Sonata placed the archived folders that she gathered earlier and gave the list of circus members into the board; Claire was sitting down while reading the archives, Gabriel was writing down the clues into several blackboards--especially with his personal work before working for the National Postal Service, Amaris was creating a summary of the kidnapped children's profiles to keep track on the progress. Suona and Xinglan are tidying up the headquarters, Vincent was making his way to Alastair's office for a brief meeting, and Lloyd who was taking a short break from doing paperwork in the archive room while Solvine helping him. "Let's see... who should we start with?"

"I heard there are people who are skilled with technology; apparently, some members of Kafka's Circus had been experimenting with human bodies to create... something like homunculus? I don't know how to explain that, because they look less human and more like a living plastic doll," Amaris replied, crossing her arms with a serious look on her face. "Are you sure about that?" asked Sonata, skeptical about her statement. "I can't say it's true, because not everyone support the government--they don't even trust some of the candidates," she stated with a sigh, shaking her head side to side.

Before everyone could respond to the conversation, Lloyd was curious about something. He was shocked to see one of the folders that have a common name from the remaining seventeen missing children--it wasn't the same name that he remembered when that happened. He began to doubt for a moment, his expression changed a little. "Master Lloyd? What's wrong?" Suona noticed the concern on his face, gaining his attention. He was surprised by her sudden interruption and his eyes scanned the list. "Sonata, are you absolutely sure this is the complete list?" he asked, walking up to his daughter to show her the incomplete list. "Yes, Master Lloyd... what's--?"

She quickly saw the names, surprised.

"They were from the orphanage before... no, one of them is."

Alastair was being silent, thinking deeply; before taking out his pen to scribble something to the paper that he started formulating a plan: Sonata looked closely at the details to find some connections, there's a high chances that they might be missing. "Let's examine the troupe members first, then the caged Husks that they keep under their noses."

Chase's eyes were following the troupe's every move, studying the ringleader from the distance but he found no traces of where they came from. They're everywhere now; every kid in Welkin wanted to see the Kafka's circus! He narrowed his eyes, before he turn to check the place where they met up to discuss with him. "Alright, what do you got?"

As soon the jester appeared, he informed them that one of their members caught Sonata which gained their worried expressions. Gabriel's face went pale as a sheet. "Is she alright?! Did they injured her?" Claire asked, while Chase sighed. "She's fine, she just scratched the jester's face and he backed down a little. I am glad she managed to get out in time, though..."

Gabriel released a deep sigh. The three teenagers were glad they've seen Sonata in a much better condition. "I hate it when someone popped up behind me like a freaking spooker!" She complained, Claire patted her on the back. "Sorry, Sonata. I should've been here earlier," she commented, rubbing the back of her neck. "It's alright... But next time, let's split into pairs and go on different sides."

"Also, thank you... for saving me."

Sonata murmured, looking at Chase who was as calm as ever and stayed collected. He nodded, before noticing how concerned everyone looks; even he got to look at Lloyd from afar, who was taking a glance at them. 'Oh right, the troupe were going to get ready for their performances and presentations...' Chase thought, knowing that the Postmaster-General was curious as the others. 'I wish I could show you the whole truth.'

Claire noticed the unsettling feelings from Sonata, knowing the girl has her insecurities despite having a calm and strong composure from her personality. She decided to back up what Gabriel said--but she needs to know why are the troupe really looking at or judging the situation they're working into. "Kafka isn't the leader's name obviously, it's just a codename... we can track them by their names in the member's list. Also, do you think the troupe are recruiting kids illegally? And the troupe were... experimenting on the children?"

Xinglan listens to Chase who made a hypothesis from the investigation, he didn't know why but he look back at Lloyd for a moment--for some reason... why did he felt like it's 'connected' somehow? It doesn't make sense either, especially Oswald warned him once if any of the members get caught in any situation. But... why?

Sonata folded her arms before speaking, thinking of their plan. "So... who do you think gonna take the challenge? Are they trying to use this festival just to get themselves famous among the voters to win? Like--is it legal to use this stuff as their only 'weapon' to gain popularity on this election thingy?" she asked, scrunching her brows in concern. Gabriel folded his arms and his lips drawn into a thin line, skeptical from how the politics have become of in Canaria. "Well... no wonder why some of these government's facilities are a trash," he replied.

