"I'm sorry. We misunderstood you before."
Caesar looked at Sol, speaking straightforwardly.
Thinking back on all the accusations she had thrown at him, she felt rather embarrassed. After all that, it turned out to be nothing but a misunderstanding.
"I'm sorry..."
Lucy apologized gloomily.
First she'd been fed in a way that left her with eternal blackmail material, then she'd been tied up and mercilessly teased—and now, somehow, she was the one apologizing.
At this point, all she felt was a stifling pressure in her chest.
"It's alright. The ignorant are not guilty—back then, you didn't know my true identity."
Sol waved his hand generously.
After all, he hadn't suffered any losses, not even a scratch—in fact, he'd had quite a bit of fun.
If anything, he wouldn't mind doing it all again.
Sol looked sincerely at Caesar and Lucy. "Come to think of it, I also owe you both an apology. Seeing you fight back so fiercely at the time... I might've gone a little overboard."
"This isn't the time to be that honest."
Lucy sighed helplessly.
She had deeply realized that this man was the worst kind of mischievous sadist—the exact sort of sly teaser she despised most.
Just moments ago, she had barely managed to console herself by thinking it was all part of an undercover operation—but now, after hearing Sol say that, she couldn't help but think: So, I really was just being toyed with?
And if she had just behaved back then... would she have avoided creating that humiliating black history?
What a tragedy!
"I said all along he seemed like a good guy!" Burnice flashed a perfect eight-toothed smile, as bright as the sun. "When he was feeding us, Lucy, he looked just like you do when you feed Bricky, Grassy, and Woody—definitely not like a bad person at all!"
"Shut it, Burnice! You didn't spare me either!"
Lucy's teeth ached. She couldn't tell if Burnice was being clueless or deliberately cruel.
Wasn't she basically saying Lucy had been fed like a pig?
"Eh? Did I say something wrong?"
Burnice blinked and scratched her head, looking adorably confused.
"Hehe, you didn't say anything wrong. I am a good person."
Sol chuckled and patted Burnice's head, struggling to hold back his laughter.
So, the airhead type didn't just counter tricksters—they were also a perfect weapon against tsunderes.
"..."
Caesar awkwardly scratched her head and asked, "By the way, speaking of Bricky, Grassy, and Woody—do you know where they and Lighter are?"
Sol thought for a moment, then replied uncertainly, "They should be with Billy. Since Billy and the others didn't come back, they must've understood my hint."
"I see. As long as everyone's safe, that's what matters."
Caesar breathed a sigh of relief, then asked sheepishly, "After all this, could we trouble you to take us to the Cunning Hares' base?"
Sol hesitated briefly, then nodded. "Sure, that can be arranged. But regarding everything about this undercover mission—you can't leak any details."
"Of course! Something this top secret has to stay confidential!"
Caesar thumped her chest and agreed heartily.
Sol shook his head slightly.
No, Caesar, you don't get it.
He didn't mind if they bragged all they wanted about the undercover stuff—he was perfectly fine with that.
But if Nicole ever found out he'd slept in the same bed as Anby, that would be a full-blown crisis.
After finishing his talk with Caesar, Sol turned to Seth, who had been quietly sulking to the side. "Seth, when you found Caesar's group's room, did you see any weapons inside?"
"Ah! Oh! Uh!" Seth jolted as if waking from a dream. "Yes—I did. The weapons and gear there were all top-notch, and there was a lot of it."
Having embarrassed himself earlier in front of Sol, he still felt awkward even speaking to him now.
"Then that's it—hand them back to me," Sol said, patting Seth's shoulder. "Those were my contingency weapons for the undercover op. Since I didn't need them, I'll take them back now."
Sure, he'd made over two hundred billion Denny this time, but looting someone else's stash always tasted better than earning it yourself.
"Uh?" Seth hesitated. "There were a lot of those weapons, though, right?"
"You know, this mission involved eight mid-sized arms organizations. It's only natural I'd prepare more weapons."
Sol bluffed with a perfectly straight face.
"Now that you say it like that, it does make sense." Seth nodded blankly. "I'll go fetch them right away."
"Good man. I knew you were a fine sheriff."
Sol smiled approvingly and patted him again.
And with that, Seth jogged off to retrieve the sealed weapons.
"..."
Lucy and Caesar exchanged helpless glances.
If they remembered correctly... weren't those the weapons Sol had looted from the Black Panther Organization's stalls?
"The adult world really is full of interests and lies."
Piper lowered her head thoughtfully.
Then Sol suddenly smacked his forehead as if recalling something. "Piper, right? I remember I also brought a super engine as backup in case of emergencies. Since I didn't need it, I'll just give it to you."
He pointed at a nearby heavy truck and, using electromagnetic force, tore out a cubic-meter-sized military-grade power engine in an instant.
"T-this... I couldn't possibly accept!"
Piper waved her hands, refusing—but her eyes were full of longing.
She stared at the floating engine, almost drooling.
That wild, powerful frame—that gleaming silver metal shell—if she could mount it on Steeltusk, it'd be perfect!
"Don't be shy. I'm giving it to you, so just take it."
Sol said magnanimously—after all, it wasn't his, so he felt no pain giving it away.
"Then I won't be shy!"
Piper gave in, leapt up, and sprawled happily across the hovering engine.
So, this was the adult world—and Sol Mercer, what a generous, kind-hearted adult he was!
"That's wonderful! Piper looks so happy!"
Burnice said proudly, hands on her hips.
"..."
Lucy facepalmed helplessly, feeling like the Sons of Calydon's reputation had just been completely trashed.
Once-innocent victims, now gleeful accomplices—her feelings were indescribably complicated.
Just then, Seth returned, dragging a massive crate. Seeing the huge floating engine—and the blonde girl lounging on it—he was utterly dumbfounded. "Th-this is...?"
"This is the engine I brought as a precaution. It's no longer needed, so I gifted it to this friend here." Sol smiled and said this with total seriousness.
"Huh?"
Seth's mind short-circuited completely. None of this made any logical sense.
"Well then, goodbye, Seth. You'll understand someday," Sol said as he took the heavy crate from Seth's hands, then added thoughtfully, "Maybe."
He wasn't sure if this hot-blooded young cat officer would someday become a jaded adult like him.
Maybe he would. Maybe he wouldn't. He hoped not.
Carrying the crate, Sol walked off with Anby, Caesar, and the others—beside them floated a massive engine with a grinning blonde girl perched on top.
"Ah~"
Seth watched them leave with a heavy sigh.
For some reason, looking at Sol made him feel as though he were looking at his older brother's shadow—equally capable, equally... an adult.