Who knows. And by the way, he's already out of the country," Sora added casually.
"Oh, and Mr. Quill wants to see you. That's why I'm here."
Isagani left the room without another word.
As soon as the door shut, Sora stepped forward and untied Navi.
Navi rubbed his wrists, then looked at him carefully.
"You know I'm a killer, right? I killed innocent police officers. What makes you think I won't kill you?"
Sora didn't hesitate.
"Oh, that's an easy question," he said lightly. "You could've killed me the moment Isagani left. You could've broken those restraints anytime… but you didn't."
Navi stared at him for a moment… then looked away.
"…Thank you. For believing me."
"Yeah, don't worry about it," Sora replied with a small shrug.
He turned toward the hallway.
"Oh, by the way, let me show you your room."
They walked side by side through the corridor.
"You know, it's actually pretty fun here," Sora said. "You'll meet a lot of strong people—from different clans and all that. Pretty cool, right?"
Navi stayed quiet, listening.
"And after your training, you'll be joining our team," Sora continued. "My other teammate died during my last mission."
Navi stopped walking.
"…Why?" he asked.
Sora cut him off before he could say more.
"Because I'm weak."
He said it with a smile—eyes closed, like it didn't bother him at all.
Navi didn't respond.
They eventually reached a door.
Sora opened it.
"Here's your room. There's a bathroom inside. Your roommate will arrive next week, so you've got the place to yourself for now."
He pointed down the hallway.
"The cafeteria's on the sixth floor—just turn left when you get there."
He stepped back.
"Tomorrow's your training. I'll be checking the evidence room for now… and I'll try to convince the new guy to help us."
Navi nodded.
"Thanks."
Sora waved it off as he started walking away.
"Don't worry about it. I'm just doing my job."
Navi stood by the window, staring outside.
For the first time, he saw the city at night.
Lights stretched endlessly—golden, white, flickering like stars that had fallen to the ground.
"…It's beautiful," he whispered.
But after a moment, his expression softened.
Back on the island… the stars were more beautiful.
His eyes searched the sky.
Nothing.
No stars.
Not even one.
"…Why can't I see them?"
He frowned slightly, pressing his hand against the glass.
"This place…" he muttered under his breath,
"…it doesn't feel like home. Not even a little."
Later, he lay in bed, staring at the ceiling.
Silence filled the room.
Then—
A memory surfaced.
A younger Navi stood beside his grandfather, holding something small in his arms.
A dog.
Tiny. Warm. Alive.
"Look at what they gave me for saving their lives," his grandfather said with a gentle smile.
"A dog. Isn't it adorable?"
Young Navi's eyes lit up.
"Yes, Grandpa!"
His grandfather chuckled softly, placing a hand on his head.
"Remember this, Navi… be good to people, and they'll be good to you."
Back in the present—
A tear slipped down Navi's cheek.
Then another.
He turned to his side, clutching the blanket.
"…Grandpa… I've lost everything. Even the sword I swore to protect… I lost it."
after a while he fall asleep.
Earlier, Isagani entered Mr. Quill's office.
"What is it, Mr. Quill?" he asked.
"I called you here, Isagani," Mr. Quill began. "Because the Duke leading the frontline near Agarthan Island has left."
"What?!" Isagani frowned. "Why would he leave the battlefield? Is he stupid?"
"He said he had something more important to do," Mr. Quill replied calmly.
"And why did you call me here, Mr. Quill?"
"I called you to promote you to Duke state, Isagani."
"Wait… are you serious?" Isagani asked, blinking.
"Yes," Mr. Quill confirmed.
"Why me? Why—"
"Why not you?" Mr. Quill interrupted.
"You're Marquis Tier 1," he explained. "You have the capability, the skill, and the experience. You need to put that to use on the battlefield. For now, the only Duke left in our country to fight the frontline is you."
He paused, his expression darkening.
"All the True King ranks of our country have joined the Hades Pathfinders—they get paid more. And the Agarthan wouldn't just back off after one of our clans killed their heir. I wish I could just hand them Barbel's head," Mr. Quill said, his voice low.
"But no. He's the future clan head of the Dalisay, so our country has to fight the Agarthan properly. I'll sign you to the position—and I want you to bring Navi with you, to train him. Is that understood?"
"Yes, Mr. Quill. I'll ready myself and head to the frontline tomorrow," Isagani replied firmly.
Then—
A roar echoed through the city.
Navi jolted awake.
"What—?"
He rushed to the window.
His eyes widened.
A giant Likha was tearing through the city—smashing buildings like they were nothing.
Like cake.
Below, Emovere forces were already responding.
Some guided civilians to safety.
Others rushed forward—engaging the monster, distracting it.
A system announcement blared through the building:
"All available personnel, respond immediately! Healers needed on Recto Avenue!"
Panic spread across the floor.
People shouted. Some ran. Others froze.
Navi stepped out of his room.
"Where can I get a sword?" he asked a man nearby.
"A sword?" the man blinked. "Wait… are you Emovere?"
Navi hesitated.
"…Y-yes."
The man's expression changed instantly.
"Then what are you doing here?! People are dying out there!"
He pointed urgently.
"Go to the third floor, turn left—you'll find the weapon room! Move!"
Navi didn't waste another second.
He sprinted toward the stairs.
"Hey!" the man shouted after him. "What are you doing?! Use the elevator! And are you even sure you're Emovere? You look like you're fourteen!"
Navi didn't respond.
He kept running.
Then—
He jumped.
Dropping several floors in one motion.
The man froze, mid-sentence.
"…we have eleva—"
He stared down.
"…what the—"
Navi landed hard and kept moving.
Floor three.
He found the weapon room and rushed inside, scanning everything.
"…Where is it…?"
Not there.
His sword wasn't there.
"Navi?"
He turned.
"Sora."
"What are you doing here?" Sora asked.
"I can help."
"Help with what?"
Navi's grip tightened.
"I know that Likha. It's the same kind my grandfather fought… the one that killed him."
His voice hardened.
"I know how dangerous it is."
He stepped closer.
"Where's my sword, Sora? I need it."
Sora hesitated, then answered:
"…It's in Mr. Quill's office. They were inspecting it."
"Where?"
"Come with me."
They ran through the corridor.
Fast.
Urgent.
They reached the office.
"Mr. Quill?" Sora called out.
No response.
Navi didn't wait.
He spotted it.
His sword.
He grabbed it without hesitation.
Then turned toward the exit.
Before leaving, he looked at Sora.
"Sora—tell them to stay away from that Likha."
Sora frowned. "What are you talking about?"
"When it's heavily injured…" Navi said, voice low,
"…it explodes."
Sora's eyes widened.
"What—?"
"Just trust me."
Navi stepped forward.
"Follow me."