, T-377. "I'm afraid that this is nothing more than a clue..." he added, closing his eyes for a few minutes as he recalled all of the memories the trio had together-and the conversation between Claire and her father last night. "What if they were kidnapped? Who is the kidnapper?"

"That makes sense."

Mathilda replied, she turned her head to look at Xinglan who was searching for clues. "Guys! Check this out!" Sonata said to them, pointing at the blood as she sniffed them and her father Solvine also sniffed them. "These blood... it belongs to Claire and Master Alastair... they are here somewhere! We should check it out!" Sonata added, while Suona watched her sniffing and walk around for a moment to sniff with her wolf's instinct in catching scents.

Her wolf ears perked up after hearing some kind of footstep sound from the room above them, before she followed the footsteps upstairs. It seems like she found something, which made her father nodded at his superior. "Let's follow Sonata!" Lloyd told them as he lead them, Mathilda and Gabriel followed as well. The stairs creaked loudly and the steps went on steadily, that was made of a marble. Then when they reached the top of the stairs, they saw the source of the noises: there's a room at the end of the hallway which has a huge window with the glass broken.

As they took a peek... they were horrified...

Claire was sitting there with her hands tied behind the chair-her head hung low as her mouth was covered by the cloth, she was injured from head to toe even her Mail-Hunter uniform stained by blood-she was fainted. Alastair was sitting on the chair across his daughter with his hands tied behind the chair by a rope, with his head hung low and injured like her--he was also fainted but both of them breathing heavily. The person who did this to Claire and Alastair was standing behind the chair... his face hidden behind a mask.

Gabriel take out his Requiem D. Minor, Lacrimosa on both of his hands, when he aimed the target and shot his shoulders--he got the aim right as he injured the person who did this as he saw him tried to escape. "Crap, it's a Marauder! We better catch him!" Senja yelled that he stepped over to the huge window with Mathilda, while Gabriel and Sonata goes to Alastair and Claire--Solvine take out his handcuff, Suiren take out his ankle cuff and Lloyd used his cane to make sure the Marauder won't escape.

Sonata untied the rope from her mentor's wrists even the cloth around his mouth, hearing him coughing harshly when she pulled it off.

Alastair opened his eyes slowly, he took a deep breath and coughed violently as he looked at Claire with shock in his eyes. Claire coughed as well when the cloth released from her mouth, with her hands untied by Gabriel to release her. "Father..." she whispered, her vision blurred and turned dark for a moment. "Are... Are you okay?"

"Yes..." Alastair answered her weakly, before he hissed by the sharp pain on his head--he remembered he got knocked out from behind while he wanted to talk to Claire personally--turns out she got knocked out from behind too. "You're safe... now..." Alastair muttered while he looked at Claire, feeling relieved after seeing her conscious again, he looked at Gabriel beside him.

The masked man was startled and tried to evade them, until Xinglan appeared and using his kungfu to apprehended him. He was stronger than him because his speed was faster than the man could be, before he swung his fist and knocked the Marauder's head with one swift punch. The Marauder trying to attack him again, but Amaris spun around to kick him and sending a huge blow on his cheek. The mask flew off of his face and Suona captured the mask, revealing him to be a familiar face.

The man tried to cover his face from being revealed by them, but Mathilda held his shoulders firmly until they couldn't move anymore. He groaned before he glared at Mathilda, Lloyd began to unmask the man and Solvine handcuffed him together with Suiren on his ankles--lastly Oswald called the Armed Enforcement Squad for backups through his vintage handheld transceiver. "Mathilda... it’s been a while…" the masked person whispered softly--before he turned back to face Mathilda with fury in his eyes. Her eyes widened at his voice, how did he know her name?

Mathilda started shaking while she stared into the now exposed eyes of the very man she feared the most--even fear far greater than the previous year's tragedy.

The very same person who caused the massacre of her village.

Few minutes later...

Alastair and his daughter Claire were both in the infirmary while treated by Dr. Chamberlain, he was so shocked when he find out they were kidnapped and now they are injured--they're laying on the bed as he decided to treat them. "How did this happen?" he asked, while examining their injuries carefully. "Did you see anyone suspicious?" he asked Claire, who shook her head--not only that her eyes were puffy and red due to crying, but also her cheek is bruised and swollen.

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"So what happened?"

