Chapter 129 – The Shadow Lingerer (4)

“Alive,” snarled the wolfish man. “That thing is alive! What the hell is this?”

A person in a mask flickered. She had long hair and a calm disposition. “It means that thing is strong. To be able to survive artillery proves that this foe is no pushover.”

“Dog of the Emperor!” said the wolfish man. “You can take care of this right?”

The person with the mask internally sneered. “No.”

“Then what use are you!” shouted the wolfish man. “That foe is coming here and you won’t do anything about it?”

The masked person sneered loudly. “You expect me to do more when I have done what was told of me? I killed key figures and assassinated foes that you and your wolf clan could not handle. If you cannot handle this foe then consider that helping hand of the Emperor retracted.”

“You just can’t do this!” the wolfish man stood up. “I thought your Empire wanted to help the Cagan!”

“Only when I see fit that it needs help,” her eye coldly piercing through the wolfish man. The wolfish man flinched back at the sight of that eye. Ever since meeting the one-eyed woman before her, he had been nothing but afraid. This woman was named Shadow, and like her name, she could appear and disappear as if no one would ever remember her. He usually wasn’t this agitated but the foe that has been wrecking havoc and taking out his Cagan forces have been tearing apart his forces, forcing him to be afraid. And that foe was slowly approaching the base that he and his people are hiding.

“And if by the hands of fate you fall here,” added Shadow. “Then I am afraid that you are left to fend off for yourself.”

“So that’s it?” said the wolfish man. “You’ll help us when the situation is under control and then abandon us when it goes to shit?”

“Yes,” said Shadow blandly. “It is our best interest. And we only wanted you and your men to hold this point. There are precious resources down below but this unexpected enemy has left us no choice but to retreat. You are on your own.”

The wolfish man bellowed in fury. He strikes with his claws only for Shadow to easily dodge his attack. Shadow stumbled and whirled, her foot striking the torso of the wolfish man, pushing his back to the wall of his office with a loud thud.

The wolfish man tried to riposte. But Shadow slid on the floor as if there was ice and pointed a sharp dagger at the wolfish man’s throat. The wolfish man shivered at the sight of the dagger on his throat. He stared at the eye of Shadow with fear painting his face.

“I could have murdered every single one of you without anyone noticing. Your king had tasted my blade, and only through the glace of the Empire that you and your king are alive. We have given the olive branch and now that you have lost it, failing to eliminate a seemingly unstoppable foe. You think it was wise to turn your claws at me? I should stab you right now and help the enemy but,” she retracted her blade, “I shall let you struggle. Maybe you will produce a miracle and kill the foe.”

The wolfish-man gritted his teeth madly. He looked at Shadow with seething hatred. Still, he knew his limit and decided to risk it and fight the foe that has been harassing all of his forces. “Damn you and I thought that Midland folks were bad!”

“We do not care what you think of us,” said Shadow coldly. “Don’t blame us for your failures. Blame fate for giving you an enemy that you not possibly stopped. It wasn’t fun. You almost won too. But your luck has run out and now a foe comes to kill you. Goodbye.”

With a flicker, Shadow disappeared like an illusion. The wolfish man hissed as he smashes the cobblestone wall. He then turned his sight outside and stared at the pathetic band that was nearing them. He left the room and called his men to prepare for battle.

His men complied and they mounted rifle lines and took cover. But as the enemy arrived on their doorsteps, the wolfish man saw the foe that has been making short work of his men. They open fire at the fully armored foe who took out a weapon. This weapon spread searing bullets that punch through the torso and thick fur of his men who transformed into werewolves. The foe was surprised but it didn’t matter. The foe easily slaughtered his men and when the wolfish man confronted the foe. He wasn’t even able to exchange ten blows when he had his legs torn easily by the foe.

The wolfish man lay upon the ground. He was able to stare at the sky before having his head splattered by the weapon that the foe had.

The foe was able to massacre the encampment pretty easily. Shadow, who had observed the foe kept hidden in the shadows. She removed her mask, revealing an eyepatch covering one of her eyes. Her blonde hair billowed, her green eye coldly looked at the scene of the massacre. She took out a black box from her inner pockets. She put it near her mouth and reported what she has seen. She asked if she could engage the enemy but the voice behind the box told her to stay.

She didn’t go against order and stayed hidden. She waited for the caravan to arrive, observing keenly. The foe with the strange armor didn’t show her face. The people rested before setting out again. They didn’t even try to stay in the encampment and just left with haste.

Shadow asked again it was wise to let them go. But the person she was contacting told her to keep hidden and focus her attention on the task at hand. Shadow’s goal was on the Templars. And the person behind the box deduced that the foe the wolfish man was not part of the Templars. The box didn’t want to provoke this mysterious foe and told Shadow to steer clear and focus on her true objectives.