An office in the Federation's Presidential Palace.
Lafitte stood before the desk, his hands pressed against his trouser seams and his waist bent at a precise forty-five-degree angle, forcing an apologetic expression onto his pale face.
"My deepest apologies. I took it upon myself to send someone to deal with Arlong without your permission."
Lucas leaned against the leather chair, his crossed legs resting on a corner of the desk. Hearing Lafitte's report, he rose with an approving expression and patted him on the shoulder.
"Don't overthink it. You did nothing wrong. Saved me the trouble of doing it myself."
Arlong had already been on his kill list. It made little difference whether he died sooner or later.
"When Daz went out on his mission, he brought back two gifts for you. They're at..."
Lafitte smoothly switched back to a smile and gave him a specific location.
"That was thoughtful of him."
Lucas nodded lightly, walked out through the Presidential Palace's main entrance, and followed the newly paved concrete road across several streets.
The setting sun bathed all of Eternal Island in a warm orange-red glow. The streetlights on either side had already come on, their warm yellow light mingling with the evening glow on the horizon.
A villa stood on a quiet street at the edge of the Eternal Continent, with a small courtyard attached. Recently planted vines covered its iron fence.
Daz Bonez stood ramrod straight before the iron gate. When he saw Lucas approaching, he stepped forward to greet him, his strides steady and brisk.
"My sincere apologies. I should not have acted on my own."
Although both men's actions had suited Lucas perfectly, that did not change the fact that they had acted arbitrarily and without permission.
Even if their superior might not mind, they still