Koumaru’s demeanor had shifted entirely. Gone was the polite behavior he had displayed during their previous encounter, replaced by a cold, ruthless aura as he addressed Yugo and the others.
After barking a series of orders to the subordinates standing behind him, he turned back to the group and spoke again.
"It is quite troublesome to have you spilling state secrets so carelessly. However, given the circumstances, I suppose it was somewhat unavoidable. As long as you all cooperate, I promise I won't have to take any drastic measures to ensure your silence."
"You’re certainly talking down to us," Ryuga spat. "Do you honestly think I’ll just roll over and obey you?"
"Well... I was a bit concerned about that, yes. That is why I brought along someone who might lend a hand in persuading you."
On Koumaru’s signal, his subordinates led a pair of children into the room.
Koumaru stepped aside to reveal them, watching Ryuga and Yugo’s reactions with a smile that suggested everything was going exactly according to plan.
"Sorry, Brother..." Fee murmured.
"Dear Brother..." Yui added, her voice trembling.
"Fee! Yui-chan!?" Yugo cried out in shock.
"You bastards...!" Ryuga growled, his voice thick with rage.
"Please, do not be so angry," Koumaru said smoothly. "If you simply follow my instructions, there will be no need for concern."
Yugo’s voice cracked with disbelief as he looked at the two children held by Koumaru’s men. Ryuga seethed with fury at the diplomat's cunning, but with his younger sister being used as a shield, any path other than total compliance was closed to him.
"Ryuga-san, I am sorry, but... would you mind handing over your Ryuo-ga?"
"Tch...!"
Ryuga’s expression twisted with bitter resentment as he surrendered his beloved katana. It was a memento from his father, yet he had no choice but to hand the Ryuo-ga over to Koumaru’s subordinate.
Seeing the weapon secured, Koumaru gestured to the man holding Fee, signaling his release.
"Fee, are you okay!?" Yugo asked, rushing to him.
"I’m fine. But..."
Fee looked back at Yui, who remained in Koumaru’s custody even after he was released in exchange for the sword. She was the leverage they needed to keep Ryuga in line, and she would not be let go so easily. Knowing the others understood this, Koumaru turned his attention toward Raiha and the other Warrior Shrine Maidens.
"Now, you three. Please come this way. Pray, do not trouble us any further."
"Wait a second!" Melt shouted, stepping forward. "What are you going to do with Setsuna and the others? We aren't finished talking! You have to let us finish our conversation!"
"Unfortunately, that is impossible," Koumaru replied. "We cannot allow Yamato’s secrets to spread any further—"
"I don’t care about any of that! As their friend, I just want to know how Setsuna and the others feel! I want to hear what they were thinking, what was in their hearts, from their own mouths!"
"Melt...!" Setsuna whispered.
They had kept secrets, but they hadn't lied. Melt pleaded for the chance to hear more, desperate to find a reason to hold onto the bond they had built.
However, after a small, dismissive sigh, Koumaru addressed her.
"A touching display of friendship. Truly moving. However, it is meaningless."
"What...?" Melt gasped.
The bond between Melt and the girls meant nothing to him.
To demonstrate that they were merely tools of the state, Koumaru gestured to the captive Yui once more. He looked at Melt and the others with a gaze like ice.
"I shall say it again. Please follow our instructions. If you do, there will be no need for concern."
Koumaru’s posture made it clear that he had no intention of entertaining their feelings.
Recognizing this, Setsuna and the others stood up. They bowed deeply to Yugo’s group before speaking.
"We are truly sorry... we never intended to get you all involved in this. I'm so sorry we couldn't even talk to you properly."
With those final words, the three of them walked toward Koumaru and his men.
Once Setsuna and the others were secured, Koumaru gave a curt nod and turned back to Yugo’s group.
"As a small mercy, I shall tell you two things about what comes next. First, regarding your treatment: fundamentally, I intend to do nothing to you. However, should any of you leak what you have heard here today, that will change immediately. Consider yourselves warned."
Koumaru held up a single finger as he spoke.
Knowing that Yugo’s side now possessed information that could damage him, he used the threat of retaliation to keep them quiet. He then held up a second finger.
"Second, regarding the Warrior Shrine Maidens and Yui-san. Tomorrow, all four will be taken to a hideout we have prepared. While they are being held there... Ryuga-san, I intend to have you deported back to Yamato."
"Yeah, I figured as much," Ryuga muttered.
The state was removing the source of the friction before it could spark a fire.
Rather than sending the three Warrior Shrine Maidens back, they would forcibly deport Ryuga alone and place him under government surveillance. In doing so, they would ensure his quest for revenge was crushed.
"Yugo-san, please ensure your group remains quiet as well. For what it’s worth, I owe you a debt. I would rather not have to punish you."
"..."
Yugo offered no response to Koumaru’s words, merely glaring at him.
However, with Yui still held hostage, he couldn't afford a single reckless move. For now, he had to obey.
"Now then, we shall take our leave. Our apologies for the intrusion."
Having secured Ryuga’s weapon, Yui, and the three Warrior Shrine Maidens, Koumaru offered a hollow apology and departed from the room.
As the heavy silence settled over those left behind, Fee spoke up, his voice filled with anxiety.
"What’s going to happen to us? Is Yui going to be okay...?"
"It’ll be fine. Don't worry, Fee," Yugo said, patting his brother’s head to comfort him.
He couldn't begin to imagine what the future held, but if he showed his own fear, it would only make Fee feel more alone.
While he tried to reassure his brother and think of their next move, Anhel leaned in and whispered softly in his ear.
"Yugo... while Melt was drawing their attention, I slipped Setsuna a communication device. If anything happens, they should be able to contact us."
"Thanks, Ann," Yugo whispered back.
He discreetly took the matching receiver from Anhel, offering her a nod of gratitude.
He then turned his gaze toward Ryuga, who was still staring at the door where Koumaru had vanished, his face a mask of cold fury. Yugo hesitated, wondering what he could possibly say to his partner, but in the end, he found no words and remained silent.