On a rocky beach on the northern side of Corona Island, Aselos opened his mouth and extended his tongue, and everyone who had been inside his mouth walked out.
There was a membrane-lined area inside Aselos's mouth. Once people entered, the membrane closed to keep out the water, opening again whenever he surfaced to breathe to let fresh air in.
The area was very dry, but unfortunately, it had no furnishings, so everyone could only sit on their suitcases.
In Puer's memories, that spot in Aselos's father's mouth had once held tables, chairs, nautical charts, and a sand table. Back then, the Allen Family had used Aselos as their pirate fleet's flagship.
Yet now, in the exact same spot inside his son's mouth, there was not even a stool.
After coming ashore, Mrs. Jenny faced Aselos:
"Thank you for your help. The Allen Family will always cherish your friendship."
Aselos gave no response. He simply submerged into the sea and vanished.
Once a pet, then a companion, and now merely repaying a favor;
This was the trajectory of their relationship, and the clearest illustration of the Allen Family's decline.
Several figures appeared on a distant hillside. A short while later, a group wearing leather jackets with guns at their waists walked toward them, led by a middle-aged man with a full beard.
"Jenny, you're back. Oh, my darling Eunice, you've grown even more beautiful."
The bearded man greeted Jenny and Eunice warmly, but his gaze remained fixed on Kallen.
"Thank you for coming to meet us yourself, elder brother," Mrs. Jenny said.
"Uncle," Eunice greeted him.
"And this must be young master Kallen?" The bearded man extended a hand to Kallen. "Hello, young master of the Immerlis Family. You can call me Wood from now on."
"Hello."
Kallen reached out