The Badaryuda cut through the sea like an iron dragon.
The great battleship, pride of the Kingdom of Nakatam, carved open the night waters as it surged toward Mirdonia.
On deck, thirty soldiers and twenty security officers—fifty hardened warriors in all—stood gathered like an army on the eve of destiny.
Beneath the star-strewn sky, the ship raced forward like a beast devouring the darkness.
"I told you to arrange a ship, but the Badaryuda? And with this many soldiers aboard…?"
Saizo sipped his coffee, hair tousled by the deck's night wind.
His voice rippled softly, like waves before a storm.
"You were the one who said we couldn't handle this alone. Requesting the army's help was your idea, Captain."
Kumashis replied lazily, the dark circles under his eyes casting shadows in the starlight.
"…Kumashis, you're more capable than you look."
Kumashis only shrugged.
Ten soldiers paced the deck like sentinels guarding against monsters lurking beneath the waves.
"Security's strict—almost absurdly so."
"True. Still… just who is this Lamia girl? Personally, I'm more curious about that kid Endy who was taken with her. Facing Indus warfighters alone? That's reckless beyond measure."
"With respect, Captain!"
"What?"
"Young men… are fools in every age."
Kumashis lifted his gaze to the heavens, murmuring as though tracing old memories.
Saizo laughed and flicked him lightly on the head.
"Cut the lecture, old sage."
"Ow! Bastard! I should be sleeping, not listening to your boring crap."
"Say your inner thoughts out loud again and you're demoted."
Their banter melted into the starlight, lending fleeting warmth to the steel deck.
The Badaryuda tore through the black sea, bound for fate's horizon.
Meanwhile, in Mirdonia's alabaster tower, Lamia sat imprisoned in her cage of solitude.
A bare chamber on a high floor, furnished only with a single bed and a small table—like a stone coffin for her soul.
Outside the window, the night sky smothered the moon, pressing heavily upon her heart.
A guard entered with her meal, his footsteps echoing like graveyard sand.
"Three meals a day, morning to night. Eat up."
"…Yes. Thank you."
Her voice was as soft as petals scattered by the wind.
He set down bread spread with strawberry jam and a small bowl of minestrone, then departed.
But her heart was shackled in chains, and no food could pass her throat.
Sitting on the bed, she whispered:
"Endy… you're alive, aren't you?"
Her words rose like a prayer cast into the night sky.
Tears slid down her cheeks as she searched the window for the hidden moon.
At the same time, within the poachers' vessel, Endy and Cain crept forward, holding their breath.
After passing the garbage hold, they reached their third room: the kitchen.
Stacks of unwashed plates filled the sink; the stench of rot and grease hung thick—like the aftermath of a battlefield left to decay.
They raided the fridge, chewing sausages and ham as they whispered strategies.
"Too quiet… think they already know we're here and are watching us? Damn, this ham's good!"
Endy's voice flared like a spark in the dark.
Cain replied coolly.
"No. I counted five. Poachers usually come in small crews. Security's thin, and in this darkness, they'll never spot us."
"Hmm… makes sense."
"But what now? We don't even know where this ship is headed. There's no guarantee it's bound for Lamia. Hiding forever won't help. We may have to get rough—force them to obey."
Endy froze, ham forgotten, resolve blazing in his eyes.
"You're right, Cain. Then let's go meet these bastards face to face!"
Inside, Cain muttered to himself:
Damn it. Endy's too carefree—he makes me anxious. But now… I can't turn back. I have to see this through with him.
The thought sank heavy in his chest, like an anchor in the abyss.
"Hey Cain, remember—no killing unless you have to, alright?"
"Yeah, yeah. Got it."
Cain's voice rumbled, sour with irritation.
"Hell yeah, I'm fired up now! We'll rescue Lamia, then head to Valeralc, eat something amazing, and have some fun! Maybe I'll even get my memories back."
Cain's brow twitched. Endy's words brushed an old scar in his heart.
"You want your memories back?"
"Of course I do."
Endy's eyes gleamed like a lake reflecting the stars.
"Why? Some people are happier forgetting the past."
Endy's face darkened, storm clouds shadowing his heart.
"What the hell are you saying?! I don't remember anything! You know how much I've suffered these past four years?!"
"…Suffered, huh. I think being chained to memories you can't forget is worse. I envy you."
Cain's words pierced Endy's chest like an icy arrow.
The last thread of Endy's patience snapped.
"Don't screw with me!!"
His fist slammed into Cain, hurling him into the wall.
The narrow kitchen thundered with his fury.
"You bastard! You don't even know the line between words you can and can't say?!"
As Endy lunged again, Cain rose to counter.
Their fists collided in the dark like ships crashing in a storm.
The brawl was raw, the roar of their souls.
The racket drew the mafia.
"The hell's going on here?!"
"A raid?! Who the hell are you?!"
Four thugs stormed in, throwing on the lights.
They found Endy sprawled unconscious, face swollen, and Cain standing over him.
"…What happened to you? You used to be stronger than this."
Cain's whisper sounded like words to a fallen comrade, sorrow dimming his cold gaze.
"Hey, blondie! The hell did you do?!"
One thug advanced, bloodshot eyes blazing.
But Cain's sidelong glare was death itself.
The air froze.
The four gangsters fell silent.
For one moment, the room was ruled by the silence of death.