Lola’s tensed shoulders relaxed as she watched Haji cut through the chaos, more of their allies arriving to engage the mercenaries.
A shallow breath escaped her as she kept her eyes on the vehicle driving away.
"Get him, Haji," she whispered, smiling subtly. "Only you should."
For all the things Jarvis had done—the lives he had trampled on to gain power, and the continuous suffering he had caused others for his own benefit—everyone in this land had the right to take Jarvis down.
However, what Jarvis had done to Haji’s entire family was far more personal.
And if there was one who should settle the score, it should be Haji. Not Lola, not Atlas, not anyone else, but Haji.
Lola nodded, huffing as she heard a truck ram through another house near where she stood. Looking down, she saw Billionaire peek his head out of the window.
"Looney, get in!" He slapped his hand against the door, draped over the open window. "There’s more around!"
She nodded and hurried to the side ladder of the house. Lola made her way down, and when she was close, Billionaire pulled over to the side where she had descended. She didn’t waste a second, jumping into the front passenger seat.
"What the hell was that?!" Billionaire greeted her loudly. "That pervert is making out with someone even in this situation—I’m so jealous!"
Lola scrunched up her nose, staring at him.
While Lola was in the town where she had lost her vehicle, she had called for backup. Thanks to Pika, communication was easy. However, before her reinforcements could reach her, Billionaire—along with the people who agreed to join the rebellion—arrived.
Good thing they did, as they managed to catch up and help Haji in the process.
"Billy, stop chewing the handkerchief out of jealousy," Lola reached out and tapped his shoulder. "Let’s just make sure Haji gets Jarvis’ ass."
Billionaire huffed sharply, looking at her with resentment.
"Tch!" He clicked his tongue. "Fine!"
With that, Billionaire took the wheel and drove off, leading several others in the direction Haji had gone. After all, Billionaire hadn’t been idling once he realized the situation they were in.
After going to Tomie and informing him of what was happening, he had driven to other districts and towns to speak with the chiefs in each area. Some he encouraged to evacuate and take shelter, while others he urged to join.
After all, this was their war against the government.
If they truly wanted change, they had to stand on their own feet and fight.
"Billy." As they drove away, Lola broke the momentary silence. She kept her eyes on the windshield, clutching the handle to steady herself. "Just so you know... never mind."
Billionaire’s face hardened, not sparing her a glance.
"I know," he replied to her unfinished remark. "Their lives are my responsibility. It falls into my hands." He paused, then gave her a sidelong glance. "But it’s a responsibility I’m willing to carry for the rest of my life."
She studied his side profile and nodded in understanding.
"I know you already know that," she whispered as she glanced at the side mirror, catching sight of trucks finally emerging to chase them. She pressed the button to lower the window and added, "All I’m saying is, it won’t be easy—and the weight will only grow heavier with every breath. Don’t die. Otherwise, who would take responsibility?"
Billionaire glanced at her as she leaned her upper body out the window and engaged. Refocusing on the road, he huffed.
"Of course," he muttered. "Otherwise, the responsibility would fall on Haha again."
Sure enough, even in this situation, Lola was still thinking about Haji—which was no surprise. After all, Lola wasn’t Billionaire’s friend, nor Long’s, nor anyone else’s in Ravah. Lola’s friend was Haji, and she wouldn’t have bothered with this territory—just like the rest of the world—if not for him.
I guess that’s his luck, he thought. Finding a friend like you.
*****
Jarvis was already on the last stretch of the chase and had left the mercenaries’ territory behind. Yet through it all, Haji never reappeared.
"Did we really lose him?" Gene wondered, unsure whether to sigh in relief. He turned to the driver, who was adjusting the radio with one hand. "Still no signal?"
The driver shook his head, visibly more relaxed now that no one was tailing them. Even so, the radio still wasn’t working. It was as if they had lost signal entirely. That wasn’t impossible, considering their enemy had taken control of the main city.
In other words, they had no idea what was happening elsewhere.
They could only hope Haji had been dealt with.
"Don’t be complacent," Jarvis ordered coldly. "Keep driving and don’t slow down. Until we leave the region, anything can happen."
"Yes, sir!" the driver nodded, noticeably calmer than before.
The rest of the journey passed smoothly. They stopped for no one, even as they saw mercenaries rolling out or passing by to handle chaos in other towns.
Soon, they arrived at a building.
The district was quieter than any they had passed before, as the chaos hadn’t reached this area yet. The driver and the mercenary riding shotgun jumped out immediately, wasting no time as they checked the surroundings.
They paused briefly when several trucks pulled up around the area, but relaxed when they saw familiar faces jumping out. They were colleagues.
The driver rushed to the backseat where Jarvis and Gene sat.
"Sir, it’s clear," he reported as he yanked the door open. "The chopper is ready for you."
On top of the building they had arrived at—and nearby structures—helicopters were already waiting.
Jarvis nodded as Gene stepped out on his side. Once both were outside, they paused to observe the men securing the area. By all appearances, they had escaped.
Jarvis smirked and resumed walking, circling the truck toward the building entrance.
Until we meet again, Hajime, he thought, his steps steady and unhurried.
But then...
"Jarvis!"
Everyone froze as a loud shout echoed through the street.
Jarvis’s heart skipped a beat as the voice was closer than it should have been.
Slowly, he turned.
His pupils constricted as he spotted Haji standing across the street, partially concealed between two buildings, a rifle raised in his hands.
Haji’s eyes burned as he locked onto Jarvis. With his thoughts clear and without hesitation, he fired.
BANG!