“The Four Pillars? Bastard, did you betray us? Did you really betray your queen after everything she’s done for you?!”

Jin’s body was shaking with anger. He clenched his fists tightly and glared at Kaido with hateful eyes.

“Answer me, Kaido!”

Kaido looked at him silence before closing his eyes and reopening them a few seconds later with a beastly look in them. He grinned in a way that was unfitting of his previous demeanor a few seconds ago. His expression, aura, and even body language was different from what Jin was used to. The current Kaido gave a savage presence like that of a wild animal.

“Shòuxìng.”

He suddenly said.

“What?”

Kaido pointed at himself.

“My name is Shòuxìng.”

He smirked.

“But you can call me Shòu.”

Author Note: Shòuxìng means beastliness, brutality, and barbarity in Chinese. In this sense, Shòu means beast or wild animal.

“You bastard…! Are you throwing away the name Bloom gave you as proof of her love for you?!”

“That’s right. What are you going to do about it?”

Jin was so angry that his bloodshot eyes looked like they were about to burst out of his head. And then-

“I see. So you’ve officially betrayed us.”

He suddenly mellowed down. His entire presence suddenly darkened and he was suddenly wearing his trench coat, mouthmask and had his sword on his waist.

“Then I’ll just have to kill you right here and now.”

“You’re welcome to try, is what I would like to say but I’m just a mere messenger this time.”

“You attacked the Silver Nest, the queen’s home and still calls yourself a messenger? You’re not leaving here alive.”

Jin pulled his sword and pointed it at Kaido, no, Shòu.

“Oh, I beg to differ.”

Shòu lifted his hand in the air and that’s when it happened. Jin saw a bright light in the distance and the next thing he knew the Silver Nest was hit and nearly half of it was obliterated. When he came to Jin was laying on some burning rubble. He looked up and Shòu who was formerly Kaido was nowhere to be seen.

“DAMMIT!”

“Kaido betrayed us?!”

After Shòu’s assault on the Silver Nest, Jin called an emergency meeting with all the core members of Silver Crow.

“There’s no mistake about it. Attacking the Silver Nest, which is the symbol of Bloom’s position as queen, is a clear declaration of war.”

Jin said. Anyone could see that he was very upset.

“But something isn’t right. Why would Kaido betray Bloom? Like us, she saved him and gave him a new life, didn’t she?”

Ryker said.

“…..I didn’t see Hana.”

“Huh?”

Everyone turned their attention to Jin when they heard his mumble.

“That Idiot would never leave her alone, especially if he was planning on doing something dangerous like betraying Bloom. He would have her at his side because he would think that she was the safest with him.”

“What if he had allies he could trust her with?”

“The pillars? He’s no fool. He wouldn’t trust them with the one that means the most to him.”

“….That’s True. Plus Hana isn’t the type to betray people like this, so I doubt that she would just allow Kaido to do this.”

Sapphire said.

“Then, the pillars have her and is using her to control Kaido?!”

Ryker shouted what everyone was thinking.

“I believe that’s the case. Even so…”

Jin had an intense glare in his eyes.

“A betrayal is a betrayal regardless of the reasons behind it. The fact that they have Hana means that Kaido, no, that fucker Shòuxìng will do any and everything in his power to ensure her safety. That means, even killing his benefactor Bloom.”

“Boss.”

Chrome lifted her hand in the air.

“Yes.”

“Can I take it that it’s okay to kill Shòuxìng when we have the chance?”

“What?!”

Sapphire was shocked by Chrome’s question.

“That’s right. He’s an enemy now after all.”

“But, he’s being forced….”

Sapphire said.

“True, but when it was the time to choose between loyalty and love, he chose the latter. I respect his choice which is why I won’t take him lightly.”

Jin clenched his fist and declared.

“I’ll give it my all to kill him as a response to his choice.”

“But what if we tried to save Hana? Won’t that bring him back to our side?”

“That’s an impossible task.”

Chrome answered.

“We have the Four Pillars and Kaido as our enemies. There’s also Miko who has yet to make any moves. We can’t afford to look for her when our backs are already against the wall. The two of them will just have to be sacrificed for Bloom to live.”

Chrome paused a bit before continuing.

“And also, he already betrayed us once. I don’t know about you but I can’t trust someone like that with my, my comrades, or my queen’s life ever again.”

A sharp look appeared in her eyes.

“Things will never be the same between us and him ever again. We must all remember that as both parties try to kill each other.”

A heavy silence filled the room after chrome said what she said.

“….Don’t worry. When it’s time, I’ll be the one to put him out of his misery.”

Jin stood up and left the room without saying another word. He walked down the halls continuously cursing in his mind over and over again.

“This couldn’t happen at a worse time. Damn you, Shòuxìng.”

“Boss.”

An officer wearing the Silver Crow symbol on his clothes approached Jin with a pale face.

“I have something to report.”

Romix, this was the city that served as the country’s military base. This city was filled with countless soldiers and other people who were linked to the military. This city was the domain of the Pillar, Bastian Brant. He was currently facing over a dozen soldiers with a relaxed smile on his face. He blocked and dodged their attacks as he pointed out what they were doing wrong.

“You guys are relying too much on your numbers and not enough on your individual skills and how you can use them to help each other out. Don’t force yourself to work with others all the time, just do what you had to do to ensure the win.”

