Chapter 84

Chapter 84: Backing Down

"Huh? The casino… Damn it, this is all a misunderstanding! Don't shoot! I'm coming out, and I'll explain everything to you." 

Flaco Hernández finally decided to step out of the cabin. He was probably genuinely afraid of being burned alive inside—what a humiliating way to go. 

Flaco slowly pushed the door open, making sure Arthur wasn't aiming his gun at him, before stepping outside. 

Arthur's attention was immediately drawn to the distinctly Mexican-style hat on Flaco's head. It suited him, oddly enough. Then there was Flaco's mustache—an exact replica of Javier's, with the same thin, curled ends. 

Very… Mexican. 

Flaco, meanwhile, finally got a clear look at the number of enemies. Just two. 

'Pathetic. Absolutely pathetic.' 

His gaze swept past Arthur to the bodies of his fallen comrades scattered on the ground. 

Though Flaco couldn't comprehend how these two men had so easily taken out his gang, stepping out of the cabin wasn't just about sizing up his enemies. Slowly, his hand crept toward his holster. He wasn't just a notorious bandit in New Hanover—he was also a renowned gunslinger. 

Seeing Flaco's stance, Arthur realized what was coming: a duel. 

Time seemed to slow. Arthur holstered his gun, his hand hovering near his waist. Both men stood ready, the tension palpable. 

'Bang!' 

Flaco was fast—Arthur had to give him that. In one fluid motion, Flaco drew his gun, leaped to the left, and raised his weapon mid-air, his eyes locked on Arthur. 

In reality, all of this happened in a split second. 

But by the time the gunshot rang out, Arthur had already fired. His bullet struck Flaco's gun, sending it flying from his hand. 

Flaco's move had been impressive, but against Arthur, he didn't stand a chance. 

"Damn it! Don't shoot! I give up! The money and gold are under the floorboards inside!" Flaco, now on the ground, clutched his hand and shouted. 

Just as Arthur thought the man had finally surrendered and was about to speak— 

"This time, I won't miss!" 

Flaco, still defiant, pulled out a throwing knife and lunged it forward, the blade poised to fly. 

'Bang.' 

"Ah!" 

And that was the end of it. Sean, wide-eyed and incredulous, turned to Arthur and muttered. 

"Arthur, do you think this guy had a death wish? Did he seriously think a knife was faster than a gun?" Sean was about to say more when Arthur cut him off. 

"Enough. You heard him—the money and gold are inside. Go get them." Arthur lit a cigarette and glanced at Flaco's lifeless body. 

Inwardly, Arthur had to admire Flaco's ability to switch between submission and sneak attacks. It was impressive, really. Professional, even. He just hoped that if Flaco reincarnated as an outlaw again, they wouldn't cross paths. 

About half a cigarette later, Sean emerged with the gold and cash. 

Arthur wasn't one to be stingy. He left the remaining half of his cigarette for Flaco, and after loading up the valuables, they made their way back across the lake. Charles was already waiting by the horses. 

Arthur looked at Charles and praised him. 

"Good teamwork. I haven't had that much fun in a while." 

Charles simply nodded, then after a moment, slowly said: "Next time… don't. Dangerous." 

Arthur chuckled awkwardly and quickly promised he wouldn't pull such a stunt again. 

Sean mounted his horse and turned to Arthur. 

"So, are we heading back now?" 

"No. We're going to check on the Adlers," Arthur replied. Since they were back in the area, it was only right to see how the Adlers were doing. 

Sean looked puzzled. He had no idea who the Adlers were. When did they make friends out here? 

Seeing Sean's confusion, Arthur remembered that Sean had been back in Blackwater during their escape, so he'd never met the Adlers. 

In a good mood, Arthur began recounting the story of their flight from Blackwater, with Charles listening intently as well. 

"Damn! So that's how it happened? Pearson invented assorted salted offal in Colter? That night I got drunk, he forced me to try some. That stuff was inedible!" Sean grimaced, clearly recalling the taste. 

Arthur had never tried it himself. No matter how you looked at it, it couldn't possibly taste good. 

"We lost Jenny along the way. Davey almost didn't make it either. The blizzard and the law nearly killed us all. If it weren't for the Adlers giving us supplies, we wouldn't have survived. That's why, since we're back here, we should visit them. And… visit Jenny too." As Arthur finished the story, he couldn't help but feel a pang of sorrow for Jenny's death. 

Poor Lenny. Arthur remembered how he'd been pursuing Jenny. Ah, young love. At least Lenny was still young. He'd have plenty of chances for romance in the future. 

Sean, too, looked somber at the mention of Jenny. He remembered her as a lively girl. 

"Do you remember where Jenny's buried? You were in such a rush back then," Sean suddenly asked. 

Arthur smiled faintly. 

"At the fork of the North Ambarino Glacier, in Spider Gorge. Just follow the icy stream north, and you'll find it." 

It was a simple grave, marked by two wooden planks. Arthur remembered it clearly. Because she was family. 

Sean fell silent for a long time before finally saying cheerfully. 

"Arthur, if I die, I don't want to be buried in the snow. I'd prefer a lakeside spot, with trees overhead…" 

"Don't jinx yourself. You'll live a long life. Let's move. If we hurry, we can visit Jenny before dark and still make it to the Adlers' place in time. If we're late, they might already be asleep." Arthur cut him off, not wanting to dwell on the morbid thought. 

***

When they reached Jenny's grave, Arthur didn't forget to take the flowers he'd prepared earlier from Charles. 

The three of them stood silently by the grave for a while. 

With the flowers, Jenny's resting place no longer felt as lonely as it once had. 

By the time they reached the Adler ranch, night had fallen. 

"Arthur, do the Adlers have guests today?" Sean asked, noticing the horses parked outside. 

Arthur suddenly felt a sense of unease. It wasn't until they returned here that he remembered the O'Driscoll they'd captured back then. The kid had kept yelling that his cousin would come for him. 

Could they really be that unlucky? Had the kid's cousin actually tracked them down here? 

Arthur hoped he was just overthinking it. 

*****

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