Lloyd asked as he sat down beside Alastair and Claire, Solvine stood beside him as he was worried about Senja who still concerned of Mathilda recently--she got mortified and hysterical after the Marauder recognizing her after a long time. "It's complicated… but let me summarize the whole mess…"

The Vice Postmaster-General grunted, he put on his spectacles carefully as he look at them. "Long story short, the Marauder demanded us to let go of the three Hybrid children who are infused by the Husks as they're part of Reverse Organization..."

Alastair grumbled while he was trying to sit up, annoyed with the whole situation as Solvine helped him sitting up. "But, we refused because we cannot risk their lives to endanger others... since Reverse is anti-government organization. That's why he attacked me first... and he must've been mad that we didn't bring back the Hybrid Children to them," he said, he looked at Claire who was lying on the bed beside him, he can see fear in her eyes.

"He hit you?" Oswald asked in soft voice, not wanting to sound too loud since it might intimidate them. Claire nodded, she remained quiet though she wants to say something--but she doesn't want to due to the head concussion. "Yes... then he attacked my daughter Claire next... and when I try to protect Claire... he started hitting me harder... I lost consciousness soon after."

After that, they were told to recover in the infirmary, which Claire was relieved her father recovered from the pain on his chest thanks to Dr. Chamberlain's treatment, both of them had to rest in two days in the infirmary while the other Mail-Hunters guarding them. "So, what was the name of the masked intruder?"

Alastair asked Lloyd while he tried to stand up, Lloyd nodded with a smile as he replied to him. "His name is Rufus," Lloyd said as he recalled what happened. "He's the one who tortured you and your daughter, also he know Mathilda... which made me worried because she became paranoid and emotional."

"Master Mathilda doesn't deserve this..." Claire whispered, her father noticed her eyes brimming with tears--from exhaustion or because she was distressed and being tortured for the first time. "Is there any problems with Mathilda?" he asked, Claire shake her head as Sonata comforted her--while Gabriel making a cup of tea for her. "No, it's just... I was surprised that the man made her like this..."

Lloyd took another sip of tea for a moment, before he sighed when he look back at Senja--seeing him comforting his colleague Mathilda at the lobby. "She didn't answer my question if she knew him, but she did mention his name: 'Rufus,' I guess that's what we can call him now."

Mathilda was laying on the bedroll, her eyes staring at the ceiling of her bedroom as Senja approached her and placing the warm mug of tea on the nightstand--beside her bed. "Here's a nice hot mug of tea, it'll help your throbbing headaches away," he muttered as he noticed her teary eyes, before she sniffled and sighed. "Mathilda, do you know Rufus?" he asked her carefully, seeing Mathilda nodded.

"Yes... I met him in the past..."

Mathilda replied, shaking her head when she tried recalling back the moment she met the masked intruder. "He was the man who killed my friends and family..." she added with shaky tone, Senja hugged her--seeing Mathilda was starting to cry and he told her. "It's okay, calm down."

***

Zhilan sighed when she watched herself in the mirror of her desk inside the office of Legal Affairs Bureau, she already returned from the Stardust Express while waiting for her husband to come back. She has been contemplating about Xinglan's words back then, he seems to have changed and somewhat wanting her to stop being scared anymore--even knowing her husband has been very cruel for a long time. 'I don't know anymore... what should I do?' she thought, doubting with her decision regarding about her dignity and she has been under his shadows for a long time.

Not only that, this isn't the first time she had to obey him. It made her feel like all decisions are upon him, she wanted him to change and that has been in her heart for a long time. No matter how much she prayed, it didn't work and she starting to doubt about letting him do whatever he wants. Her fingers clenched a bit as she stand up and walking out from the office to greet her husband who returned from the official duty, before she heard one of her subordinates shouted while she went past their living room.

"I can't take it anymore!"

Ruka yelled, standing up from the couch and releasing her frustration. "I'd rather work as a full-time train conductor of Stardust Express Station rather than staying as an Enforcer, how come our leader keeping us away from doing anything?!" she whined, her guardian Shintaro was comforting her worries as her Enforcer colleagues agreed by that and her frustration. Nico was comforting Alice, he didn't want her to be scared of Alden while Rin didn't want to stay like this anymore--it's the time for the Executive Enforcers to disband the team; because they're already too tired to do this.