He immediately sent them all flying after he finished speaking.

“Reflect on what you need to do to improve on your own.”

“Yes, General.”

Bastian nodded and turned around.

“Oh, you’re back. Good work.”

He greeted Shòu who had a disgusted look on his face.

“What? Are you still upset with me beating you up?”

“Where’s Hana?”

“She’s in the same place you left her. That girl is really something by the way. She tried to kill herself countless times already. It got so bad that we had to threaten to kill all the kids in the orphanage she frequently visits to make her behave.”

Bastian laughed a bit.

“She’s really a kind girl though. She doesn’t want to burden you so she wants to free you by ending her life, but she can’t because she would cause the deaths of innocents. It’s a nasty move by that brat Gear, but it’s effective. It must be tearing her up inside right now.”

*Bam!*

Shòu punched Bastian in the face but Bastian didn’t even flinch.

“Hmm….It’s still lacking. Even when angered you still lack the savagery I’m looking for.”

He pushed Shòu’s hand away and shook his head in disappointment.

“I don’t get it. Why are you holding back even now? What are you afraid of?”

Bastian looked at Shòu for a bit.

“Wait, could it be that you’re afraid that you won’t be able to come back?”

“……..”

“Hahahaha!”

Bastian started patting Shòu’s shoulder.

“The fact that you’re overthinking things is proof of youth, I guess.”

He lifted a finger.

“A word of advice, Kaido; you’re in a dangerous situation. Your old life is gone forever, so you have no choice but to embrace your new one. If you want to survive this battle and come out the winner, you need to release all restraints and just run wild. Be cruel, merciless, decisive; hesitation will only lead to the deaths of you and Hana. You’ve chosen to discard everyone else for her sake, didn’t you? So you can’t afford to worry about unnecessary stuff.”

“….Why are you telling me this? Are you trying to act like a mentor now?”

“Nah, I just want to see a talent like yours flourish as it should.”

Bastian laughed. Soon after he received a message on the smartwatch he was wearing.

“Looks like it’s time.”

He turned his back to Shòu.

“Where are you going?”

“Don’t worry about it. It has nothing to do with you, so go comfort Hana or something. Or make her comfort you, whatever.”

Bastian smirked as he walked away.

“I have a nationwide address to make.”

A few minutes later, Bastian was standing on stage in a dimly lit room.

“General, whenever you’re ready.”

Bastian nodded.

“So let’s get this started, shall we?”

A spotlight shone down on him and cameras appeared and started filming him. One of the people behind the camera gave him a thumbs-up, and he put on a smile.

“Citizens of Newgate, good evening. I’m Bastian Brant, Commander General and one of the Four Pillars. You’re probably wondering the reason why all of your favorite shows and programs have been interrupted, I apologize but I have an important announcement to make. You can return to whatever you were doing after.”

He paused a bit as if to create suspense. He then spoke with a cheery tone.

“We, Pillars are now declaring our intention to start a coup d’état.”

“…That sly bastard. So this is what he meant.”

Shòu said while watching the broadcast.

“Those damn traitors!”

Back at the Silver Nest, Jin was clenching his teeth in anger as he watched Bastian address to the country.

“………”

Inside the throne room, Bloom was also watching in silence while being in complete darkness.

“Now I know that this must be shocking for a lot of you, but it is indeed happening. We Pillars are dissatisfied with the way the current government is doing things and have decided to take things into our own hands.”

He clenched his fist in front of him.

“We’ve decided to crush the current regime and bring forth a new one.”

The wall behind Bastian started opening up like shutters and light rushed inside the room and illuminated it.

“Wha?!”

Jin was shocked when he looked at the screen. Behind Bastian was a sea of soldiers all wearing powersuits, caring weapons, and riding armored vehicles. Aircrafts could also be seen flying in the skies behind him.

“I have received the support of this country’s soldiers. They wish to aid us in our endeavors. We’ve also received support from most of the government officials as well as researchers; which means we’ve all but already won the battle. However, the reason for this broadcast isn’t to boast, its to give everyone a fair chance.”

He spread his arms.

“All who support our cause please come to a city ruled by us, while if you support the queen go to the capital. However, considering that the capital is surrounded by our domains, going there is plain suicide because we will be attacking it from all sides.”

He laughed proudly.

“Oh, our invitation to join us extends to everyone on the queen’s side as well. If the queen even wishes for it, she could step down. That way, no blood will be spilled and everyone can live in peace again.”

He pointed at the camera.

“If you truly love your people, step down from being queen, Bloom Newgate. Otherwise, you’ll be sentencing your people to death. You and everyone else have three days to decide. After that, it’s war.”

He waved at the camera.

“We hope for a favorable response for all of our sakes.”

“Fuck!”

Jin destroyed the monitor he was watching.

“Those bastards! By offering a way out for everyone they’ll seem reasonable and if we refuse, we’ll be the selfish and illogical ones! This is just putting more pressure on Bloom.”

Meanwhile…

“……..”

Bloom silently watched the broadcast until the end and continued to silently sit in the dark. Her pink eyes shone in the darkness with intensity. Finally, only a low sigh could be heard before those eyes were swallowed up by the darkness.