The dense, shadowy expanse of Wiltshire Forest echoed with the hurried footsteps of two fugitives. Bayu and Bagas weaved through the towering trees, their breaths sharp and uneven as the relentless pursuit closed in behind them. The soldiers of Shattered Star weren't alone—local mafia enforcers trailed them, their movements precise, their intent unmistakable.
Bayu stole a glance at Bagas, who gripped his worn revolver like a lifeline. "This was supposed to be a simple recon mission," he muttered under his breath. "Why the hell are we running from an army?"
Bagas let out a dry laugh, his eyes scanning the path ahead. "Maybe because someone tipped them off?" he shot back. "Besides, don't act so surprised. You're on Shattered Star's hit list too, remember?"
A Few Hours EarlierThe newly acquired Wren Estate was eerily quiet, save for the occasional clinking of metal from a small workshop nestled in the corner. The air was thick with the scent of oil and the faint hiss of steam escaping from copper pipes lining the walls. A thin veil of smoke curled from the slow-churning steam engine, its rhythmic hum the only sign of life in the otherwise still mansion.In the training room, Bayu sat cross-legged on the floor, surrounded by an assortment of metal parts—gears, screws, and rusted plates scattered across the ground. Ever since his battle with Ferris, he had grown more confident in his ability to manipulate metal. He took a deep breath, steadying his focus, and slowly raised a hand.The scattered components trembled, then lifted into the air, one by one. Gears aligned, bolts locked into place, and steel plates adjusted themselves until a small gauntlet took shape, seamlessly wrapping around his forearm.Bayu flexed his fingers, watching the metal shift with his movements. A grin tugged at the corner of his lips. "Did I really just do that?"From across the room, Yuni watched in awe. "That was amazing, Bayu!" she exclaimed, hastily scribbling notes into a small journal, adding yet another entry on his growing abilities.Bagas, leaning casually against the wall, smirked. "Looks like having you around is finally paying off. With skills like that, our missions are about to get a whole lot easier."Bayu chuckled softly, still adjusting to the weight of praise. "Heh… thanks."A Butler approached them with careful steps, his expression neutral but his presence alone enough to break the moment."Pardon me, Bayu, Bagas," he said politely. "Master Hendra wishes to see you in his office immediately."Bagas shot Bayu a quick glance before shrugging. "Well, that sounds like a new mission."Without another word, they followed the servant through the grand halls of the estate, eventually arriving at Hendra's office. The room was thick with the scent of oil and the steady hum of steam-powered machinery. Maps and documents cluttered the massive wooden desk, where Hendra sat, his expression unreadable.On the table lay a sealed brown envelope. Hendra's fingers tapped against it as he fixed them both with a serious gaze."I have an important task for the two of you," he said, his voice calm yet firm.Bayu hesitated, his mind already racing with possibilities. "What kind of task, sir?""An exchange," Hendra replied simply, sliding the envelope toward the center of the table. "The Collan Mafia in Wiltshire has something we need—classified intelligence on Shattered Star's operations in England. They're willing to sell it to us, but… for a price."Bagas raised an eyebrow, skeptical. "And why exactly are we dealing with the mafia? Aren't they known for setting traps?"Hendra's gaze sharpened. "Because they have information we can't obtain anywhere else. If we want to stay ahead of Shattered Star, we have to take this risk. I've already made the necessary arrangements. all you have to do is show up, complete the transaction, and return safely."Bayu exchanged a quick glance with Bagas before looking back at Hendra, doubt flickering in his eyes. "With all due respect, sir… are you sure I'm ready for something like this? I just joined, and you're sending me on a mission this big? What if I screw it up?"A rare smirk played on Hendra's lips. "It's natural to be uncertain, but you're not alone. Bagas is experienced in these types of operations, he'll be your senior. Trust him, follow his lead, and do your best."Bagas clapped a hand on Bayu's shoulder, grinning confidently. "Relax, Bayu. As long as you stick with me, we'll be fine."Bayu let out a breath, still unsure. "You really think so?"Bagas chuckled. "Of course! I've handled plenty of deals like this before. Just follow my lead, and we'll get out of there in one piece, with the package in hand."Hendra nodded. "Bagas is right. Stay sharp, trust your team, and focus. You'll do just fine."Bayu inhaled deeply, steeling himself. "Alright… I'll do my best."And now, this was why they were stranded in the middle of England, being hunted like animals.Bayu and Bagas came to a sudden stop within the darkened depths of Wiltshire Forest, their breaths ragged, chests rising and falling in quick succession. A thick mist curled around them, turning the towering trees into shadowy specters looming in the night.In the distance, the rhythmic stomp of marching boots grew louder, a steady drumbeat of impending danger. The Shattered Star soldiers were closing in.From the shadows of the trees, a man stepped forward with an air of unshaken confidence. His black suit was crisp, a stark contrast to the untamed wilderness around him. A fedora sat at a slight tilt atop his head, giving him an easy, almost casual look—one that didn't quite match the danger that radiated from him.With deliberate ease, he raised a hand, the cigarette between his fingers still glowing faintly. A thin trail of smoke curled into the night air."You two seem to be enjoying this little chase," he