The chapter continued where the previous one had ended.
Stag looked at Light.
"You said you were going to pay her debt."
"So far, Jane has repaid around one million."
"Pay us the remaining four million... and we'll leave the girl alone."
Light frowned.
"That's too much money. I can't arrange that kind of amount."
Stag shrugged.
"...So?"
"Then leave the girl alone," Light replied firmly. "If you don't, I'll have your gang arrested."
Stag let out a quiet chuckle.
"Get a warrant first."
"You can't prove we've done anything illegal."
"We were only collecting money that rightfully belonged to us."
"And if you're talking about the men who tried to rape her... they're already dead."
"You killed them."
He folded his arms.
"Jane is smarter than you think."
"She knows filing a police complaint would be pointless."
Light's expression hardened.
"You're standing before the Prince of the Central Kingdom."
"The wielder of the Dark Shield."
"The eldest son of King Jugram... and his heir."
"So what?" Stag replied without the slightest hint of fear.
Several members of the gang burst into laughter.
Stag stepped closer until he was standing face to face with Light.
"Listen, Mr. Prince..."
"The reign of the Dreakors is over."
"So are their laws."
"The laws of the kingdom are much stricter now."
"It doesn't matter whether you're a prince... or even the king himself."
"Without a warrant..."
"You can't do a thing to us."
Stag looked Light straight in the eyes.
"And even if you choose to be a ruthless prince and have us arrested... or even killed..."
"You'll only lose the people's trust because of your injustice."
He took another step forward.
"And remember this... a king is only king because the people allow him to be."
"A king is nothing without his people."
He glanced around at the members of the Stag Gang before looking back at Light.
"And if, for some reason, you do manage to have us killed... don't think that'll solve your problem."
"You're mistaken if you believe our gang is small."
"And like I said, we have no leader."
"Even if you force me to cooperate... or somehow get rid of me... I can guarantee you one thing."
"The rest of our people won't stop going after that girl."
"In short... no matter what you do, you can't get rid of us that easily."
He folded his arms.
"So, for everyone's sake... repay the money."
"And we'll leave the girl alone."
After hearing everything, Light was speechless. he had nothing to say.
He simply stood there in silence.
Karem broke the silence.
"...We'll try to arrange the money."
Stag gave a slight nod.
"I'm glad you understand."
"We'll be looking forward to it."
As Karem turned to leave, Light spoke again.
"Wait."
"There's something else I want to ask."
Stag looked back at him.
"Do you know my brother... Leanor?"
"What kind of relationship does he have with your gang?"
Stag remained silent for a moment before answering.
"You should ask your brother that."
"We don't share details about the people we know."
"The only reason I told you about Jane was because you killed our men... and I didn't want this meeting to end in a fight."
Karem nodded politely.
"Alright. Thank you."
He then looked at Light.
"Light... let's go."
After leaving the hideout, Light and Karem walked in silence.
After a while, Light spoke.
"Karem... why did you tell them we'd arrange the money? Do you actually have a plan?"
Karem sighed.
"Look, Light. Those guys are smart. Threatening them didn't work."
"And fighting them won't solve anything either. Their gang is much bigger than we thought."
He looked at Light.
"So my advice is... leave this matter alone."
"Let Jane handle it the way she has been all this time."
"You're a prince. You have far greater responsibilities."
He continued,
"Remember... your mother died in your arms. Her last wish was for you to become king and protect the weak."
"And your grandfather died in your arms during the Great War of the Dreakors."
"He entrusted you with the Dark Shield and told you to protect those who cannot protect themselves."
Light looked away.
"And that's exactly what I'm trying to do."
"I'm trying to help Jane."
Karem shook his head.
"She isn't the only innocent person in this kingdom."
"There are countless people suffering because of cruel Voltra Beings."
"I just don't understand..."
"Why are you so obsessed with helping this girl?"
"She doesn't even want your help."
Light suddenly stopped walking.
"...Because I love her."
Karem's eyes widened.
"What?"
Light took a deep breath.
"Yes."
"Now tell me... how am I supposed to get that much money?"
Karem stayed silent for a moment before replying.
"I don't know... ask your father."
"You're the prince."
"Your father is the king. He's the richest man in the Central Kingdom."
Light let out a bitter laugh.
"You know he won't hand me that kind of money without asking a thousand questions."
"And even if he did..."
"He'd never give it to me just so I could help a lowborn girl."
Karem nodded.
"Then there's only one way for you to earn that kind of money."
Light looked at him.
"What is it?"
"The Kaiju Combat Team."
"For every mission you complete—for every Kaiju you defeat—you get paid."
He continued,
"So you should return to your team."
"But it'll take time to save that much money."
"Four million is a huge amount."
Light let out a sigh.
"Alright... let's do it."
"It's not like I have any other choice."
Karem smiled.
"Then I'll head home."
"See you."
"Yeah."
Light nodded.
"I'll go find Hikari and Lothar."
"It's time I rejoined the Kaiju Combat Team."
---
A few moments later...
Light was making his way through the city.
Then, out of the corner of his eye...
He saw someone familiar.
"...Jane?"
She was walking down the street.
Before he could call out to her—
BOOM!!
A massive Voltra beam slammed into the road, tearing apart the pavement.
People screamed and scattered in every direction.
Light's eyes widened.
He immediately looked toward the source of the attack.
On the rooftop of a nearby building...
Kael stood there, wearing Veylor's Kaiju suit.
A small communication device was attached to his ear.
Back in his laboratory, Veylor watched everything unfold on a giant screen.
Kael smirked.
"I'm here."
"Just waiting for Hikari and Lothar..."
He looked down at Light.
"But it seems I've found an uninvited guest instead."