They decided to take a break first; there's nothing to get reported so far, yet. Sonata was slouching on the bench, exhausted from the delivery and searching. Claire was looking at the archives again; until something clicked into her mind and she recalled the Ringmaster was wearing a black top hat, looking all menacing and intense the moment they entered. Their costumes made them look quite deceptive. "Sonata," Chase called, making Sonata shrieked for the sudden voice that startled her.

"What is it?"

"About that suspicious troupe--the clowns onstage. There's something odd about them. It's strange; when I went in and went around the city, they have been oddly keeping secrets. By the way--have you seen their Ringmaster? When they performed, I tried to scrutinize what is their secret. I have searched for anything that I could suspect from the staff room as well as some missing folders in the archives. Then, there's caged Husks creatures inside--do you think it's strange to find Husk creatures inside their own staff room's basement? I thought it's a storage, instead it turns out to be a laboratory of Husks with vile substances kept as a secret, locked under several locks," Chase explained.

Sonata hummed, before her wolf ears tilted and she began to explain about her own findings in the archival room. "That's bizarre. The trouble is, I need to stay cool because the jester caught me off-guard and I don't even know why or how I've became immune the first time... they're hiding something that we need to get through," she whispered, knowing that the creepy clown wasn't an ordinary one. "But somehow--after seeing the pictures, it's like I relapsed and seeing everything's blurry..."

Then, she felt his hand on her left shoulder. He didn't know what to say, but hearing her description of how she viewed it--as though this troupe have something to do with the mysterious organization. But not only that, they brought sinister environment that has something to do with an obsession over their works. Sonata look up, her face went flustered. "What? Why--?"

"Just..." Sonata murmured, her face felt hot and flushed. "You're making me feeling odd."

"I... I don't want to upset you even further. Forgive me, it was unintentional. I'd prefer to calm you down, my apologies," he spoke softly and apologetic towards her--which surprised her. "N-No, it's fine..."

There was an awkward silence, with Claire and Gabriel snickered to see the two of them being alone together. Sonata never has a boyfriend for a long time, but she's not liking the whole partner thing... she admit that Chase was a handsome man and he is dedicated to his work, unlike those boys at the city. Then, they began their focus on shuffling the folders neatly.

"Wait... this folder belongs to..."

They went silent as they quickly closed the folders, looking at each other in the eye. They retrieved a stolen confidential data for their own information, but they're quite clueless and unsure about the situation. "Crap, this stolen folder from the troupe belongs to one of the higher-ups in National Postal Service... we need to unsee what we have seen. Also, how come the troupe were able to collect the confidential documents?" Gabriel said, blinking. "Good thing I have photostatic memory," he mumbled, rubbing the temples of his eyes as it irritates him.

Chase wondered what are they talking about when they were tidying up the stolen folder; he remembered when someone stole the information at the Kafka's troupe's archive that he managed to have the details before they had to escape before they are going to attack him, and the victims' files he had to retrieve it back to its place. "What is it?" he asked, but Xinglan shake his head as Suona stared at him with fearful eyes. "Don't look into these--unless you wanted yourself killed."

It was a good thing Sonata, Claire and Gabriel aren't in the mood to give the hints and clues, especially with the files they got. Amaris choose to close her eyes and hoped what she see isn't true, but since it's considered classified in confidentiality and blacklisted that their superiors will absolutely flip. But it isn't that simple, no one is suppose to trespassed the National Postal Service's headquarters privately--but these are civil registrations filed and turns out the government DIDN'T guard them properly, but instead they might left them--on accident or not, thus allowing the culprit or someone to steal it to create a secret program.

"Wait, are these the stolen children's files from the orphanage?"

Chase's eyes widened, having a traumatic flashback before he let out a gasp, looking at the thieves with a stunned look. "How did the troupe... abducting children...?"

