Hanakaiin Haru sat in his room, waiting patiently.

But the one who arrived wasn’t Hanakaiin Toru — instead, it was a group of people from the Master House.

The one leading them, Hanakaiin Haru recognized.

It was the Steward responsible for overseeing the Split House in this trial.

Of course, only nominally.

In reality?

The role leaned much more toward surveillance, similar in nature to the person who had died inside the lighthouse on the beach.

Faced with the ominous demeanor of the visitor, Hanakaiin Haru remained calm, standing up steadily and composed.

“Hello, Steward.”

Before he could fully rise, a chain was already looped over his body.

“Haru, you’ve committed a crime!”

The middle-aged Steward spoke in a deep voice.

“May I ask what crime that would be?”

The young Onmyoji didn’t resist, staying perfectly composed.

“You colluded with Hanakaiin Toru, Hanakaiin Itsuki, and Hanakaiin Ra to murder Hanakaiin Kokorozashi. The evidence is conclusive — are you still going to play dumb?”

“In Hanakaiin Toru’s room, we’ve already found the letter you wrote to him!”

“Now, come with me!”

“Wait for the Master House’s judgment!”

Saying this, the Steward tugged the chain, dragging Hanakaiin Haru outside.

Hanakaiin Haru cooperated, offering no resistance whatsoever.

Even though such treatment carried strong overtones of humiliation.

The surrounding servants watched with reactions of either shock or fright.

Of course, some harbored a sense of schadenfreude.

Though that schadenfreude was deeply hidden, so much so that the normal eye wouldn’t easily discern it, Hanakaiin Haru saw it.

He didn’t mind.

In fact, when the middle-aged Steward mentioned the names Hanakaiin Toru, Hanakaiin Itsuki, and Hanakaiin Ra, he had ceased to care entirely.

Though surprising.

It wasn’t the worst outcome, was it?

“It’s not the worst outcome!”

When Hanakaiin Itsuki saw Hanakaiin Haru entering the Barrier, he broke into a grin.

Hanakaiin Haru glanced at the three present, then at the corpse lying there. Calmly nodding, he sat down on the ground and said, “Far better than I imagined.”

“What exactly are you all riddling about?”

“Why does it feel like I’m the only one in the dark?”

Hanakaiin Ra scratched his head, his face full of frustration.

“Ra, look carefully — who’s missing?”

Hanakaiin Toru sighed as he spoke.

“Everyone’s here!”

“No one’s missing!”

Hanakaiin Ra looked utterly perplexed.

Such an answer didn’t just prompt Hanakaiin Toru to sigh; a sneering expression appeared on Hanakaiin Itsuki’s face, while Hanakaiin Haru simply turned his head away, refusing to look at Hanakaiin Ra.

For the first time, they realized Hanakaiin Ra’s mind might not be working so well.

“Who are the people from the Split House participating in this trial?”

Faced with the still-bewildered Hanakaiin Ra, Hanakaiin Toru had no choice but to unveil the mystery.

Hanakaiin Ra blinked blankly.

He scanned the people present, then, taking a deep breath, shouted —

“Hanakaiin Ue?!”

“It’s him?!”

Images of a smug, overconfident, but ultimately incompetent figure instantly surfaced in Hanakaiin Ra’s mind.

“Impossible!”

“Someone like that?!”

Almost instinctively, Hanakaiin Ra let out this incredulous remark.

“Of course he’s impossible.”

“But don’t forget…”

Hanakaiin Toru gestured toward the guards from the Master House outside.

Suddenly, Hanakaiin Ra pieced it all together.

It all made sense.

The Master House!

What trial for the Split House joining the Master House!

The Master House would always remain the Master House!

And Hanakaiin Ue and Hanakaiin Kokorozashi?

Both were pawns!

The only difference was that Hanakaiin Kokorozashi believed he would end up the ultimate victor, whereas Hanakaiin Ue understood his role.

Pawns must embrace their own fate as pawns!

Thus, Hanakaiin Ue still lived.

“Damn it!”

“Was this guy’s behavior all an act?”

Hanakaiin Ra roared indignantly.

“Everyone wears a facade, living life behind masks — what’s so wrong with that?”

“At least, in certain moments, you might feel a little more at ease.”

The one who spoke wasn’t Hanakaiin Toru, but Hanakaiin Itsuki.

The infamous young Onmyoji seemed like a philosopher.

This prompted Hanakaiin Haru to turn his head.

“I thought you’d break out outright.”

Hanakaiin Haru said.

“Why didn’t you?”

Hanakaiin Itsuki rolled his eyes.

“Because I trust my companions.”

Hanakaiin Haru replied.

“And I trust my friends.”

Hanakaiin Itsuki retorted.

“I imagine you’re not talking about Jason, are you?”

Hanakaiin Haru asked.

“You think just because you met Jason first, he automatically became your companion?”

“He shares a common passion with me — he’s my friend!”

Hanakaiin Itsuki sneered coldly.

The two glared at each other, neither backing down.

“What’s this Jason they’re referring to?”

Hanakaiin Ra remained perplexed.

“He seems to be someone important!”

Hanakaiin Toru said, looking at the night sky again. Though the Barrier obscured the view, rendering the night somewhat blurry, his gaze was still profound.

It was as if he were reminiscing.

Or perhaps simply lamenting.

“Would the Master House make a move against this Jason?”

Hanakaiin Ra asked softly.

“Of course.”

“He’s Haru’s companion and Itsuki’s friend, naturally involved in the assassination of Hanakaiin Kokorozashi — the Master House always prioritizes prudence above all else.”

“Jason’s ‘Sword Saint’ title alone is enough to warrant their meticulous caution.”

Hanakaiin Toru explained.