“The Northern Territory was mine to begin with. You think I need your charity?”

“Then what do you want?”

Sebastian slammed his hand on the table.

E

“You don’t have a choice anymore, Raze! Listen to me–The Obsidian Order’s forces are on their way here right now! If this turns into a fight, you won’t stand a chance!

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“If I die, you’re all going down with me. And even if I fall, I’ve got children and a legacy. My people will carry on everything I’ve built. But you? What do you have left if you die?”

His words struck a nerve. Raze and the others fell silent, the grim reality setting in. Total defeat, complete destruction–who wanted that?

Just then, a low rumble echoed in the sky. Some of the men glanced upward.

“That’s a plane!” someone shouted.

“No–it’s a fighter jet!”

Several warplanes appeared in the distance, heading straight for Crescent Island. Panic swept through the fortress.

Sebastian seized the moment.

“You hear that? Those are Obsidian Order jets. If anything happens to me, they’ll launch a full–scale

attack!”

The jets roared overhead, streaking across the island’s sky. Chaos erupted below. Soldiers scrambled in fear, shouting orders and ducking for cover.

Sebastian had played his final, most powerful card–first offering peace, now backing it with force.

Raze’s face was as dark as coal. Once the undisputed ruler of the North, now forced into a corner by Sebastian with no easy way out.

“Mr. Raze,” Sebastian continued/“this is your last chance to make a decision. If you agree to my terms, I’ll send people to help you relocate and rebuild your home.

“More than that, to show my sincerity, I’ll use The Obsidian Order’s power to eliminate the biggest threat that’s haunted Black/Wolf Fortress for decades.”

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“Eliminate a threat? What do you mean?”

“After you fled the North, your deadliest enemy–the Nottans family–took over your old base. It’s not under Obsidian Order’s control at all.”

“The Nottans? Those bastards!”

Raze slammed the table again. If Black Wolf Fortress had any true nemesis, it was the Nottans. Always lurking just beyond the northern borders, they were the real reason Black Wolf Fortress had never known peace.

When The Obsidian Order drove Black Wolf Fortress out, the Nottans wasted no time swooping in and

taking over.

“Think it over carefully.”

Sebastian’s offer was tempting–almost too tempting. Help with relocation, rebuilding, and wiping out the Nottans? It was more than generous.

None of them expected Sebastian to offer so much. He had every reason to wipe them out, yet here he was offering peace–and even help.

If he could really destroy the Nottans, Raze would regain everything he’d lost and more.

But Raze was too proud, too suspicious to trust Sebastian fully. What if this was all a trick? What if the

so–called “relocation” was just a setup to finish them off once and for all?

If that happened, it would be too late for regrets.

As a leader, Raze had to weigh every possibility. It wasn’t an easy choice.

Sheldon saw the struggle in Raze’s eyes.

“Mr. Vanderbilt has shown incredible sincerity. Maybe it’s time we trust him, just once. You have to make a decision, fast.”

Other lieutenants echoed the plea.

“Chief, we can’t miss this chance./Everyone’s waiting on you.”

Under the pressure of his men and the situation, Raze finally nodded.

“Fine, Sebastian. I’ll trust you this once. But if you screw me over–even if I die–I’ll make sure you go

with me.”

Sebastian gave a slight smirk.

“A real man keeps his word. I promised, and I’ll keep that promise. As long as you stop with the ambushes and sneak attacks.”

The air was still tense, and trust wasn’t quite there yet.

Sheldon suggested,

“Why don’t we draft a formal agreement? Something both sides can sign, as a guarantee for future cooperation?”

“That works for me,” Sebastian agreed.

“Fine by me,” Raze added.

With Sheldon mediating, both sides sat down and signed a formal peace agreement.

Sebastian and Raze both added their names to the document.

Caitlin had been watching everything from the side. Her heart swelled with emotion. Sebastian had swallowed his pride, made concessions, and offered far more than anyone expected–just to keep her safe.

If it weren’t for her, he would’ve never treated Raze and his people this politely.

Finally, the two men shook hands.

Sheldon raised his arm and gave the signal.

“Everyone, lower your weapons! And get Mrs. Vanderbilt down from the watchtower–bring her here!”

Caitlin was finally freed.

As soon as she was released, Sebastian rushed out of the meeting hall.

“Caitlin!”

“Sebastian!”

They ran to each other and fell into a tight embrace.

The sight of the couple reunited left many speechless–even Raze had to glance away.

“Tch. Women. Always trouble,” he muttered.

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Sheldon, watching the scene, sighed.

“Not trouble. That’s love. A man who’s willing to go this far for a woman… that’s what real love looks like.”

Sebastian had marched alone into enemy territory for his wife. That alone earned respect.

How many men in the world had that kind of courage?

Not many, surely.

Their embrace ended. Sebastian gently cupped Caitlin’s face, studying her carefully.

“Did they hurt you?”

Caitlin shook her head, eyes misty with tears.

But when he saw the bruises on her wrists, his heart twisted with guilt and anger.

“You’re hurt. I’m sorry. I didn’t protect you.”

“It’s okay. It’ll heal soon.”

To Caitlin, none of that mattered. Just being alive, seeing Sebastian again–that was enough.

Sebastian brushed his fingers along her thinner, paler face. His voice softened.

“I’m taking you home.”

“Okay.” Caitlin nodded.

Sebastian wrapped his arm around her and turned to Raze.

“Mr. Raze, I’m taking my wife now. Please escort us off the island.”

Raze had no choice. He had to personally go retrieve his own mother anyway, so he led them to the dock.

Back on the warship, Zeke had been standing at the bow for hours, keeping watch on the island. Still no sign of Sebastian or Caitlin. He was getting worried.

The Obsidian Order’s jets had flown over twice, but there’d been no real movement from Black Wolf Fortress. Was Sebastian being held?

Zeke was just about to order a landing party when the signal operator shouted.

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“Movement on the island!”

Zeke grabbed his binoculars. Sure enough, a group of people was approaching the shore–and among

them were Sebastian and Caitlin.

Yes!

That had to mean the negotiation was a success.

Sebastian, Caitlin, Raze, Sheldon, and a few others boarded a transport vessel and began heading toward the warship.

Within minutes, the vessel pulled up alongside the ship. Zeke’s face lit up as he waved from the deck.

“Sebastian! Caitlin!”

Caitlin looked up and waved back at him.

Zeke, still beaming, shouted,

“Lower the boarding ramp! Hurry!”