Page 393 of Mercy Written in Blood

"Of course."

Mori turned several pages.

"Hayashi claims there is no single leader. Authority rotates between families and human institutions depending on the threat."

"The coalition survived by becoming administrative," Renji said.

"Exactly."

Haruki thought of the woman beneath the Casino.You still think there is one commander.The conspiracy was not a person. Itwas an agreement renewed across generations. A shared belief that coexistence must fail before others could discover it had once succeeded.

"Shibata?" Haruki asked.

"One branch," Mori said. "Not the centre."

"And the attack?"

"Authorised through a council Hayashi never met in person."

"Names?"

"Titles."

Mori slid one page across the table. Haruki looked down. Seven positions. Not names. Each represented by an old crest. He recognised the Shibata mark. Two others appeared in fragments from the first Archive chamber. The remaining four were unfamiliar.

Renji leaned closer. His hand stopped near the page.

"What is it?" Haruki asked.

Renji pointed towards the final crest. A circle divided by a vertical line. Seven small marks along the outer edge.

"This was not one of the families that attacked us."

Mori looked towards him.

"You are certain?"

"Yes."

"Then what is it?"

Renji did not answer immediately. Riku shifted in his chair. The unopened juice carton crumpled slightly beneath his fingers. Renji looked towards him. Then back at the crest.

"It belonged to the Takahara council."

Haruki felt the room change.

Mori said, "Your family?"

"No." Renji's voice had gone quiet. "An office within it."

"Which office?"

"The Keeper of Lineage."

Riku's mother pulled him closer. Haruki looked again at the seven marks.

"What did they keep?"