The true mastermind behind the operation was Old Eman of the Shattered Talisman Society. There was nothing to hide about that, and the Bright Moon Knight who wanted to cooperate with Punk could hardly have concealed it anyway. Now that Punk had guessed this unsurprising truth without the slightest deviation... Kane simply explained it outright.
The mad knight spoke bluntly in an even tone:
"You're absolutely right. Mister Old Eman is our collaborator, and the primary planner of this adventure is none other than that ancient His Excellency the Blazing Sun Throne. But in truth, cooperating with him does not conflict with the interests of the Silent Alliance, does it? After all, the 'President' has never returned. Poor professionals like you and me can hardly be blamed for seizing an opportunity to earn a little insignificant extra income. Besides, Mister Old Eman has always been our ally. Cooperating with an ally is only natural—it's all mutual assistance, mutual assistance. I say this kind of cooperation requires no excessive concern."
Don't ask—if asked, it was cooperation; if asked, it was mutual assistance. Betrayal simply did not exist. Although Punk had bluntly described the existence of His Excellency the "Scarlet Scepter" as Kane's "new master," the word-picking Bright Moon Knight clearly refused to acknowledge that fact. He defined his actions as "earning extra income, not conflicting with the Silent Alliance's interests, and naturally helping an ally"...
Although it sounded rather like sophistry, it was admittedly a very self-deceiving explanation, wasn't it? After all, "mutual assistance" really did sound like a perfect excuse.
Of course, it was not yet time for "Whisper of Destruction" to state his position. Nor was there any need for him to make a decision about such an earth-shaking matter so early. Staring intently at the mad knight's face,