Sagiri named the cost while they walked, refusing to dress treason in softer cloth just because the five already looked ready to bleed for him on dry grass.
"Cost first," he said, eyes on the northwest trail where bait-smoke kept thinning under sealed Archive attention, "you lose rank, then academy standing, then whatever home still opens when your name turns poisonous."
Kiuga did not interrupt the list, only kept pace with his jaw set against every item as it landed.
Kaka's mouth flattened into the line he wore before hard fights that offered no clean pride afterward.
Ulekai's breath shortened against the wind.
Bukata's eyes shone with heat she refused to waste on denial.
Zazarie listened like a man already drafting the report that would ruin him.
'Eyes open or not at all,' Sagiri thought, keeping the Archive sealed against the bait ahead, 'I will not collect loyalty through half-told prices.'
