NOTE: Special thanks to my good friend NIaid for helping and proofreading this Chapter.
Chapter 14: The Raid
Wall Rose, Location Unknown
Johan couldn't help but feel an overbearing sense of guilt dawning over him as he pulled their gang's latest victim a girl not much older than 15 out of their wagon. The girl resisted by planting her foot on the ground and refused to budge.
"Don't make this hard for both of us," he says trying to intimidate her by using his bad man tone. But instead, he got his foot stomped really hard.
"Ahhh!" he lets out a cry releasing his grip on the girl, who in the meantime tried to escape from the spot, But she was quickly intercepted by another burly gang member who subdued her and lifted her up on to his shoulders.
Meanwhile, the rest of the gang were having a hearty laugh on Johan's slipup.
"You alright?" he the Burly man asks.
"Yeah," Johan replies still massaging his toes. "Thanks, Boss Bruno."
Bruno nods and signals Johan to follow as he carries the girl to run down house deep inside the forest which acted as their main hideout. As they got inside Johan unlocks the door leading to the cellar. There were three more girls inside the room, as soon as they saw them coming in they quickly hurdled themselves into a corner. Bruno not minding them lowers the girl on to the floor.
"Now listen well," he says with a stern look on his face as he lowers himself to the girl. "If you try to escape, run, or do anything stupid I will have make you suffer worse than death and make you regret forever being born as a girl. Am I clear?"
The girl nods as tears still flow down her eyes.
Bruno undoes her gag and then unties her hands and then stands up and then leaves. Closely followed by Johan who turns back to the girls and mutters a faint I am sorry before leaving and then locks the door from outside leaving their victims in complete darkness.
He then Hands the keys to Bruno who casually shoves it into his breast pocket. While walking out of the house Johan couldn't keep himself from asking about the threat Bruno made to the girl.
"Did you really mean it?"
"What?"
"The Threat you made it to her."
"Nah!"
"Really!" Johan said surprised to hear this.
"Yeah, Boss will be really mad if he finds out his merchandise has been damaged in any way. He likes to have them in the auction in the top condition."
Johan sighs in relief before continuing
"So where do these auctions take pla.."
Bruno raises his hand and both of them stop in their tracks. He then turns towards Johan.
"Boy, it is better if you don't learn about all this. You are still new to our kind of job and I don't want to have to kill you for knowing too much of the network. Got it."
"Got it, Boss," Johan replies as he swallows a lump in fear and relents.
"Now go get us some firewood from the forest it is going to be dark soon," Bruno commands as he takes a glance at towards sky with dimming sunlight.
Johan nods and quickly fetches a nearby axe and a small bag and hurries into the forest. After a couple of minutes of searching, he was fortunate enough to find a fallen tree.
As he began to chop down the tree, he couldn't help but comprehend about his decision to join the criminal underworld.
After the fall of Trost, His family became homeless and were hurdled with other unfortunate people into the camps. It was not the only misfortune befall on them. His father the sole breadwinner of the family of six was laid off from his job as the textile factory under the Reeves company in Trost was closed down due to damages suffered during the battle between Humanity and the Titans. Not losing hope the family steeled themselves and survived on. But everything began to crumble when his father got into some kind of argument with the MPs. Infuriated they left him with several broken bones and bruises. Crimpled the daily wages his father brought stopped coming leaving them at the mercy of the government rations which was not adequate. He himself failed in finding any work due to being a novice and had to make do with the odd jobs that came around. But during this difficult time, he got approached by a shady looking person just outside the camp who promised him not only good and easy money but also protection of his family. Without much thinking, he joins them.
And now here he is, knee-deep in the gutters of Trafficking and other heinous crimes. He himself was involved in many abductions of people in the camps and sending them to be sold Wall heavens know where. But then he never felt any satisfaction from the money he earns. His family is also still in the dark on what their eldest is doing to keep them afloat.
"Well, this much will do." He says to himself as he drops his axe down and wipes the beads of sweat from his forehead.
Gathering up all the wood he walks back to their hideout.
"Here." He places the bag near their makeshift kitchen. "I hope this much firewood would be enough."
Their cook ruffles through the bag and gives him an a-okay sign.
"Johan go take a nap or something you look dead tired." Bruno who was standing beside the cook said.