Shintaro frowned, folding his arms. "They're already so used to being with each other, but I feel bad for the maid because she's being forced to do something she didn't want to do," Nico said with a sigh. "Even though we don't like them, we've done everything we can to stop them--but now we can't do this anymore. Henriette, do you have a plan?"

Natsuki asked, he know Henriette is technically managing her subordinates; he watched her chuckle when she was opening her fan--she already made up a plan with the Emissaries so she know what she needs to do to stop them--but it would be difficult because of their relationship. Henriette smirked, fanning herself. "I'll be your boss from today onwards," she said while showing off her fan, before she stand up from her couch and huffed. "Well, only for today--because I don't even know how to convince Xingfa and Zhilan... regarding Alden Walker's huge mess."

Henriette grumbled, before a light bulb appeared beside her head. "Here's the plan, I'll interrupt his time--all of you gather the evidences of his corruption and expose it to the public, we have a lot of evidence, because evidence is more powerful than words of mouth!" she called out, holding her fan straight with determined and charismatic expressions shown, the others nodded in unison.

Nico chuckled and nodded, before he patted on Alice's head. "You'll do it?" he asked, looking at the woman who has long silver hair and she's wearing a kimono with a green-colored furisode.

"Of course! Besides, why should we afraid of this Prime Minister? We already seen him doing disgusting things! It's not surprising, I can't believe we haven't noticed his corruptions for so long! Thanks to that, our superiors were fooled and we need to snap them out first! Now his henchmen are scared--we can do this!"

Jillian exclaimed, she was angry--her cheeks are red because of that incident and Henriette ordered them with folding her arms. "Well, do it now! The rest will depend on your efforts!"

They agreed with her suggestion--so they went out of the hotel and go on their mission. They gathered evidences to show Alden's corruption so that they could bring it on the National Postal Service Headquarters to expose his crimes--while they're assisting them to stop the Reverse Organization and the Cabernet Husk by this. "After this, we'll split our task to convince both of them."

Ruka gathered the evidences from Alden's office with her guardian Shintaro, she saw her colleague Nico holding the documents on his hands with his mistress Alice. Rin and Jilian helping Natsuki trying to get his hands off from the magazines that are laying on the desks. After a while, Henriette returned after beating up his agents from trying to get rid of any evidences.

As for the last step… meeting Xingfa and Zhilan after they have finished their official duties. They were attempting to negotiate and make them realize what he did, which is difficult because it is very difficult without using fighting as a resolve.

"How can you prove that Alden is using me as a tool?"

Xingfa asked, he seemed to be pissed despite his smile and eyes closed he has retained for a long time, and this is the first time someone was trying to stop him from his plan. It seems like he still pissed and denial about what Alden did to him, and it might take a while to change his mind. Zhilan was shocked at her husband's sudden behavior, before she looked at Ruka's presence who provoked him earlier. "Ruka, you shouldn't--"

Henriette cleared her throat at her second superior, before she continued and folding her arms. "Excuse my subordinate, but on the contrary--it was true. As much we want to show you guys the evidence, we want to make sure if we can explain Alden's bad deeds that he have done to fool both of you," she explained.

They thought they could show them first, but Xingfa seems to be displeased by their accusations towards Alden and stand up immediately. Zhilan was about to calm him down but realizing that he might open his eyes soon, and turns out it was true--he's awfully wrathful from his smile and eyes closed.

"What kind of accusations that all of you are making?"

Xingfa asked calmly, he does look calm in front of everyone--but deep down he's intimidating them. His fists clenched underneath his cape, which is evident from how he reacted to this. Zhilan glanced at them worriedly from her frightened face and gaze, as Rin gestured her to stay calm and let them handle this. "My lady, I know this is sudden but please believe in us," Nico reassured, trying to convince Zhilan that this is all true. "My lord, we didn't mean to defame him nor accusing him--but all of these are true… we have the evidence which is right here," Ruka pointed her thumb at the evidences that gathered by them.

Well… it didn't goes well because he didn't believe them, yet.

Zhilan has been wanting to resign from her position in the government, she grew tired of Alden and she knew her husband will disagree with her. She didn't want to divorce him, she still love him even though he was possessive enough towards her--she hoped that he will change despite all of the questionable actions he did. But, knowing her husband's power is influential and untouchable, she didn't want to take another wrong step to anger him or worse--someone getting hurt.

