Central Intelligence Agency, Marley Branch Office.
"Hange is most likely being held somewhere completely enclosed. I suspect it's underground," Kenny reported to Chen Si.
"Have you narrowed down the location?" Chen Si asked.
"We have some leads. Codename Agent Tailor's failed attempt to assassinate Caesar-and his death-shook a number of the stubborn Marley remnants. They've revealed a lot of useful information. I'm eighty percent certain we've located Hange," Kenny said.
Chen Si rested a hand on the window frame and gazed into the distance, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Caesar really is talented. If he'd come from the 104th Cadet Corps, he might have been the best candidate to take my place."
"If you want a country to develop quickly, the most fundamental thing is to eliminate nepotism and give more talented people a fresh opportunity. That was what Uri did back then," Kenny said, reminiscing.
"Of course I know that. But every step we take Outside the Walls is like walking on thin ice. Trusting anyone from outside the island carries enormous risks. That was precisely what we exploited to deal Marley such a devastating blow at the outset." Chen Si held the window frame as Zoe's face surfaced in his mind.
"You mean the woman who brought Philia to Paradis Island," Kenny said.
At that, Chen Si offered no reply. Instead, he said, "You can cancel the investigation into Caesar. Even though he's lost an arm, his command abilities are still invaluable. Let him return to duty."
"I imagine that woman has survived this long because her enemy let his feelings get the better of him." Kenny put on his cowboy hat and slowly turned away. Having accepted the order, he left those words behind as he departed.
Kenny noticed it too, it seems. Chen Si tilted his head