Chapter 191 The rebels disappear!
The clamor of the Harbor Dome was left far behind, and Edelweiss, wearing a baseball cap, moved silently, like a shadow flitting around the street corner.
That faint, elusive aura was her only guide, leading her to a secluded park.
Under the shade of a tree, Arthur, who had been waiting for a long time, immediately reined in his aura, looking no different from an ordinary tourist.
Seeing the young man teasing his pet again, a rare and peculiar expression appeared in her light-colored pupils.
"We meet again, Sir Arthur."
"I never thought you'd be interested in a student competition like the Seven Star Sword Art Festival."
Arthur walked over and sat on the bench opposite her, saying casually.
"Are you teasing me for bullying the young? But I'm only eighteen."
"Your strength has nothing to do with age." Edelweiss chuckled, cutting straight to the point, "Let's talk business."
"I'm still here by invitation this time; watching the competition is just a side activity. As for the Rebel Army…"
She paused, looking at Arthur's unruffled eyes, eventually letting out a sigh.
"That's right, this trip is indeed related to the Rebel Army. Does Sir intend to intervene?"
Arthur's lips held a faint smile, his eyes cold.
"It's not whether I want to intervene; it's that the Rebel Army's clown has already targeted me."
"Clown…"
Edelweiss repeated the word in a low voice, the worry in her eyes deepening.
"I understand. Please follow me."
She made a decision, leading Arthur through the crowd, eventually stopping in front of a luxuriously decorated coffee shop.
As the two pushed open the door, an old man in a dark brown suit with a dignified demeanor immediately rose to greet them.
But when the other party saw Arthur behind Edelweiss, the smile on his old face instantly froze.
"Welcome, Miss Edelweiss. Hmm? And this is…"
"Sir Arthur."
Edelweiss introduced him very naturally, yet with a hint of uncertainty in her words.
"Currently… he should be considered a representative student of Hagun Academy?"
"When you introduce me, could you please not use a question mark?"
Arthur shook his head and chuckled, stepping forward proactively, his gaze fixed on the reserved old man before him.
"A pleasure to meet you, Mr. Kazematsuri Kousan."
Even though Kazematsuri Kousan sensed the importance in Edelweiss's words, the wrinkles on his brow deepened instead.
"Sir has heard of this old man? But…"
"A student of Hagun Academy, why would he come with Miss Edelweiss? This matter should have nothing to do with the Alliance Academy."
Before Edelweiss could explain, Arthur didn't even bother to speak.
An invisible pressure instantly enveloped the entire private room; the space seemed to solidify into thick lead.
Kazematsuri Kousan felt as if a cold hand had gripped his heart; his breathing stopped, and his blood froze.
The young man, only eighteen years old, at this moment seemed to transform into a deity looking down on ants.
"I came at her invitation to understand the current situation of the Rebel Army." Arthur's voice was flat, "I don't have that much time to listen to your endless questions."
Cold sweat trickled down Kazematsuri Kousan's temples; at that instant, he truly saw the fate of death.
"I… I understand, Sir… please be seated."
…
Before long, three cups of black coffee were placed on the tea table.
Edelweiss, who should have been the center of attention, now looked like an outsider, pulling over the sugar bowl with a blank expression.
One spoon, two spoons, three spoons… she kept adding sugar to her coffee like crazy.
Kazematsuri Kousan scrutinized Arthur opposite him, no longer in the mood for appreciation. He composed himself and spoke in a deep voice.
"This old man invited Miss Edelweiss this time, first, to diagnose my daughter, and second, to seek assistance for an upcoming secret investigation."
Edelweiss paused her hand adding sugar, looking at the other party with a questioning gaze.
"Has Rinna's injury not recovered yet?"
Kazematsuri Kousan nodded gloomily: "She has been in a coma since the first round of the competition and has not woken up yet."
Arthur picked up his coffee, blew away the steam, and casually revealed the truth.
"Don't bother, that's not an injury; she's being controlled."
"What did you say!?"
Kazematsuri Kousan suddenly stood up, immense fury burning in his cloudy old eyes, and the table crashed with a loud bang!
"Who is it!? Which bastard dared to lay a hand on my daughter!?"
Arthur glanced at him, then tapped the tabletop lightly with a finger.
Thump.
The sound wasn't loud, but it was like a heavy hammer striking Kazematsuri Kousan's heart.
"Sit down." Arthur's tone was still flat, yet it contained absolute confidence, "I can solve it."
Kazematsuri Kousan's face alternated between green and red; he looked at Edelweiss for help, who calmly nodded.
"Hoo—!"
He let out a heavy sigh, slumped back down, and straightened his attire.
"This old man lost his composure; please forgive me, Sir. May I ask… what information about the Rebel Army does Sir wish to know?"
Arthur swirled the rich liquid in his cup, a hint of approval flashing in his eyes.
"Before seeking benefits, first consider what you can offer? As expected of the controller of the Kazematsuri Group."
"Sir is too kind." Kazematsuri Kousan quickly waved his hand, "As long as you speak, within the Rebel Army, this old man still has some say."
Edelweiss added in a low voice: "Mr. Kazematsuri is one of the ＜Twelve Apostles＞, overseeing finances."
Arthur understood and went straight to the point: "Hiraga Reisen, that clown, I need all information about him."
Kazematsuri Kousan, being an old fox, instantly connected the clues and exclaimed in surprise.
"The one who attacked Rinna… it was him!"
Arthur nodded slightly, acknowledging it, his eyes urging him to continue.
Kazematsuri Kousan's face immediately turned ashen, and he explained through gritted teeth.
"Hiraga Reisen, he is the informant of another ＜Twelve Apostles＞—＜Puppet King＞ O'Erge'Er!"
"He is responsible for the Rebel Army's worldwide intelligence network, controlling thousands of puppets; few have ever seen his true face."
"Our original plan was to join forces with the O洲 Branch to break the global stalemate. Hiraga Reisen was the 'insurance' sent by headquarters to monitor the plan."
"Insurance?" Arthur scoffed, "You let a clown with no sense of good or evil be the insurance for a world-class plan?"
Kazematsuri Kousan's face showed bitterness, but he had to reveal the even worse current situation.
"Actually… even before the Seven Star Sword Art Festival began, our regular contact with headquarters was completely cut off."
"This situation is unprecedented, and considering the special internal circumstances… the current Rebel Army is in complete disarray."
"The investigation I mentioned earlier was to ask Miss Edelweiss to accompany me and others to headquarters to find out what happened."
Edelweiss smiled and nodded, accepting the task: "Counting this time, I owe nothing more to the Rebel Army."
Kazematsuri Kousan gave two bitter laughs, then turned to Arthur, who was still deep in thought, and bowed solemnly.
"Sir, do you think this chip is enough? My daughter…"
"Don't worry, there's still time before the afternoon competition."
Arthur raised his hand, signaling him not to say more, his gaze falling on his own reflection in the cup, his mind racing.
'Assuming O'Erge'Er has left the Rebel Army, then what is his purpose in having the clown target me?'
'No, that's not "targeting"; what the clown has shown from beginning to end is pure, unfounded malice and hatred.'
'Puppet strings that can span the globe… to draw the snake out of its hole, I must find its vital spot.'