599, Black Monkey

Charles was surprised when he saw the visitor, exclaiming, "Cyrus!"

"How did you come here?"

Cyrus's face was stern as he countered, "Aren't we old friends?" He emphasized the word "old friends."

Charles couldn't help but laugh silently, saying, "Indeed, we are old friends."

Their relationship was complex; despite deep animosity, they shared a peculiar camaraderie.

Charles stepped aside to let Cyrus into the room, telling him, "It's a bit cluttered here, please don't mind it. I have Fars' standard coffee, would you like a cup?" He didn't know what Cyrus had come for, but he wasn't in a hurry to ask since Cyrus would certainly tell him.

Cyrus didn't care about the mess; he had been fighting for years and had endured all kinds of environments.

He sat down on a chair, lifted the coffee, took a sip, closed his eyes to savor it, and said, "The South Ceraph Reclamation Army is nearly out of people."

Charles nodded, acknowledging, "I know!"