An hours had passed since they left Ishabana.
The ship was already well on its way to N'Kospa.
BJ sat across from Sebastian, watching the scenery pass by.
After a few minutes of silence, curiosity got the better of him.
"So, what's N'Kospa like?"
Sebastian glanced toward him.
"N'Kospa is one of... no, the most advanced kingdom when it comes to technology."
BJ raised an eyebrow.
"That advanced?"
"They have improved much of the technology used across the Five Kingdoms. Yanma has even found a way to convert Shugod energy into a usable power source."
Sebastian paused.
"He is quite a smart man. Though he doesn't like being controlled, nor does he appreciate being forced to bow down to anyone."
BJ nodded slowly.
"Sounds like him."
He thought for a moment.
"Before the Bugnarak attacked Shugoddam, Yanma was against the kingdoms uniting. He was suspicious of Racules."
Sebastian listened quietly.
"Shouldn't he have agreed with Racules if his plan was to unite the kingdoms against the Bugnarak?"
A small smile appeared on Sebastian's face.
"What do you think of Racules Husty?"
BJ leaned back.
"I think he's willing to do anything to win."
He paused.
"He's a king. I don't know why, but I feel like he's..."
BJ frowned, struggling to put the thought together.
"I feel like I might be like him, trying to win a losing war. During the first attack, he didn't even try to help. He only cared about uniting the kingdoms."
Sebastian looked at him.
"Not me," BJ quickly added. "But... me."
He sighed.
"Ever since that vision, or whatever it was, I've been feeling different. Like my thoughts aren't completely the same anymore."
He looked down at his hands.
"Sorry. I'm suddenly changing the subject."
BJ was quiet for a moment.
"I just think Racules is planning something big."
Sebastian slowly turned his chair toward him.
"You may be the first person from outside Shugodam I've heard say anything good about Racules."
Sebastian studied BJ for a moment before turning his attention back toward the road.
"Perhaps you should trust that feeling."
BJ looked at him.
"You think I'm right?"
"I think you have reason to be suspicious."
BJ nodded slowly.
"That's enough for me."
The conversation faded after that.
BJ leaned back in his seat, watching the scenery change as they continued toward N'Kospa.
For the rest of the journey, neither of them said much.
Two hours later, the view outside changed completely.
The natural landscape gave way to towering metal structures, glowing panels, and massive mechanical systems stretching across the horizon.
BJ sat upright.
"Okay."
He stared through the window.
"That's definitely N'Kospa."
Sebastian gave a small nod.
"We've arrived."
Their vehicle descended toward a large landing platform built into the heart of the city.
As they approached, lights along the platform activated one after another, guiding them toward the designated landing area.
The vehicle touched down smoothly.
BJ looked out at the enormous structures surrounding them.
Everything seemed to hum with energy.
"This place makes Ishabana look..."
He searched for the right word.
"Less technological."
Sebastian stepped out first.
"Try not to touch anything."
BJ followed him onto the landing pad.
"I wasn't planning to."
He looked around again.
"Probably."
The landing platform stretched beneath them, surrounded by sprawling machinery, exposed wiring, and flickering diagnostic displays.
Somewhere ahead, in the central lab of Peta Castle, Yanma Gast was waiting.
The heavy blast door at the end of the landing pad slid upward, and Shiokara came sprinting toward them, his voice echoing loudly across the platform before his feet even hit the deck.
"Sebastian-san! Oira missed you!"
Before Sebastian could even adjust his posture, Shiokara barreled into him, throwing his arms around the dignified butler in a tight, unceremonious hug.
Sebastian didn't flinch. With practiced grace, he offered a few light, polite pats to Shiokara's back. "It is good to see you as well, Shiokara-san."
Shiokara pulled back, grinning widely, before his eyes darted over to BJ. He adjusted his jacket, giving BJ a quick, energetic once-over with an eager grin.
"And you're the guy Yanma-kun's been grumbling about! Man, you look like you've been through a meat grinder. Come on, come on! Yanma-kun's waiting in the lab, and if we make him wait any longer, he's gonna blow a fuse!"
