A sudden nudge brought Godfrey’s attention back to his surroundings. He saw Arden pointing at a spot below them with slightly narrowed eyes.
"He’s back."
Godfrey looked down, and his expression hardened at the sight of a man with a cowboy hat. He was a handsome man in his late forties, one of the Elite Class, known as Enjin, the leader of the Hat Squad.
Enjin had just walked into the dome, and his cold eyes met Godfrey’s. Godfrey recalled him returning in the third month since his arrival in Paradise. Apparently, after seeing the bounty on his head and that of his mother, Enjin viewed Godfrey as a threat to Paradise’s survival.
The Authority’s desperation had cost the lives of two squad members, and Enjin feared they would lose more if nothing was done.
He wasn’t as optimistic as the Elders, who knew the risk yet still chose to keep Godfrey under their secure wings.
Godfrey had potential, but if he were killed immediately, that potential would mean nothing. And this was the reason Godfrey trained hard. The authorities were indeed desperate.
He had seen the bounty on his head. It was big, big enough to make even a friend stab him in the back if given the opportunity. But the Cohort were the sole group that went to the outside world, so the temptation wasn’t widespread.
Knowing the authorities might one day find this place, the Elders were still taking the risk, just like Headmaster Sebastian.
"It’s the third time I’m seeing him this year," Godfrey muttered.
"Whatever you do, avoiding direct confrontation is best. Enjin might be annoying, but he’s not too far from matching the Captain," Arden said softly.
"What are you doing? Trying to shoot your shot when he’s far away from his girl?" Thalia’s coy voice made Arden snap her head toward her.
Arden’s eyes gleamed, and one of her hands turned into a massive wing. With a single move, everyone on the mezzanine was sent flying.
Thalia dug her claws into the cement floor, leaving fine claw marks as she slid a few feet backward.
"Why so upset?" Thalia chuckled.
"She’s drunk. And fast as usual," Godfrey sighed.
***
Five hours later, a man wearing a cowboy hat stepped out of a truck. He tied a scarf from his nose downward, hiding his face, and wore a black long coat.
Max looked at the building before him. Several people moved up and down the humble staircase with warm expressions on their faces.
Lifting his eyes to the window on the second floor, he saw people inside from the viewpoint of the window. Today was Valentina and her summon’s birthday, and due to the aid her summon had given to people, her home was populated with visitors bringing gifts, many asking about Godfrey.
Max even saw a woman and her daughter ascending the stairs with a wooden-crafted sculpture of a magnificent stag.
’Looks like the people love her,’ Max sighed.
’The Authorities will find us, and all that smile will be wiped out because of her. You’ve seen how much they’re offering. There’s a summon that can counter Gabriel’s banishment, and you know it. The Elders hide the truth that these people might bring the end of Paradise,’ a voice replied in his mind.
It was Matilda, his sister, who squatted on the rooftop of a higher building opposite Godfrey’s home. Because she was on the roof, no one could spot her.
Max squinted. His sister had lost her fiancé in their raid six months ago, and it made her loathe Godfrey’s presence, especially after realizing the Authority’s agents were relentlessly after them more than usual because they wanted information on Valentina’s whereabouts.
’Killing her on her birthday... I know it’s for the twenty thousand innocent lives here, but it will make us enemies with the Captain. Our disguise won’t hide us for long,’ Max said, hands buried in the pockets of his long jacket.
Matilda replied firmly through telepathy.
’Boss said he’ll handle the Captain. We’ll kill her and let the Authorities know she’s dead. That way, they don’t get to use her summon and the chase ends.’
’Well then, we’re just following orders. Do it.’ Max said as he ascended the staircase.


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