That word "again" was remarkably well chosen.
It perfectly captured the fear and unease the people of the Drum Kingdom felt at the Marines' arrival: they were dust beneath the wheels of a carriage. And as the man responsible for making them fear the Marines so much, former Marine Headquarters Rear Admiral Drake could only look embarrassed.
As when he had offered to lose a hand to protect Mole, they truly had no money. So the moment they reached Big Horn in the Drum Kingdom, hungry as they were, they raided a restaurant.
In other words, they ate and didn't pay.
That was why Drake had been in the restaurant to begin with, grabbing the chef by the collar and demanding answers.
But that shout reminded him of something: the Marines pursuing him had arrived!
"Doctor, they're probably here for me." Drake straightened slightly and drew a breath. After checking that his wound would not hinder him in a fight, he said to Kureha, "I'll draw them away. Please take Mole and leave first."
With that, Drake made to rush outside. But he had barely taken a step when Kureha tripped him and sent him sprawling.
Thud!
"Hss—"
Drake landed face-first on the hard Stone Slabs. Pain shot through him, and he sucked in a sharp breath.
He was about to turn around when someone sat squarely on his back, pinning him down. Kureha held her bottle and grinned. "I told you, there are only two ways a patient leaves my sight. Didn't you understand a word I said?"
"But I'm a Marine traitor!" Drake said urgently. "They won't stop until they catch me! If you make them angry enough, they might even bombard this Godland!"
Drake knew how the Marines operated. If the Drum Kingdom insisted on sheltering a