"Those are my terms. Stay in touch for now. More extensive deals will require more trust."
The crystallization covering the vast laboratory dissipated at a visible rate, and the exhaust fans started running again. Kurona Yasuhisa also crawled out of the ice. Although she was uninjured, seeing the gulf between their abilities had made her abandon any further attacks.
"It seems this is as far as we can go for now." Kanou nodded in agreement. After learning part of Louis's plan, he understood that he was not an indispensable part of it. They could remain on friendly terms, but they were still a long way from deeper cooperation.
Louis refused to provide a blood sample, but promised to consider it after this winter. Apart from that, they made one concrete deal, which was also merely laying the groundwork for the future.
As for what Furuta had asked Kanou to pass along, there were a few words in addition to the mask, and their meaning was simple and clear.
Someone would help smooth things over for Ice Mask within the V Organization. In return, he was to attend the Clowns' core meeting. The clown mask in his hand was his admission ticket.
Simply put, the more crucial information could only be revealed to him through a meeting of the Clowns. Whatever hidden agenda lay behind it was still unclear.
Clatter...
As he pondered this, the sound of turning gears rang out. A door suddenly opened in the load-bearing pillar at the center of the laboratory. He turned to look and found a disheveled woman imprisoned inside. Her arms were suspended high above her, and her legs were secured with shackles. Her prolonged struggles had left the flesh around her wrists and ankles bloody and mangled.
Most striking of all were the