We Can Be Family

"Luke is the youngest among us, his relationship with our former boss is different." Bruno said. What could Valentina say? She nodded, "I understand." Unable to discuss the topic any further, Valentina felt increasingly strange, she quickly changed the subject, "Mr. Felton, I need your assistance in a matter." "Please tell me, Miss Ricardo." "Our previous territory in Blackwater was seized, and although they returned it a couple of days ago, I plan to relocate and rebuild. Can my subordinates stay with your God Armed Alliance for a while?" William looked at Bruno and the others, and generously agreed. "Also, I think the area near your God Armed Alliance is decent. We can be neighbors, look out for each other. Hence, I'm applying for a plot over there." Leonard's eyes widened, 'You wish!' he thought. 'Who’s looking out for whom? Are you sure we’ll not be taken advantage of?' William just laughed without saying a word, observing Valentina's audacious proposition. Bruno and his crew exchanged glances, realizing that Valentina was arranging them a protective umbrella. If they could really stay with God Armed Alliance for a while, and then build their base near God Armed Alliance, who would dare mess with Blackwater in continent M in the future? William finally spoke, "My God Armed Alliance always cherishes talent, especially someone like Miss Ricardo. Instead of being mere neighbors, why don't we take a step further and become a family, moving ahead together?" What does he mean? Is he suggesting that they join God Armed Alliance? Immediately, all eyes turned to Valentina. For a mercenary group their size, being actively recruited by God Armed Alliance would be an incredible opportunity. Yet, Bruno and his crew were unwilling. They were all once nameless subordinates, who knew the character of the nameless well. How could they justify joining God Armed Alliance to their deceased boss? Valentina teases her eyebrows: "It's not impossible." Bruno's complexion changes slightly, just about to say something, He heard Valentina continue: "But I’m used to being the boss. Mr. Felton, are you going to give me the leader position in God’s Armament?" In the end, William gave the land next to God Armed Alliance to Blackwater. He also vacated a villa for Blackwater to stay temporarily and was willing to invest manpower and resources to help them build their territory. Upon entering the villa, Valentina says to Bruno, "Spread the word, Blackwater want manpower, those willing to join Blackwater will get fifty thousand dollars per month, seventy thousand for those with good skills, and a six percent commission for personal performance." This offer is much better than other mercenary groups. Bruno: "How many are you planning to recruit?" After making her name in the fighting ring, Blackwater once again became famous. Recruiting became a matter of minutes, and many former Blackwater subordinates returned at the news before the fighting club. Now they are about to become neighbors with God Armed Alliance, they believe as long as the message is spread out, they just need to wait and select their people. "The more, the better, if you can recruit everyone from the Chadron, I will honor you with great merit." That's impossible, God Armed Alliance would not allow it. "Why do you need so many soldiers?" Bruno originally thought Valentina was very similar to their nameless boss in many ways. But this sudden leap of Valentina was completely opposite to the nameless. The nameless was selective about everything, including his subordinates. He preferred quality over quantity. Valentina was silent for a moment before she suddenly said sternly, "Would you be afraid if I told you that I have a deep-seated grudge against the Shadows?" Bruno looked slightly surprised, "You mean the number one assassin organization in the world, Shadows?" "Yep." In reality, all Valentina had to do was tell Bruno and the rest that their boss, Unknown, was killed by the Shadows, and they would risk their lives to avenge her. However, she didn't want them to lose their lives in vain. If they were willing to follow her, they could. If not, it was only human nature—they could part on good terms. She did need a power to contend with the Shadows, but she would not exploit the Blackwater's affection for Unknown. Although, she couldn't exactly call it exploitation, as she was ultimately Unknown himself, and Unknown was her. "If we were afraid of death, we wouldn't have come to the Chadron. We would have disarmed and returned to our farms a long time ago. Our previous boss, Unknown, once said that all we Blackwater care about is loyalty. Since you're now our boss, your business is our business. Anyone who dares to hurt you, is, in essence, hurting all of us." Bruno's gaze was unwavering. There was a subtle lift of Valentina's perfectly shaped eyebrows. Did she actually once utter such inspiring words? Valentina said, "My participation in the Dueling Competition might have drawn the Shadows' attention. However, they're unlikely suspecting much. Don't divulge this matter for now—just be cautious." "Alright." An engine sound was heard from outside of the front door. Leonard got out of the car, "Miss Ricardo, your requested car is here." "Are you heading out?" Bruno asked. "I'm going to find Luke." Valentina waved her hand and left. Valentina drove to a beautiful forest. From a distance, she saw Luke, who had disappeared for several days, sitting in front of a new tombstone. Valentina rolled down the car window, looked at Luke completely immersed in sorrow. It was clearly a solemn and sad scene, but Valentina found it both helpless and amusing. She got out of the car and walked over, saw a few cups of wine laid out on the ground, and Luke sitting on the ground murmuring something. "We Chinese only hold a wake for three days, that's enough time." Luke turned his head to look at Valentina who was approaching. Valentina asked, "Have you cried?" Luke frowned and asked, "Only my boss and I know about this place, how did you find out?" Luke was on a mission with a few veteran mercenaries from his group at that time. As a result, they were ambushed by enemies, leaving only him alive. If their boss hadn't arrived in time, he wouldn't have survived till now. At that time, Unknown had a rest here while he was carrying Luke, who was badly wounded. Valentina squatted down, took a look at the tombstone, and thought to herself: it was lucky this kid didn't put a black and white memorial photo on it, otherwise it would be scary. "Your current boss not only has excellent skills, she can fight against thirty-five in the arena but is also well-connected. There is nothing about you guys from Blackwater that I don't know," Valentina told him. "Did my boss tell you?" "Eh～your boss is me now," Valentina corrected. "Hmph," Luke grunted, turning his head away. "Alright, it's getting late, come back with me. Stop wandering around like a little kid," Valentina stood up. "I'm 24!" Luke retorted, clearly irked by Valentina's feigned maturity. Valentina tilted her head, looking at him: "If you don't leave now, I'll tell Bruno and the others about how you still wet your bed when you were five." Luke quickly turned to her: "How, how do you know?" Luke felt a bit embarrassed. He had revealed this incident when he had been injured and was dazed on the back of their boss, and he had regretted it greatly when he had sobered up the next day. Even his deceased parents didn't know about this incident. "I just said, there's nothing in Blackwater that I don't know. Are you going or not? If not, you can walk back by yourself later." Luke stared at Valentina for two seconds, then he suddenly stood up, pulling out three incense sticks from nowhere and lit them. Then Valentina saw him handing over the smoking incense, saying: "I know it's a tradition in your Thawville to burn incense for the deceased." Valentina's eyes narrowed, her gaze dangerous. Thinking to herself: Boy, don't push it.