Arabella returned silently to their base, instructing Raven and Albatross to pack and depart in three days.
To return to the base, the quickest route was actually to pass through Viskomo and reach the Rus base.
However, Viskomo was a militarized, fully armed government. Though internal military strife was constant, their external stance remained harsh.
To ensure the safety of the cargo, Arabella would take her own territory route, first detouring to Fandel, then heading to Rus.
For the past three days, Arabella had stayed indoors, her mind working at full speed as she considered all the possibilities and backup plans. After marking a circle on the map, she quietly embedded her true plan deep into her mind, without revealing a single hint.
The night before departure, Ferdinand called to inform her that all the weapons had been processed and were ready.
"I'll send someone to deliver them to your base."
Faced with a large batch of new weapons, Arabella was naturally tempted. However, this temptation was fleeting and not enough to sway her entire plan.
"No need. Keep them for me; I don't have the funds to pay right now."
Ferdinand on the other end was displeased, "Arabella, what do you mean? Why this kind of separation?"
Arabella didn't respond. She was human, not an animal, and could tell the difference between good intentions and malicious ones.
However, her path in life had been rocky and full of obstacles, and no simple phrase like "trust me" could dispel the natural suspicion and doubt that she was born with.
Feeling Arabella's silence, Ferdinand laughed with frustration, "Arabella, after all these years, if you think I have ulterior motives, what could I want but you? Nothing else."
Ferdinand was angry, but Arabella let out a breath, "Ferdinand, this batch of goods might be my life-saver. Can you keep them for me?"
Hearing this, Ferdinand panicked, "What's going on? Is something happening? Do you need my help?"
"It's nothing. But every situation needs a backup. Can you be my backup?"
"Of course. Arabella, I, Ferdinand, swear it on my life."
After hanging up, Ferdinand stared at the phone silently for a while. Before the call ended, Arabella had asked him a question—why had he changed his name years ago?
Of course, his family name wasn't Ackerley. Neither his father nor mother had the name Ackerley. He had no relation to the "Ackerley" at all.
Why did he change it?
Five years ago, when Ferdinand first worked with Arabella, it was the year she gained fame with a single victory, capturing her first stronghold, perhaps due to youthful arrogance.
At the victory banquet, Arabella drank from day to night. In the dead of night, when she saw him off, she placed her hand on his shoulder and whispered in his ear.
Ferdinand still remembers that night when the air was cool as water. Arabella was unusually obedient and gentle. Her voice, as always, was light and delicate, very soft.
Her call was like an incantation, almost like the mewling of a newly born kitten.
Only after calling that name once, her expression cleared, as if the momentary weakness had been nothing but an illusion.
The name—one was "Ackerley," and the true name was so soft it barely registered, hidden like a precious secret she didn't want to reveal.
Ackerley!
He didn't know what full name those words made up.
But on that night, when Arabella uttered them, it was definitely not the name of an enemy.
In fact, he was born into the prestigious Leiso family, a noble house in Spanka.
But for some reason, he changed his name from Ferdinand Leiso to Ferdinand Ackerley.
He explained to Arabella that his mother's family surname was Ackerley.
Bullshit Ackerley.
Even though he was mixed-race, his prostitute mother, who died shortly after his birth, was a family taboo and didn't carry the surname "Ackerley."
Such a subtle and selfish little secret, of course, he wouldn't reveal it to Arabella.
He had changed his name five years ago, so why would Arabella suddenly bring it up today? Could it be related to the name she buried deep in her heart?
Has she encountered someone?
Three days later, Raven left first, taking his men and the goods ahead to Fandel.
Arabella went as planned to meet Julius.
Julius had clearly arrived early, pacing back and forth at the door.
Today, he had taken off his robes and wore a casual white hoodie, exuding youthful energy.
His brows and eyes were indeed handsome, with a smooth jawline and a sculpted profile, and his tall, muscular frame was perfect.
But when he spoke, his expression completely contradicted his appearance, revealing an unmistakable look of a bookish nerd.
Julius let out a long sigh of relief as soon as he saw Arabella approaching and hurriedly stepped forward to greet her.
Arabella noticed that his hands were empty and he didn't seem to be leaving, so she couldn't help but ask, "Why didn't you bring any luggage?"
Julius's face held a hint of melancholy, yet there was also a look of happiness as he said, "A few days ago, my father said he was sick, so I planned to go see him. But then a friend saw him looking perfectly fine yesterday and found out that—" The word 'lie' was hard for someone raised with proper manners like Julius to say, so he could only sigh and continue, "Since he's fine, I don't need to rush back."
Arabella paused, sensing something off about Julius' behavior. It was as if he deliberately left subtle clues, only to erase them just as quickly, making it hard to pin down any real suspicions.
If he really is an undercover agent, then Pujivang must have sent a skilled one this time.
Arabella's heart was as steady as a rock. No matter what kind of person Julius was, she would strip him of everything before she was satisfied.
Arabella's eyes shifted, a hint of disappointment flickering across her face. "I didn't expect you to stay," she said, her voice soft but carrying a trace of irony. "I thought I'd be alone, with you offering your protection along the way. But if you're staying, perhaps it's better we part ways here."
With that, she waved her hand and turned to leave.
Julius opened his mouth, wanting to say something to stop her, but he didn't know how to begin.
He had been standing here waiting since early morning, knowing this would be a farewell.
But this farewell was filled with despair, especially since after this, it was hard to say whether they would meet again, possibly never to see each other again.
However, as his gaze drifted, watching Arabella's figure grow further away, he still didn't move his steps.
He was a servant of the deity, someone who could never marry or have children. Why would he want to delay her life?
Some fates are best severed before they become too deep.
Julius lowered his head, standing there for a long time before finally turning to leave in deep sorrow.
The moment his hand went into his pocket, Julius's eyes narrowed. From his left pocket, he pulled out the wooden sculpture he had yet to give.
Holding the sculpture in his hand, he stood frozen in thought, recalling their first meeting at the hot springs, the chance encounter at the cake stand on the street, and those heart-pounding kisses.
The distinct look of disappointment on Arabella's face when she turned around surged into his heart.
After a moment of hesitation, he clenched the wooden sculpture in his hand and started running towards the direction Arabella had gone.
He exerted every ounce of his strength, chasing after the person ahead like a whirlwind, as if pursuing the last beautiful dream of his life, with no hesitation whatsoever.
By the time he caught up with Arabella, Julius was almost exhausted from the run.
It had been so fast, he had almost exhausted every ounce of energy in his body.
Arabella had already noticed the movement of the person rushing toward her. A satisfied smile curled on her lips—a smile that was cold and victorious. Her eyes, narrowed, were framed by thick, black lashes that filtered out all malice.
With a slightly surprised expression, she turned her head and asked, "What's the matter? Do you need something else from me?"
Julius gasped for breath, his words almost incoherent. "I—I—I'll go with you. Protect you."
Arabella smiled widely, her eyes sparkling. "Alright. With you here, I feel very reassured. Very—reassured."
