Underground.
Zoe stood before Professor Mogwin with her head lowered, saying nothing.
"Have you made arrangements for Philia?" Mogwin asked.
"I've left her in Hange's care. She's been very good to Philia," Zoe said.
"Rundstedt has already given you your orders, hasn't he?" Mogwin said.
"Yes. Father, I..." Zoe tried to persuade him.
"Carry them out." Mogwin's words caught Zoe by surprise.
Zoe lowered her eyes slightly.
"Paradis Island may split into two factions in the future. You know who Charns really is by now, don't you?" Mogwin asked.
Zoe kept her head bowed and gave no answer.
"If he doesn't die, the Eldia Empire's reign of terror will return. It would be a disaster for the entire world. This is the bitter fruit of my own actions, Zoe. There must be people of good judgment on Paradis Island. As long as Charns and Floch die, perhaps there will still be a chance for the world."
"I never could have imagined that Charns was the Marshal of Paradis Island, let alone that he and his subordinates would be so brutal. Over a million innocent civilians across the South and the capital died!! This is all my fault!" Mogwin suddenly grew agitated, his body swaying.
Zoe hurried forward to steady Mogwin. "Dad! I'm sorry..."
Tears slid down Zoe's face. Her heart ached, and crushing guilt threatened to swallow her whole. She kept telling herself that she was the one who had brought Chen Si into Marley, that she alone had caused the horrific deaths of countless Marleyans.
"Professor," Gal said softly just then.
Mogwin looked up at Gal and nodded. "Let's begin."
Gal lay down on the metal stretcher. Beside him stood two enormous tanks, their black and red contents distinctly separate.
"Professor, what are these?" Moriarty asked in confusion.