chapter 6

Inside the manor on Mignon Island

The carriage rolled through the gates of the sprawling manor. Through the small window, Gray and the others could see men in black suits stationed everywhere—like an army of shadows, guarding every corner.

No, the security extended far beyond the manor itself. Even a thousand meters from the property, men in black were posted, their presence a clear warning.

Jason, sitting across from Gray, noticed his unease and offered an explanation. "Due to some… special circumstances, our Felke family has reason to believe that trouble may come our way. As you can see, our security is comprehensive."

He gestured toward the guards with their flintlock rifles. "We still rely on these outdated firearms, which must be reloaded after each shot. But your designs, Mr. Gray—firearms that can shoot continuously—could change everything for us. If mass-produced, they would make our family unstoppable."

Gray nodded absentmindedly, saying little. Firearms were merely a stepping stone for him—a means to fund his real ambition. What he truly wanted to create was a warship that could surpass the legendary Pluto.

But could he truly achieve that dream without firsthand experience at sea? Could the data provided by others, likely amateurs, ever be reliable enough to build such a vessel?

His thoughts weighed heavily as the carriage came to a stop. Jason led them into the manor, guiding them into an opulent hall.

---

The hall was lined with men in black suits, standing like statues on either side of a massive long table. At the table's far end sat a burly man, shrouded in cigar smoke. His slicked-back hair and piercing gaze radiated authority.

"No matter how you look at it, this doesn't feel like a dinner party," Nailu muttered under his breath.

Indeed, the table held no food—just a single glass of red wine placed in front of the man. Jason approached, pouring a fresh glass of wine and setting it in front of the group.

"Dr. Gray," the man said, his voice deep and commanding. "I am Kyle Felke. I admire your previous designs. Drink this wine and join the Felke family. From today forward, your job will be to design weapons for us. In return, I'll provide you with anything you desire—fine wine, beautiful women, luxuries beyond imagination."

Gray hesitated, his expression conflicted. "And what about the warships I mentioned earlier?"

Kyle's expression darkened. "I said you'll design weapons. That's all we need from you."

At his words, the hall grew tense. The men in black shifted, raising their guns and training them on Gray and his companions.

"Do I need to spell it out for you? We're gangsters, not pirates. Warships are of no use to us. Your job is to follow my orders and design firearms. Do that, and I might let you take a trip to sea now and then as a 'reward.' Consider it my generosity toward a scientist."

Kyle's gaze shifted to Rhodes, Nailu, and Nia. His voice grew colder. "As for the three of you… I can't allow you to leave. This is a top-secret matter, and unfortunately, that means you'll have to die."

"What?!" Gray's face turned pale.

"Address me as 'Boss Kyle,'" the gangster said, his tone sharp. "Now, drink the wine and swear your loyalty to the Felke family."

Gray's hands trembled as he reached for the glass. His eyes flicked to his companions, his voice shaking. "If I agree, will you spare them? They're innocent—just caught up in this by accident. I'll do whatever you want if you promise to let them go."

"Do you really believe that?" Rhodes interjected, his tone calm but sharp. "Do you honestly think he'll keep his word?"

Kyle smirked, finally acknowledging Rhodes. "You're smarter than you look."

Turning back to Gray, he said, "This is your last chance. Drink the wine, or you'll all die here."

Gray hesitated for a moment longer, then slowly stepped forward and reached for the glass.

Kyle smiled triumphantly.

But Gray suddenly stopped, his hand clenched into a fist. "Building a battleship that surpasses Pluto has always been my dream! You want me to give up my dream to design weapons for scum like you? Never!"

With a swift motion, Gray smashed the wine glass to the ground, then grabbed the bottle and hurled it at Kyle.

---

The bottle shattered against the table, splashing wine across Kyle's furious face.

"Catch this brat!" Kyle roared. "Kill the others!"

The room erupted into chaos as the gangsters charged forward.

Gray stumbled backward, fear etched across his face. But before he could retreat further, Nia grabbed his shoulder.

"Really?" she muttered, her golden eyes narrowing. "I was just starting to enjoy myself, and now you're backing down? At least let me get paid first!"

In an instant, Nia's leg shot up high, slamming down with incredible force. The men at the front of the charge were sent flying backward.

Gunshots echoed through the hall.

Nailu spun his wrist, firing rapidly with his black pistol. Each shot struck its mark, cutting down the gunmen before they could fire again. In a matter of seconds, ten gangsters lay bleeding on the floor.

Meanwhile, Rhodes sidestepped an attacker, grabbed the man's wrist, and twisted the blade free. With a quick slash, he dispatched his foe and turned the stolen knife against another.

"Don't waste my time," Rhodes growled, his movements precise and deadly.

Tables and chairs were upended as the companions fought back. Blood splattered across the floor, and the Felke family's gangsters quickly realized they had underestimated their opponents.