After Amell's attack, killing nearly twenty, unease rippled through the academy. Akuma casualties were acceptable, but widespread human panic wasn't. That would mean the Council had failed in its primary duty.
Consequently, the Supreme Council summoned Purple again. As expected, she came prepared to burnish the family reputation.
"You were there when he attacked. Speak. What do you think?"
Purple wore her casual smile, silent, staring directly into Aina Zheng's eyes. The woman seemed dangerous despite her youthful appearance. But that sinister aura radiating from her didn't faze Purple.
With an annoyed click, Aina spoke:
"V is one of my own, and putting his capabilities into perspective, I'd say he's very capable of influencing these kids to do his bidding."
Confused glances passed between Council members, accompanied by uneasy murmurs. Aina's tone remained casual, as though the matter were trivial.
But all of this was amusing to Purple.
"Not to sound rude, but I think Lady Aina isn't willing to share why V fits perfectly as the culprit… Just so you know, Amell escaped from the Moon Killers this morning. Obviously, he didn't do it alone."
Aina sneered.
When they'd woken up this morning, Amell had vanished just like Adisa days prior. The escape was impossibly clean, convincing most that a Moon Killer must have helped. The academy had descended into chaos.
Lady Aina Zheng's expression turned hostile momentarily before a deliberate breathing pattern brought her back under control.
"You want to know about V, I would tell you…"
V had renounced his Zheng surname years ago, not out of hatred for the family, but rather because of a twisted belief system he'd become obsessed with.
Less than a century ago, V entered the world as the Zheng family head's firstborn. Immediately, preparations commenced to shape him into a worthy clan heir.
"The world is ours to carry"—this Zheng philosophy was ingrained in him completely. His strong love for family shaped him into someone all believed would be the greatest head they'd ever known.
Then the unexpected occurred. No Zheng had ever wielded an Inheritance, yet V was chosen by Will of the Underworld. The power let him manipulate and steal souls. What he gained from each stolen soul remained partly mysterious, but everyone agreed he acquired at least two things: their memories and their life force.
The monster that the Zheng philosophy had created was revealed when the Inheritance awakened. V suddenly felt he must carry the entire world's weight. His twisted logic led him to control people, pushing them toward their ultimate happiness. Those who succeeded lived; those who failed were killed. V had decided no one should suffer the pain of failure.
"This was our fault. We should have killed him or found a way for Quagmire to steal his Inheritance completely. But he was one of our own, and as Zhengs, we couldn't kill him without giving him another chance. We sought help and sealed him. I think that wasn't enough."
Aina abruptly rose to her feet and held her head high.
"The Zheng family cannot remain idle while such disgrace looms again. You have our complete support. We will do whatever must be done, and when V is no more, we are prepared to face any punishment."
The force of her conviction filled the space. Karl Velanora questioned Aina directly, emphasizing that her rank on the Supreme Council wouldn't protect her from consequences.
Purple's attention wandered, though. Arthur Rover was nowhere to be seen, strange given his enthusiasm about all this two days prior. More than that, though, she was preoccupied with the implications of their situation.
Eventually, the Council's interrogation subsided, and Purple seized the opportunity to speak her mind.
"Without a doubt, V is behind this. But I can't say with certainty that Adisa and Amell are acting according to his plans. Clearly, V manipulated their souls in different ways, allowing them to exploit their deepest desires with confidence.
"The sight of humans worshipping Akumas would likely grant Amell his sense of victory. Adisa, however, based on the nature of his Inheritance, seeks the death of all of us. Neither perished after tasting failure.
"This leads me to believe that Adisa and Amell shouldn't be ignored. They may be pawns to V, but their actions could prove just as dangerous."
A soft smile played on her lips.
"Remember this, the Vey family has been of great help in this matter. No victory should be claimed without acknowledging us."
At this point, she'd given the same answer countless times until the Council was exhausted by it. Yet they persisted. Her knowing smile made them certain she was concealing vital information.
"Young lady, imagine the honor it would bring the Vey family if you cooperated with us completely. Now, tell us, where do you think Amell and Adisa are hiding?"
Purple shook her head in disbelief. She couldn't believe someone his age would attempt such transparent manipulative tactics. Did they really think she was so foolish?
Tsk.
With a smile that already spoke her dismissive words for her, she spoke once more.
"As the head of the Vey family, I wouldn't dare take any action that would disgrace our name. As for where they are, I can't tell you."
Her words rankled them, yet they couldn't speak against the Vey family. Though the family had declined from its former glory centuries past, Purple remained valuable because of her Inheritance's unique capabilities.
Before long, they dismissed her with instructions to return when summoned. Perfect, exactly what she'd wanted to hear. Her satisfaction was barely concealed.
"Piece by piece, this will be resolved. The board only lacks a few pieces. I cannot fail. I will not fail. No one stands above me. I am a Vey. The head of the Veys. I bear the lives of a hundred. Failure is not an option."
She whispered to herself, a smile of determination and confidence playing on her lips. She appeared unusually excited for such a situation, though she maintained her calm exterior. Nothing penetrated her mask.