Without waiting for an answer, Shiokara spun on his heel and motioned for them to follow, leading the way straight into the glowing corridors of Peta Castle.
Shiokara moved quickly through the corridor, barely slowing down as he pointed out different machines and facilities along the way.
"Over there is one of our main energy systems! And that's the maintenance section! Don't go in there unless someone tells you to. Last time I did, Yanma-kun nearly killed me!"
BJ glanced at him.
"Nearly?"
"He was really angry!"
Sebastian smiled faintly.
"Some things never change."
Shiokara turned around while still walking.
"You remember when Yanma-kun used to sleep in the workshop?"
"I remember."
"He still does it!"
BJ raised an eyebrow.
"He sleeps in his lab?"
"Sometimes! Sometimes he just passes out on a chair. Sometimes he forgets to sleep at all!"
Shiokara shook his head dramatically.
"That guy is terrible at taking care of himself."
BJ looked at Sebastian.
"He's starting to sound like someone else I know."
Sebastian gave him a knowing look.
"I would advise you not to finish that sentence."
Shiokara suddenly stopped.
BJ nearly walked into him again.
"What?"
Shiokara pointed ahead.
"We're here! And Yanma-kun's been in a mood all morning," Shiokara rambled, walking backward for a few steps to gesture wildly at BJ. "Some server cluster in the lower sector went down, and then her High-and-Mighty Majesty from Ishabana called up and demanded a diagnostic bay be prepped. He almost threw his wrench through the screen!"
"Her Majesty expects prompt results," Sebastian said mildly, keeping his hands folded behind his back as they kept pace.
"Yeah, yeah, tell Oira about it," Shiokara laughed, spinning back around to slam his hand against a large biometric palm scanner. The heavy steel doors hissed open, revealing the central lab of Peta Castle—a chaotic masterpiece of sprawling monitors, disassembled Shugod hardware, and glowing diagnostic rigs.
In the middle of the room, standing over a floating holographic terminal with a half-eaten lollipop in his mouth and his blue coat draped over his shoulders, was Yanma Gast.
He didn't even turn around as the door opened.
BJ stared.
"Okay."
Shiokara grinned.
"Pretty impressive, right?"
BJ nodded slowly.
"Yeah."
Shiokara folded his arms proudly.
"This is where Yanma-kun does his best work."
A voice came from somewhere inside the lab.
"Shiokara!"
Shiokara's smile froze.
"Uh-oh."
BJ looked at him.
"What?"
"He heard us."
"Who?"
Yanma stepped out from behind one of the machines.
"I heard you telling our guests how I sleep in my workshop."
Shiokara laughed nervously.
"I was just telling them the truth!"
Yanma sighed.
Then his attention shifted to BJ.
"You're five minutes late, raccoon-face," Yanma snapped, his fingers flying across a physical keyboard with terrifying speed. "And I told you to tell those Ishabana stiffs that if they bring mud onto my clean floor, I'm billing them for the filters."
BJ crossed his arms, looking around the room. "Nice to see you haven't changed."
Yanma froze, his fingers stopping mid-stroke. He pulled the lollipop from his mouth and slowly turned around, his piercing gaze locking onto BJ.
"Well, well," Yanma growled, a sharp, arrogant smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "If it isn't the walking hazard. What's the matter? Break another one of the Queen's fancy toys, or did your own brain finally short-circuit?"
"Now, let's get to the interesting part."
His eyes moved toward BJ's bag.
"The Power Coin."
BJ instinctively placed a hand over it.
Yanma smiled.
"Don't worry. I'm not going to steal it."
Shiokara leaned toward BJ and whispered.
"He says that now."
Yanma glared at him.
"Shiokara."
"I'm going!"
Shiokara immediately stepped aside.
BJ couldn't help but laugh.
Sebastian simply shook his head.
Yanma gestured toward the equipment.
"Come on. Let's see what exactly is going on inside you."