Xingfa slowly opened his eyes, with the tints of darkness under the iris. He slowly unleashed his Locomotive Gear; Toccata and Fugue in D minor, BWV 565--it took form of prototype pipa with a blade which is light for him but heavy to be seen. It has five strings with the dark purple and black on the surface, which the strings is gold and able to be tuned by the notes he produced and it can be used to produce thunderous blasts. "Dear wife, could you stand aside from this for a while? It won't take long, I promise."

His wife stood there, contemplating about her dignity and not responding to his order. "……"

"Zhilan?"

Zhilan couldn't defend him and she had enough of this, she unleashed her Locomotive Gear; Plum Blossoms in Three Movements as she took a step forward and look up at him. It took form of combination between axe and guqin, the color of the rod is dark red, with silver linings of the blade-along golden strings that came from the guqin part that can simultaneously changed from axe to guqin. She gave her husband a side glance, and proceeded to take over--giving Ruka a small smile at her. "I shouldn't have done this, but if words doesn't work on you… a fight is the only resolve to this. I won't let you hurt Xinglan, even if he challenged you to a duel... you still can't kill him."

Zhilan remembered what Xinglan told her, even though he didn't want to get involved in them--he was right and she wanted her husband to change. Those words alone made her frowned at him, but it make sense--he was trying to make her realize that she shouldn't be under Xingfa's shadow anymore, but to follow her dream of becoming the guardian she always been.

She's no longer a young girl who's weak, rather, she want her dream and be who she is.

Xingfa's closed eyes stared at his wife, he didn't expect Zhilan to be this bold and wanting to stop him because of his stubbornness. "I will fight him," she told them, making all of them shocked by her sudden statement. "Wait wait wait, are you serious?!" Henriette snapped at her with shock in her eyes, before Zhilan took a step forward and began to face her husband. "I have been waiting for this moment to come… and I haven't revealed my true strength just yet."

Zhilan stated, lifting the Locomotive Gear weapon on her hand. "Please have a warm moment of celebration with the other Enforcers and officials after this fight--it will take time, so you all will not fight him now. He's very strong, but that doesn't mean I'm not going to lose against him… if you cannot cooperate with me, then you're going to have to leave whether you like it or not."

The Executive Enforcers silently agreed and left her presence, but they are indeed aware of her strength so they want to see what she can do. "Very well, I knew you would have to do that eventually, my dear. But, you are still fragile."

Despite Xingfa's comment is mocking, but it wasn't too late to stop him and his outburst. None of the other Enforcers are going to stop them; mostly who are watching in awkward and embarrassed silence; because of Xingfa's intimidating nature. Zhilan is may not be an intimidating that people expected, maybe even more than any of the others considering her connection to the organization. But, she has hidden determination and hope in willing to change despite the cruelty of the world.

"Xingfa," Zhilan stated, she decided to fight against her fear over him--she want to change him once and for all, and this is the last and probably only way to make sure everyone stay calm.

The couple did move to the training grounds which is far away from their headquarters, while leaving their subordinates for a moment--both of them stood several feet apart. Despite Xingfa is the strongest leader in terms of battle, Zhilan is much more determined to win this battle. "Are you going to defend Xinglan forever? Because I know that he seems to affected you a lot, and I can't stand it just to see you with him. Once I'm finished with you, he will be next to die."

That was understandable since the Enforcers were forced to be stuck with them, and all the trouble they had caused when they shouldn't do this in the first place. Zhilan tuned the Locomotive Gear back to its original tune, she played it from it became axe--before Zhilan spoke. "I'm doing this because I don't want you to kill him... you almost hurt many people and now you're targeting him. So, I'm not holding back anymore. Prepare yourself, Xingfa."

This is their big day to create a conflict that had lasting impact; and everyone and everything else witnessed it-as they stood across each other, their Locomotive Gear was enough to provoke their allies. Xingfa decided to make his first move, initiating the attack on her with a strike. His movement was fast yet, smooth. Zhilan retaliates swiftly, her movements is tranquil, agile but very offensive as it can make a powerful slash at the air. Both of their blades locked for several seconds until Zhilan pressed the button of her gear, producing electric that attacks the strings that it has emitted.