"No need boss, I can manage."
"Nonsense. Boy, you had done a lot of work today, you deserved the rest now go before I change my decision." He says with a wide smile.
Johan nods and heads for his tent. Not giving much head to Bruno's rant on the delay Kellen another member was making for tonight's shipment as he had not arrived with his today's catch yet.
(3 hours later)
"JOHAN GET UP!"
Johan snaps awake.
"Wha...What?" Eyeing at his colleague with irritation for ruining his sleep.
"Someone is coming our way. Boss ordered everyone to be ready for an attack."
All the drowsiness flashes away from Johan's eyes. He quickly gets up his feet and strides out of his tent followed by his colleague. It was already dark outside. In the midst of a burning campfire, he saw Bruno who stood in the center of their encampment holding a big musket in his hand directed the men to predetermined ambush spots. As the campfire is extinguished. The only source of light in the pitch dark forest was the torches illuminating the rundown house in their back.
"Boss!, we are here, where do you need us?"
"Here" he unsheathes his sword and hands it to Johan.
"We will be a welcoming party for our uninvited visitors." He says with a smirk. "If they are here to raid our camp and still our merchandise they are up for a lot of pain."
"Bu...But Boss. What about our sentry..." He stopped mid sentence when he noticed Stefan their sentry waiving at him.
"Quite a resourceful bastard. Is he not." Bruno said bluntly as he patted the boys back. "As soon as he says those strangers coming our way. He was quick to raise the alarm and look now we are ready for some chop chop!"
Johan, on the other hand, was not as excited as Bruno and the rest of his comrade. His legs trembled by the thoughts a getting into a bloody fight for his life. But suddenly he felt a hand on his shoulders.
"Don't worry Johan," Bruno assures him. Just follow my lead and you will be fine."
"They are always those numbnuts from the Terry Gang," Stefan joins in." Those weaklings think they own this Wall Baah! Let, em come we will kill them all and bury them deep in the forest."
Johan gives a nervous nod in response. He steels himself. Plucking the mark of three holy walls from his pocket and kisses it for good luck and places it back before muttering a prayer to the holy walls.
As the rumbling of moving horse drawn wagons and footsteps of men got closer, the illuminating lamps on the carriage gave away the identity of their visitor.
Bruno lowers his musket, draws the flint back and whistles for the hidden gang members to come out.
"Get out of your holes lads, The Big Boss has graced us with his visit. Coben goes light up the lamps. This darkness is bugging me will you."
"Yes, Boss" The man named Coben replies as he walks towards the small kitchen where the lamps have been stored and began to one by one lighting them up. Meanwhile, Stefan gets a smack on his head for causing a false alarm.
The Carriages come to a halt just a few meters away from where Bruno and Johan stood. One of the attendants of the camp quickly rushes and opens up the carriage door.
Through the dim light of the Carriage lamps, Johan for the first time saw the face of the Man he and the rest of the Gang answer to. Projecting a long mustache, a white wig on the head, and donning fancy garments the man steps down the carriage. Closely followed by the muscular bodyguards he walks up to Bruno who quickly bows his head to greet him.
"Good Evening Mr. Furlan."
"Evening Bruno." The man replies nonchalantly.
"Sir, What must be the reason you have come all this way from Wall Sina..." Bruno was cut off mid sentence when Furlan raised his hand.
"You already know Bruno." He begins with frustration visible on his face. "For the last few weeks, the number of products sent by you has plummeted considerably. I am losing loyal customers every day to our competitors from that filthy underground." He spat.
"This is bad for business. You better have a very good explanation for the delay and loss of my money or I might have to replace you with someone who can meet my quota on time."
All the time of Furlan's rant Johan kept his head down and at times giving a quick glance at Bruno's reaction. His face was pale white. The person who has the strength to rip a man apart was scared of a pompous fat guy.
This Furlan guy must be really rich and powerful. He thought.
Meanwhile, Bruno kept his silence. He was contemplating his next course of action. If he is removed most likely he will be disposed of by Furlan's goons to keep his mouth shut from staining the prestige of a well known Wall noble by revealing the dark side business he is involved in.
"Have a Titan has devoured your tongue you useless cunt say something." Furlan bellowed.
"The Out...the Outsiders. sir." Bruno stutteringly blurted out.
