"Indeed, it has declined." Suddenly, someone beside him interrupted, and Aiden looked up, it was the restaurant owner, who had come to deliver food to Franco.
Hearing what he said, Aiden took out another stack of bills. "Tell me everything you know."
"How can I accept that, dear customer? You've already given more than enough."
Although he said that, the restaurant owner's hands weren't slow. He directly grabbed that stack of bills, and the substantial amount made him grin from ear to ear.
"This Lovelace family is located near the border between Colombia and Country B. That area is filled with rainforests. But I heard that the current patriarch of the Lovelace family is already quite old and doesn't have the energy to manage the family territory, so many people want to swallow his land," said the restaurant owner.
"Sounds pretty miserable." Aiden nodded. "Then do you know the exact location of the Lovelace family?"
"Seems to be near a small town called Sena," the restaurant owner recalled.
"But I've never been there. You should know, it's very close to the Amazon basin. Normally, no one would go there unless they're out of their mind."
"Sena, huh?" Hearing this name, Aiden thought of the Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles and the Javier operation, Krauser and Leon met up at that location.
(A/N: fictional, not real.)
'What a coincidence.'
"Well, thank you." Aiden smiled slightly and said, then turned his head toward Franco, who was eating, "Can you ask your friend to take me there? Price is not a problem. I can pay you more."
Franco was stunned for a moment upon hearing that. He looked up at Aiden and was just about to speak when the restaurant owner said, "Hey, what kind of people could this poor kid know? How about this, sir, I know a few guides who have been to the deepest parts of the rainforest. As long as you pay them enough, they can take you anywhere."
Aiden glanced at the restaurant owner. He could see a subtle expression in the man's eyes, definitely not a kind look.
"Are you sure the guides you know can get me there?" Aiden thought for a moment and asked.
"Of course. As long as you pay enough, they're absolutely worth it. After all, not everyone dares to enter uninhabited zones." The restaurant owner rubbed his thumb and index finger as he spoke.
"Alright then. When can your friends set out?" Aiden asked.
"Anytime." The restaurant owner showed a meaningful smile, then returned to the counter and picked up the phone.
Watching him make the call, Franco hesitated to speak, but as a local, he just couldn't bring himself to say it.
"If you want to say something, just say it. Don't be afraid."
Aiden took a sip of water and said.
"Sir, that rainforest area is an ungoverned zone. There's basically no one managing it. If you're really going, it's best to find some trustworthy people." Franco lowered his voice.
"Also, many people go to the rainforest every year, but very few return. I heard they didn't die from the harsh environment, but were killed by the guides."
"So you're saying those so-called guides are very familiar with the area?" That's all Aiden cared about.
"Yes." Franco nodded. "If they hadn't gone deep into the rainforest, many people would've turned back immediately."
"Then there's nothing to worry about, as long as they can take me there." Aiden smiled and said.
"But…" Franco wanted to say something more, but the restaurant owner had already come back.
"Sir, those guides will be available this afternoon," the restaurant owner said.
"Then we'll depart in the afternoon," said Aiden. "I'm in a hurry."
"Alright," the restaurant owner said with a smile.
———
After checking out from the hotel, Aiden came to the restaurant.
The guide introduced by the restaurant owner was already waiting for him. But there was only one, a white man who looked about fifty years old and well-built.
"Apologies, the others suddenly became unavailable," the restaurant owner said a bit awkwardly.
Aiden shook his head to indicate it was fine, then looked toward someone who surprised him a little, it was the boy named Franco, and he was here too.
"Sir, I hope you won't need to use this." Franco still didn't know Aiden's name. He ran over and secretly stuffed something wrapped in newspaper into Aiden's hand, then ran off without looking back.
Feeling the shape inside the newspaper, the familiar touch told him it was a pistol.
"That kid..." Aiden shook his head and, in front of the guide, tore open the newspaper and took out the pistol.
Seeing the pistol, the guide immediately looked uncomfortable and signaled subtly to the restaurant owner.
The restaurant owner was also a bit surprised. He cautiously asked Aiden, "Sir, what is this?"
