Only then did Hange realize she had entered what looked like a secret chamber. Beside her stood a weathered older man. His limbs still looked strong and in their prime, yet his face and graying temples seemed far older.
Knowing that he had saved her, Hange hurriedly asked, "Who are you?"
"I'm Mogwin. Mr. Charns and I recommended you for the Research Department."
"The Special Operations Department is hunting you right now. If they find you, you're certain to die," Mogwin explained.
Hange frowned at his words, sensing danger. Her cover had suddenly been blown, and she did not know whether it would affect the plan.
Mogwin looked as though he had known all along. Hange was puzzled, but she did not dare ask, hesitating over how to begin.
"The Special Operations Department has issued kill orders for both you and Charns. Rundstedt apparently sent his best code-named agent to assassinate Charns tonight. I'm afraid he's already in danger," Mogwin said with considerable regret.
Hange was not worried about Chen Si's safety, but the strange note in Mogwin's voice finally prompted her to ask, "Why did you save me?"
Mogwin fell silent for a moment before replying, "This nation, controlled by devils, needs a change."
Hange froze briefly. After a long hesitation, she asked, "What if I were from Paradis Island? Would you still save me?"
Mogwin stopped what he was doing, turned, and gave Hange a long, searching look.
Startled, Hange felt she had been careless. She regretted letting those words slip, and her expression grew strained.
"Yes," Mogwin replied.
Hange stood rooted to the spot in disbelief. She knew that everyone in this nation, from its highest ranks to its lowest, hated Paradis Island. Surely one of Marley's leading scientists should have shared its beliefs.
"Why?" Hange asked,