"The people beyond the walls ?" Furlan merely raises an eyebrow
"Yes sir, they have completely locked us out from the refugee camps and nearby areas." Bruno then ruffles Johan's head. "Even our new recruit here is unable to go back home." who receives a quick glance from the Big boss.
"How is that even possible Bruno, The Military Police, or the slightly competent Garrison have never been able to that? Furlan inquired astonished of his underling's words. "What kind of special techniques these outsiders make use of to hamper our operations on this large scale ?"
There is a moment of silence before Bruno replies.
"Well, the methods they used were rather mundane if you ask me. The first thing they did was setting up check posts all over the camp and also implemented a strict curfew and doubling their patrols night all around the camp."
"So, what does difference this makes," Furlan scoffed."The MPs also patrolled at night."
"Well sir, most of the MPs in the camps were crooks. We often bribe our way through their guardhouse and even let them silence those causing trouble for us. But these Outsider's soldiers are totally opposite. After one of our men was caught trying to smuggle some captured items from the camps, he tried to bribe one of their officers who without a hitch arrested him, released our loot, and threw him onto one of their horseless wagons and drove away. That weak-willed bastard must have spilled all the beans as within a week half of our men including the collaborators in the camps were captured." Bruno balls his fists. "I still don't know who is that guy, but when I find him I will give him a long and painful death."
He then recomposes himself before continuing.
"Fortunately for us though my second Kallen escaped by the help of some of his friends in the Garrisons and informed what has happened. If not for him our whole gang would have been ambushed and sent to Gallows."
This explanation made Furlan quite for a minute.
"These outsiders have ruined everything." He began with an angry scowl placed on his face. " And those spineless bastards heading the chancellery just bowed down and let these foreigners roam our lands and do whatever they please with impunity Bahh!," He kicks the dirt on the ground in frustration." If I had the power I would have thrown these parasites out of our realm as soon as possible."
Meanwhile, the whole gang stared at the Furlan with wide eyes. Never in their lives have they heard someone bad mouth the Royal Government this openly. If reported of this treasonous act Furlan might just receive a slap on his wrist or even let scot-free due to his status and for the influential title of Viscount he holds in the nobility. But for them, they will be put to the sword without a trail.
After the outburst, Furlan is quick to recompose himself.
"Regardless, How many items do you have for me."
"For now we have four, Kallen's group might be bringing more."
"Good very good, So what's the age of the ones we have?"
"The youngest is 12 and the oldest might be 16 or 17."
"Hmm..not bad," He said with an enthusiastic smile "take me to them then I will discern if they are good for sale or not."
"Yes sir, please this way," Bruno spoke before leading him and his two bodyguards to the rundown house. Once inside the doors to the basement is unlocked and Furlan walks right in.
The girls upon seeing the new visitor quickly hurdled themselves into a corner. The older one stood at the front covering the three younger girls. her face showed the sign of a mixture of both fear and rage.
Furlan smirked
"Bring that one to me." He commanded pointing at the older girl with long blonde hair to his bodyguards, who was quick to pull her out of their small protective circle and forcibly kneeling her before their employer.
"She is a good one." He compliments as he brought his face close to the girl.
The girl responds by spitting right on to his face.
Furlan casually draws his handkerchief out of his breast pocket and wipes the saliva out.
"A wild one too" he comments before signaling one of his guards to send a kick at her stomach and unceremoniously leaving her to squeal and cry while other girls watch in horror.
"What's your name ?" He asks as he kneels beside the girl.
There is no response from the girl who is still on the floor holding her stomach and glaring intently at him.
"No, very well then. Ajel get the youngest looking one here."
"Wait!" She mutters before the man could get hold of the youngest. "Emma, its Emma."
"Good, see how simple it is."
He then stands up
You will break" he said with a grin. "Like the countless before you. You just need a bit of processing and then you are ready for sale." He raises his hand to signal for another strike at the unruly girl for offending him but a sudden loud knock at the basement's door kills his mood.
"What?!" he yells in anger without even turning towards the door."Can't you see I am busy here."
"Sor..sory to interrupt you sir, but I thought you and Boss Bruno would like to know Kallen and his crew have returned," Johan spoke taking a few steps back scared from Furlan's outburst.
