Meanwhile, Ute prepared to strike Jack again. Despite being in pain from Jack's heavy blows, she was ready to continue. "I won't stop before you're dead."
Jack burst into laughter, filling the large space. "I feel the same way about you, Ute. For the Twin Dragons, a traitor deserves to die."
"Damn it!" Ute launched a kick at Jack, who was now in front of her. Unfortunately, the big man quickly evaded. Cleverly, he aimed his knee at another part of Jack's body. Ute was tall and slender, but agile and nimble in her movements.
Jack had been with Sam much longer than Ute. He could read every move she made, although he was somewhat overwhelmed due to his lack of recent fights without weapons, as well as the injury he received from Gerald. Damn Gerald for making him struggle against Ute.
However, Jack no longer considered his feelings as a fellow comrade of Sam's subordinates. Every punch Jack threw at Ute was blind and relentless. He paid no attention to her groans, screams, and curses. What mattered to Jack was that Ute was defeated.
"Argh!" Ute’s shout echoed as Jack's staff struck her shoulder. She took a few steps back, wincing in pain. Her wounds hadn't fully healed yet, and she hadn't received proper medical treatment. The pain made her buckle, and warm fluid ran down her shoulder. Fresh blood flowed from the wound.
But she couldn't stay still for too long. Rolling quickly to the right, she evaded Jack's relentless staff strikes without pause. She immediately got up, swinging her machete haphazardly to keep Jack at bay. Her breath was ragged, and she coughed softly. Her chest felt tight, even though she hadn't taken any hits.
"You bastard!" Ute spat in frustration, gripping her increasingly painful shoulder.
"Get up, you piece of shit! Fight me!" Jack grinned fiercely. The iron staff played in the palm of his hand. "Is that all the courage you have, traitor?"
Ute was truly enraged. Slightly stumbling, she got up, despite her unsteady footing. Without hesitation, she pressed forward against Jack, even though the pain in her shoulder intensified. Unfortunately, once again, she received a blow from the burly man, this time on her left back. She staggered, almost falling, but managed to stay on her feet. Ute wouldn't easily be defeated by Jack.
No, she had to find a way to make Jack lose. No matter how, even if it meant... her eyes immediately focused on Beatrice, who was standing near the stairs. The long-haired girl continued to watch their fight, visibly shocked by the changing situation. Ute made a quick decision. Threatening the opponent by taking someone else hostage was the right move.
Her hand clenched the rusty weapon, ready to injure Beatrice. The target changed. If this girl got hurt, it was certain that Sam would be disappointed in Jack. As for herself? She didn't care. Hurting Beatrice, or even better, striking and taking the life of this newfound Quassano, would make Alfred suffer.
"Brave, huh, you bitch!" Jack was taken aback. He didn't expect Ute’s movement to change direction. He immediately chased after Ute’s swift steps. The blood-stained machete in Ute’s hand swung towards the startled Beatrice.
"Stay away, Beatrice!" Jack shouted.
Unfortunately, it was too late.
The swing was aimed directly at Beatrice. Without hesitation, Uti intended to harm her.
"Argh!"
Beatrice widened her eyes, falling to a sitting position. Not a single wound touched her skin. However, the figure that replaced her was struck by the weapon. The figure collapsed, accompanied by a wide-open wound on the shoulder. Ute blinked slowly. A thin smile formed on the short-haired woman's face. Her satisfied smile was now accompanied by laughter.
"So the old man does love his grandchild," Ute said. She lowered her guard, including against Jack, who swung his staff towards her without pause.
Ute received a punch from Jack that made her fall to the ground. The blood-stained machete hit Beatrice's protective gear and fell aside. It didn't matter, it was fine because she had successfully avenged Alfred, even though he wasn't dead yet. But Ute was confident that the wound Alfred received could threaten his life. Ah, the machete should have been coated with poison. Then the demise of this Quassano ruler would be even quicker, right?
"You bastard!" Ute cursed through clenched teeth as Jack's kick struck her stomach. She tried to get up and retaliate against Jack's continuous attacks.
Meanwhile, Beatrice didn't know what to do except approach and tremble out of fear. Especially with the blood flowing from the man's shoulder continuously. The gaze of the man she knew as Alfred stared at her with relief.
"My granddaughter," he said softly.
"Sir, don't move. I'll call for help."
"No need," Alfred weakly smiled. "At least, Grandpa can be of use to you now."
Beatrice clenched her fists. Why were her lips still awkwardly calling him 'grandpa'? "No," Beatrice shook her head. She couldn't accept Alfred speaking like that. Even though she couldn't fully comprehend the reality yet, her intuition told her that everything was true. Especially with the photo of her mother that Alfred showed her. How much she resembled her mother.
Although she received only a brief explanation, a part of her heart had already started to accept it. And now, Alfred quickly protected her. Regardless of the pain from the fresh wound he had just received, as long as Beatrice remained unharmed. Which part of Beatrice suddenly felt sad? Worried? And unaccepting?
If all those realities were indeed true, the old man beside her was her only family.
"Just wait a moment."
"No need, Leora."
Oh God! Her heart ached. The old man's eyes occasionally blinked slowly, and Beatrice knew he was trying to suppress the pain. She needed to find help. "Grandpa, wait here. Leora, find help." Beatrice had to be strong. She couldn't let anything terrible happen to her grandfather. No, it was more than that. She would suddenly lose her only family.
"It won't be long, Grandpa." Beatrice tried her best to smile. She tightly clenched her hand, assuring herself that she would only be gone momentarily to seek help. There was nothing to worry about.
"Grandpa is glad to finally meet you." Alfred's hand touched Beatrice's face, causing a tear to roll down her closed eyes. "Finally... what Grandpa believed came true. His granddaughter is still alive."
Alfred closed his eyes slowly. The pain in his injured shoulder became increasingly intense. "Grandpa is happy." Despite the pain he felt, the joy in his mind soared.
Beatrice's hand clenched tightly. No, she wouldn't let her grandfather give up that easily. "I'm also happy, Grandpa. But be patient. This happiness doesn't have to end in bloodshed." She gently lowered Alfred's hand. "I'll call for help."
She had to hurry. Her eyes quickly scanned the surroundings. Two men in black suits, which confused Beatrice, she didn't know which side they were on. But when weapons were drawn from their pockets, she knew which side they supported.
"Think, Beatrice. Think!" she screamed internally. She wished she could hold and use a weapon. She wouldn't hesitate to protect herself and eliminate those who had ill intentions towards her. What should she do in this trapped situation? God! This time, bring a miracle to her. For both of them. And for Sam and the Twin Dragons.
Beatrice pleaded.
Ute continued to resist Jack, although Beatrice could see several wounds on the woman's face. Jack relentlessly pressed on, mercilessly striking Ute.
"You'll die, Alfred Quassano!" one of the two men in black uniforms shouted.
The pistol quickly aimed at Beatrice, accompanied by a satisfied grin from the man in black. Beatrice closed her eyes, resigned. This time, her body instinctively shielded the injured Alfred. She feared facing death when there were still so many questions that needed answers. And Sam's face suddenly flashed in her mind.
The face of the man she loved.
"Brother... Are you scared?"
As the man in black shouted, Jack turned around. His eyes widened in disbelief at the situation they were now facing. He couldn't let Ute go just like that. This snake of a woman shouldn't escape without punishment from Sam. But both Beatrice and Alfred were in danger.
"You fight him, you son of a bitch!" Ute suddenly yelled, swinging her rusty machete towards Jack. And as the loud gunshot rang out, along with the slash of the rusty machete and the screams that filled the room once again.
"You bastards!"