"Because... Kafka is recruiting them for abusing experimental technologies on innocent people; I found out that he used their corpses and mutated them as circus freaks," said Sonata quietly, Chase could sense that she was feeling sad and depressed. Judging from her experience of being almost sold to the auction in the trafficking, she was so traumatized that she had to stop herself from remembering them. "Sometimes they will use the same technique they use to make an entrance for the audience, playing them like a puppet in front of their captive spectators..."

"Also, why are our superiors' files were in them? Wait, don't tell me they're gonna target those too--just what Kafka is planning to do--make slaves for every troupe member he encountered?"

Sonata was silent, she has so many questions on her mind and she didn't know how to find the answers. They retrieve the stolen documents to Lloyd, they shouldn't forget about the Husk creatures; they never saw one with different appearance to the one they encountered during their jobs and duty to hunt them. After they left--Lloyd and his subordinates were checking the files, he froze to see the one with his own file. His deadpan expression seemed more stern than before.

Lloyd went silent that made the silence unnerving that made Alastair and Solvine noticed his sudden odd silence, the Emissaries tried to do any funny business just to make him laughed a little--but none of their jokes could change his stiffened composure. "Lloyd?" Alastair called gently. He didn't said anything nor reacted to the calling. As they were busy on examining the files--they saw all of the superiors' confidential files that are supposed to be handled by the officials themselves; not being sent directly or stolen without letting their members knowing about it; but Lloyd knew something odd about this.

"It has one... with me on it... right...?" he asked, his tone flat and blank; yet it was sincere, genuine and genuine concern. It was rather off. "Yeah... the criminals were sneaking it because somehow, it seems one of them are trying to manipulate things into their personal benefits..." Oswald responded, but he noticed his sudden change in his demeanor and tone. Solvine raised his eyebrows when he opened a file containing Lloyd's. His attention turned to the board as all of the Mail-Hunters showed a dark expression as they took a deep long look.

Alastair knew their suspicions were correct about their superior: Lloyd Warren has managed to hide a lot of secrets from them and judging from his strange behavior--Oswald then clicked his tongue in the process. "All of you see it, didn't you?" Lloyd asked, not tearing his gaze on the picture of him when he was a child. When looking through the files, his eyes started to grow dull and lifeless--from the hidden dark memories within him. "Huh... it replays over and over inside my head..." he murmured, looking at his hand. "Where I was wandering around..."

His eyes. Solvine observed and noticed that Lloyd's purple eyes darkened and his pupil was dilated as if there's a hole in it. "Master Lloyd, what's wrong?" Mathilda asked, she stared at Senja with his eyes still sharp. Solvine was puzzled and he hadn't expected that he might be hiding so much secrets that are so hard for anyone to crack. Despite being a long time friends, Alastair never knew Lloyd's past or background well; he's not good at memorizing names and not an office person to even tell what his superiors are. "None, oh... my... goodness..." Senja finally realized something, he look up at Alastair and nodded. "It has finally connected..."

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Lloyd had come from a rough and shady beginnings, not only he was the eldest in the noble family. At a very young age, he already witnessed numerous things humans could ever imagine: Torture, rape, drugs, abuse, murder, gangsters and illegal experiments--which came from his estranged father. He has fostered immense hatred towards the government and people who sided with them--the Warren Family has been a target of fear due to how 'powerful' and 'influential' that made the other nobles afraid of them, which lead to him becoming a Mail-Hunter--in hoping that he can deliver retributions to those who misused the method of postal. However, some people were fascinated with his abilities, but decided to keep his distance from them. Despite having his subordinates as his comrades, he always reminded himself not to depend too much on his peers or even treat them like pawns.

He never been loyal to the Canarian government from the first place--his loyalty is just an act, as he rose in the ranks with an attempt to change the government from the inside. When that failed, he bid his time and waited for the right moment to strike until he achieved his goal. His reputation preceded his existence together, along his goal of delivering the retribution becomes much greater.

How unfortunate of him, Solvine wondered.

