Stanley led the main force steadily inward, sweeping through every corner and occupying the Science Kingdom.
The embers had yet to die out. Wisps of smoke curled among the ruined walls, and the air reeked of gunpowder, blood, and scorched vegetation.
The Science Kingdom's desperate final resistance had proved futile against overwhelming firepower.
The entire camp lay deathly still.
Stanley slowly exhaled a cloud of smoke, letting it drift through the oppressive air.
His indifferent gaze swept over the surroundings. The bodies of Science Kingdom members littered the ground.
Gen Asagiri sat blankly on the ground, covered in blood.
He stared at Li Xiang, who lay motionless not far away, his eyes hollow.
Overwhelming despair had drained his soul, turning everything around him into indistinct background noise.
Behind him, a soldier raised his rifle and pressed the cold muzzle against the top of Gen's head.
Death was inches away, yet Gen remained frozen in place.
Stanley looked down at his shattered expression. After two seconds of silence, he raised a hand and signaled for the soldier to lower his gun.
Charlotte hurried forward. "Captain, aren't we killing him?"
"No." Stanley's tone was flat. "He's been scared out of his mind, and he can't do anything anymore. There's no need to waste the effort."
With that, the group left the dazed Gen behind and headed deeper into the camp.
Only after a long while did Gen stiffly lift his feet and begin inching forward.
He staggered over and dropped to his knees beside Li Xiang.
Warm blood soaked through his trouser legs and stained his palms red.
He reached out with trembling hands, afraid to touch her, and could only hold them hovering above her body.
His tears fell into the blood-soaked earth.
He could not accept it.
But a moment