Chapter 167 - The start of a cold war

Aile then asked whether the White Clan had received support yet. There was no way that Hunter did not ask for aid when their last 6th powerhouse disappeared. On top of that, the fake appearance of Peona Kingdom that Aile created, left clues linking them to the royals. Making it seem like it was a ploy to divert the White Clan's attention while they killed their people. In fact, their brazen act of trying to kidnap Violet along with the fact that Marquis Andrew and the white robe leader came to collect the kidnappers was discourteous. Such a situation of utilizing their advantage became a sort of proof that they indeed killed that old man.

Three nodded and told him that the reinforcement consisted of Duke White's first son and more powerhouses. They have already killed any royal member that entered the north of the city as retaliation. Aile was surprised that the war started already, but he was told the people killed were assassinated. On the surface, there was still some semblance of balance and peace.

The town has been divided, any member of the royals at the north of the town will get assassinated. A similar situation happens in the south if a White clan's member enters.

Three then turned to Aile and said, "What are your orders, boss?"

Aile thought about it for a few seconds, and after getting more information from Three, he was modifying his plan.

Aile then explained his situation about the old lady that Hazel and Aile met with and what happened after. This made everyone concerned and worried about Aile. It was even harder to evaluate if what she said are the truth and not some elaborate scheme. However, Aile told them that she was too powerful to care about scheming, and it was worth making sure that everything is fine in Fort Bot. Nonetheless, the fact that such a powerhouse was willing to trade later, did not make the argument substantial, and the worry laced environment did not change.

"Anyway, I have decided to go. So for me, personally getting immediate revenge will have to wait after I return. However, if I remember correctly the exam for getting your names are approaching?"

Zero, One, Two, Three, and Four nodded and curiously looked at Aile expectantly.

"One and Four are a team, and Two and Three are another team. Your goal is to make Marquis Andrew embarrassed and disgraced until I return. You do not have to kill him because I have something already prepared for him, but until then, I cannot have him enjoy life either. The group that I think humiliated him worst will get an extra reward. You are not allowed to get caught, seen, or use any of my previous influence or resources." Aile's test was simple, they needed to be able to go to a city and conduct a mission without influence and sabotage, assassinate or create rifts between allies. This was an examination for them to see if they are capable of doing such a thing. The test was easier in the sense that they were already accustomed to the town. But also harder, because they could not use any of Aile's business, underground presences, tavern and other roots that he has established. This would create enough of a disadvantage compared to a difficult mission in another town, especially when taking the powerhouses in Port Kiar into account.

Zero looked at Aile and tried to get his attention, and after not hearing anything, she said, "What about me?"

"Zero, this mission is not for you, in fact, I do not have anything for you yet. Your element is not suitable for this kind of mission. You do have a quicker regenerative ability, but I do not want you in front lines and see you get hurt. Once you get to the fourth stage, I will take you on a solo mission." Zero was not happy, but the fact that Aile was worried for her made it easier for her to control her displeasure. The solo mission with Aile also seemed like a reward, so she was not against it. Recently she had found a new confidant in Leia and being indoor was no longer boring spending it with her.

Aile continued, "Originally I was hoping for you and Leia to go to Fort Bot as anyone not required here would be in unnecessary risk. But as I am not sure of what is happening there, that plan is temporarily on hold. I do want you two to be ready as I might call you there."

Once Zero was satisfied, Three said, "Boss, you should visit the remnant group of the bandits, things do not look good there, and the two girls wanted to talk to you."

Aile nodded. Remembering the loss of many subordinates as a result of losing the bandits. The loss would create a butterfly effect affecting him in many avenues. The most obvious being the financial loss, but the change in bandit's leadership will affect the underground force, as a lot of Beshoys subordinate worked there too. He sighed, things have already proceeded in this direction and cannot be changed. The loss of his constant revenue was not ideal for him. Aurelius did not seem reliable and was too full of himself. Aile had already decided to only allow him as the bandit leader before. Now that he had lost his value, he was not concerned about him much.

He had not listened to his two girls and went for the trade, as usual. This resulted in such a mistake. He was a perfect candidate to blame everything on, but finding someone to blame was not something Aile was looking for.

Beshoy was heartless, massacring many people for fun before. Although he had become much better, he also did not have a future with him apart from this business venture. This left the two girls, they seemed competent, and because of them, he had not made up his mind to give up on the group. He thought that after talking with them, he can decide on their fate.

Aile then said, "Also we are selling the Sun Merchant Union to the Oxe family."

Everyone was surprised. Hazel looked at Aile curiously, and he knew what she wanted to ask.

"Do not worry, we are keeping the adventurer group."

Xue gathered her courage and said, "I do not think that is a good idea. Although without the bandit's aide there is no need to keep both Merchant Unions, I believe... The Oxe family's representative sold the information of our involvement with the bandits... to the royals to get control of our union. We should not give him the satisfaction and let his plan come to fruition."

Aile nodded with a cold grin, "Yes... I too am sure that is the case."

Everyone gave him a look of 'why then?'

"Let's just say anyone that holds the merchant union will face a calamity soon. Since Luna is hurt, I hope you can transfer the ownership to them quickly, Xue. I will initiate and get the trade later today, I have already booked a meeting with that representative."

Xue nodded but was rejected by a weak voice, "No need, I can do that."

Luna had woken up seeing her responsibility being handed to Xue, she fought back. She did not want to be considered useless.

She knew that she had used many people greedily as a shield for her survival. She wanted to show Aile she was worth their sacrifice. She also knew that she had a debt of gratitude towards Aile. The talismans that he gave her protected her, and it was one of the main reasons she was not taken against her will.

Plus Xue has reduced her presence in Sun Merchant Union and avoided being in the limelight for a year. So that no one links her to Moon Merchant Union where she takes a more open role. This would ruin all her effort.

Aile hearing her, placed his hand on her forehead and checking that she was fine, he brushed his hand over her head and hair smoothly and asked, "How are you feeling?"

"I - I - I am fine... So-sorry to cause trouble for you..." said Luna with a crimsoned face.

"Why are you apologizing? It was not your fault, I will not let something like that happen again. You can rest and heal now."

She shooked her head in denial, and Aile's fingers gave her scalp a gentle massage, and she said, "No, I want to do my job... Also, sister Xue has spent a year to extract herself away from the Sun Merchant Union... I - I do not want her to lose all her effort." She did not stop shaking her head gently and experienced bless from Aile's gentle touch. Sneaking a glance at everyone to see their reaction, she continued her performance after confirming no one noticed her action conducted slowly. Of course, she avoided Aile's gaze as he would have noticed it. This was the most brazen act she had ever committed in her life, however having a close encounter with death, she was going to live with less regret. Noticing that Aile did not stop his actions either, she was elated, the first action she took out of her comfort zone was not rejected. The injuries to a small degree seemed worth it.