Two Wrongs Make a Right Ch.18 (Patreon)

-9S, Vale-

The vibrant cityscape of Vale never ceased to fascinate Nines. It wouldn’t get old to explore a completely new and different city, especially one that wasn’t just ruins but full of life and operation. The stark contrast to the desolate world she knew or the humble coastal city in Menagerie, it stirred her curiosity to explore and learn even more.

Although she couldn’t just stay and learn more about it, as she needed to complete her given objectives. This was the reason why she found herself in a rather decrepit alley, a jarring transition from the bustling streets she had just left. The district where she had been with her academy team wasn’t poor by human standards, yet this narrow passage told a different story. She could perfectly feel the acrid smell of refuse and the distant echo of dripping water.

Her mind contemplated the alley’s state for a moment. Perhaps it was considered a place of disposal? That could explain the abundance of garbage dumpsters lined up on the left side, their rust-streaked surfaces a testament to years of neglect. The uneven cobblestones beneath her feet were slick with sticky substances, causing her to adjust her steps to avoid them.

Efficient? It could be a way to describe it as barely anyone ever comes to these places, so keeping maintenance at a minimum would be logical. Or at least, it was reasoning she could envision, though a part of her wondered if there was more to it–a question to pose to her teammates later, perhaps.

Either way, good appearance or not, she calmly reached the end of the alley and stood in front of an empty brick wall with the rough texture of the weathered bricks. She pulled the scroll from her pocket and, according to what she had been taught; she pointed the camera at the wall and tapped the special app that was installed.

Within moments, a swirling red vortex manifested before her, and then she watched as the portal was automatically registered on the growing list displayed on her screen.

With a simple nod of satisfaction, she stashed the scroll back in her pocket. 

Nines was making good progress, albeit slowly, as she was with her team, which rather restricted her with her movements. However, this was a necessity, as they were her guides regarding the city of Vale, mostly Yang and Ruby, who were frequent visitors. She found herself appreciating their company more than she had anticipated. Yang’s boisterous energy and Ruby’s earnest excitement about weapons technology had a way of making her feel... welcomed.

Eventually, she would be able to travel alone and keep setting up portals as the commander had instructed. But for now, she had to return to her team. 

“Yo Nines!”

She stopped and looked back to find Yang at the alley’s entrance, her golden hair catching the sunlight.

“Hey, whatcha doin’ here?” Yang asked before grimacing at the smell.

Ah, this would indeed look weird if not suspicious, better form a plausible excuse. “Oh, well, I saw an interesting-looking flying drone with lights and tried to follow it. But it’s a dead end, as you can see.” She gestured to the brick wall behind her, leveraging her natural curiosity to craft a believable lie, or at least she thinks it should be believable.

“A flying drone?” Her blonde teammate tilted her head, crossing her arms. “You mean the VPD ones?”

Nines nodded, maintaining a neutral expression.

Yang glanced around, then scratched her head with her robotic arm. “Look, I know you’re pretty new and curious about the city, but I reaaaaaally suggest you don’t get too curious about those flying things.”

“Why is that?” Nines asked, genuine interest coloring her voice. This could be valuable information.

Yang’s face soured with a frown. “Well, the VPD are... let’s say, not the friendliest bunch. If you follow their drones, they might think you’re a criminal trying to steal it. So they’ll either set off an alarm or, worse, shoot you. And those assholes tend to load real bullets in them.”

Nines processed this information, as it indeed carried some value for future reference. “Oh... I see. I apologize. I wasn’t aware of the implications.”

Yang’s frown melted into her characteristic smirk as she shrugged. “Eh, don’t sweat it. Nothing bad happened, so all’s good, right?” She nudged her head to the right. “Come on, we’d better head back, or the ice queen will start throwing a fuss that you’re missing.”

“Understood,” Nines replied, falling into step beside Yang as they exited the alley.

As they walked, Nines pondered the new information. It was fascinating the power dynamics at play, or it could be just a biased opinion?

“Yang,” she began, her curiosity getting the better of her, “could you tell me more about the VPD and their operations? It seems like an important aspect of the city’s functioning.”

Yang chuckled, throwing an arm around Nines’ shoulders. “Oh boy, you’re in for a treat. Let me tell you about the time Ruby and I accidentally stumbled into a VPD stakeout...”

It was an interesting story, to say the least. One she listened as they walked until they reached the relatively small but elegant looking store where Weiss Schnee was waiting, seated on a white chair at the outside tables with her arms crossed and one finger tapping her arm, not looking very pleased.

But that didn’t seem to affect Yang in the slightest as she carried her grin with her.

“One very safe and healthy Nines as ordered, princess.” She pat Nines back and then extend her normal hand towards the heiress. “I accept cash, transfer and credit.”