It takes longer than Xingfa imagined, their forces are high as it's fueled with their passion. In order to convince and change his mind, the only resolve Zhilan can do is fight him. No more words between the both of them, because if Zhilan failed to convince him... it means her life will be over, and she won't see him ever again. There was an intense power struggle, as the force of their respective gears slammed against each other. The shockwave created was a testimony of the forces involved in their blades.

"You're quite strong for a woman, that's what made me love you all the time. But, strength isn't the only thing. This, is why I must know the truth for my judgment."

He said while increasing the force, causing Zhilan to start feeling drained.

Unfortunately, Xingfa is able to dodge the deadly blows from Zhilan, he used his body and his blade to knock her down--the man was still charging on her like that, so it made her had to jump and evade his attack--fortunately she evaded his blows.

Xingfa's expression remains cool and detached, focusing on fighting without being caught by emotions and fury, for it would be to easy since his eyes are always closed during fighting. Zhilan know how smart her husband is, until she had an idea--it is something he hates the most; his weakness. His heart, which had grown cold from his years serving both Canaria and the military. 'I guess I need to act dead, my weapon may not kill me--but let me live while I'm pretending to be dead...'

Zhilan thought, she's actually intelligent and witty despite being calm and sweet from her exterior behavior, and Xingfa's anger would bring the pain to Zhilan. And that's her very secret as well as her power, which is making her deceptive and stealthy--it allowed her to attack him with all of her might. 'I'm sorry, Xingfa...' she thought, using the tip from her weapon and stab herself on the abdomen--making Xingfa stopped instantly... his eyes widened as the blood flows from her injury.

His weapon fell onto the ground with a clatter, though, and for the first time in his life--he felt doubt about his justice.

"Zhilan...?"

Why did he fight with her now, instead of following her in the first place? Everything went slower... until Xingfa tried to grab her body that's tumbling down to the ground, preventing it and hold her as he doesn't want to lose his wife forever.

In an instant, his calm and detached demeanor was broken with a devastated state--he was on his knees and holds her. Ruka knew Zhilan is acting dead, seeing that the wounds isn't fatal because Zhilan only used the blade on her abdomen enough to hurt her and make her bled. It would make him stop and not to kill her--she saw her stabbing herself but knowing how harsh the blades are... it isn't safe but Ruka doesn't want to risk it at all.

Rin gasped silently before looking at Ruka who stood aside, folding her arms while she noticed the 'dead body' of the superior in front of him. "Dare not speak a single word, no matter what the costs and consequences are-neither of you nor I will move an inch," she commanded her and the other Enforcers, who almost startled by their senior. This was enough to stun all the watchers of the Enforcers and those who witnessed the fight that made the audience become quiet.

'Come on, speak already...' Zhilan thought, trying to convince him with her thoughts only in order for him to cooperate. The fact that she acted dead just to be sincere would be difficult, as she may face a punishment and also her Locomotive Gear would stop due to the 'absence of its master'.

Xingfa was holding her still, his finger ran through her long black hair which is now messy. "Lan’er... why is this happening to you now? Why did you kill yourself...? Why are you doing this…?" he asked, his voice stuttered a little from witnessing his wife 'dead'. Zhilan stirred from where she was being held, the man carrying her let out a shuddering gasp. Xingfa stared at her that his heart and love is in his embrace. He held his breath for a long time now, unable to make a decision.

The same fingers that had tortured so many people were now running carefully through her black hair that went loose on her back, not daring to even attempt anything sinister for his beloved wife. Even if she's 'dead'.

For him, Zhilan was a world to him, as the gentle sky above his head. For him to see that his Zhilan would give her life for the greater good, it was a display of devotion that he could not deny. One can tell how much she loved him, in a sense. She gave her everything to him, her life and her hopes for the future, and that was sufficient to move his heart. "I should've been comforting you after the death of our unborn child... during our poverty… For my... unforgivable negligence, for letting you die in this ludicrous fight..."

His voice that was calm before, gradually increased to the point it was almost a roar. But, not for despair; at the horror of what has happened here and what was meant to be their joy of future is now ended. But it is not a concern for any of the Executive Enforcers--all that matters is that they have succeeded in convincing Xingfa to stop his madness. That was all the team could ask for, they can finally resolve their situation--it is what they've hoped for. "And, you have the courage to convince me to cease this? Not only that... "

He hugged his love carefully in his arms, his face buried in her black hair as he whispered. "You choose to lie down your life just to get me stop all these nonsense? Zhilan... why did you sacrifice all of this for me...?"