"If someday... if I will be dismissed from my position whether it is accusation or not--Oswald will be in charge as the Director," Lloyd muttered while reading his own archive, Alastair was a bit surprised as he was given a direct order from their own superior who held high status. "If someday... I betrayed all of you... will you... still consider me... as a comrade...?" he asked, his eyes focused as his pupils widened as if he was possessed. The Mail-Hunters looked at each other, and most of the seniors were shocked by Lloyd's behavior while Oswald and Solvine were serious. "Why are you doubting our word, Master Lloyd?" Senja asked calmly. "When you assigned Oswald as the next successor, there is no need to doubt us... but we still believe in you, even if you decide to retire or something like that," Mathilda said with a small, polite smile.

"Master Lloyd, what's bothering you...?"

No response.

Solvine stared at the dark, clouded night sky with a concerned look. He didn't know what goes on in his mind lately, although Alastair and Oswald are the ones he had worried about. Lloyd was quiet for a few moments and kept silent, staring at the starry skies. "I... know... just how much you guys wanted... me to answer... but... please... not now..." he spoke hoarsely as his expression showed how lost and devoid his face. "All of you are dismissed, leave my office," he said in a stern tone, waving his hand to dismiss them and without saying anything more; the Mail-Hunters left his office.

Lloyd sat down in his office chair; exhausted. He rubbed his temples and leaned his head on his chair, closing his eyes. No matter how he tried to forget about his past, it always comes back into his mind. He believed that when he became an Mail-Hunter, he would've felt better, but no one could've known about his secret. He's afraid if Alastair, the others and his teammates would reject him. Nobody could ever know his true colors behind his act of loyalty for Canaria and they have no idea who he is or know about his ideals, they know he hates the government--but as they all know, who really is Lloyd Warren to them?

In the end, the Mail-Hunters want to investigate the anomalies from the Kafka's Circus from his background... but they choose to not inform him (to prevent him to do anything they regret and make him upset) to avoid their boss from reacting wildly. "No, there's no need to involve anyone. We have to calm ourselves before we jump into the conclusions," Alastair replied, opening his notebook; took notes of important information and put some pins into it. Senja and Solvine glanced at each other while sighing in disappointment, they should've just do what Alastair instructed.

"If there's no clues about the Prime Minister candidates, we might have to postpone the elections until this abnormality is settled," Oswald nodded. It would've a wise move before the election had got underway, not wanting to let the Kafka's threat looms closer--but once they're on the pursuit of eliminating every single witnesses. "Alright, these circus troupe members... Gerard Drakenheim, Zofia von Braunschweig, Rejik Maribor, Lutz Meister, Abner Baumgarten, Carlotta Tournier, and lastly Saphirian Selvency... we need to stop them from ruining this festival. I'll be in charge of leading all of you, because Master Lloyd... isn't doing very well these days," Alastair stated, trying to not let out a curse after saying 'Master Lloyd', his attitude has been rather... more like someone different from everyone's perspective.

Moving from their headquarters to the carnival, the Mail-Hunters quickly got to work.

Sonata was worried about their Postmaster-General, he seems unusually quiet and solemn, even if he speaks; his tone has lost its levity and his expression was melancholic. Solvine could sense some stress from his body language, rubbing his temple. 'Master Lloyd is experiencing post-traumatic stress... if not he's experiencing some kind of PTSD at this point, just like my daughter...' he thought silently, looking at his daughter Sonata as he patted her shoulder to keep her comforted. "Senja? Is that really, true? Is Lloyd really someone dangerous than Kafka himself...?" Mathilda whispered, she was nervous and she heard his stern voice.

Senja look around, before he whispered to her. "Lloyd never shown his true colors yet, his trauma have been worse to the point; it can be his motivations for his purpose--he never open up about his background to all of us. But you could tell he suffered a lot, before he became an Mail-Hunter," Senja responded, before shushed when he saw the Prime Minister candidates approaching and ordered his team to resume their posts. They're keeping their own suspicions to themselves, knowing that if their suspicions became true; they have to kill the truth. "And, he must've been disappointed that we saw his files," Senja whispered again.

"Lloyd, I can take over your post temporarily if you don't mind, isn't that okay with you?"