"And" Furlan spoke annoyed by the interruption.
"Kallen said his expedition is a success and he is waiting for you to personally inspect his items. He also added to have something quite special for his lordship."
The man's anger is quickly washed away by a wave of excitement.
"Why didn't you tell me before. Let us go"
Exalted he strides over the flight of stairs like a young boy finding a new toy to play with.
Meanwhile, other girls quickly rush over to Emma's side, as the door is locked up behind them.
"Are you alright big sister." the little one with tears in her eyes asks.
"Do not worry Mia, I am okay."
"But you look hurt."
Emma sits back up and smiles, trying her best to mask the pain." See. That kick didn't hurt at all. I was just faking it to keep the bad man away from you, ll."
Mia quickly gives her a hug.
"Will the bad man will really sell all of us? She asks again tears trekking down her eyes.
I am scared I want to go back to my mama and papa."
Emma remained silent for a few seconds before replying
"No, I am certain he will not succeed, our parents will surely find us and save us from these bad people." She pats the head of Mia, consoling and assuring her.
She knew she was lying and is certain of her and other dark fate. All she could do was only hope and someone getting them out of this captivity.
But suddenly a loud bang is heard, drawing Emma and other girl's attention.
"What is that ?!" one of them asks.
Another bang is heard again along with a scream.
The girls are scared and they again gather at the corner. Emma like before stood at the front again to shield others though still hold her bruised and aching stomach.
There was a brief silence for a few seconds before the door is literally blown open.
(30 minutes Earlier)
Stefan stretches his back and lets out a big yawn. The Boredom was killing him. He has been assigned as the sentry for their lair for two days now.
Yes, Keeping watch against any rival gangs snooping in for an attack is important. But their camp is located at a remote and abandoned area in the walls deep inside the forests. Except for their own men, lost hunters from a nearby village, or sometimes a criminal on the run hardly anyone came around this trail or ever noticed their lair.
He sighs, The boredom of just sitting here in pitch-black darkness and doing nothing was his punishment for trying to have some fun with one of the girls a few days ago.
He curls up his fists in a bit of anger.
It was not his fault at all. That blonde Bitch looked too good to be left alone. She even dared to kick him in his balls.
"Hope she gets sold to a mad sadist." He mumbled to himself.
As he relished himself in thoughts of putting her in a hell lot of pain. His ears quickly perked up with the neighing of horses and rumbling of their wagons.
Not wanting to do the same error of jumping into a conclusion as he did some time ago. He silently observes the incoming convoy.
As the convoy of three carriages comes to a halt a few feet away from the trail leading to the lair. The coachman jumps out holding a torch and yells out their secret code.
Recognizing the voice, he smiles and follows through their countersign sheathing his short sword and emerges from his hiding spot.
"Kellan!" He waved at the driver, who replied back in a similar gesture.
"You took your sweet time. Boss was really worried about you."
"Never thought big man is really that sensitive." The man named Kellan replied in a deadpan tone.
"He doesn't want his most trusted man getting killed or something."
"Yeah yeah, I came to know when he let his nephew live even though he broke the code, but my old mate was put to the sword because he wanted to leave and have an honest life," Kallen said looking dead into his eyes.
"Hehehe" Stefan gave a nervous chuckle and decided to change the subject.
"So how was your hunt?"
"Oh, I will not brag about it, but the three wagons are full to the brim."
"Really?" Stefan says wide going wide in surprise and a smile forming on his face.
"Man you are really going to be rewarded today. Both from Uncle..er... Boss Bruno and Lord Furlan."
"Furlan?" Kallen raises an eyebrow. "That pompous bastard is here."
"Shhh..." Stefan shushes him. "Don't say that aloud, if he hears you know what he would do."
"Okay, okay don't worry about it. He cannot hear us this far from the camp."
Kallen assures him, but the boy still looked scared and kept looking over his shoulders checking for Noble's goons lurking in the night.
"How about this. To lighten up your mood and get some of your boredom to go away, I will let you have a peek to a few of the merchandise.
"Really" Stefan's eyes lit up. "you wouldn't tell this to my uncle."
"Of course not. We are friends right."
"Yes, yes."
"Would you mind you know if I have a little fun," Stefan asks feeling a bit bold.
