Entering The War

"Well, this is a pleasant surprise," Mashia exclaimed, eying their new members.

The look on Solance, Shuri, and the two young master and mistress of both Hilus and Miri Family can be described as sheepish.

"Are you sure of joining us?" Ryker asked.

"Our mission will be dangerous at the latter stages of the war," he reminded.

"It's alright, we are here for the life-and-death experience," the young mistress of Miri Family explained.

"Yes. Our family send us here, which they say the safest and most dangerous group in the war, to make us mature, or so the excuses of the elder," the Hilus Family young master continued.

Ryker turned to both Solance and Shuri, both of them nodding at the words of their companion. The silver-eyed man sighed.

"If this is what you want, I will not refuse all of you. But be warned, from now on, you are under my command, so my orders is absolute," he said with a stern voice. The young master and mistress of the Great Family nodded, showing they understand their standing. 

 Ryker nodded in approval. With the addition of the four people, the strength of his battle group will improve. While they are only at the Genesis Condensing, they poses multiple strong Techniques from the inheritance of their Family, which make them stronger than cultivators at the same realm as them.

Still, he need to place them where it is appropriate but that will come soon.

 "Let's go," he called out to Mashia. The dragon girl nodded as she engulfed them with her qi before carrying them to the other of their group's location.

-x-

 The journey took them few days, not just from the long distance but from the need to not be spotted by enemies patrol. After all, there still guerilla fighters all over the lands that the Esel Barony occupy, so patrols were essential in keeping such combatant in check while ensuring that the supply line is maintained. 

 They soon arrived at a small mountain, overlooking their future target, the border city.

 "So that's the border city," young master of Hilus Family exclaimed. The others nodded, observing the city that once maintained the border of the Barony. 

 However, it is now a military fortress used by the Esel Barony, with soldiers can be seen patrolling the area, along with multiple experts flying around, overlooking the entire area.

 Thankfully, Mashia mastered a concealment Technique, allowing them to not be seen by the experts. They soon land on the mountain, near a cave. Ryker soon entered the cave, followed by the young master and mistress, before Mashia entering it last,

 As they entered, torches with Sunlight Gem on them illuminate the area, allowing them to see the way. They soon saw a more brilliant light at the end of the tunnel.

 As they passed through it, the young master and mistress could not help but exclaimed in shock. A large cave was upon them with many experts at the Genesis Condensing and above walking around.

 Some of the experts are training while some of them are practicing, but overall, none of them slacked off, trying to improve their strength as much as possible. 

 "So, what is the reason for the formation of this battle group?" Solance asked. As his Family focused on the military affairs, it make sense for him to question the reason for such large number of experts spending time inside a cave.

 "That is confidential, and you will learn of it when the times come," Ryker answered, though he expected none of them to drop of the topic.

 They soon saw more experts. In fact, Solance swore he could detect 9 Genesis Core experts.

 "What should we do?" Shuri asked. The others looked at him as well, hoping for an exciting task.

 "For now, you should get some rest for tomorrow training. Then in the evening, you will have a scouting mission to monitor the activity of the border city. Anything suspicious will be reported directly to the Baron. Any other question?"

 Shuri raised her hand. Ryker nodded at the white-haired young woman.

 "Do we have our own room, or do we have to share it?" a valid question and one he could answered right away.

 "You have to share your room, but don't worry, the woman and man sections are separated," Ryker assured the two women, who nodded, glad for some form of privacy.

 "Get ready for one of the boring part of being in this group, staying here and doing nothing, waiting and hoping that we will be relieved from this job," the four light shivered at his monotone warning, sharing a look between them all, and wondering if they made a good decision or not.

 -x-

 "When he said the job is boring, he is not joking," Solance said in a joking tone, earing a mirthfup nod from the other, acknowledging his statement. After all, they did nothing but scouting, training, practicing, and sparing.

 They wondered many times if they make the right decision or not. In the end, they decided to trust their elder and the higher-ups of their Family, knowing they will not put them in such dangerous but safe place without reason. 

 Still, they wished for excitement in their monotone life.

 "Ah, I wish something interesting will happen," Solance said. His prayer was answered in an instant, as they watched a commotion happening inside the border city.

 "What do you think happened inside?" Solance asked in a serious tone, his eyes gazing at the border city with a hint of worry.

 "Nothing good for the Barony, no doubt of it," the young master of Hilus Family replied.

 As they wondered if they should stay and observed or went back to the others, the enemies made the decision for them. Large column of experts and soldiers marched out of the city, their number surpassing what they have ever seen before.

 "This is definitely important," Solance exclaimed, unable to say anything else due to shock. The rest nodded, similarly in the same state as his.

 "Send messages to the one in charge of communication, the main headquarters need to know of this," Solance said, the other two nodding as they went towards the Secret base, planning to tell the higher-ups of the new development.