MEMELAND

The trail of blood continued.

Fresh.

Still wet.

Munnu crouched beside it.

"They're close."

One of the Outlaws nodded.

"They couldn't have gone far."

The corridor narrowed.

Old laboratory walls slowly gave way to rough natural stone.

It looked as though the underground tunnels had collapsed long ago.

Wooden supports had been hastily installed to prevent another cave-in.

Kai looked around.

"This wasn't built."

"It broke."

Munnu nodded.

"Stay sharp."

Nobody argued.

The group advanced carefully.

Every footstep echoed through the tunnel.

Then—

"...Captain?"

A weak voice.

Everyone froze.

Munnu's eyes widened.

"Jabir?!"

A hand emerged from behind a collapsed support beam.

Then another.

Two figures slowly crawled into view.

Covered in dust.

Bruised.

Exhausted.

But alive.

"Captain..."

Jabir smiled weakly.

"I knew you'd come."

The Outlaws immediately rushed over.

"You idiots!"

"You had us worried!"

Omar laughed painfully.

"Told him."

"I said the Captain wouldn't leave us."

Munnu pulled both men to their feet.

"You two owe everyone drinks."

Jabir grinned.

"If we survive."

"We'll buy the whole tavern."

Laughter spread through the group.

Even Kai smiled.

For a brief moment...

Everything felt lighter.

Persia didn't smile.

He simply watched.

Quietly.

Carefully.

Kai noticed.

Again.

That strange feeling returned.

Not a memory.

A warning.

His instincts whispered.

Something's wrong.

Munnu looked over both injured men.

"What happened?"

Jabir pointed deeper into the tunnel.

"We got separated."

"Those monsters chased us."

"We hid."

"They eventually left."

"No Cult?"

Omar shook his head.

"No."

"Just those creatures."

Munnu let out a long breath.

"Good."

He turned back toward the group.

"We're leaving."

Several Outlaws looked surprised.

"The laboratory?"

"We've already lost enough."

"My people come first."

Nobody argued.

Not even Persia.

"...Finally."

He spoke quietly.

Munnu nodded.

"We head back."

The Outlaws immediately began helping the injured walk.

Kai sighed in relief.

Maybe...

Maybe the bad feeling had been wrong.

Then—

Click.

A tiny sound.

Almost impossible to hear.

Kai looked up.

Persia's hand rested behind the large radio on his back.

His thumb pressed against something hidden.

Kai frowned.

"...Persia?"

Persia slowly looked over.

His expression had changed.

No smile.

No annoyance.

Only calm.

"Munnu."

The Captain turned.

"...Yeah?"

Persia adjusted his glasses.

"I've been wondering."

"How long were you planning on holding me back?"

Silence.

Nobody understood.

Munnu blinked.

"...What?"

Persia sighed.

"You never noticed."

"I honestly hoped you would."

The Outlaws looked between them.

Confused.

Munnu laughed awkwardly.

"...What are you talking about?"

Persia slowly removed the large radio from his back.

Set it on the ground.

"You built the Outlaws."

"You united everyone."

"You became their hero."

He smiled.

"And that's exactly the problem."

Nobody moved.

Persia looked at every member.

"Tell me."

"If Munnu dies..."

"Who becomes Captain?"

The tunnel fell silent.

One Outlaw stepped forward.

"...Persia."

He smiled.

"Exactly."

Munnu's laughter disappeared.

"...You've been planning this."

"For years."

Persia nodded.

"For years."

Several Outlaws instinctively reached for their weapons.

Persia raised one finger.

"I wouldn't."

Nobody listened.

Munnu slowly drew one revolver.

"...Persia."

"I considered you family."

"I know."

"And yet?"

"And yet..."

Persia looked almost disappointed.

"...You would've kept this family small forever."

Munnu frowned.

"What?"

"You raid villages."

"You rob caravans."

"You survive."

"But that's all."

Persia spread his arms.

"We could rule this desert."

"We could build an empire."

"We could control every trade route."

"We could become kings."

Munnu burst into laughter.

"Kings?"

"We're outlaws."

"Exactly."

Persia answered.

"I got tired of being one."

Silence.

Kai slowly stepped backward.

Something was wrong.

Very wrong.

His instincts screamed.

Run.

Then—

Munnu smiled.

"...You're still a terrible liar."

Persia blinked.

Munnu pointed toward the radio.

"You've been carrying that thing around for years."

"You think I never wondered why?"

Persia's smile faded.

Munnu slowly reached into his pocket.

Pulling out a small metal device.

Kai stared.

A strange symbol had been engraved onto it.

Munnu grinned.

"Good thing Kai's been teaching me how to read."

"I finally understood the manuals we found."

He held the device up.

"A mana magnet."

Persia's eyes widened.

"...You..."

"I figured you were planning something."

"So I prepared."

The device suddenly activated.

A loud metallic hum filled the tunnel.

Persia's body jerked violently.

The countless pieces of metal hidden beneath his clothing snapped toward the device.

Clang!

Persia was slammed against the tunnel wall.

Pinned in place.

His glasses fell sideways.

His arms refused to move.

Munnu walked toward him.

Slowly.

Smiling.

"I've known."

"...For a long time."

Persia stared.

"...Then why?"

"Because."

Munnu shrugged.

"I kept hoping you'd change your mind."

Silence.

Persia laughed.

A quiet laugh.

"...You're still too soft."

He slowly opened his mouth.

Munnu's smile vanished.

Under Persia's tongue—

A tiny switch.

Kai's eyes widened.

"...Captain!"

Munnu immediately turned—

Too late.

Persia smiled.

"...Boom."