Page 36 of Mercy Written in Blood

"It means parts of it could come away in my hands."

"Can you open it?"

"Yes."

The answer came too quickly. Kameda seemed to realise it.

"Probably."

Professor Minamoto stepped closer.

"Not yet."

Kameda glanced up.

"You asked me to examine it."

"I asked you to preserve it."

"I can't assess the interior without opening it."

"Then assess everything else first."

Kameda's mouth tightened.

"Professor—"

"Everything else."

Haruki watched them. Minamoto was afraid of the journal — not of damaging it, but of reading it. That distinction mattered.

The chamber divided itself into zones without anyone announcing it. Kameda established the central table as the primary conservation area. Endo began documenting the maps. Takeda examined the shelves and visible manuscript fragments. Minamoto moved between them all, speaking very little. Haruki and Ken remained near the entrance. Their role had changed — they were no longer owners of the site. They were witnesses. Haruki disliked the feeling, and disliked even more that he had allowed it to happen.

"Boss," Ken whispered.

"What?"

"They know something."

"I'm aware."

"You want me to call the others?"

"No."

"The Accord?"

"Not yet."

Ken looked towards Minamoto.

"He asked about vampires."

"So?"

"So normal historians don't ask about vampires."

"These aren't normal circumstances."