Tears fell down his closed eyes to her long hair as he let go of his tears, letting it flowed from his cheeks which he never even shed a tear to anyone except her.

"Xingfa... I forgive you."

Zhilan whispered, lifting up her chin to gaze in front of her to gaze into his opened eyes--watching the beautiful dark sapphire purple orbs on him. He gazed up at Zhilan from his cries as she held his hand, he couldn't believe what he just heard her. That surprised the Executive Enforcers and all people that had just witnessed it, since they were already confused by what they just seen.

Wasn't the leader defeated in the fight? How could she still be alive despite the severe wound she just received... and she went back off from the government side--to protect the people she loves--including her husband. "Xingfa... neither our fault that our baby died of sickness--you did your best taking care of our baby, you changed--as a result of our misfortune... it just happened. You protected me from your mistakes, and I followed you--until this time... when you are choosing military and nation instead of our people."

He remembered his newborn child, a boy was already dead as of Xingfa had a nightmare. But it was the reality, and their misery didn't end there when he made his wife feel a horrible death.

Upon hearing her words, Xingfa went into a deep reflection--he realized his mistakes all the time, he was furious at everyone for mistreating her and his neglecting manner. "Just by looking at you and forgiving me, I could never wanted to take your life... I have you and my ambitions are not be able to compare to your sweet love..."

Xingfa said, cradled her in his arms while staring intently at her gentle light brown eyes. "I love you, dear wife of mine. I do hate it when they give me such nonsense that makes my nerves strained and a pit of lust of torturing these imbeciles, and when I get back home and meet you here... I'm sorry for everything you have to endure with me. You're the reason why I've tried to be a better man when you entered my life, and I feel horrible for what I've done now..."

"You are the person I admire, love and even cherish to be your husband, whom everyone consider that I'm a poor soul. I know you always visiting your orphanage because of my absence, and the reason why I'm doing all of this so I can get back home soon. I'll resign from this organization immediately, for myself, my children's futures, everyone, and you as well. And most importantly, I had to quit and stop all of this so I won't kill you… let's start a new life together."

Xingfa spoke, planting a kiss on her forehead--and then he embraced Zhilan afterwards. "We'll resign as well, and we'll start our new lives…" she whispered, before he close their space under the downpour of the training ground behind the Legal Affairs Bureau.

The rain are giving soothing sense of emotions for the duo and the group. Everyone stood aside, seeing their leaders were no longer engaged to fight anymore, but instead it was a moment for their affection for one another and also an emotional display between them. "So, have you change your mind?" Henriette asked with a yawn, seeing the leaders with a smile. As for the Executives Enforcers; Ruka, Jilian, Natsuki, Rin, Nico, Alice, Shintaro... they were waiting for their two leaders to calm down as they managed to get things straight.

Then, Xingfa stood up and looked at Ruka who was waiting until he decided to be genuine about this. Zhilan went through some of the difficulties following him, having to be supported by his wife as she stood up to see if Xingfa recovering with his sanity--returning to his normal self and it's working. Ruka was eager to hear her leaders' response, she observed Xingfa's thoughts had shifted, looking at the evidence right in front of him, realizing there's no convincing from them.

At that moment, Xingfa have decided to call out the Prime Minister on his misdeeds, he will no longer hold this power of his and he might be considered as a traitor as well. "I've been manipulated by him the whole time, he knows my mind quite well... even too well, perhaps. That made me realized that I fell into the trap I had created and been used to his own interest... I'm sorry, everyone. I feel like a terrible person, now I'm changing my mind."

Xingfa explained, adjusting his spectacles as he always been strict, serious and sarcastic. "You're both lucky you caught his scam with these evidences and bring them in front of my eyes, just to persuade me what I've seen."

Zhilan hugged her husband, relieved that the misunderstanding is over--while she's clinging to his arm and gaze tenderly at him before returning her attention to her subordinates. "So, you'll be helping Lady Zhilan in Stardust Express Station after this war is over?" Ruka asked, he nodded as he comforted his wife.

"Yes, now where's Alden?"