"...why do you always choose these damn people over me?"
That was right.
His grandparents had always made decisions for the people of this region. Regardless of betrayal, they still placed the people above their own needs. Even when they had nothing, if someone was in need, they were always the first to help.
Haji was too young to remember anything significant about his father. To him, his grandparents were all he had. As a child, he often wondered why they were treated worse than everyone else. And why, despite that treatment, do they keep helping people who wouldn’t even return the barest form of decency?
Growing up in that environment, Haji would have been a hypocrite if he claimed he didn’t loathe the people of Ravah. Not just Jarvis, nor only the governors or the cruel men who served them.
He loathed every single one of them for continuing to expect his family to carry responsibility after everything they had endured.
The gentle smile on Himari’s face faded at his question. "Haha—"
"Enough." Haji took another step back as she reached out to him. "I see it now, Nana. I can see clearly why Jarvis succeeded and why our lives are so messed up. It’s because of you and this sick ideology."
Himari’s breath hitched as she carefully pressed a hand to her tight chest. "Haha, don’t be like that."
"You’re the one who’s sick!" he barked, teeth grinding. "Not this land—it’s you! Fine! If that’s what you want, then stay here with these damn people!"
With that, Haji turned and grabbed his jacket from the chair, then stormed out.
"Haha!" Himari called, rushing after him, but he didn’t stop.
He stomped out of the establishment, shouting the moment he stepped outside.
"Damn you all!" he screamed, his voice echoing through the street. "I fucking hate you all! I hope this place burns to the ground!"
Himari jolted as she reached the entrance, eyes wide as she watched her grandson. After venting his rage, Haji turned back to look at her, but all she saw was fury before he resumed walking away, never once looking back.
"Haha," she whispered anxiously, keeping her eyes on his retreating figure.
Her lips pressed into a thin line as she let out a heavy sigh, understanding his frustration. Yet just as he disappeared into the distance, her brows twitched. She sensed a presence nearby.
Turning her head, she spotted a young woman leaning quietly against a frog statue. She blended in so well that one might mistake her for part of it.
"I’m sorry about him," Lola said as she pushed herself off the statue and walked over casually. "And before you ask, I’m not his girlfriend or anything like that."
Himari blinked, studying her for a moment before smiling. "So you’re the one he mentioned last time."
Lola shrugged, slipping her hands into her pockets. "Maybe."
"Anyway, I’ll drag him back here to apologize," Lola added, clicking her tongue. "Your grandson promised we’d have a nice meal."
That idiot had walked out as if he’d completely forgotten, along with the fact that she’d been waiting for warm food.
Lola took a step away, then stopped when Himari spoke.
"Don’t come back."
"Huh?" Lola frowned, scrunching her nose as she turned around. She was about to ask about the meal when Himari continued.
"My grandson was angry. I know he didn’t mean everything he said," Himari sighed. "Young lady, if you’re leaving with him... please don’t let him return to this region. Don’t let him come near Ravah again."
She stepped closer and held Lola’s hand, her eyes soft. "This place only hurts him," she whispered, tears forming at the corners of her eyes. "Free him from his shackles... I know it’s too much to ask, especially from a friend—but I beg you..."
Lola raised her brows, studying the old woman’s sincerity. Himari didn’t even know why Lola was with Haji, and yet she was already trusting her.
"Haji is not my friend," Lola said bluntly. "And I don’t do favors for free."
She paused, thinking, her sharp eyes never leaving Himari.
"But I’m really hungry," she added. "At this point, I’d do anything for a warm meal."
The brief surprise and disappointment in Himari’s eyes faded into amusement. A light chuckle escaped her as she nodded.
"I made something," she said gently. "That fool didn’t touch it. It’s still warm, and I promise it’s good."
Lola met her gaze, then nodded.
In the end, instead of chasing after Haji and beating him senseless when she caught up, Lola stayed behind for a home-cooked meal. That was how she learned not only the truth about Ravah and their family’s history, but also clues about where the blueprints might be hidden.
*****
[Present Time]
Had Haji known how things would turn out, he would never have walked out on her that night. He would have swallowed his pride and shown himself properly, instead of merely peeking into Gigante before leaving.
He should have eaten the dish she prepared. He should have been kinder—or more forceful—and dragged her out of that hell.
Even if she hated him, he should have done what he believed was right.
Regret gnawed at him as scenario after scenario replayed in his mind. His bottom lip trembled as his vision blurred.
If only he had chosen differently.
"Goddamn it," he hissed, slamming his head against the wooden floor. "Damn it!"
"Hahaha!" Gehran’s voice echoed through the square. "The timer ended some time ago, but after such a touching exchange... I found myself moved."
Himari’s expression hardened as Haji froze, lifting his gaze toward the balcony.
"I’m going to kill him," Haji muttered through clenched teeth. "I’m going to fucking slaughter him."
Gehran smirked, his attention fixed on Himari’s cage. "Oh, Lady Himari. Even now—old and wrinkled—you still impose yourself as the graceful First Lady. Such a beautiful speech. But tell me. How could a grandmother ask her own grandson to sacrifice her for his friends? How cruel."
"Gehran," Himari raised her voice. Somehow, despite the distance, everyone heard her through the hidden microphones.
She released the bars and walked to the center of the cage, head held high, eyes locked on the balcony.
"Cruelty is forcing the people of Ha to witness death," she said firmly. "If you think burning me alive will frighten me, you are mistaken."
A mocking chuckle escaped her lips. "How could I—who once watched a true man lead Ha from the front and win countless wars—fear a coward? A coward who cannot step onto our land without armed guards?"
Gehran’s smile twitched, then vanished.
"You scare no one," Himari continued. "My death is neither sacrifice nor victory. You may have robbed us of our name, our land, and everything we owned—however—"
Her breath shook as emotion swelled in her chest.
"You will never rob us of our spirit," she declared. "No matter how you trample it. Your cowardice is no match for the spirit of Ha that my husband, Governor Ha Makoto, instilled in our brave and resilient people."
Himari chuckled softly. "Gehran... Jarvis, you may burn me alive, smear my dignity, drag my name through the mud, and take away those I hold dear. However, there is one thing you will never take from me—one truth."
"That I, Ha Himari, will die proudly without ever turning my back on my people. And that the only scar my family and I carry upon our backs is the knife the two of you used to stab us."
The smugness drained from Gehran’s face.
"You dare..." he muttered, eyes flashing with malice. "Burn them."
The order echoed across the square. The screen reset to sixty seconds. Torches ignited at each stage.
"Burn her!" Gehran roared.
The crowd gasped as Himari drew a deep breath, unshaken.
But then, before the timer even started counting down, the screen glitched.
"Huh?" murmurs spread as all the lights died, plunging the square into darkness.
"What’s happening?" voices whispered among the crowd, confused.
A second later, the screen flickered back to life, but instead of a timer, a glitched symbol appeared.
[L]
Following that was a low, mocking, and devious laugh that echoed through the speakers.
"Haji... for crying out loud. How do you plan to survive without me?"
Jarvis perked up and exhaled sharply. His expression darkened as his jaw tightened.
"She’s here."