5. The Attack

Bill walked into the Woods' house in confusion. He wanted to help his wife but he still didn't know what to do.

In the midst of his confusion, Andrew Reece, who was his trusted man, came back.

"No, General!" Andrew said.

"My wife is inside. I have to help her."

"General, how about we make a deal?" Andrew asked.

Bill frowned, "What deal?"

"If you are willing to come back, we will help you, General."

Bill exhaled harshly, realizing that nothing in this world is free. Very reluctantly, Bill said, "Alright, I'll be back."

Andrew smiled happily.

Andrew then took an action to help Bill.

"Good morning, General!" Andrew greeted on the day of Bill's return.

"How are you today, General?" the young man asked with a bright smile.

"No need for pleasantries. Get on with it, Reece."

Andrew even smiled nervously from too much excitement, "Yes, General."

"But before that, I'll have a word with King Keannu first."

"Yes, General. He will be happy to see you."

"I'll take my leave," Bill said.

Andrew was about to drop to his knees in excitement but he didn't because Bill hurriedly shooed him away. He was busy that afternoon saying goodbye to Emma White and promising to find her a better person to replace him.

"There will be no one better than you, Bill. There won't be," Emma said sadly, it was hard to let Bill go.

After all, Bill had been with her long enough to manage the fruit stall.

"Madam, I-"

"There's no need to worry about me. I know, you left for a better life. Don't worry!"

"Don't forget one thing, you have to succeed. Make it so that the family can no longer look down on you, Bill. I will always support you," Emma added sincerely.

"Thank you, ma'am," Bill replied.

Emma nodded in return.

Having finished saying goodbye, Bill was immediately escorted to a car by Andrew.

"Go ahead, General!" Andrew said, asking Bill to get into the car.

"General, are you ready?" Andrew asked just before they left.

"Yes, let's go," Bill replied.

The young man started driving the car.

"No one knows I'm at the palace, right, Reece?" Bill asked.

"As you requested, General. Only I, King Keannu and the Secretary of State know about it. That's why I'm picking you up."

Bill nodded with relief, "Good."

However, his relief was short-lived as Bill realized they were being followed. A car drove not far from them and managed to catch up with the car and drove right beside them.

"We seem to be followed, General. But who are they?" Andrew said, starting to panic but still concentrating on driving.

The man suddenly pulled out his gun from under his jacket.

Bill was watching the movement of the car and suddenly shouted, "Get down!"

The sound of gunfire was deafening.

Luckily, Bill and Andrew managed to dodge the attack in time.

"Gun, Reece!" Bill said quickly.

Andrew, who had returned to driving, quickly grabbed his other gun and handed it to Bill.

The pursuers were still trying to open fire but again Andrew managed to avoid their car. His concentration was quite good, Andrew could control the car while occasionally shooting with his right hand.

"To the right, Reece!" Bill ordered.

Andrew brought the car to the right side of the road. Bill stuck his head out without any trouble and pulled the trigger of his pistol.

He fired carefully and managed to hit the driver. The car hit a pole and couldn't move.

However, they were still facing two other cars that seemed eager to chase them.

"They're surrounding us!" Andrew said in a panic.

"Turn right, Reece!" Bill ordered.

The order sounded very clear but Andrew looked a little hesitant.

"Hurry up!" Bill said again.

Andrew immediately slammed the steering wheel and faced the two cars behind them.

Within seconds, Andrew saw Bill fire shot after shot, none of which missed. They were all on target. The two cars collided and made a sound that hurt the ears of anyone who heard it.

Afterward, the sound of explosions from the two burning cars added to the noise in the area. Andrew was stunned to see the amazing thing that had just happened in front of his eyes.

"General, you're amazing!" Andrew said with his eyes still unblinking, too amazed.

"Hurry up and clean it up, Reece! Don't let any rumors spread!" Bill ordered, not responding to Andrew's words.