Alastair spoke, he's the second trusted subordinate and best friend to Lloyd Warren, but Lloyd didn't pay him an attention; like usual, as if nothing happened earlier. Even with the new duties, Alastair doesn't wish to antagonize nor his fears, his loyalty and faith were unwavering; just to keep their oath to protect their honor, even if a betrayal might come across the oath. "I guess that means yes," Senja assumed by the way Lloyd was responding after hours of thinking, silence was the only answer they have to listen. Sometimes silence speaks louder than words. "One day, Lloyd is going to snap," Xinglan replied with a frown while crossing her arms, Suona sighed in worry.

Solvine took a slow approach to Lloyd, making sure he was not invading his personal space when he's in that state. "Is there something you needed to tell me, Solvine?" Lloyd turned to Solvine as his voice called him to meet, having just came in after the two teams had gone their separate ways to continue the investigation. "No, Alastair wanted to confirm if he can take over your post temporarily as an Acting Postmaster-General," Solvine responded in a calm and reassuring tone, but he could sense how tense Lloyd's expressions become after the announcement. "If so, then I'll give Alastair his title... for temporary."

"Look who's talking," Senja commented with a teasing chuckle, earning a death glare from Lloyd who was sitting down in a chair while working with some documents. "Goddamnit, Senja..." Mathilda cursed, she's a sweet person but this doesn't make any sense to see her be all pissed. "I will leave all of the investigation progress to all of you," Lloyd announced before excusing himself, his eyesight locked on one of the Prime Minister candidates before turning his head away. Meanwhile, at the tent where the troupe members had gathered, the leader was standing beside his desk with hands tucked in his jacket's pockets and eyes were directed at the young jester.

"I am in dire need of you, young jester... You are so fortunate. After all, I know it was you who broke into my office for the stolen information... Oh? You have a helper? Could it be a young man whose power exceeds my expectation... is that whom I'm seeing?"

One of the guards whispered to him, he was trying to get a closer look at the pictures--looking so suspicious. "Lloyd Warren... looks like he have been protecting the secrets far too long--and he doesn't want it anymore. I wonder... what else this organization keeps hidden," the young jester murmured with a cackle.

He really seem too mysterious that nobody's familiar with him.

***

The leader of the Kafka's Circus was observing the view of his beloved carnival in Welkin Amusement Park, folding his arms on the railings. He was tall fellow with dark maroon short messy hair with black streaks, his bangs framing over his light red colored eyes and has a pale complexion with a scales on his neck. His attire consists of black trench coat, shirt with three button, covered by a lilac waistcoat, a dark lilac cravat around his neck, pocket-watches lining his chest pockets, and a hat he wore tilted at a side and covering half of his head. His pupils were sharp like a needle, and his face somewhat retaining its youth. He also wears a garnet-shaped golden brooch adorned with silver chains around his shoulders, wearing a spade pin. There's a huge dark red dinosaur-like tail from behind which flapped around in annoyance, which somewhat 'annoying' to his 'children'. He has a neutral composure with calm demeanor, and his smile seemed so normal and eerie.

Kafka is just his codename, his real name is unknown to most of his crew members.

The leader didn't turned, but looked over his shoulder behind. Gerard, Lutz and Drakenheim followed him and they stood in a distance without saying anything as the three men look at the shadowy figure standing in the darkness. "You let them escape, didn't you?" he asked, his tail was resting; his eyebrows were furrowed but his face were relaxed--and it startled his subordinates how he managed to not show anything on his face as an annoyance. "I don't know, Boss... that girl was a tough one to handle with," the jester explained with a regretful tone, but soon received a huge bash from his dino-tail onto his left face and head--instantly killing him in process. "How stupid of you..." the Ringmaster scolded.

"Guess this means you failed your objective. How much are they know? Ah... those kids must be valuable to them now. Also, that girl... Sonata Nocturna, the daughter of Winter Wolf... Solvine Nocturna. Hmph, I should have expected her to be associated with them. But, isn't she... sold into slavery...?" Kafka wondered, as his voice deepens before grinning. His trusted ally, known as 'The Marionetteer' was standing across him--his fingers playing with the strings of his puppets. He has a light and dark blue hair short messy hair with braids with several green beads on it, he wears a black and white suit with dark red and white cape draped over his shoulders, black vest with black ribbon, black pants and white shoes--he has a pair of black gloves on his hands. With his calm demeanor, he looks somewhat gentle--but not gentle on his works.

