Scapegoats and Sirens
Kael Ravencroft did not panic.
He calculated.
Blame Is a Weapon
In a hastily arranged midnight press conference, Kael stood before the cameras again.
This time—
No confident smile.
No heroic posture.
Only controlled outrage.
"After an internal investigation," Kael announced gravely,
"we have discovered that the raw materials used in EternaGlow were supplied by a third party."
A pause.
"The Valencrest Group."
The room exploded.
Gasps.
Shouts.
Frenzied typing.
Kael continued, voice firm.
"They assured us all safety checks were complete. Ravencroft Horizon Group was deceived."
He bowed slightly.
"For the sake of the victims, we will fully cooperate with authorities."
The Knife Twists
Within minutes—
Valencrest Group stock collapsed further
Contracts were terminated
Banks froze credit lines
Valencrest executives scrambled.
Lunaria watched the broadcast, frozen.
"…He blamed us?" she whispered.
Her phone buzzed endlessly.
Family.
Board members.
Lawyers.
Her father shouted through the receiver.
"Do you know what you've done?!"
Lunaria dropped the phone.
Her hands shook.
Kael didn't answer her calls.
Investigations Begin
The government moved swiftly.
Ministry of Commerce
Health & Safety Bureau
Pokémon League Medical Division
Joint task forces were formed.
Factories were sealed.
Warehouses raided.
Documents seized.
Then—
The Pokémon League made its announcement.
"Due to potential endangerment of civilians,
Ravencroft Horizon Group and Valencrest Group are under formal investigation."
Licenses were suspended.
Market confidence evaporated.
Kael's Gamble
Kael sat in his office, eyes cold.
Sacrifice the weaker piece, he thought.
Stabilize myself.
He believed—
If Valencrest fell,
Ravencroft Horizon could survive.
He didn't know—
Every document he submitted…
Every statement he signed…
Was being cross-referenced.
Elsewhere — The Puppet Master Watches
Alex stood in a quiet meeting room.
Screens showed:
Live investigations Stock free-falls Kael's press conference replaying on mute
Ningguang sipped tea calmly.
"He abandoned his ally quickly," she observed.
Alex nodded.
"That's his nature."
Kirlia floated closer, uneasy.
Alex placed a hand on her head.
"Don't worry," he said softly.
"Everyone gets what they deserve."
System Notification
System Notice:
Kael Ravencroft has betrayed an allied faction.
Protagonist halo instability increased.
Luck reduced by 800.
Host gains 8,000 points.
Alex checked briefly.
Kael Ravencroft Luck: 1,200
He smiled faintly.
"Almost there."
Storm Warnings
As dawn broke—
Police vehicles surrounded Valencrest facilities.
League inspectors sealed Ravencroft labs.
Victims' lawyers prepared lawsuits.
Kael thought he had contained the fire.
He was wrong.
He had only added fuel.