The Martial Unity

The meeting did not last much longer once Savin got across the vital information he was trying to convey. Furthermore, the time for the mission commencement was due as well.

"If there is nothing else, can you lead us to the target objective?" Fae asked.

Savin nodded. "The dispatch team is actually situated at a separate facility not too far away from here, the reason I called you here was to speak to you. And also ensure you join the dispatch team carriage in a furtive manner, to ensure that there is no way that intel of your participation in this dispatch can be leaked."

This made sense. If the bandit group did have ears in Hajin and the Lowminer Industries, then walking over to that particular dispatch would be the same as announcing to the bandits that there were five Martial Apprentices protecting the supplies. It was better to pretend that the Martial Apprentices were called over for entirely unrelated matters and then sneak them into the Martial Apprentices.

"We'll have the five of you publicly leave this branch and then secretly reroute you back to the dispatch team in a pre-scheduled carriage." Savin explained.

They were being quite careful.

Fae simply nodded. "Where do we rendezvous with this carriage?"

Savin didn't say a word as his secretary took out a card with the Lowminer stamp on one side and an address specified on the other side of the card, handing it over to Fae.

Fae nodded. "We'll take our leave then."

"Yes, thank you for your services." Savin replied.

As they left, Rui grew absorbed in his thoughts. There was a lot that happened that he had to think about. For one, his impression of the Lowminers was different than what he had constructed in his mind. But he was cognizant enough to realize that his initial impression of them was, in no way, reflective of their true nature. A little bit of hospitality and respect was not indicative of a good-nature. Just a smart enough nature.

But he had also come to realize that his first mission did indeed colour his impressions of the Lowminer Industries a little too badly.

Did they do some genuinely reprehensible things? No doubt.

Were they unique in that regard compared to their peers?

Probably not.

Rui wondered about Karl Hier, Bella's father. This man singlehandedly shot to the top of the esoteric material supply industry in a decade and spent the next few decades expanding to other towns. Was that really possible without some genuinely dirty and low measures?

Probably not. Rui did not think it was possible to shoot to the top of the business game by being a kind-hearted soft angel.

Karl Hier may have been even worse than the Lowminer Industries.

​ Ultimately, the world was ruthless, and power and victory were everything. Only a fool would hesitate to step on other to reach the top.

This was true even in the twenty-first century of Earth, why would it not be true in a world that was much harsher and more ruthless?

Coming to terms with this washed away the final set of compunctions he had regarding this mission, though it did also make him more cynical in his worldview.

Fae broke the silence and his reverie once they had moved away from the population of the town and away from prying ears. "We'll have to stay on our toes every second of the mission, this actually a matter of life and death."

Dalen nodded curtly. "We're guaranteed to be attacked, but atleast this time we were fortunate enough to be informed well in advance. Many Martial Artist die because they're caught off-guard."

"We'll set up a shift rotation for surveillance to ensure there's someone to keep an eye out at some point or the other. We need maximum alertness on this mission." Fae instructed, earning a nod from everyone.

"Furthermore, it also helps we know that most of their attacks don't stray too far from the center of the Shadow Trails valley." Rui further added. "Meaning we know which parts of the journey have the highest likelihood of being the moment they choose to ambush us."

"That is true, that hadn't hit me yet." Kane said. "This means we can time when we're most alert as well to ensure we don't miss anything."

Fae nodded. "We also should come up with a simple set of steps to follow when the attack does occur."

"The actual commission made to the Martial Union takes priority." Rui stated. "I don't mind if their little bandit-elimination operation fails as a result. Their operation is not our mission, it's their voluntary prerogative, we just need to what we came her to do; Protect them. That is the protocol of defense-class missions."

"Agreed." Milliana spoke for the first time, as the other nodded. Rui's words made the most sense.

"Still." He continued. "It's likely they have accounted for this. That is why they sent three extra Martial Apprentices. Those three Martial Artists have likely received orders to take ambush, surround and take down as many Martial Apprentice bandits possible."

"You mean they won't be focusing on protecting the dispatch like us?" Kane frowned.

"Probably not." Rui conjectured. "That's why they hired five Martial Apprentice bodyguards. The reason they sent three extra Martial Apprentices is probably to ensure the enemy Martial Apprentices can't escape us. They'll probably try to box them, forcing them to fight all seven of us."

"Why would the bandits even try to escape immediately after ambushing us though?" Kane pressed.

"Because they wouldn't have been aware the dispatch carries eight Martial Artists, assuming these secretive measures work and they don't find out." Rui replied. "Bandits are driven by gains, attacking a travelling group protected by eight Martial Apprentices is simple not worth it. But since they aren't aware of that fact, they will attack only to be horrified they see the five of us jump out to protect the men and the goods. Unless they're unreasonable, they'll escape, it's not worth attacking us as I said."

Kane finally understood. "So the three Martial Apprentices are to ensure they won't be able to escape once we box them. And then they'll be forced to fight the eight of us on all sides."

Rui nodded. "Considering all these factors, if all goes smoothly, this operation of theirs has a decent chance of succeeding."

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