“This is what will happen if you are consumed the items from our fields!!!” Don Jorge gave a thunderous shout. “I’ve told you many times. You can’t do something like this! They’re going crazy just from not consuming that evil item for a while! They can’t work at all!”

“As I thought, it turns out that the plantation is for drug crops.” Instead of being angry or sad, Raymund used an enthusiastic tone. “I can’t wait to see what happens next. How about you, Elise?”

Of course, Elise didn’t answer. She has never consumed an item like that, so she doesn’t know how to react. The female warrior only knew that she was in a bad place, although the residents seemed happy.

Don Jorge massaged his forehead, pacing back and forth in front of the three addicts. “I’m very frustrated. Sales are very hampered because government forces are tightening guard, some of my fields are on fire, and some of my own workers are addicts. Even though I’ve tried to be good with you, the workers and guards alike. Every now and then, I have a feast for all of you. Your life is prosperous. You have enough food, and you can sleep well. But, why are you repaying my favor like this!?”

Don Jorge was silent as he stared at the ground. The villagers and guards also kept their mouths shut. According to them, especially the villagers, Don Jorge was a good person. Most of them came from poor families, and it was Don Jorge who improved their lives. However, if Don Jorge is already angry, it means that something is not going well.

“And there’s one more thing that disappointed me.” Don Jorge raised a hand and snapped his fingers.

Diego stepped out of the crowd, dragging a large sack. The people were shocked when Diego took something out of that sack._.

“Finally, Jorge did it.” Dani hissed.

Elise covered her mouth with her hand. Again, she felt the sensation of wanting to vomit.

With his body covered in bruises and wounds, a man’s corpse was now lying at Diego’s feet.

“Carlos!!!” A middle-aged woman ran from the crowd, instantly kneeling near the corpse. “Carlos! Carlos! Wake up, my son!!!”

With a sad face, Don Jorge looked at a mother who continued to cry for her son. His tears even started to fall.

“This man is taking our oil supply bit by bit! He sent it to someone!” Don Jorge shouted again. “When confronted by me, he wouldn’t tell me who he was working with! He’s just saying that he and his friends are planning to burn our fields! The fields that feed us! The fields that are the source of our livelihood!”

Don Jorge’s breath became uncontrollable. His face turned red, and the veins in his neck popped up to the surface. Meanwhile, the villagers and guards remained silent. The only sound that echoed was the cry of a mother.

“Please, whoever is acquainted with this man, come out.” Don Jorge rubbed his face with trembling hands. “I will not kill you. I’ll just give you severance pay and let you go.”

“No.” Dani hissed again, holding the branch he was sitting on so tightly. “I’m sure he will kill everyone who confesses. That’s the real him.”

Not seeing anyone advancing from the crowd, Don Jorge took a deep breath. “It’s fine if no one turns themselves in. But remember, sooner or later, I will find you guys. And the punishment I will give will be excruciating.”

There was silence as Don Jorge waited. Elise looked up to find a large white bird flying in its place as if watching what was happening in the area.

***

In the large dining room filled with long tables and chairs, Elise looked down at her breakfast, a plate of tortillas with meat and various vegetables. The image of the man who had been tortured kept haunting her. She has no appetite.

Now, she didn’t know what to do. Fight Don Jorge, or join his crimes by guarding the plantation from wild beasts? Preventing the circulation of dangerous drugs or leaving the villagers happy? Actually, what is her task here?

At a time like this, Elise wanted to get a hint from God. However, her master was still silent.

“Why don’t you eat, Elise?” Gina asked with her mouth full. The food on her plate was almost gone.

“Eat.” Dani tore some of the tortillas with the toppings, then put them in her mouth. The mask on her face had been lowered, revealing her otherwise feminine face. “You are still given a chance to eat.”

“Ugh.” Gina snorted when she noticed Checo approaching the table they were sitting on.

“I want to speak to Elise.” Checo sat across from Elise without asking the others for approval.

Elise just looked around as the two women left her without saying anything.

“I’ve asked the higher-ups for you to join my group. Our first task is to be on the shift tonight.” Checo immediately spoke while starting to eat his breakfast.

“Err…. Well…” Elise felt awkward at the sudden words.

Chewing, Checo looked around. There were fewer and fewer people in the dining room.

“So…” The man lowered his head and whispered. “What do you think about Don Jorge?”

Taken back with the question, it took some time for Elise to answer. “Honestly, sir. I do not know.”

Checo looked at Elise’s face while narrowing his eyes. That made Elise even more awkward. The woman then looked away and did not dare to speak further.

“Drop the Sir. Call me Checo.” The man took a deep breath. “Welcome to my group, Elise. Hopefully, we can get along well, unlike those two women.”

“Thank you.” Elise still couldn’t look at Checo. To cover up her awkwardness, she finally started eating her breakfast. However, being too quick to do so, she choked and hastily drank some water from a large wooden glass.

Checo chuckled at the scene. “You remind me of my daughter. Well, even if your skin color is completely different from hers.”

Wiping her mouth with her hand, Elise replied, “Ah… I see…”

“And another difference is, she is not a warrior like you.”

Elise could detect the sad look on the man’s face.