The cold muzzle pressed hard against Francois's forehead.
The instant the metal touched her skin, a chill seeped through her pores and into every limb.
Stanley lowered his eyes slightly, his calm gaze settling on her.
"Finished transmitting?"
Francois went rigid, her back already drenched in cold sweat. She knew very well that any resistance now would be futile.
She slowly raised her hands in surrender, her voice dry and trembling.
"Wait... we surrender."
Stanley's expression remained unchanged. He merely raised a hand in a casual signal.
The soldiers beside him immediately stepped forward, moving briskly and efficiently as they took out restraints and bound Francois and Watermelon tightly, cinching the knots hard.
Watermelon's little body trembled, his eyes brimming with fear, but he bit his lip fiercely to keep himself from crying aloud.
Francois's mind raced as she forced herself to calmly assess the situation.
The signal she had risked her life to transmit had successfully reached the camp.
Deep in the rainforest, tension gripped the Science Kingdom's camp.
Francois's message had come through.
Tsukasa and Hyoga, who had been resting, sprang into action the moment they heard. Without wasting a second, they grabbed their weapons and hurried toward the perimeter to provide support.
Inside the camp, Kohaku could no longer sit still after hearing the news.
Without another word, she made to rush out and find them.
"Wait, Kohaku! It's too dangerous!" Gen hastily caught her arm, trying to stop her. Stanley and his men had guns! Charging in blindly would be suicide.
But Kohaku could think only of her trapped teammates. How could she listen? She shook off Gen's hand and darted straight out of the camp.
"Don't chase her."
Li Xiang hurried forward and reached out to stop Gen from following, her voice heavy.
She knew