639 The Orchestra of Pain, The Arrival of the Two Generals (1/2)
Even after creating such a commotion, Mark decided to sit down and eat. He focused on his stomach more than troubling himself with the current state of the surroundings.
And, of course, the soldiers were troubled. Their squad leader was also rooted in the spot like Liden's group. Without knowing what was going on, the soldiers did not dare make any threatening moves. After all, the unknown was the most terrifying.
”Have you always known that there's something under that rock?”
Pefile could not help but ask. He was also surprised after that rock started to move.
”No?” Mark replied. ”I just noticed it when we arrived here. I became curious as to why that is here.”
”No wonder you picked this rocky area when there are other better places to eat.”
Pefile nodded understandably.
In the first place, the rocky area was not that good of a place to eat. However, Mark led the group here.
It was still strange, though, and that was why Edzel asked a question.
”Boss, is that Hermit Crab intelligent?”
It was a question that everyone in the group was interested in. After all, it was strange that this creature was here lying dormant despite the people around. It was not the case of not being a carnivore either as everyone just watched it eat the poor guy's limbs.
”It is,” Mark replied. ”Not as intelligent as Chaflar, though. It's staying here exactly because there are people around. It is much safer here.”
While the first part of Mark's reply answered the question, the latter part gave more.
”Safer?”
Emika asked.
”Yeah. Safer.” Mark nodded. ”This Hermit Crab here must have drastically mutated that it can't keep its eggs inside its shell. It is protecting its eggs under it.”
That answered the question. As it could not keep the eggs inside its shell, the Giant Hermit Crab buried itself in the sand to keep the eggs safe. With the people and soldiers around, this place was free of possible predators, which made this creature stay in this place.
”Papa, another pet?”
Abbygale asked.
Out of the three girls, she was the one really fond of animals. She was even taking care of Laelaps personally whenever they were home.
”Probably not.”
Mark patted the little girl's head.
”Why?”
Abbygale asked once more.
”It's too big to move around. Its home is also the ocean. There's nowhere we can put it at home.”
Mark replied, and the little girl nodded in understanding. Abbygale was a smart girl, after all.
While they were chatting without even a bit of care towards the surroundings, several vehicles arrived.
The General? It was not.
A tank-like vehicle came roaring with its engine as it led a group of offroad military jeeps entered the scene.
Seeing that person, Liden could not help but cry out loud.
”B-BROTHER!”
”Liden!” The man called out. ”What is going on here?! Where is the monster?”
That was right. It was Major General Antonino Seguerra from the Philippine Marines. Unfortunately for Liden, though, it seemed that this group was here for the Hermit Crab instead of him. Nevertheless, it was an opportunity for Liden to ask for help.
”Brother! Help!”
Liden cried out one more. This drove his brother and his men into confusion. Help at what? Liden and his men were there, standing. There was no danger in sight at all.
It was when General Seguerra noticed the thin man nearby, unconscious and with his limbs missing. Of course, the Marines General was familiar with the men of his brother. Finally, it registered in his mind that there was something odd going on.
Finally, a soldier from the outpost came to fill in the details. Sure enough, the newly arrived soldiers were surprised to know that Liden and his group were stuck and unable to move. However, when the soldier pointed at their squad leader, also stuck and unable to move, the General and his men could only believe it.
With a signal from the Marines General, his men moved.
Raising their guns towards the group having their lunch, one of the soldiers called out.
”All of you, raise your hands up! You're all under arrest!”
To their surprise, none of the group's members raised their hands and only took a pitiful glance at the soldiers.
”Arresting us? What for?” Mark asked out loud. ”For not letting these pests eat our food or play with the women in my group? The Marines had gone low these days, huh?”
That was said all out loud, and everyone in the vicinity heard it. The Marines Soldiers might be loyal to their General, but those words still made their faces heat up.
”Shut up!” The leader of the soldiers shouted. ”You are under arrest for impeding military operations!”
”Oh, I see.” Mark nodded, hitting his left palm with his closed right hand. ”The lawless activities of these guys are now military operations, huh?”
The soldier that had shouted just now choked. It was not he was talking about. It was about the monster and Mark's group not leaving the area after the Squad Leader from the outpost made them vacate the area.
However, it was already late. Mark's twisted words made the stares from the surroundings as cold as it could be.
The Marines General frowned. Mark had been playing with them. He then decided to step forward himself.
”You.” General Seguerra called out to Mark. ”Release my brother and his men from whatever witchcraft you did, and we will let you go.”
”Release them?” Mark tilted his head. ”I'm sorry, but I already said it before. They will die today. I don't care whoever came to vouch for them.”
”Do you really have to make this hard?”
The Marines General asked.
”Not changing my mind here.”
Mark replied nonchalantly.
With that, General Seguerra was fed up. He raised his hand, signaling his men to get ready to fire.
”I will give you one more chance.”
General Seguerra threatened.
But this time, the sounds of several vehicles roared once more. It was not from the group of Marines, but another group. Soon, the second group arrived. It was the Army, led by General Padilla.
General Padilla alighted his vehicle with the same entourage he had this morning when he met Mark's group at the pier. That Andrew was here too. Although he was still glaring at Mark, he seemed to be more subdued at this time.