said, his tone light, almost amused, but laced with an unmistakable threat.His voice was smooth yet commanding, as if he had already decided the outcome of this encounter. His sharp eyes flicked between the two fugitives, calculating."Stop running," he continued, his tone never wavering. "There's nowhere left to go."Bagas wiped the sweat from his brow, his jaw tightening. "Damn it… We're boxed in. There's too many of them." His eyes darted to Bayu, silently asking for a plan.Bayu took a slow, steady breath, forcing his pulse to slow despite the rising tension. His expression remained calm, but his voice carried a firm edge."Sorry to disappoint," he said, his voice even, unwavering. "But we're not about to just hand ourselves over."The man, Bernard, smirked. His cigarette burned low as he exhaled a cloud of smoke, then flicked the butt to the ground with a sharp motion."Tch," he clicked his tongue, his voice turning cold. "Guess that means we'll have to do this the hard way."With a simple wave of his hand, he gave the order. "Take them down."The sound of approaching footsteps grew louder. From the misty undergrowth, soldiers in the black uniforms of Shattered Star emerged, rifles raised, their figures barely visible through the thick fog.Bayu and Bagas exchanged a quick glance before retreating behind the cover of a large tree."This is bad," Bayu muttered, gripping something inside his pocket, his mind racing through their options.Bagas tightened his grip around his revolver, though his hands weren't as steady as he wanted them to be. "So… what's the plan?" His voice was strained, a mix of frustration and nerves."Plan?" Bayu shot him a sideways glance, then back at the incoming soldiers. "Weren't you the one who said everything would be fine?"Despite the sweat trickling down his temple, Bagas let out a short, breathy chuckle. "Yeah, well… I didn't think they'd take it this seriously."The tension thickened as the enemy closed in. Bagas readied his revolver, while Bayu weighed his options. Still, if they wanted to make it out alive, they might not have a choice.Before either of them could move, a new sound rumbled through the dense night air—heavy footsteps, steady and disciplined, approaching from the opposite direction.Bayu and Bagas exchanged a wary glance. From within the thickening mist, new figures emerged—more soldiers. Their uniforms, adorned with the unmistakable Wiltshire emblem, shimmered faintly under the pale moonlight. Rifles were raised, their barrels pointed directly at them."Don't tell me we're surrounded," Bayu muttered under his breath.Bernard's expression darkened. "Stay sharp!" he barked at his men. "Hold your formation!"But before his troops could even shift into position, a commanding voice cut through the night like a blade."Enough! No one moves without my permission."The mist swirled and parted, revealing a lone figure standing at the forefront of the approaching soldiers. A woman, her presence alone enough to shift the balance of power in an instant.Her short, blue hair caught the moonlight, giving her an almost ethereal glow. A long, elegant coat draped over her shoulders, its deep blue accents marking her noble heritage. At her waist hung a gleaming sword, its hilt adorned with the sigil of the Brigham family.Bernard froze. His usual smirk faltered, and for the first time that night, true surprise flashed across his face."You…," he stammered, nearly dropping the cigarette between his fingers. "Dewi Brigham?"She stood tall, unwavering in the center of the battlefield. The weight of her presence alone was enough to send a wave of unease through Bernard's ranks. Silence settled over the clearing, thick with unspoken tension.Bernard, ever the survivalist, was the first to break it. With an awkward chuckle, he forced a smile, rolling the cigarette between his fingers as if the act itself could steady his nerves."Ahh, good evening, Lady Brigham," he greeted, his voice slipping into its usual smoothness, though a slight tremor betrayed him. "Seems we've interrupted your peaceful night, haven't we?"Dewi regarded him for a long moment, her expression unreadable. Then, slowly, the corners of her lips curled into a smirk—cold, sharp, and far from friendly."Heh. Still causing trouble in my domain, I see," she mused, voice laced with quiet amusement. Then her gaze turned razor-sharp. "Colland Mafia."Bernard stiffened, his feigned confidence cracking just enough for his men to notice. They exchanged uneasy glances, clearly unprepared for this turn of events.Realizing he needed to regain control, Bernard let out a forced laugh, waving a dismissive hand. "Ahahaha… now, now, let's not be so dramatic, Lady Brigham," he said, voice laced with exaggerated charm. "We're not here to stir up trouble. Just handling a bit of business. Those two"—he gestured lazily toward Bayu and Bagas, who stood breathless at the edge of the clearing—"have been quite the disturbance to us, and we're merely looking to settle things."Dewi's expression remained unmoved, her piercing gaze dissecting his every word, as if peeling back the layers of his deception. Slowly, she stepped forward, her fingers resting lightly on the hilt of her sword."Do I need to remind you?" she asked, her voice low, steady—dangerous. "This is my territory. If you cause trouble here…" She tilted her head slightly, a glint of something lethal flashing in her eyes."Then you're picking a fight with me."Bernard's balance faltered at the sheer authority in Dewi's voice. He quickly raised both hands in a defensive gesture, his usual smug demeanor replaced by nervousness."Ahh, Lady Brigham, there's no need for that," he said, his tone almost pleading. "We're just here doing our job. No ill intentions against you. After all, since your late father's passing—"
The atmosphere shifted in an instant.
