Chapter 773: Retreat of the Troublesome, Reaching Some Agreements between the Tribe and the Military (1/2)
Day 162 - 12:45 PM - Ragtag Encampment, New Infanta Settlement, Infanta, Province of Quezon
With that sound of a gunshot, there was no way that anyone would be able to ignore it.
”Is this your doing?”
Artenaris could not help but ask Mark, considering his ominous smile and the timing of the commotion.
”You think I would need to resort to something like this and associate myself to idiots?”
Mark asked back.
Artenaris stared at Mark before shaking her head immediately. While she could not measure Mark's exact strength, she knew that he was powerful. Powerful enough that even the entire remaining members of the tribe would not hold a candle against him. Just with his strength alone, he could capture them and force them to become his slaves. There was no need to resort to a roundabout method like this.
”Just what in the world is that idiot doing now?” Jones stood from his seat and turned to Mark. ”Mark, I think we better address the situation first. You can continue the talk later.”
There, Mark also stood up.
”It's fine. We're already done here.” Mark replied and glanced at Artenaris. ”You're also going to check the situation, right? Why not go together with us.”
”Then, this one will accept your invitation.”
Artenaris replied.
The half-Diwata slowly stood from the seat she never left since the start. Then, her body was covered with light. It was not blinding. However, it was enough to obscure everyone of her appearance.
It just took a second or two, and the light immediately dimmed.
There, a young woman in her teens stood. She looked like a beggar in tattered tribal clothing. There were even marks of dirt smeared all over her body.
If not for the fact that her face looked similar to Artenaris, one would think that it was a different person. Her aura was also non-existent. Even if she was a beauty, no one would easily notice her within a crowd of people.
Karlene and the rest could not help but stare at the absurd scene. After all, it was too magical.
Artenaris then stepped forward beside Mark.
”Should we go?”
She asked, still calm about the situation outside.
”If you had this form, you should have used it every time you went out, or that guy outside had not seen you.”
Mark spoke.
”I do use this form every time I go out. However, I don't think that even humans would dress up when just walking around their backyards.”
Artenaris replied.
”Well, that's true.” Mark shrugged. ”But it looks like not only your appearance changed but also the way you talk.”
”I don't know?” Artenaris widely smiled. ”It just changes naturally. But I think that it is not the issue right now.”
With those words, the group went outside. They reached the gates, only to see a group of about thirty people lined up outside.
And, of course, the person in the lead was the same man thrown out earlier, Jackson.
”I said... GET THE FUCK OUT OF THE WAY! OR THE NEXT SHOT WILL BE INTO YOUR BRAINS!”
Jackson yelled out loud. It seemed that he was not entirely stupid to just force things immediately. He seemed to be using numbers and weapons to intimidate the guards into opening the gates and letting them in.
Unfortunately, it was not working.
The cavemen-looking guards stood in front of the gates with their spears ready. They were not afraid of a fight. Even if they died, they would take a whole lot of enemies with them.
”Boss, intimidation is not working.” A well-built man standing beside Jackson spoke. ”These cavemen don't even understand what we are saying for them to feel intimidated. Just kill one of them to say that we mean business.”
”Do I need you to tell me what to do?”
Jackson snarled at the man, even pointing his pistol at the man's head.
The man did not seem afraid but raised his hands and took a step back.
”I don't mean that. But we won't be achieving anything just by standing still.”
The man urged Jackson even more.
”Hmpf.” Jackson. ”I know.”
At those words, Jackson pointed his pistol at one of the guards, causing the cavemen to be even more prepared to retaliate.
This time, Jackson was ready to spill blood. It was just a single pull of the trigger.
However, before he was able to do so, the gates of the encampment opened.
Jackson thought that these weird people finally felt fear, but his face changed, seeing the group that came out of the gates.
”Just what do you think you people are doing?”
Jones Galley asked with an intimidating stare.
The group of hoodlums was confused seeing the General's right-hand man coming out of the encampment. Even more, seeing Karlene, the Major's daughter and someone well known in the settlement. Well, not all in good light, though. Karlene was more known due to her rampage episodes, causing a huge amount of damages and even almost caused deaths in both military and civilian populations.
Jackson stared at the group in surprise. After all, he could not understand how they were able to enter the place without problems while he was thrown out.
”Why are you all inside there? How did you get in?”
Jackson asked in an irritated tone.
He saw a beautiful lady earlier and could not help but wanted to meet her. However, as he forced himself in, even trying to slip through the gates, he was thrown out instead. To experience that humiliation was something that a son of a politician like him could swallow.
Nonetheless, meeting that woman was more important to him than the humiliation for some reason. Even if he had to kill, he must meet her.
”I don't think that that's the problem here, Jackson,” Jones spoke, stepping forward. ”Causing a commotion like this... Did your father know about it? You know that mobilizing an armed group inside the settlement would cost you some consequences?”