Eland didn't divert his eyes anywhere other than what was in front of him. Some parts still showed how lush and shady the border forest was between the Northern region and Savannah. Although on the other side, there was a steep cliff that could endanger them if they slipped into it. Occasionally, they encountered large trucks carrying logistics for interregional delivery.
The sword, which had been ready for use, was firm and strong in his grip.
"Do you hear what I'm saying, Eland?" the caller asked with a firm voice. Eland believed that there was an anger brewing on the other end, no longer as calm as when they first spoke.
"I hear it, and I'll follow what you ask," Eland replied.
"I know I can rely on you."
"But I can't hold back for too long, Sam. Gerald made Jack suffer."
"What do you think I'm doing here?" Sam laughed. "There will be consequences, and I assure you, you'll be the executor."
A thin grin appeared on the corner of Eland's lips. "I'll join you as soon as I'm done here."
Shortly after the phone call ended, the car Eland was riding in came to a stop. Right in front of a beautiful two-story wooden cabin. Eland was certain that the person he wanted to beat up until they were bruised and battered was inside.
"Is this the place?" Ferdi asked. He had been slightly suspicious since earlier. Sam's trusted person suddenly fell silent and appeared to be listening to some instructions. Ferdi didn't hear anything on the direct connection with Sam. Did Sam have a hidden agenda? Betraying the police?
But why?
"There's no other building around the forest, right?" Eland chuckled. "But before you capture Gerald and Jimmy, let them fulfill their final task."
Ferdi furrowed his brow. "I don't understand."
"Everything that happened at the headquarters and the hospital, they weren't the masterminds. When it comes to dealing with the police, the Twin Dragons don't care about those two damn dogs. But for now, the Twin Dragons need them to uncover the real mastermind."
Ferdi began to understand Eland's line of thought.
"But, well... since I'm angry, don't stop me from turning Gerald into a mess right now."
All Ferdi did was laugh. "Just make sure they don't die on the spot. They belong to the Southern Police Department."
Eland raised his thumb and immediately unbuckled his seat belt. He confidently stepped out of the car, his eyes immediately fixed on the wooden house. Ferdi stood beside him, already prepared with two pistols on either side. And all the soldiers Ferdi brought along aimed their weapons, surrounding the cabin. They were ready to level the building that Eland thought was nothing more than a temporary resting place.
"Do you want me to break it down or will you come out on your own, Gerald?" Eland shouted loudly. Beside him stood Ferdi, armed with two pistols. And all of Ferdi's troops were ready, fingers on the trigger, ready to fire.
The sound of the main wooden door, coated with polish, opened. Gerald and Jimmy Lee walked out, raising both of their hands. Although they didn't like looking at Eland and Ferdi, they had no choice but to surrender. Paul and Bella followed them. Several of Gerald and Jimmy's subordinates also joined their leaders.
"Ah, when will we ever see the Arrogant Ruler of the Eagle Wing lose?" Eland said with a sarcastic sneer and spat right by his side. He walked closer without fear because he knew they wouldn't fight back. Not because they couldn't, but Eland believed that what Sam said to them was far more terrifying than death.
One by one, his eyes savored the appearance of Gerald and Jimmy, who glared at him in dislike. If he were allowed to beat them now, he would have done it since earlier. His hand was impatient to deliver at least one punch that would shift Gerald's jaw. But he had to restrain himself.
Eland was not a man who easily gave his body parts time to seek revenge. Especially since Jack was lying in a hospital bed because of the man who was now staring at him. Annoyed and unable to bear Sam's prohibition, he threw a punch directly at Gerald's right jaw.
"Eland!" Ferdi warned quickly.
"Damn it!" Gerald rubbed the area where Eland had just punched him. Jimmy's attempt to assist him was quickly dismissed. Ever since he received the call from Sam, his mind had been consumed with the risks, the safety, and the survival of the Eagle Wing.
"You know that Eland has his sword ready, don't you, Gerald?"
Gerald clenched his phone tightly. He didn't deny Sam's flat-sounding words, but he was well aware of the consequences he would have to bear.
"I know you can fight, but remember, you're trapped. Where else can you go besides accepting the Twin Dragons' help? Besides, wherever you go, you'll be caught." Sam chuckled. "Think carefully about my offer. In less than five minutes, Eland will be there."
"You bastard, Sam!" Gerald cursed, realizing that he had no chance to think further.
"Don't be foolish. Would it be better if I sent a complete force to wipe out the Eagle Wing? The choice is in your hands, Gerald. I'll wait for news from Eland about your condition, whether dead or alive."
Once the call ended, it was clear that Jimmy was the most affected.
"What does Sam want?"
"You spoke to Sam?" Bella asked incredulously.
"The Twin Dragons were attacked by the real mastermind, who set us in motion without us realizing it. He took advantage of our trapped situation to make us the Twin Dragons' easy prey."
Jimmy Lee was dumbfounded.
"Our only chance is to cooperate with Sam. Follow what they want."
"Including restoring my position?" Jimmy asked hopefully.
"We'll think about it, Jimmy. I don't want to become Sam's errand boy."
"But if Sam has already stated that, it means he has his own calculations, Gerald." This time, Bella spoke. "I know Sam. His ego is too high to ask for help from an enemy."
Gerald agreed with Bella's opinion. Although they were rivals, Gerald had also studied Sam's behavior all this time.
"As long as I gain something good out of it, I don't care who I form a coalition with."
"We're in a position where we won't win against anyone, Jimmy Lee, if I may assert," Bella said with a hint of dislike. Her statement was immediately met with a sarcastic look from Jimmy.
"Now that we understand the situation, what really happened, and how we can turn things around, I assure you that it will be Sam who will beg for mercy and regret ever seeking help from the Eagle Wing." Gerald spoke with a flash of confidence. And then, he prepared himself to welcome Sam's people.
Once again, Eland delivered a punch, this time directly to Gerald's neck. He didn't care if Jimmy and some of Gerald's subordinates tried to approach him. In a single motion, he had two samurai swords in his hands. He was ready to strike anyone who dared to come near without mercy.
"That's enough." Don't ask how infuriated and how much he wanted to retaliate against everything Eland had done. This was a public face-off, not just a duel between the two of them. He gently rubbed his jaw and neck, which were sore from Eland's punch. "If it weren't for Sam, I wouldn't have done this." Gerald stared at the man with two swords in his hands without hesitation.
He was a ruler, and he shouldn't bow to the words of someone far beneath him. He was accustomed to giving orders and monitoring every movement. Acting when necessary and never being contradicted. He had always supported Quassano's movements and was given many freedoms to expand his territory. There was only one thing he couldn't control—the Southern region.
That was why, when that offer arrived, in a state of being trapped and powerless to escape, all he could do was comply. While observing what he could do to regain the power that was once in his hands.
"If it weren't for Sam," Eland approached, his eyes still filled with smoldering vengeance. And when his sharp gaze intentionally met the woman standing not far from Gerald, he silently conveyed that he wouldn't let her escape easily. But there was one thing he had to deal with first—Gerald.
Getting closer to the ear of the ruler who lacked, Eland continued his words. "I guarantee that my sword will be drenched in your blood, Gerald." Then Eland walked away, but before reaching Ferdi, he spoke again. "Never betray Sam's trust, Gerald. In the car you'll be riding, there's a bomb under my control. If you deviate even slightly, I won't hesitate to destroy all of you."
***