Chapter 612
613
613
Owen had just raised his dagger when the leader frantically cried out, “Wait. We didn’t find White. He vanished in the western region.”
Owen pressed, “When exactly?”
“Yesterday,” the leader replied, his voice tense.
Owen knocked one of them out, then turned to the homeowner and asked, “What do you want to do with these guys?”
The homeowner said grimly, his eyes dark, “Kill them all. We’ll handle the bodies.”
Owen realized this family was no ordinary one. “They’re all yours then.”
The homeowner looked up at them. “Thank you. If it weren’t for you, our whole family would have been wiped out today.”
Aria said, “You took us in. It’s only right to help out when we’re staying at someone else’s place. Besides, you’re just innocent people caught up in this mess.”
The woman said gently, “You two, go get some rest. We’ll handle these guys.”
Aria and Owen exchanged a glance, nodded in silent agreement, and headed back into the room they’d just come from.
Owen dragged the remaining two out. “They’re all yours,” he said.
Aria gathered all the firearms and ammunition together, took four guns and a small amount of ammo, then said to the family, “You can have the rest.”
The homeowner’s wound had already been treated. “Are you here looking for someone?”
Aria nodded. “Yes.”
“Are you with the Wolfshade Syndicate?” The homeowner hadn’t forgotten that name. It was what their would-be killers had mentioned before attacking.
Aria shook her head firmly. “No.”
Aria, at that moment, found herself at odds with both the Solemnity Guild and the Wolfshade Syndicate. Damon certainly wouldn’t let this opportunity to kill her pass by.
The homeowner sighed in relief. He had no love for either organization. “Take all the ammunition with you. We’ll be leaving here tomorrow.”
Those men were ruthless desperadoes. Another encounter would mean certain death. The homeowner dared not cling to any false hope.
Aria said, “Tomorrow, we’ll escort you out of here.”
The homeowner didn’t decline. “We appreciate it,” he said.
The next day, Aria and Owen escorted the homeowner’s family out of the border zone. Aria said, “Stay safe on the road. We’re heading back now.”
1/2
1:16 pm
613
The boy warned, “You’re outnumbered. Those bullets won’t be enough.”
Aria smiled faintly. “No worries. If we run out, we can always take more from them.”
Gunshots draw unwanted attention, so they avoid using firearms whenever possible.
The boy couldn’t shake the memory of last night’s killings, and a fresh wave of fear washed over him.
‘I want to be strong, just like them,’ he thought. ‘Strong enough to protect everyone!
Just as Aria and Owen were about to leave, the homeowner called out to them.
The homeowner said, “Three days ago, I spotted an injured’man heading south, toward the Zilliania border area. Not sure if he’s the one you’re after.”
Three days ago, he was heading south, but just yesterday, he disappeared in the west.
Aria decided to head west first. She said, “Thanks for the tip.”
Russell learned that Damon had reached Torrenia border. Guessing Aria was there too, he decisively recalled all his men to avoid getting caught in the crossfire.
Aria and Owen headed west, where they ran into a group of Solemnity Guild members. It took them some time to dispatch them.
Owen had always been the one giving orders and putting in the most effort on missions. But with Aria leading the way and him mindlessly following her every command, he found himself actually enjoying the thrill of being carried for once.
After two hours on the move, they paused to rest.
Aria crouched down, casually picked up a twig, and scratched out a peculiar symbol in the dirt. “This is White’s and my contact signal.”
Owen gazed at the trident-like symbol, then reached out and drew a crooked heart beside it. “What’s this supposed to mean?” he asked.
Aria looked up at him, teasing, “Are you seriously jealous of this, too?”
Owen nodded. “Damn right I am.”
Aria let out a soft laugh, twirling the twig between her fingers. “Just a random doodle, means nothing.” She was about to wipe it away when Owen caught her wrist.
1:16 pm