"Of course why not. Guess what I do have one that matches your preference." Kallen points at the first wagon."She is in there. quite a wild one. I had to put two of my crew to keep are subdued the whole time.
"You are really a good friend of mine."
Both of them head for the rear of the wagon.
"Don't be surprised if she lurches at you or bite you and do not at any circumstances open her binds."
"Yeah, I know." Stefan says licking his lips. The lust slowly taking over his mind
"Here take a look" Kallen said as he lifted the covers of the wagon.
"Hey, there beauti..." Stefan stopped.
To his shock and horror, he stared right into a wagon filled with green-eyed men. All intently starring back at him. He slowly turns his head towards Kallen who was having an evil grin on his face.
"omae mou shindeiru" One of the green-eyed demons spoke in a foreign tongue as an arm grabbed on to his shoulders.
He tried to shout for help, but another arm quickly wrapped up on to his mouth gagging him and quickly pulling him right into the darkness. Faint whimpers could be heard from the wagon before stopping and silence reigned again.
"You guys have done yet," Kallen asked
The covers were unfurled and five men jumped out, one of them holding Stefan over his shoulders who appeared to have fainted from the shock. His hands were tied by a small white rope-like thing and his mouth covered tightly with a cloth.
"Is this the place?" one of them inquires with a heavy accent.
Kallen nods. "Yes, Outsider we have set our camp not far from here." as he pointed down the small trail.
"Good. anything else you would like to add."
"Our employer is also present in the camp. So the number of men might have doubled. I hope you guys will be able to handle them."
"You don't have to worry about it." The Outsider assures before going over to the rest of his squad and relaying the info to them. Within a matter of seconds, the last wagon disgorges their troops. They quickly fan out into the forest with the first group along with bounded Stefan getting back up into their wagon.
Kallen returns back to the lead coach to drive back to his camp.
"I will be making a lot very powerful enemies today. Hope your commander keeps his part of the bargain." He asks as nudges the horses to move.
"Don't worry, Mr. Kallen unlike your previous employer we do keep our promises." The outsider replies from the back of the wagon. Receiving a nod of acknowledgment from Kallen.
(Trafficker's Lair)
SSgt Dane silently watched as their German FIS spook makes a small peek hole on the wagon's sheet covers with his knife to observe the situation just a few meters away from them.
After the discovery of a whole new island filled with German speaking people in the new world, the German Government decided to raise the bar of their involvement in the UNEC expedition. A German Military Police Company, Tonnes of Food aid for the refugees and agents from the Federal Intelligence after UNEC's command request for assistance in squashing the menace of Human Trafficking in the camps directly to the German Chancellor in the camps were dispatched through the gateway.
Dane could only silently chuckle by the remark of one of his privates on German's inner dark genes dormant since the end of the cold war might have just resurrected to life and the day is not far away when the Germans alone would go on against the Giants riding gloriously in their iron steeds i.e Panzers with Preußens Gloria Remix blaring in the background. Dane quickly got this thought out of his head as the sound of several incoming footsteps outside grew louder.
"Better late than never Kallen my boy. I heard your expedition has been a success."
"Yes, milord."
Though not understanding a single word. He is able to perceive that their contact is receiving a warm welcome from his peers and one of them appears to be in a very good mood. He joins in to observe with the agent from another opening in the wagon's covers.
"So what are you waiting for, get the girls out."
"Yes, sir ehh.. but before that, I just want to ask for something from you ?"
"I know, I know, you want to be rewarded first for doing a great job and also bringing something special for your master. The man pulls out a small bag of coins and tosses it into the hands of their contact.
"Satisfied."
" I cannot accept this sir, the surprise is a gift for you from me."
The other man laughs. "Oh just keep it. Consider it a reward for your today's success. Anything else."
Their contact nods "Yes sir I do have."
"Just be quick with it, I cannot contain my excitement of a successful sale in weeks you know."
"Well, sir...This shipment will be my last. I have decided to give up my life as a criminal and live an honest life.
There was a bit of silence before the man now designated as the Trafficker's employer began to laugh.
"Very good joke Kallen" He wipes a tear "I haven't laughed this hard for a long time now."
"I am very serious about this Lord Furlan. My crew also would like to bail out. You can keep all our share and our pay including the wagons, we all just want out of this.