"Nothing. That kid's just worried something might happen to me." Aiden skillfully checked the pistol. It was an old M1911. The rusted body and nearly rifling-less barrel showed it was completely unreliable. He casually tossed it onto the table, not interested in such a thing.
Seeing Aiden throw the gun aside, the guide let out a sigh of relief and said, "Sir, we've prepared everything. We can set out anytime."
As he spoke, he pointed to a parked off-road vehicle outside. "We'll go in this. How does that sound?"
"Anything's fine with me." Aiden waved his hand nonchalantly.
"In that case, let's head out." The guide finished speaking and walked toward the off-road vehicle.
From the Port of Barranquilla to the Amazon rainforest was a fairly long journey. Even by car, it took about three days to reach the Colombian border.
"Sir, once we get through that jungle, we'll reach our destination, Sena Town." In the car, the guide turned and said to Aiden, who had his eyes closed and was resting.
Aiden opened his eyes and glanced at the increasingly dense forest as the vehicle drove deeper in, then nodded and closed his eyes again.
Seeing him like this, the guide smiled. It was the first time he had met such a relaxed tourist. Usually, people either got excited or nervous upon entering the rainforest. Someone as laid-back as this was rare.
However, for some unknown reason, this usually deserted trail suddenly became lively. After every short drive, they would encounter many villagers. They even ran into a large group of civilians arguing with what seemed to be military personnel, completely blocking the road.
With no choice, the guide had to choose another route with more people. And on that route, their off-road vehicle was stopped by someone.
"What's going on?" Realizing the vehicle had stopped, Aiden opened his eyes.
The guide said, "Sir, someone's blocking the car."
Aiden looked up ahead and frowned. The person blocking the car, he actually knew him.
It was Leon, his former comrade-in-arms from Raccoon City.
"Well, damn... What a coincidence." Aiden cursed inwardly.
At this moment, Leon knocked on the window, signaling them to roll it down. He hadn't noticed Aiden sitting in the back seat.
The guide looked back at Aiden to get his opinion.
"Open it," Aiden said.
The guide then rolled down the window.
"I'm sorry, my vehicle broke down. Can I hitch a ride?" Leon asked politely.
"Of course, Leon." Before the guide could speak, Aiden answered.
Hearing someone call his name, and the voice sounded familiar, Leon paused, peeked into the back seat, and then exclaimed in surprise, "Oh my god, it's you, Aiden!"
"I'm so lucky to run into you here." After getting in the car, Leon started chatting nonstop, "I remember you were in that place called Roanapur, right? Never thought you'd come here. What are you doing, on vacation again?"
"Something like that," Aiden replied. He already knew Leon had joined the CIA, so it wasn't surprising to hear where he had been.
Then Aiden looked at Leon and asked, pretending not to know, "What about you?"
"What else? Working like a horse," Leon glanced at the guide, sighed, and lowered his voice, "After Raccoon City, I joined the CIA. Then I got a mission to investigate a drug lord named Javier in South America."
He didn't mention that his plane had been shot down, because he knew Aiden always cared about that sort of thing.
"Then you must be making a lot of money now." Aiden smiled. He remembered Leon complaining about his salary more than once during Raccoon City.
"That's true. It's much better than when I was a cop. Though, to this day, I haven't received a single cent from the police department." Leon said indignantly.
"So where are you heading now?" Aiden continued to play dumb.
"To a town called Sena, to meet up with my teammates," said Leon.
Since he had been assigned temporarily by the Anti-Biohazard Task Force, and Aiden had also experienced Raccoon City, he didn't hide it.
"Well, what a coincidence," Aiden said. "That's my destination too."
"Looks like fate brought us together," Leon grinned. "Last time, we left in such a hurry, I didn't even get to buy you a meal. This time, once we reach the town, I must treat you to a drink."
"Don't say no, I'm paid well now," Leon emphasized.
"I'd be more than happy," Aiden nodded.
As they chatted, the off-road vehicle finally exited the jungle, and a large group of European-style buildings came into view.
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