Weiss gave a dry look. “Very funny.”

But before the cold talk could continue, Ruby exited the store carrying a box on one hand with four coffee paper cups and her other hand carrying a box filled to the brim with biscuits of many flavors.

Ignoring everything while humming a strange tune, she placed both boxes on the table before handing out a black credit card to the heiress. “Got our lunch! I also got the flavor you wanted, Weiss!”

The girl in question nodded and took her credit card before stashing it on her beefy wallet.

That was implicitly taken for Yang and Nines to pull a chair and take a seat before everyone leaned closer to grab their cup of coffee and a random biscuit flavor. Nines picked the one with green spots.

Her team leader instead grabbed the obvious chocolate one and took a rather big bite, watching as her expression lit up and swallowed. “Wow, you were right Weiss! This is amazing!”

The Schnee finished her sip, closing her eyes with a clear aura of confidence. “Of course I’m right. I wouldn’t have suggested this place otherwise.”

“Wow, humble much?” Yang interjected.

“Quiet.”

Nines calmly took a bite of her biscuit and realized it was garlic with herbs, but despite the weird combination, she certainly liked it. “Thank you for treating us Weiss.”

Weiss only raised her nose even higher, looking very pleased and enjoying the gratitude. “Of course. One must reward hard work after all.” 

As the team continued to enjoy their treats, it soon went quiet, which her team leader went to rectify.

“So, Nines,” Ruby piped up, brushing chocolate crumbs from her lips, “what do you think of Vale so far? Any favorite spots yet?”

Nines paused, considering her response carefully. “It’s... different from anywhere I’ve been. Mistral was more rustic.” She said truthfully. “There’s so much to explore and understand. I find technological integration particularly interesting.”

“Oh, yeah?” Yang perked up. “Maybe we could hit up some of the tech districts next time. I bet you’d love it there. Ruby does.”

Ruby grinned and frantically nodded.

“That would be beneficial,” Nines nodded, a small smile tugging at her lips.

Then everyone turned to look at Weiss with expectant eyes.

She just sighed in exasperation and rolled her eyes. “Fine, it’s the least I could do after you all proved to be somewhat capable in your entrance exams. I expect you can maintain that level of competence, at the very least.”

Nines recalled the entrance exams they had taken for each class. While they wouldn’t count towards their overall grades, they were meant to assess the general knowledge level of the students.

“Hey! What’s that supposed to mean?” Yang protested, her lilac eyes flashing with indignation.

“Exactly what you heard,” Weiss replied coolly, lifting her chin.

“Girls, come on, let’s just enjoy this, okay?” Ruby quickly stepped in.

These two always seemed to clash, and as team leader, she felt responsible for maintaining harmony.

Her partner kept her glare fixed on the heiress but eventually relented with a sigh, leaning back in her chair. “Fine, fine.”

Nines observed the interaction with interest. Their different attitudes made such conflicts inevitable, but as long as it didn’t affect the overall team performance, it shouldn’t be an issue. She took a sip of her coffee, analyzing the rich, dense flavor with its subtle sweetness.

Weiss cleared her throat, her tone shifting to something more businesslike. “Moving on, this wasn’t only to eat but also an opportunity to discuss our curriculum for the following month. Because I had the sneaking suspicion that some of you haven’t read it yet.” Her icy blue eyes pointedly swept over Yang and Ruby.

Yang let out a dramatic groan, dragging both hands across her face. “Ugh! Come on, Ice-Queen, don’t be such a downer now. I thought we were going to have fun.”

Weiss shot her an annoyed look. “And I told you weeks ago when our team was formed that I want more than just passing grades. I cannot allow my team to underperform.”

Yang frowned and then looked at her sister. “What do you say, team leader?” She put a strong emphasis on the last words, much to Weiss’ visible annoyance.

Nines noted the underlying tension. It was clear that Weiss had wanted to be the team leader, and that dynamic was still causing friction.

Ruby fidgeted with her coffee cup, clearly uncomfortable with being put on the spot. “Well... I think Weiss has a point. We should probably go over the curriculum. But!” she quickly added, seeing Yang’s crestfallen expression, “We can make it fun! Like... like a study game or something?”

Nines decided to contribute to the discussion. “I agree with Ruby’s suggestion. Combining education with an element of enjoyment could increase information retention and team cohesion.”

Weiss looked mollified by Nines’ support. “Well, at least someone here has their priorities straight. And I actually came prepared!”

With a flourish, she pulled out a small deck of cards and began shuffling them before dealing one to each girl.

Nines finished her biscuit first and picked up the card dealt to her as she swallowed. It had a list of human traits printed on it.

