Protection [1]

The ones who attack first deserve retribution.

That was the law of the desert.

Book 4-3.1

The man looked around the oasis and had a satisfied smile on his face. He had sent his S-rank assassins to hide underneath the oasis sand while preparing the regular assassins to launch an ambush.

It was difficult to act inside a city. First, there would be too many people. That meant that no matter how quickly you took care of them, the kingdom’s security forces were likely to notice the commotion.

The Basara Kingdom might be a small kingdom, however, they were focused on power and their soldiers were all elite soldiers. In addition, their strict military discipline made it even more likely that they would notice any type of commotion.

Because of that, it was smart to take care of the targets before they entered the city. And just like they had done before, the targets were likely to rest in this location before they started on the last leg to the city.

‘Once this job is completed, I can be properly accepted. I will be able to have some subordinates working in the light as well.’

The man thought that way as he put on a hopeful smile. Even if the mercenaries protecting the targets were strong and numerous, he had brought 1,000 assassins with him for this job.

He didn’t have enough assassins nearby in the kingdom that he had to hire other assassins from throughout the continent.

Many guild members will most likely die from this job, however, it wasn’t a big problem if they managed to successfully complete their objective. There were still many orphans out on the streets, as well as people in the dark alleys who would gladly stab a passerby in the back to take care of a single meal.

So he would just need to retrain new assassins. The most important thing was to be accepted by his employer.

“They will pass by here within the next three days. I believe that you are all aware of why I put the viability of the guild on the line for this job.”

In front of the man was the group of SS-rank assassins that he had groomed himself. They were listening closely to everything he had to say. They all knew how important this job really was. If they succeed, they would be able to finally step out of the shadow and into the light. It would create that path for them.

The man continued to speak.

“Suppress all of the sentry and then signal. Once they see the signal, the assassins hiding outside of the oasis will enter. I will be moving on my own to find an opportunity to kill the targets and the mercenary leader.”

“We will be okay but I don’t know if our peers will be able to stand hiding underground.”

“Kill the ones who cannot stand it. A single weakling might put all of us in danger.”

The assassin’s nodded their head at the assassin’s cold words.

“This is something we must absolutely make sure that we successfully complete.”

The man clenched his dagger as if he was reminding himself of the importance of this job.

The size of Edwin’s caravan was even bigger than they had heard about.

Three thousand carts, four thousand people, and five hundred mercenaries. This caravan that transcended imagination created a grand sight of grandeur.

This caravan was probably better described as a small supply team during a time of war rather than a merchant caravan. It was amazing that a merchant could even bring a caravan this size all the way here. Edwin may be resourceful, but it probably cost him quite a bit of money to bring all of it here.

“Good work. We will protect you from here.”

Haisha approached Edwin and started to speak.

“Ah! You came all the way out here to greet us.”

There was no way Edwin did not know about the Glow’s personal brigade, the Red Storm. He immediately recognized them and happily shook Haisha’s hand as he answered.

Haisha looked around Edwin in awe.

“Assistant Warrior Runa had told us about it. He said it was a very large caravan, but this is beyond our wildest imagination.”

“It ended up that way. We can talk about the specifics as we move. Please wait a moment. If all of you are here, we can send the mercenaries back.”

Edwin said that and headed over to the leader of the mercenaries. Haisha could see that the mercenary leader who was in charge of 500 men was pretty young. His red hair lightly covered his eyes while his long hair flowed in the wind. He was quite an impressionable man.

Most importantly, Haisha was drawn to him because of the hook-like weapon on his waist that Haisha had never seen before.

After Edwin and the mercenary leader chatted for a moment, the red hair man nodded his head. After that, he took the mercenaries and started to retreat.

“The majority of that mercenary guild seem to be pretty young.”

Haisha asked with interest as Edwin approached him once more. Edwin looked toward the retreating mercenaries and answered.

“They are a strong and trustworthy guild. Their name is a bit ominous though.”

“What is their name?”

“Their official name is the Blood Soaked Crow. Everybody just calls them the Red Crow.”

“Red Crow?”

“Yes, the Red Crow. Since they are soaked in blood, they become Red Crows.”

“Ah!”

Haisha finally seemed to understand as he looked at the back of the retreating mercenary leader. Since they both had the same ‘Red’ title, it made him feel a certain level of familiarity.

“Honestly speaking, that young friend, the mercenary leader, is even more amazing. Many nobles in the continent tried to scout that friend into being the leader of their personal knights corps, however, they have all failed.

“He’s that good?”

As Haisha asked in shock, Edwin nodded his head and responded.

“He is only twenty-five this year. He is a Claw (means the toenail of a monster and has 2-4 large hook-shaped blades on both hands) Master.”

“Claw? It is an interesting weapon.”

“It is really a weapon often used by assassins. I presume that he was an assassin master before becoming a mercenary.

“Hmm.”

Haisha made a disappointed noise at Edwin’s answer. Haisha knew what the word master meant in the continent. To be a master of assassins at that age, it made it feel like the surrounding atmosphere was very ark.

“It was because I trusted him that I was able to make it all the way here. He is good at keeping promises.”

“I see. Then shall we get on our way?”

“Yes. Now I am starting to get drawn to the desert.”

“Hahaha. If you have any thoughts of staying here, we will make the best paoe for you.”

As Haisha laughed and responded, Edwin quickly shook his head.

“I will have to pass on that. Hahaha.”

Edwin’s caravan started to head toward Pareia with the Red Storm and 1,000 warriors protecting them.

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[1] It officially translates to escort, but I thought protection would serve the purpose better

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