General Ryosuke stood by the open window, his hands clasped tightly behind his back. From where he stood, he could hear the desperate cries of the people gathered outside the estate walls. The voices grated on his nerves. The weight of the situation was already suffocating, but when Nori and Xiao Yu stepped into the room, it tipped over into frustration.
The moment the door shut behind them, Ryosuke turned sharply, his piercing gaze locking onto Nori. "Don't let anyone in," he barked at the guards. The heavy wooden doors were sealed, cutting them off from the outside world. Then, in a quieter but no less forceful voice, he turned to Nori and said, "I know what you're about to say, but the answer is no."
Nori's brows furrowed in confusion. "What?"
"You will not be allowed to do what you think you're going to do."
For a moment, there was silence. Then Nori took a step forward, his fists clenched at his sides. "General—"
