81: Ketu's sudden rise

The operation to wipe out the "Black Hand" settlement has ended.

Although the original intention of this revenge operation was just to seek an explanation from the "Black Hand" settlement, with Fang Yun's help, this revenge operation ultimately evolved into an operation to wipe out the "Black Hand" settlement.

The Buckle Family members who participated in the battle couldn't help but exclaim that this operation was like a damn dream.

However, as long as the result is good, there's no big problem.

After the battle ended, all the Buckle Family members, feeling pleased with themselves, were summoned by Karl to the entrance of Aureole Valley.

Member A: "Next, it should be dividing the areas each squad is responsible for, and then cleaning up the battlefield."

Member B: "I think there should be a brief operational summary before that."

Member C: "B is right."

At the entrance of Aureole Valley, sand and dust still drifted in the air.

Because there were no more explosions and gunshots, even though the roar of engines still rumbled, the entrance to the valley seemed exceptionally quiet.

This quietness was not in terms of sound, but in atmosphere and mood.

The members of the Buckle Family gradually drove and gathered at the entrance of the valley.

Under the illumination of headlights, the Buckle Family members, happily chatting with each other, all wore smiles, their eyes sparkling with joy.

Karl got out of the car and stood at the front of the crowd, his gaze sweeping over everyone, his expression calm.

Seeing that all the clan members had driven over, Karl cleared his throat and said loudly:

"Clan members, quiet down."

The Buckle Family members heard Karl's voice, stopped talking one after another, and turned their gaze towards him.

The entrance to the valley quickly became quiet, with only the roar of engines remaining.

Through the internal communication channel, Karl's voice clearly entered the ears of every Buckle Family member.

"Clan members, this revenge operation has been a great success."

"Not only did we complete our revenge, but we also completely annihilated the 'Black Hand' settlement."

"From the lowliest Nightwalker henchmen to the leader of the 'Black Hand' settlement, their deaths will all become the reputation of our Buckle Family."

"From now on, the people of the Badlands will understand one truth, and that is the Buckle Family always gets its revenge!"

Speaking of this, Karl's voice paused.

"Cheer again, clan members. Cheer again for our victory!"

Seeing that Karl's operational summary was finished, the members of the Buckle Family were infected by the emotion in his words and cheered one after another.

Just as everyone was cheering excitedly, Kotou appeared as happy as the others on the surface, but felt a little worried inside.

While pretending to be happy, Kotou slightly lowered his head and thought to himself:

San'er, he... was killed?』

『Does that mean I don't have to provide him with supplies anymore?』

『Although this is a good thing, did San'er expose me before he was killed?』

『Damn San'er, what about the caution you promised, what about the foolproof plan! I shouldn't have trusted a Nightwalker!』

『Tsk, I always feel a bit uneasy. It seems I need to prepare in advance.』

Thinking of this, Kotou began to slowly move towards the First Assault Squad.

『If things change, I'll grab a hostage and use the hostage to force Karl to let me leave.』

『The choice of hostage needs to be someone important enough to prevent anyone from getting too angry and trying to ignore the hostage or kill me.』

『Also, the hostage's strength needs to be weaker than mine.』

『...Vavinia will do.』

『To Valentine, Vavinia is very important. Even if someone tries to shoot me, Valentine will stop them for fear of hurting her.』

Kotou subconsciously ignored the possibility that Valentine would stick close to him out of concern for Vavinia, or perhaps, he was already panicking due to the constantly accumulating psychological pressure since the start of the operation.

『I've hidden my strength, and with careful planning against carelessness, I should be able to easily capture her.』

Just as Kotou was thinking this, Karl's voice sounded again, interrupting his thoughts.

"Alright, clan members, you can quiet down now."

"Before we search the battlefield, I have one more thing to say."

After hearing Karl's words, Kotou's heart skipped a beat.

Kotou raised his head and happened to meet Karl's gaze.

Instantly, Kotou's scalp tingled.

『Damn it, I've really been exposed!』

『Can't hesitate, strike first!』

...

The perspective shifts back to Karl.

Looking at the scene of the clan members cheering, Karl's gaze fell on Kotou.

『Hmm, stiff expression, dull eyes. Kotou is indeed problematic.』

『Logically speaking, the family treated him well. And I believe I've been a pretty good Clan Leader, never mistreating him.』

『How could he become a traitor to the family? (Resentful)』

『Sigh. So be it.』

『No matter the reason, once someone becomes a traitor, there's no discussion, one word: kill!』

Karl regarded every clan member as his own family, treating everyone equally, never showing favoritism to anyone, striving to be a Clan Leader who would lead the Buckle Family to greatness again.

Therefore, Karl never believed there would be traitors in the family.

However, the fact that Kotou was a traitor to the family was almost a foregone conclusion.

Therefore, Karl could only accept this.

While reflecting on whether there were areas where he hadn't done well enough, Karl was filled with rage.

Karl didn't know how other Wanderers families dealt with traitors, he only knew that in the Buckle Family, traitors must die!

At least that was the case while Karl was the Clan Leader of the Buckle Family.

Suddenly, Karl noticed that Kotou had started to move stealthily.

『Hmm? Sneaking around, what is Kotou trying to do?』

『Oh~, he seems to want to grab a hostage. And by the looks of it, his target seems to be Vavinia?』

『If he had discovered the person I sent to watch him, he definitely wouldn't be acting like this. Could it be that he didn't notice?』

『Is it because he knows he violated the clan rules and is sure to die, so the psychological pressure is too great that he didn't notice?』

『Hmph! If he had known this, why did he do it? I wonder why Kotou betrayed the family. After I catch him, I'll interrogate him thoroughly.』

There were three reasons why Karl could stand there calmly and think:

First, Karl had sent someone to watch Kotou, and Kotou hadn't discovered this.

Second, Vavinia, Valentine, Toke, and Fang Yun already knew that Kotou was a traitor, so they would naturally be on guard against him.

Third, Fang Yun's strength was great, and it was impossible for Kotou to capture Vavinia.

While Karl was thinking, Kotou had already walked not far from Vavinia.

Although other members of the Buckle Family were also moving around, talking, high-fiving, and patting shoulders with others.

Kotou's movements, mixed among the many clan members, were not conspicuous.

However, Vavinia and the others, who had known the truth for a long time, had been vigilant about Kotou.

After noticing Kotou approaching, Vavinia immediately became alert.

Just then, Karl spoke.

At the same time, Kotou's body stiffened, and then he suddenly erupted and rushed towards Vavinia.