As a long silence rained over between their contact and this lord Furlan the FIS agent quickly gets into action.
"Assault teams, Status report."
"Echo team, in position."
"Charlie team, in position."
"Good, wait for the signal, and then we crash their party. How copy, over?"
"Affirmative Bravo 01, Echo out."
"Roger that Bravo, Charlie out."
Pulling his pistol out of the Holster he gives a nod to SSgt Dane who signals his men to be at the ready.
By now the conversation between the locals has started again. It was more like a ton of curses and threats being thrown at their contact and his small crew of three by their employer.
"You ungrateful bastard" Furlan roared in a fit of rage "Do not forget you and your folks were living on scraps before I bought you in. Now when I am in dire need for experienced men you are leaving me."
Kallen's decision and Furlan's outburst had now drawn all the gang members to the scene.
'All the fishes are now in the barrel' The FIS agent thought to himself smirked.
Meanwhile, Furlan is able to recompose himself and began to speak again though now calmly using his best businessman more like Crime lord tone reprimanding one of his unruly underlings.
"You do remember what happened to the last person who tried to quit our enterprise even after I politely asked him not to and warned him of the consequences."
This is met with Silence from Kallen.
"I take your silence as a yes. Would you be kind enough to elaborate on what happened to him."
"You had him and his family brutally murdered by locking them in their own house and setting it on fire and labeling it as an accident."
"See you still have a good memory of what happens to deserters and traitors in our ranks. So how about you reconsider your choice. It would not like to lose one of my best men in an unfortunate accident."
Silence again rained the scene between Kallen his crew and the rest of the gang.
Kallen then takes a glance back at the Wagon before giving a nod and turning back.
"Get ready." The FIS agent commanded Dane and the rest of the assault teams through his radio.
"How about you go and fuck yourself," He said with a confident smile infuriating Furlan and Bruno who lost all his cool and unsheathes his short sword out of his scabbard.
"You will pay for this insolence"
"Oh no I don't"
As if on cue Dane's squad jumped out of their wagons weapons drawn simultaneously followed by Echo and Charlie teams bursting out of the forest on both of their flanks catching the traffickers by completely off guard.
"UNEC, UNEC!, Drop your weapons and Put your hands in the air!" Dane commanded translated by the agent while training his sights at a teenager armed with a musket. Meanwhile, Kallen and two of his fellow crew members swiftly withdrew back to the safety of the Outsiders. As some of the traffickers slowly lowered their weapons, One of them a burly man disregarding Dane's instructions drew his pistol at Kallen to murder him for his betrayal only to receive a burst of fire hitting square on his chest He was dead before he hit the floor.
Watching his senior fall the teenager yelled "Bruno No!" before he tried to bring his weapon to bear but is shot by Dane through his right arm. He fell on the ground dropping his musket and clutching his wound. Others shocked to see the instantaneous gunfire from the UNEC troops dropped whatever weapons they had in their hands and raised their hands. Most of the criminals showed no resistance as they were zip tied except for Furlan. The man on babbling about his noble privileges, his connection in the Government and the Military, and threatening to report UN's illegal military operation in the King's realm. In Overtly making himself a big juicy target for the Spooks to harvest upon.
The boy who got shot is patched up by the squad's medic and awaits to be taken back to FOB Olympus for further treatment.
Meanwhile, the Bravo team moved ahead to search the rundown house. The ground floor was secured in a matter of minutes. The squad then stack up at the only locked door in the whole house. Muffled voices could be heard from inside the room.
"Movement inside gets in position" he instructs.
"Ready Sanchez breach the door."
The Marine nods and gives a powerful kick breaking the door open revealing a flight of stairs leading down well illuminated basement.
"Inside Go!"
As the Marines stormed in they discovered the occupants to be four young girls all clustered in a corner looking horrified at the sight of four unknown peculiarly dressed and armed men. Some began to openly cry while the oldest stood like a shield in front of them. She appeared to be trying though failing miserably to appear tough as her eyes speak how scared she is.
He radioed in for a Translator and then decides to sling his M4 and remove his helmet and mask to appear less menacing.
Within seconds his German counterpart from the Echo team arrives. After a short brief from Dane, he slowly approaches the girls.
"Please don't hurt us." The youngest girl squeaks
"Don't worry child." He said with an assuring voice. "We are here to help you."
