Chapter 60 The Puppet Show

Marco Frey.

A few minutes before everyone gathered.

Marco came out of the caravan. Someone was approaching. When he turned around, he saw Leon coming towards him slowly.

"Leon..." he mumbled.

Leon stopped a short distance away from him as he walked forward. He looked at Marco with a sharp gaze. "Marco, I am disappointed at the result." He was pointing his finger. His voice sounded cold as ice.

"What are you talking about?" Marco asked without lowering his head.

"You have done your job well by making my beloved brother attack Bastien's lair. I am proud of you. However, you have failed to satisfy my expectations." Leon said, making Marco feel uneasy. "We made an agreement before, right?"

Marco didn't answer because he knew that would change nothing. It wasn't as though they were on good terms. "I never agreed to the deal, and I'm doing it for my own interest. Also, I don't want to get involved in your family affairs."

"Oh? So you remember our previous talk, after all," Leon smirked slightly, "So you don't want to take your prize? Are you prepared to lose something you just worked so hard to get?"

"Don't threaten me, please, young master." Marco said in a soft voice.

"Hmm, you're not afraid of me? A pity. I'll have to show you who is the greatest one here."

Marco stood still but took several quick breaths to prepare himself. "I know what you want, young master," Marco replied with a faint smile. "So it's not only one- God's Apostles?"

Marco covered his mouth. "Sorry, correct me if I'm wrong."

Leon laughed loudly while looking down at Marco with a smug expression. "Interesting. Tell me, what else do you know? I'll reward you for this. Of course, after all this ends..."

He looked up as he smiled wickedly. "Hmmm... Now I have two problems before me instead of one."

Marco couldn't help but flinch when he saw how much Leon enjoyed tormenting people. He thought back to their conversation again. The feeling when he first saw Leon from afar and then getting closer to him that time. They talked about Nathan breaking into Bastien's lair and fighting their men.

Leon promised to guarantee his and Linda's safety. But Marco didn't even take seriously what he asked for. He didn't want to get too involved in a disaster of this magnitude. Yes, he knew this was not a small thing.

"Well, I can promise you nothing, young master," Marco said in an almost pleading voice. "I won't tell anyone until the day we meet each other once more."

Leon laughed slowly, with narrowed eyes.

"Do you know, Marco?" He walked closer. "Someone from among you will die tonight. And the other won't have any chance of winning at all. So it might even be more than one." Leon reached out to touch Marco's face gently before pulling back at the last moment. "I'm not satisfied with tonight's result, and for that reason, I'll do whatever I want."

Marco narrowed his eyes. "I'll bet you won't win either tonight, young master."

"You think so? We'll see!" Leon said with a wide smile, "But it doesn't matter because everything will go according to my will."

Marco glared at him coldly. "Are you sure about that?"

"You're asking for trouble if you don't believe me."

"I will take part in this game. Let's make a bet. If I win, then you have to guarantee our safety."

Leon smiled wickedly. "That sounds good. What is the wager? A part of your body? Or maybe your head? Or perhaps your life? Whatever. It makes no difference to me either way!"

Marco raised an eyebrow and stared at Leon calmly. "I know I am worth more than that, young master. Considering my position right now."

Leon clapped his hands lightly. "You're really smart Marco, why don't you come with me and become my slave? I know it would be more fun than following my brother."

"Aren't you being rude towards a crippled person like me, young master? Don't forget you are talking to a man who lost one of his legs..."

"Haha..." Leon started laughing softly, "Maybe you're the one who's making a fool of yourself?" He turned around to walk away.

"If Nathan does what you expect, then you win. However, if not, fulfill your promise and keep us safe." Marco said in a higher voice because Leon was walking away.

Marco let out a sigh when he heard his own words. He felt a chill run down his spine as he remembered he had to do everything to make everything go according to his expectation.

Leon stopped for a moment before turning back and looking at Marco again with those cold eyes. "Easy enough. Do we have a deal?"

Marco nodded slowly. "We have a deal. Good luck, young master Leon."

After Leon completely disappeared from sight, Marco tried to think hard. "What did Leon want from Nathan by putting him in such a desperate situation?"

