(Twin Fang Planet, Black Serpents Headquarters, Antonio's POV)
The air inside Dupravel's office felt heavier than usual.
Antonio stood motionless beside Dupravel's seat, his fists clenched tightly behind his back, nails biting into the flesh of his palms as he kept his head bowed low, not in submission, but in restraint.
His eyes were fixed on the man sitting comfortably in the chair opposite them— Commander Entrail of the Universal Government, adorned in regal black and gold armor, his posture relaxed, his lips curled into a smirk that had barely wavered since his arrival.
"I must admit, I'm surprised," Entrail said, his tone calm and condescending, "I expected at least a trace of dignity from the once feared Dupravel Nuna. Instead, I find a man who can barely form a sentence without spitting on himself."
Dupravel let out a guttural laugh, tilting his head with a jerk that made the light bounce off his crooked jaw.