Andrew quickly came to his senses and did his job. He contacted the two people he had given clear instructions to.

"Remember, no one should know anything is happening in this area," Andrew said before ending the call.

Bill waited, leaning against the car and closing his eyes. He wasn't sleeping but just neutralizing himself after what he had done a few minutes ago.

He knew how ferocious he would become on the battlefield so he needed time to extinguish the flames after finishing his task.

Otherwise, he could look at people with a wary gaze and it would make others uncomfortable.

"You're very incredible, General!" Andrew said once again.

Bill opened his eyes, looking at the young man, "It's nothing. Come on, it's not like you were with me in the war."

Andrew flashed a smile, "But you were-"

"Haven't held a gun for a few years, yes you're right."

Andrew nodded enthusiastically, "However, your abilities haven't changed one bit."

"You're wrong."

"General?"

Bill exhaled harshly, "I'm a little slower."

Andrew shook his head, intending to say something but Bill stopped him by saying, "Reece, make sure you investigate those people."

"Yes, General!"

"Find that guy, somehow it seems like this guy knows I'm coming back," Bill said.

Andrew was confused, "That's impossible, General. Just-"

"I don't think anyone betrayed me but there must be something. Find it out!"

"Yes, General!" Andrew said obediently.

"Let's go to the palace! Isn't King Keannu waiting for me?"

The palace still looked like it did the last time Bill left the grand and luxurious building. It was still guarded by troops surrounding every corner of the palace.

Every time Andrew and Bill passed by, everyone gave them access and let them pass. Andrew was a bit annoyed because they were all supposed to salute Bill but since Bill's identity was hidden, no one knew about it.

"Where should I wait?" Bill asked.

"The Silver Building, General!" Andrew replied.

Hearing the name of the building that was very familiar to him, Bill's forehead wrinkled.

Andrew understood and smiled. Bill's residence in the palace used to be in the Silver Building. In addition, all the awards Bill received during his service to the palace as well as his armor were also well kept there.

"Come, General!" invited Andrew.

Bill followed him wordlessly. When he reached the building, Andrew said, "You may rest for a while, General. Soon, King Keannu will arrive in here."

Bill didn't reply to Andrew's words and went straight into the building. He looked around the large room alone.

So many of his relics were still there. Some of them were even placed in glass cabinets, as if to keep them from being damaged.

His gaze then stopped on a large glass box in the center that Bill could already tell from a distance what was inside. He walked over and looked at it closely. The gleaming silver object was his favorite, his prized possession.

Just as Bill was about to touch the glass box, he heard someone from behind him exclaim, "Don't touch that!"

Bill spun around, staring at a familiar figure. It was Jody Gardner, one of his men who had now become a War General, replacing him after his resignation.

"That silver mask belonged to our previous War General. It's not to be touched by anyone," Jody said.

Bill smiled, "I'm just looking around."

"That's not allowed. Who are you to come into this building?" Jody asked with a not at all friendly expression.

Before Bill could answer, Jody said in a loud tone, "Guards, why was this person let in?"

"He came with Andrew Reece, General," one of the guards replied.

Jody suddenly looked at Bill with a probing gaze and saw that Bill's appearance was far from neat.

Jody looked down at Bill and immediately said, "Get him out of here!"

Bill was not surprised at all. Indeed, without his silver mask, Jody would not have recognized him.

One of the guards forcibly pulled Bill away from the large glass box, but then they heard King Keannu's voice echoing in there, "Stop it!"

The bodyguard let go of Bill and moved back. King Keannu along with a woman in her mid-thirties arrived there. The king's face was bright red.

"Your Majesty," Jody said while bowing respectfully.

King Keannu did not return the salute and instead said, "What have you done?"

"I ordered the guards to send away this man Andrew brought, Your Majesty. He had the audacity to touch General Mackenzie's mask," Jody replied.

King Keannu flew into a rage, "Presumptuous! Don't you know who he is, Jody? He's ...."