Chapter 173: A Victory Without Joy [ 2 ]

Jet considered her words, remembering the moment Alessandro had knelt beside Damian.

"I understand that, Captain. I don’t regret stopping him, and I wouldn’t have allowed him to escape. But Alessandro raised him. He told me Damian was practically his son. I was standing there with my sword raised, and he had to watch me decide whether someone he’d raised since infancy would live or die."

Adesewa remained quiet for a moment before answering, "Then give him some time. He’s just discovered that someone he loves has committed terrible crimes, and he nearly lost that person in the same afternoon. That’s a great deal for anyone to process, regardless of how powerful an Awakener they might be."

Their conversation continued briefly before Adesewa received another communication from the investigation team.

She excused herself, promising to keep Jet informed about Damian’s condition and any developments concerning the remaining conspirators.

After she departed, Jet rested against the examination bed, allowing the silence to settle around him once again.

By the time the medical staff finally permitted him to leave, evening had settled over Zenith City.

Later that evening, Jet arrived at the secured residence where Nadia and Inez had been staying under protection.

Two guards stationed near the entrance recognized him immediately and allowed him inside after confirming his identity. The building was quiet, and warm light spilled from the living room as he approached the doorway.

Before Jet could announce his arrival, a familiar little voice called out from inside.

"Big Brother!"

Inez came running toward him, her long white hair bouncing behind her as she hurried across the room.

Jet instinctively bent down to catch her, but the movement sent a painful sensation through his chest, forcing him to straighten slightly.

Nadia immediately noticed his condition and stepped forward, gently stopping Inez before she could throw herself against his injured body.

"Careful, sweetheart," Nadia reminded her, placing a hand on the little girl’s shoulder. "Your brother is hurt. You can’t jump on him like you usually do."

Inez stopped abruptly, her white eyes widening as she examined the bandages visible beneath Jet’s shirt.

Her excitement immediately gave way to concern, and she reached toward his hand with unusual gentleness.

"Big Brother, are you okay?" Inez asked, looking up at him anxiously. "Did the bad people hurt you again?"

Jet crouched carefully despite the discomfort and brushed a few strands of white hair away from her face. "I’m okay, Inez. The doctors already treated my injuries, and I’ll be back to normal soon. You don’t have to worry about me."

Inez frowned, clearly unconvinced. "But you have so many bandages. Does it hurt?"

Jet smiled and gently squeezed her hand. "A little, but it’s nothing I can’t handle. Besides, seeing you makes me feel much better."

Nadia watched the exchange with visible relief before guiding them toward the sofa.

She had already heard that the operation against Damian’s organization had succeeded, but seeing Jet return covered in injuries made the danger he’d faced considerably more real.

"Adesewa contacted me earlier," Nadia explained as Jet carefully sat down. "She said the man responsible for the attacks had been captured. Does that mean we can finally stop worrying about people coming after us?"

Jet glanced toward Inez, who had settled beside him and was carefully holding his uninjured hand. "The worst of it should be over, Nadia. O.R.D.O. has Damian in custody, and they’re going after everyone who helped him. We’ll still need to be careful for a while, but I don’t think we’ll have to keep living like this much longer."

Nadia released a long breath, her expression showing how much the past several days had exhausted her. "That’s good. Inez has been asking when we’ll be able to go outside without guards following us everywhere. I think she’s getting tired of being stuck indoors."

Inez immediately looked toward Jet. "Does that mean we can go somewhere fun tomorrow, Big Brother?"

Jet chuckled softly before shaking his head. "Not tomorrow, Inez. The doctor says I need to rest first. But once I’m feeling better and everything is safe, we’ll go somewhere together. You can even choose where."

Inez considered his answer before nodding seriously. "Okay, Big Brother. But you have to promise you won’t get hurt again."

Jet looked at his little sister for several seconds before gently resting his hand against her head.

He couldn’t promise that his life as an Awakener would never place him in danger, especially knowing what awaited humanity in the years ahead.

However, seeing Inez sitting safely beside him reminded him why he’d fought so desperately throughout the afternoon.

"I promise I’ll be more careful," Jet answered, smiling reassuringly.

They spent the remainder of the evening together, sharing a quiet meal while Inez excitedly described the things she’d done with Nadia during the day.

Jet listened patiently, occasionally laughing at her stories, and for the first time in several days, he allowed himself to enjoy an ordinary evening without constantly expecting another emergency.

However, after Inez had gone to bed, his thoughts returned to Alessandro.

Jet sat alone in the living room, examining the communication device resting in his hand.

He had considered contacting the Guildmaster several times since leaving the medical facility, but each attempt ended with him staring at Alessandro’s name without knowing what to say.

Eventually, he sent a brief message asking whether they could speak.

Nearly an hour passed before his device finally received a response.

It wasn’t from Alessandro.

The message came from a senior Darkstar Guild administrator, informing Jet that Guildmaster Orsini was currently occupied with O.R.D.O.’s investigation and had declined all personal meetings and communications.

Jet read the message twice, his expression gradually becoming solemn.

Alessandro had refused to speak with anyoneoutside the investigation team.

Including him.

Jet slowly lowered the communication device, remembering the Guildmaster’s expression when he’d asked whether Jet truly intended to kill Damian.

For the first time since meeting Alessandro Vittorio Orsini, Jet wondered whether the friendship they’d developed could ever return to what it had been before.