Marco took a deep breath and closed his eyes. "I have to believe in him. I have good reasons why I followed him."

***

A few minutes later.

Nathan and the others were standing by. Dozens of military troops came from various directions to surround them. There were over fifty of them, and they all wore different armor that could easily identify their roles. The ones who came closer carried weapons on their backs, while others held swords or daggers. They all looked serious, like there was nothing but war everywhere.

Edna whispered so that only Nathan and their partners could hear. "Marco... If this is really about me."

"But..." Nathan murmured quietly.

Edna shook her head. "No buts! This can be resolved now without any further problems!"

Nathan grabbed Edna's wrist. "We'll get through this together, Edna. I won't let anything happen to you."

One from the military walked over. He was Roger. His expression didn't look very happy. He stopped a short distance away from the group and stared at them.

Roger started talking loudly. "The attack had taken place not far from this place. And we got reports that the people of Yunatea were the cause of the chaos. Therefore, under applicable law, we will arrest the suspect or even kill him or her directly if necessary." He glanced around before continuing his speech. "Anyone of you dare to defy our orders?" He glared coldly around before looking at Nathan. "I'm warning you once more."

He pointed to Edna. "I hope there is no meaningless resistance tonight."

Roger raised his hand, and soon some of the military troops moved closer to Nathan and his friends.

"Let me talk to them for a minute," Marco said as he stepped forward and faced the soldiers that were approaching them.

"What we did tonight should not break the law. Because our fellow Yunatea residents did not commit the alleged wrongdoing. That's us, a Hunter of The New World who was having personal business with Mr. Bastien. Please check your information again carefully!" Marco said while staring fiercely at Roger.

Disputes between Hunters in the New World occur frequently. Therefore, the law doesn't prohibit it, with various rules to limit it.

The Hunters can be punished if they start a fight first and the victim party seeks legal protection. However, protection will be canceled if the two sides wage an open war.

The other rule was that there should not be civilians who become victims. The risk was a severe punishment for both parties if that happened.

However, the law was just the law. There were many ways to escape the punishment, especially for those with great power and influence. For example: pay money or give favors, or maybe someone could bribe one or more officials? In this case, Bastien's involvement in Nathan's attack will not be easy to prove. There was no point in carrying the law from the start. They would probably ignore everything. And by doing so, they could claim themselves as innocent, with no consequences whatsoever.

"I see you are trying to protect yourselves by using these laws."

"We won't lose anything," replied Marco coolly.

Roger looked at everyone in front of him. "So... A healer, a cripple, a newly awakened, and what is this, a slave race?" He chuckled, "Funny."

Roger turned around and signaled.

Instantly, several soldiers advanced in various directions. They raised their hands, along with a grimoire that appeared hovering near them.

Suddenly, dozens of flashes of light were aimed and shot at Nathan and his comrades. The air shimmered for only an instant, but when the lights vanished, several bodies fell to the ground where the spell struck them.

Only Edna was left standing among the others.

She looked at Nathan, kneeling beside him, who had fallen, locked on the ground. "Young master, it's okay. I'll be fine! Please take care of yourself!"

"Edna! No!!! Don't go there!" shouted Nathan desperately as he tried to get closer to her, but it didn't work out. Nathan remained frozen in place while watching as a dozen men surrounded Edna with swords in their hands. "Damn you bastards..." His eyes filled with rage.

Edna fell to the ground. Swords, spears, and other weapons dug into her legs and arms, locking her to the ground. Her expression remained calm despite the pain she was feeling.

Roger approached her slowly and pointed his finger at her head. "This is all because we have proof that your group attacked us tonight. You must be responsible"

Nathan was almost paralyzed. He couldn't move, even though his body was screaming for help. The situation seemed hopeless. "Don't... kill her." It came out weak and trembling in his mouth.

***

Someone watching from afar felt an enthusiastic sensation radiate throughout his body. "Perfect!" said Leon quietly before taking another long drink from his glass full of wine. He finished his favorite fruit juice and leaned back against the sofa again.

"Now, please make me proud, my beloved brother."