The split in the Fang Brigade

Raka and his group followed Reiner into the main building of the fort. The scent of blood was still strong in the air, mixed with the smell of gunpowder that had not completely disappeared.

Inside the room that used to be Varun's throne room, Reiner sat relaxed in the main chair, his feet up on the table as if it were his.

"Alright," he said with a smile. "Let's get straight to the point."

Raka remained standing, his arms crossed over his chest. "Just tell me, who sent you guys?"

Reiner smirked. "You're thinking too far ahead. We're just mercenaries. If there's an interesting job, we'll take it."

Aruna narrowed her eyes. "Don't beat around the bush. Who paid you guys?"

Reiner chuckled. "Get to the point, okay? Alright."

He looked at them one by one before finally saying, "The Ardent Family."

The room immediately felt colder.

Bayu cursed softly. "Damn..."

Vina looked at Raka with a worried expression. "So this isn't just a territorial dispute?"

Raka sighed. The Ardent family was one of the largest clans in the region, known for its political and economic power.

If they were involved, then this wasn't just a matter between them and Varun—it was a much bigger power play.

Reiner continued, "The Ardent family wants this fortress. I don't care why. My job is to make sure they get it without any problems."

He stared at Raka sharply. "But seeing what you guys have done… I think there might be another way to solve this."

Raka remained silent.

Reiner raised an eyebrow. "How about we work together?"

Aruna growled immediately, "You want us to be the Ardent family's dogs?"

Reiner laughed. "Not dogs. Partners."

Bayu interrupted, "Don't play with words. We know the Ardent family never shares power."

Reiner nodded slowly. "True. But they know when to use a useful ally."

He looked at Raka.

"You and your team are clearly more than just a bunch of wild animals. You have power, strategy… even a terrifying Ice Mage on your side."

Aruna remained silent, but the cold aura around her grew stronger.

Reiner smiled slightly before continuing, "So, here's the deal. You hand over this fortress to us. In return, we'll make sure you get another, more profitable territory."

He leaned back in his chair.

"You can grow. Become bigger. Stronger."

Raka's eyes showed no expression.

"…And if we refuse?"

Reiner's smile disappeared. "You die."

The tension in the room grew.

Vina glanced at Raka. "So, what's our decision?"

Raka thought quickly. If they surrendered this fortress, they would lose their strategic advantage. But if they fought the Fang Brigade now, their chances of winning were slim.

The best option was to buy time.

He finally said, "We need time to consider this."

Reiner shrugged. "Sure. I'll give you guys until tomorrow morning."

He stood up, patting Raka on the shoulder before walking to the door.

"Don't make any stupid decisions."

Then, he left.

As soon as Reiner and the Fang Brigade left the room, Bayu immediately spoke, "We can't just give up like that, right?"

Aruna gritted her teeth. "No. I'd rather fight to the death."

Nadia added, "But if we attack now, we're outnumbered."

All eyes turned to Raka.

He finally said, "We won't give up this fort. But we won't fight head-on either."

Vina frowned. "What do you mean?"

Raka smiled thinly.

"We'll have the Fang Brigade attack the Ardent family themselves."

Aruna looked at him with interest. "Do you have a plan?"

Raka nodded.

"Of course."

Night fell, bringing with it the biting cold. Outside the fort, the Fang Brigade troops were still on guard with high discipline. They were not just ordinary bandits or mercenaries—they were professional executioners.

Inside one of the hidden rooms in the fort, Raka and his group gathered to discuss their plan.

Aruna stared at the map spread out on the table. "So, how do we make the Fang Brigade turn against the Ardent family?"

Raka touched his chin. "By exploiting the greed and distrust between them."

Vina leaned her body against the wall. "They look solid. Are you sure there's a loophole?"

Bayu chuckled. "No organization is perfect. There's always ego, interests, and… betrayal."

Nadia nodded. "We just need to find their weak point."

They needed more information, and the only way to get it was to infiltrate the Fang Brigade camp.

Raka, Aruna, and Bayu slipped out of the fort in the darkness, moving like shadows among the ruins.

From behind a large piece of rubble, they observed the enemy camp. The Fang Brigade had set up temporary barracks around the fort, with a command tent standing in its center.

Two guards stood guard in front, their automatic rifles ready to shoot anyone who approached.

Bayu whispered, "We need a diversion."

Aruna closed her eyes briefly, then raised her hand toward a dead tree near the camp. The air around her instantly turned cold.

CRACK!

The tree suddenly froze, then shattered into pieces with a loud noise.

The guards immediately turned toward the sound, raising their weapons.

"Intruder?!"

Raka and Bayu did not waste their opportunity. They quickly slipped into the command tent.

Inside, piles of documents and maps filled a large table. Raka quickly looked for something useful, while Bayu stood guard at the door.

And that's where they found it—a letter of command from the Ardent family.

"Reiner, once the fort is secured, eliminate all remaining Fang Brigade troops. We don't need any witnesses."

Raka held his breath. So, the Ardent family was planning to betray the Fang Brigade once their job was done.

Bayu whistled softly. "This is… interesting."

Aruna entered the tent, staring at the letter. A faint smile appeared on her face.

"We just found the key to our victory."

Several hours later, a mysterious letter arrived in the hands of one of the Fang Brigade's top brass—Captain Darius.

Inside the letter was a copy of the Ardent family's secret order.

Along with a short message:

"Reiner knows this, but he still follows the Ardent family's orders. Do you still trust him?"

When morning came, the Fang Brigade was no longer united.

Darius and his followers began to doubt Reiner's leadership. Rumors of betrayal spread like wildfire, creating tension within their own forces.

Raka smiled in satisfaction as he watched from afar.

"One more push… and they will destroy themselves."