Kafka stared at his personal assistant who was his trusted adviser and loyal companion, Abner Baumgarten was quiet beside him; which is strange considering how he's like to talk his ears off. "You sound distracted..."

The Marionetteer whispered, Kafka's sharp eyes were locked at him--before Zofia yawned. "Hey, are you guys done or something?" she asked, Rejik sneered at the two. Kafka chuckled and gently hit his arm which earn a wheezed. "Apologies, I got distracted for a little while," Kafka replied, while Carlotta swinging her feet in anticipation. He looked up at the sky and grinned while rubbing his chin. "But I know how they tick," the mysterious scientist smiled as he pulled the strings with such easiness.

As they dismissed by him, Kafka look back at the attached photos of Lloyd was looking at one of the photos, having sensed that he'd been hiding something deep inside. But Kafka was aware on how to make him spill his secrets. "I know you're trying to fix everything in your hands, Lloyd... but... just because I do no longer wish to kill those scums, doesn't mean I'm going to spare every useless lives that are useless. You are in good hands," he whispered. Kafka could already taste victory, knowing that he obtained something valuable.

"Your secrets... before I stripped off that facade of yours... I need to take care of those Mail-Hunters first," Kafka stared at the picture of the Mail-Hunters he retrieved as blackmailing the Prime Minister candidates, before giving an evil chuckle. "All of you sold your soul to the government, just by becoming an Mail-Hunter? How utterly cruel... isn't it, Lloyd...?" Kafka questioned, smirking widely that could make his skin stretched. Everyone he considered as 'disposable or unimportant' often either kills themselves or jump into the river, because the truth is killing them.

He was obsessed with 'Children of Light' who were born during the Day of Disappearing Stars, believing that their gifts could save their family's land and attracting their attention to them. As a result, he kidnapped the missing Canarian orphans in order to experiment on their physiology--hoping to create the perfect copy of the Children of Light, so far the perfect physicalities are 95%. The only issues are psychological--he placed a chipped that resembles a coin into each victim's head to trigger their suicides. After all, Sonata Nocturna is what he wanted to go after all this time. But alas, he'll have to work his way to get his hands on that little girl.

And this is where the Mail-Hunters becoming restless, due to the missing children.

The third trusted assistant of Kafka, known as 'The Scientist' and wears a black gas mask over his face. He has a long black hair that tied in messy ponytail, black attributes from the body's colors and a black cloak covered the left arm; his coat sleeves were rolled up above his elbows and also wears a waistcoat, dark gray shirt and a tie. He wears a black pants, black boots, black gloves and has a pair of sharp weapons under his sleeves. He was a genius yet, insane scientist, doing forbidden experiments and studies--he was a very skilled inventor which Kafka considers him as his partner and co-inventor of their abnormalities. His vision was a blur, but to keep himself restrained while he examines his machinery. "Scientist, what are you up to?"

Kafka asked, the mysterious fellow was a quiet type and not an extreme socialite that Kafka had to be the mouthpiece. He didn't respond, just making him go quiet and doesn't look up at his eyes. His eyes were soulless and void, looking completely devoid from any hope. Kafka decided to kick his table, and there goes the last brain cell he had. "Have you activated those abnormality Husk earlier?" he asked. "Yeah, we gave them some drugs for some... special stuff... these young children are the results, and you didn't even give us any credit," his fingers twitched as if they itched to clench something and tear apart. When he snapped his gaze towards Kafka, Kafka's eyes narrow; threateningly. "If you think I didn't saw that insolence, I can order Drakenheim to shut your eyes for you. Be more careful next time, Scientist..." Kafka threatened in a low tone.

"Marionetteer!"

The Marionetteer look up while playing with his puppets, his face was written no expression; just neutral. "Yes, Kafka?"

"Be prepared, they are going to attack us no matter the cost... unless they failed," Kafka warned before leaving his side while snapping his fingers. "It is better to kill those traitors before letting the truth out... not after I lost everything I own--but thanks to my fellow criminals, I can't let that happened."