When Tserriednich hung up, half a glass of red wine remained.
The room's main lights were off. The collectibles on the walls were hidden behind curtains, leaving only a few outlines visible. A waiter stood by the door with his head lowered, even his breathing subdued.
The call had just brought news from the Caspian Blockade Zone.
Robson had failed.
The Joint Fleet had cleared the shipping lane.
The cruise ship bearing the Hunter Association's authorization was approaching Kakin's coastal waters.
Tserriednich put the phone back on the table, placed his palm over the rim of his glass, and slowly turned it once.
"You were right."
He looked at the person before the floor-to-ceiling window.
"That fish called Bai Zhu swam over on his own."
Pariston sat on the other side of the sofa, his suit jacket unbuttoned and a wineglass in hand, looking as though he were attending a dull cocktail party.
Hearing that, he did not seem surprised in the slightest.
Tserriednich was in no hurry either.
He enjoyed these quiet pauses.
Before prey approached the cage, one always needed time to admire it.
"Still, my mother has already prepared a large net." Tserriednich raised his glass to his lips. "Her people have made arrangements at the port, customs, military police, and hospitals. Once Bai Zhu comes ashore, his blood, his blade, and his companions—none of them will get away."
Pariston lowered his gaze to the wine.
"Her Highness the First Queen acts swiftly."
"You don't think much of it?"
"I simply don't like doing things too directly."
Pariston set down his glass, his tone casual.
"Mr. Bai Zhu made the Joint Fleet bow its head. He certainly has more than just a blade in his hand. Besides, Ging Freecss is on that ship too. Once that man