Hive Island, underground mine.
A damp, bone-chilling wind coursed through the deep mine tunnels. Savage pick marks from the gold excavation still scarred the rock walls. Murky water pooled in the depressions, reflecting the dim, flickering torchlight and stretching human shadows into twisted, grotesque shapes.
"Vice Admiral Gion, my lord wants to see you."
A CP Agent with a long scar running across his face, dressed head to toe in a black suit, walked into the mine chamber where the Marine officers were temporarily stationed and delivered the order expressionlessly. His eyes held not the slightest respect for a Marine vice admiral, only the cold numbness of someone carrying out orders.
"Understood. I'll go at once."
Gion rose in response, her fingers unconsciously tightening around the hilt of Kompira at her waist as her heart sank.
Why summon her alone at a time like this? Had her identity as an undercover agent been exposed?
Countless thoughts churned through her mind. She had even prepared for the worst—if her identity was exposed, she would flee immediately.
Years in the Marines had long taught her to hide her emotions. A calm, faint smile remained on her face without the slightest hint of abnormality as she turned and left behind the CP Agent.
Led by the agent, Gion stopped before a heavy alloy door.
The agent respectfully bowed toward the door as he reported, then voluntarily stepped back several paces and stood waiting with his hands at his sides, like the most loyal hunting dog.
"My lord, she has arrived."
The heavy metal door slowly opened from within, producing a grating metallic screech. Gion took a deep breath, suppressed the unease in her heart, composed herself, and stepped inside alone.
She passed through a deep, narrow passage. Torchlight cast swaying shadows across the