By the time Julius, who was remotely directing the operation, realized something was wrong, it was already too late.
The tank had moved a considerable distance away, but the sound of its tracks was rhythmic, and the vibrations it caused were distinct enough for Arabella to easily recognize.
The tank's hatch could be completely sealed from the inside. Once locked, the only way to open it from the outside was either by using a repair vehicle to access the engine compartment or by launching a shoulder-fired Javelin missile to destroy it. Opening it manually from the outside was, of course, impossible.
However, in most combat or alert situations, the tank's hatch would never be locked.
The primary reliance was still on the so-called "King of the Land" — the tank. Its overwhelming power, high speed, strong penetration, and long-range bombardment made it nearly invincible, especially when there were no obstructions across the open plains. Coupled with infantry support during actual combat, it was an unstoppable force.
It was simply a fantasy for one person to sneak up and climb onto the tank's turret.
However, this particular tank was not involved in combat; it was merely returning to the military camp.
The reason why this dock in Island was abandoned was that there was an armored division camp nearby. To prevent civilians from mistakenly entering the military area and disrupting the tank division's daily drills, the dock was forced to be relocated.
It was also for this reason that Julius was able to quickly join forces with the Island military to encircle Arabella and her group.
The fact that she could distinguish the tank's return to the military camp from such a great distance, and fixate on the massive weapon with such cold intensity, was something no one could have possibly imagined, not even in their wildest dreams.
Arabella's speed, even with full gear and heavy burdens, could reach a hundred meters in under nine seconds. When unencumbered, she was fast enough that even the slightest reaction time of 0.1 seconds was unnecessary; she could leap within seven seconds. Coupled with her exceptional endurance and explosive power—sharp, sustained, and faster than a leopard—she was a terrifying force.
On the other side, Raven's movements were just as swift. He provided cover for Arabella, retreating into the remaining buildings at the abandoned dock, fighting intermittently to buy time.
When the tank arrived, Raven and his group were already scattered, evading the increasingly smaller encirclement. Except for Raven, who skillfully dodged, the others couldn't withstand the fierce bullet barrage.
The situation changed abruptly. The encirclement from both countries collapsed as soon as the tank entered, shattering the entire blockade.
Seizing the opportunity, Raven swiftly entered the tank, working with Arabella to launch a counterattack.
Taras seized the chance to dash toward the dock, looking for the speedboats he had hidden. Fortunately, the two boats were well concealed and had neither been discovered nor destroyed.
"Arabella! Hurry!"
The tank's treads were not ideal for traversing shallow shores. As they approached, Arabella and Raven abandoned the tank and sprinted toward the speedboats.
Arabella had a few subordinates who were skilled, and they quickly followed behind her.
"Where's Ferdinand?" Arabella turned her head, scanning the chaos for his figure.
"Forget about him, hurry up." Taras urged, his impatience clear. How could she still be thinking about a man at a time like this?
On the contrary, Arabella was focused on the arms shipment from Ferdinand, which was the main reason for her dangerous venture.
Without Ferdinand, there would be no arms.
In the midst of the flames, Arabella's expression remained cold and calculating, her mind still working through every possibility.
"Raven, start the speedboats, I'll go find Ferdinand." Arabella gave the order firmly and ran back toward the tank.
However, not far from the tank, she saw Ferdinand charging toward her through the smoke, rifle in hand.
She grabbed Ferdinand's arm and pulled him along, dragging him away.
"No! Arabella, I'll drive the tank and buy you time. You take your people and leave first."
"Go!" Arabella didn't look back, not saying another word.
Ferdinand refused to leave, dragging his feet as he whispered, "Do you remember the secret place you gave me the night you took the base? Go there and get it."
Arabella gave Ferdinand a calm glance and held onto his hand without letting go.
Ferdinand flashed a brilliant smile and pried Arabella's fingers off his hand. "Don't worry. I won't die. As long as I'm here, they'll still try to bait you into coming to save me. But right now, with no one left to cover us and both sea and land surrounded, there's only one way out: death."
Arabella understood this perfectly, but Ferdinand—
"Go!" Ferdinand urged once again, as the sound of the speedboat's engine started in the distance.
Arabella was not one to be swayed by emotions. She gave Ferdinand a deep look, released his hand, and turned away without hesitation.
"Stay alive—wait for me to come back."
Ferdinand climbed into the tank, took a deep breath, straightened his back, and faced the soldiers who were reassembling and charging toward him.
This wasn't so bad. No matter how much time passed, Arabella would always keep him in her thoughts, always thinking of coming to save him.
First, they were human; only then were they villains.
When Arabella played the villain, she was ruthless, cunning, and merciless. But when she played the human side of herself, she was deeply committed to her promises, and once she made a vow, she would go to any lengths to fulfill it.
As the speedboat receded into the distance, Arabella gazed at the dock. The tank, relentlessly firing its barrage, resembled a fierce, life-devouring flame beast—unstoppable, all-powerful.
But fire is limited, and when the ammunition runs out, it would be the moment when Ferdinand was surrounded and captured.
She knew it, Ferdinand knew it, and everyone on the boat knew it.
Taras let out a deep breath, slightly surprised, "I didn't expect this young master to have some backbone."
Arabella withdrew her gaze and asked the most practical question to Taras: "What's your plan?"
What should they do?
This was truly a tricky situation.
To go back and face the combined forces of Julius and the four-country military and police? That was a one-in-ten chance of survival. They'd likely spend the rest of their lives hiding out, like street rats, skirmishing in the shadows.
Not going back, and following Arabella from now on? That would be an even more uncertain road ahead. With her territory lost and no place to call home, she was destined to be a fugitive, living on the run for the rest of her life.
Unable to decide, Taras asked in return, "So what's your plan?"
Arabella nodded. She was not one to move cautiously step by step, for she knew the battlefield could change in an instant, and anything could happen. Yet her goal was always unwavering, just like those who stood by her—her will unshakable, like bronze skin and iron bones. She only ever presented the most invincible side of herself to outsiders.
Taras smiled down, his muscular frame evident, with prominent chest muscles. His personality was unruly and wild, very much in the style of someone from the martial world. Yet, he had a magnetic, pleasant voice, and his big eyes were enticing, with a captivating, deceptive appearance.
"Then I'll follow you. Following you means I get the good stuff," Taras said with a raised eyebrow, throwing Arabella a bold, suggestive smile.
Arabella returned the smile. Taras's straightforward nature suited her tastes.
Though she appeared refined now, like a civilized person,
her true nature leaned more toward the beastly—her emotions and actions driven by primal instincts. Were it not for the need to seize territory and gather followers, she would never have bothered with false pleasantries to win people over.
She was a solitary being; the king of beasts didn't need to live in a pack.
On the path of life, people came and went. Some left her, some drew near, but all were mere fleeting shadows.
Arabella sped ahead in the speedboat, with Raven trailing closely behind on another.
Her goal was clear. Ferdinand had mentioned retrieving something from their secret place—it seemed like it had already been prepared for her.
As they cut through the waves, the emergency beacon on her wrist sounded once more.
This beacon was only meant to signal twice in her life.
The first time had been Raven, who had already used it.
The second time was Albatross's—now it was sounding.
When Arabella had discovered the tracker, she had wondered how Nicholas had managed to seize the stronghold.
There were only two possibilities—
The first was that Albatross had also betrayed her, joining forces with Nicholas to easily break through the stronghold's defenses.
The second was that Nicholas was highly skilled, and Albatross couldn't stand against him—he was either dead or in hiding.
And now, at this precise moment, after she had just broken free from the encirclement, Albatross's distress signal came through.