Dewi's eyes blazed with fury, and a dangerous edge sharpened her expression. Without hesitation, she unsheathed her rapier, the blade gleaming in the moonlight as she pointed it directly at Bernard.
"How dare you speak of that in front of me?" Her voice was low, but it carried the weight of a storm on the verge of breaking. "Do you want me to dismantle every single one of your business operations in this region?"
Bernard paled. The cigarette he had been twirling between his fingers slipped from his grasp, falling soundlessly to the ground. He stumbled slightly, then bowed, his voice trembling. "No, my lady. Please, don't do that!"
Dewi stepped forward, each stride measured and heavy against the rocky terrain. Her soldiers remained still but alert, their hands steady on their weapons, ready for any sign of resistance. She halted just inches away from Bernard, looking down at him like a queen judging a pitiful subject.
"Know your place, Colland," she said, her tone as cold as steel. "If it weren't for my father, you would have been erased long ago. But unfortunately for you, I am not as merciful as he was."
Bernard lowered his head further, unwilling to meet her gaze.
"Be a good boy," she continued, smoothly sliding her rapier back into its sheath. "Before I decide to burn everything you own to the ground."
Bernard didn't dare respond. He merely nodded rapidly, a silent acceptance of her command.
Satisfied, Dewi turned away, her coat billowing slightly with the motion. Her eyes flickered briefly to Bayu and Bagas before addressing her troops.
Bayu remained frozen in place, his eyes locked onto the formidable woman. With mere words, she had forced a mafia leader like Bernard into submission. "Damn... Who the hell is she?" he muttered under his breath, still struggling to process what he had just witnessed. "She made them back down just like that?"
Bagas glanced at him before whispering, "She's Dewi Brigham. Noblewoman and ruler of Wiltshire. The head of the Brigham family—known for her unyielding nature and ruthless efficiency. Anyone who dares defy her ends up regretting it. And right now..."
Bagas trailed off, eyeing Bernard's gang, who still stood stiff with unease. "We've clearly put her in a bad mood."
Bayu frowned. "Why?"
Bagas sighed. "Because we've interfered with their affairs. Like it or not, that dragged Lady Brigham into this mess, and something tells me she doesn't take kindly to getting involved in trouble that isn't hers."
Bayu swallowed hard. This was bad.
Dewi let out a quiet sigh before sliding her sword back into its sheath. Her gaze remained sharp, cold, and filled with authority as she turned to face them. Though her expression was unreadable, there was a clear hint of impatience in her demeanor."Detain them," she commanded, her voice cutting through the silence among her troops. "Take them into custody.""Yes, ma'am!" her soldiers responded in unison, without hesitation.Several of them stepped forward, weapons raised, ready to apprehend Bayu and Bagas without giving them a chance to escape. The two stood frozen, caught off guard by the sudden order. Bagas glanced at Bayu, disbelief flashing across his face before muttering, "Why are we being taken?"A soldier closest to them stepped up with firm, deliberate strides. "Quiet. Just follow orders," he barked, motioning for them to move forward.Bagas hesitated before speaking, his voice measured. "Forgive me, Lady Brigham, but is this because of what we did?"Dewi, who was already walking ahead of them with an air of grace and unwavering authority, turned her head slightly, though she didn't truly look at them. Her voice, cold and composed, only added to the weight of the moment. "Yes. You caused trouble in someone else's territory, and at night, no less. I have no choice but to arrest and interrogate you."Bayu, usually calm, tried to reason with her. "Would you not hear our explanation first?" he asked, his tone carrying a plea.Dewi paused mid-step, turning her gaze toward him, her expression as unreadable as before. "You will speak at my estate," she replied, her voice firm and unwavering, before continuing forward.Bayu exhaled heavily, realizing that the situation had become far more complicated than he had anticipated. Bagas, lips pressed into a thin line, remained silent, knowing there was no point in resisting now.