Twin Conversations

Beyond the stone bridge lay a forest path leading to the Zoldyck butlers' grounds. The road, paved with clean, orderly bluestone slabs, was lined with neatly arranged shrubs and meticulously trimmed hedges. Surveillance cameras and hidden sentries were faintly visible.

Gotoh walked at the very front, his steps steady and unhurried, his back straight the entire time.

Gon and the others followed behind him. No one spoke, and an inexplicable sense of pressure hung in the air.

After passing through a long corridor and turning through a bronze door carved with the family crest, they found a broad building before them. Its stone walls were tall, its windows tightly shut, and a plaque hung in the center bearing the words—"Head Butler's Office."

"Please, come in." Gotoh opened the door and stepped aside.

The four exchanged glances before walking in.

The room was dim. Portraits of family members hung on the walls, and a faint fragrance permeated the air.

In the seat at the very back, a figure sat quietly.

It was a woman.

She wore metal goggles, with a mechanical device covering her left eye. Bandages wrapped around her entire face except for her mouth. She was dressed in layer upon layer of dark-purple robes and held a cane in her hands, while a strange smile curled at the corners of her lips.

"Welcome, strangers." Her voice was sharp, softened deliberately into gentleness. "I'm Killua's mother—Kikyo."

Gon instinctively tightened his fists. Leorio's expression darkened, while Kurapika stared at her mask. Ryan stood to the side, his brows unmoving as he simply observed his surroundings.

"You really traveled a long way to see Killua." Kikyo slowly rose to her feet. The tip of her cane struck the floor with a crisp snap, its bizarre rhythm continuing. "Oh, my! What a group