Page 306 of Mercy Written in Blood

"He has been searching for descendants of the seven children."

"Has he found them?"

"We believe he has found one."

Haruki looked towards Mori.

"Who?"

"We do not know."

"You know enough to monitor the estate but not that."

Mori accepted the criticism.

"The Shibata coalition is also searching."

Renji felt cold move through him.

"Coalition?"

"The original alliance no longer exists formally. Its interests do."

"Who leads it?"

"Unknown."

Haruki's expression tightened.

"Another convenient absence."

"This one may kill us all."

Mori looked towards Renji.

"The Accord wants the Archive secured."

"Of course."

"Sota wants it released."

"Yes."

"The Shibata interests want it destroyed."

Renji thought of the sealed doorway. Seven blood marks. Memory preserved beyond the body.

"And the descendants?" he asked.

Mori's face remained grave.

"May want something none of us have considered."

The room seemed smaller. Multiple paths converging beneath the Takahara estate. The Accord. The Unveiled. The descendants of the massacre. Those who had inherited the motive to erase it.

Haruki finally sat. Not because the argument had ended. Because the danger had become larger than it.

"What do you want from us?" he asked.