Zin muttered under his breath, blinking once as if his brain had stopped working.
"What the hell…?"
The men standing behind him stiffened, shifting their gaze from Zin to Caleb. Caleb, however, didn't move an inch. His expression made it obvious—he wasn't joking.
Zin let out a long, tired sigh.
"I've known ya for a while now… and I'm still indebted to ya late older sister."
He suddenly reached out, grabbed Caleb by the shoulder, and pulled him into a rough headlock.
Before Caleb could react, Zin was ruffling his hair like he was some neighborhood kid.
Caleb choked.
"H-Hey! Cut it out!" He slapped repeatedly at Zin's arm.
Zin burst into loud, unrestrained laughter.
His men, watching silently, all wore the exact same expression—stress. One even wiped sweat from his forehead.
Caleb finally broke free, gasping for air. He straightened his clothes, clearing his throat sharply as he glared at the annoying old man.
"I'll be heading back now. Old man, get your guys ready as well."
He left the room in a stern stride, the thud of the door echoing behind him.
Silence.
Then Zin's eyes turned chibi as he stared at the bald man to his right.
"Oi…"
The bald man flinched.
"Y–yes, boss?"
"Ya heard him. Go call my minions." Zin said smugly, letting out a lazy sigh.
"Yes boss!!" The bald man bolted off.
A few minutes later, two young men entered the room. They looked about a year younger than Caleb—identical faces, identical brown eyes, completely different hair.
One had messy white hair and a cheerful grin: Billy.
The other had short black spiky hair and a permanent delinquent scowl: Dorry.
"You called, boss," they said together—Billy's voice light, Dorry's deep and intimidating.
Zin grinned.
"Ahh, ya two are here. Pack ya stuff—we're headin' out." He waved dismissively and walked toward the back door.
Both twins froze.
"Eh…?" Billy squished his face into an exaggeratedly dumb expression.
"The hell? Oi, boss! Wait—where are you going!!" Dorry yelled, reaching out as Zin ignored him completely.
Dorry clicked his tongue in frustration.
Billy simply snapped his fingers and nodded.
"Ah! So that's what this is about."
Dorry stared daggers at him.
"What is?"
"Boss said we might be quittin' banditry soon." Billy smiled.
Dorry's scowl deepened.
"Yeah, I know that… but did he really accept that guy's offer?"
Billy shrugged.
"Beats me."
His voice drifted into the night like a soft echo.
The street lamps lit up the stone paths and the rowdy chattering of the people gradually supcided as the mood radiated brighter in the night sky.
Caleb pushed open the wooden door to his lodge, closing it gently behind him. The lamp flickered to life as he tapped it, sending a warm glow across the room.
Rudy lay on the bed, curled up under thin sheets.
"Rudy… you awake?"
Caleb set his katana against the wall and sat on the edge of the bed. He tapped her shoulder lightly.
Rudy groaned, rubbing her eyes.
"Ah… you're back."
Caleb smiled.
"Get some more rest. We leave at dawn."
He stood and walked toward the cupboard.
Rudy yawned and stretched.
"Did you manage to convince him?"
Caleb paused by the window.
"Yeah… I did."
His gaze drifted to the katana resting against the wall.
"It begins… our journey and conquest."
The sun rose gradually from the east spilling golden rays of light on the layered ceramic plates of the town buildings' roofs.
Outside town, Sparrows chirpped and hawks cried. The morning breeze blew gently above the towering trees that danced to its rhythm. At the edge of a grassy plain,everyone gathered beside an old wooden shack. Zin's twenty men stood waiting alongside Billy and Dorry.
Inside the shack, the air smelled of mold and dust. Caleb spread a detailed map of the East region across a wooden table.
Rudy and Zin sat opposite each other.
Zin had his arms folded proudly, chest puffed. Rudy, calm and composed, crossed her legs and leaned back casually.
Zin grinned.
"Ya look in good health."
Rudy smirked.
"Life's not easy. But I'm pushing through."
Zin tilted his head.
"All black today, huh? Ya run outta clothes or ya just like matchin' with ya husband?"
Rudy's eyebrow twitched.
"You talk too much. Caleb's trying to focus."
Zin sighed.
"My bad…"
Caleb finally spoke, voice deep and steady.
"I've reviewed the entire eastern map."
Rudy and Zin straightened in their seats.
"We'll reclaim every territory the hydras dominate."
Caleb paused, exhaling slowly.
"But first…"
His blue eyes sharpened.
"…we need information."