"What about the bad men?"The girl now appears to be relaxed asks again.
"They are all tied up and soon will be put behind bars." He then plucks a chocolate bar from his pocket and extends it towards her.
Though the older girls appeared to be hesitant the youngest broke formation and took the chocolate without any qualm. After taking a bit a wide smile forms on her face.
The soldier pats on her head "You all will be going back to your families and homes soon."
(15 minutes Later)
Furlan never felt so humiliated before in his entire life. First, these outsiders dared to interfere in his profitable business, then they completely disregard his prestigious position in the nobility even though clearly explained his standing in the King's council and is liable to walk free but instead they cuffed him and placed him with the rest of the rabble and even dared to search his personal carriage without his permission.
More of these accursed outsider soldiers began to arrive at his lair riding their famous Horseless steel wagons. He would have marveled the sight if he had not been tied up and left to rot by its riders.
The first one to leave was the boy shot by the outsiders. He was still unconscious when they lifted him on to one of their wagons marked by a big red cross closely followed by that incompetent son of a whore Bruno's corpse, soon the wagon left the scene.
His anger knew no bounds when his eyes fell upon that treacherous bastard Kallen and his crew preparing to leave with one of their new outsider employers.
"As soon I am out I am going to have your head for this treachery Kallen." He yelled in anger."I will make sure your death will be as slow as painful it can be and then I will personally deliver your decapitated head to your family before having them join you in the afterlife. Don't worry though their deaths will be as horrible as yours."
Kallen stops in his tracks turns his face at him and smiles as if he is accepting the challenge.
"Dream on," He says tauntingly and leaves as he receives a new barrage of cuss words from Furlan. His other crew also completely ignore the noble as they follow their leader.
He spat on the floor in disgust.
"I am going to make everyone pay." He said to himself.
Not long after the kidnapped girls are escorted out of the house and were lead to another wagon with the same white crossed marking and it appears they were getting treated for their injuries and were given blankets and food. All the time though the piercing deadly glares from the one named Emma remembers made him really uncomfortable. He then promised himself to abduct this blondie again and this time he will be keeping her for himself until she breaks.
But he is suddenly brought out of his train of thoughts when he heard someone calling out his name.
"Mr.Furlan"
Turning he saw the man he clearly remembers to be the leader of the raiding party had approached him.
"What!" He reacted with venom dripping from his mouth.
"I am here to apologize for my men's actions." He spoke and then gestured two of his bodyguards to pick him up.
"Please walk with me." He said courteously and lead the man away from the prisoners.
"We are going to release you"
Furlan's eyes lit up
"Finally," He said as if he was expecting it to happen sooner or later. He is a well-connected person.
"As I am going to be released why don't you set me free from these uncomfortable restraints?" Furlan asked.
"Procedure Mr. Furlan." The outsider replies. "But not to worry. I have a vehicle waiting for you to take you back to Wall Sina at the intersection. You will be officially released when we get there and then I will cut your binds off, so please bear with me for few more minutes."
Satisfied Furlan nods and keeps on following the man through the small trail back to the place where it is linked up with the main road where he saw a Horseless wagon waiting for him.
"So cut these binds off." He ordered.
"Oh Yes, Mr. Furlan I had forgotten about that. turn around please so I can release you."
Happily, Furlan complied but as soon as he turned his face away from the man his two bodyguards grabbed him.
"Wh..What is the meaning of this?"Furlan stammered by the sudden turn of event.
"Nothing Mr. Furlan." The man now sounded amused as he wrapped some kind of sticky piece of cloth around his mouth stopping him from screaming. "We are releasing but into our custody. Your knowledge of all the proceeding in the Royal government is going to be very useful for us."
Furlan could only stare in mute horror as the doors leading into the wagon are opened revealing two more men inside. He is then lifted up and thrown in where the two men were very quick to subdue and inject something into him with a odd looking injection needle.
As he lay on the wagon's metal floor unable to move he feels the thing to rumble and move on the uneven road. He slowly begins to lose his consciousness as he glared at one of his captors in a show of some semblance of defiance in return though they just put a bag around his head.
'How the tables have now turned,' he thought to himself as everything went dark.
To be continued.
Thank you all for reading the latest chapter & as always don't forget to leave a review