Alfred glanced down at his watch, stood up, and walked toward Kallen, who was resting in a chair with his eyes closed after finishing his "communication." Before Alfred could speak, Kallen opened his eyes.
"Young Master, it's time."
"All right."
Kallen rose, walked to the bed, and gently picked Puer up.
Puer rubbed her eyes and asked, "Are we leaving?"
"Yes."
"Oh, okay."
Puer turned onto her side, facing inward, felt around Kallen's chest with a paw, and went back to sleep.
Kevin stood up, shook out his fur, and picked up his leash in his mouth. Seeing that Kallen had no free hands, he offered it to Alfred instead.
Holding the leash, Alfred followed his young master out of the room. Outside, all the team members were ready.
Kallen said, "You all know what the best-case scenario is, and Alfred has told you the worst-case scenario. Of course I hope for the best, but every one of you had better stay sharp. However things develop, we're all people about to go home. I don't want anyone falling on their own doorstep. Is that clear?"
"Yes, Captain!"
"Yes, Captain!"
The café.
Taufman sat inside, toying with a white ring. He had made the ornament from a piece of Duolons's body left on Dark Moon Island that he had collected.
The café was closed for the evening. Only a dozen or so Light Believers under Taufman's command sat inside.
He picked up the cup of coffee before him and took a sip.
Tonight, he had to make a choice and do something. He was not hesitating now. On the contrary, his heart was calm.
This was very different from his former self. He had never hesitated to act before, either. Whether commanding his fleet to wipe out pirates or killing