“As I was saying,” Weiss continued, her tone taking on a lecturing quality, “according to our curriculum, this week we will meet candidates to become our bearer. So, I wish to know what qualities you are looking for so I can help Ruby sort out the potential candidates and make an informed decision.”

“Uh, what? Bearer?” Ruby tilted her head, silver eyes wide with confusion. “What’s that?”

Weiss looked around in surprise, met with the same bewildered expressions from Nines and Yang. She sighed, adjusting a stray lock of her pristine white hair. “Well, in simple terms, they are a support member for our team, mostly to take care of miscellaneous things when we go on missions and long training exercises.”

“So, a servant?” Yang said with a cocked eyebrow, a hint of challenge in her voice. “Can’t say I’m surprised you’d jump at the chance to get one, Ice Queen.”

“A bearer,” Weiss corrected sharply, her pale cheeks coloring slightly. “And this is a fundamental part of our studies. It’s not about having a servant, it’s about learning to manage resources and personnel in the field.”

Nines recalled a conversation she’d had with Sienna and what a faunus should expect as a student.

“I don’t remember reading about this in our handbook,” Nines said, her brow furrowing slightly.

Ruby nodded vigorously in agreement. “Yeah, me neither! And I’m pretty sure I read the whole thing... mostly.”

Weiss pinched the bridge of her nose. “It’s in the advanced section, which I’m beginning to think none of you bothered to read.”

“Hey, some of us have better things to do than memorize every page of a stuffy handbook, like they could have sent it to our scrolls instead.” Yang retorted, leaning back in her chair with a smirk.

Nines, sensing the rising tension, decided to steer the conversation back to the task at hand. “Perhaps we should focus on the qualities listed on these cards. It seems Weiss has put thought into this exercise.”

Ruby, eager to avoid another argument, quickly chimed in. “Yeah! Good idea, Nines.” She picked up her card, studying it for a moment before looking back at Weiss with a hint of uncertainty. “So, uh, do we really need a... bearer? Sounds kinda fancy.”

Weiss sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose before answering. “It isn’t mandatory, but it’s highly recommended. They’ll handle a lot of the mundane tasks, allowing us to focus more on our missions and studies. Frankly, I’d consider it a strategic advantage.”

“Oh! Like a super helper?” Ruby’s eyes lit up with understanding. “That does sound pretty cool.”

Yang leaned back in her chair, balancing it on two legs. “Eh, I guess I can see the appeal. Not having to do all that boring stuff would be nice.”

Nines observed their responses, noting the apparent consensus based on convenience and not other reasons she might have assumed. She needed to know more to report to the commander, so she opted for a neutral stance. “If the team is in agreement, I have no objections.”

“Finally, some sense,” Weiss said, allowing herself a small smile of satisfaction. “Now, let’s discuss the traits we should—”

Her words were cut off by the blaring siren of a passing bullhead, causing everyone to look up.

Nines quickly analyzed the aircraft, noting its unique design and the “LL” letters with a red cross insignia.

“Whoa, that was loud!” Ruby exclaimed, watching the bullhead zoom away.

“Probably just another gang fight broke out,” Yang shrugged, seemingly uninterested.

“Is this a common occurrence?” Nines asked.

Weiss huffed, clearly annoyed at the interruption. “Sadly, this isn’t Atlas, so fights across Vale tend to occur quite frequently. Now, can we please return to the matter at hand?”

“Right,” Ruby nodded, trying to look serious. “So, what super skills should our bearer have?”

Yang grinned mischievously. “How about ‘ability to sneak snacks into class’?”

“Yang!” Weiss snapped, though there was less heat in her voice than usual. “This is serious. We need someone reliable, discreet, and efficient.”

-----------------------------------------

-Adam Taurus-

I stare at my reflection, splashing water on my face before adjusting some unruly strands of hair. It’s grown longer lately. Maybe by next month, it’ll finally lose that spiky style. I’ve tried to tame it, but it always springs back up defiantly.

Tilting my chin up, I examine my jawline. Still smooth, no hint of stubble. Not surprising, considering I never showed signs of facial hair even when I was younger.

I grab a towel, quickly dry off, and hang it back on the bar. Picking up my blindfold, I secure it firmly in place.

Exiting the bathroom, I head straight for the portal at my home’s entrance. But instead of crossing it to return to Remmant, I dial Asanagi, bracing myself for her attitude as I wait for her to pick up.

“Well, well! The little commander finally graces me with a call!”

I bite back a sigh. “Any enemy sightings?”

“Hmph! Not a single one. I’ve been patrolling diligently while you were lazing about!”

This girl…

“Change objective from territorial sea patrol to contiguous zone. Same orders as Kawakaze–report before engaging.”

“Ugh, fiiiiine. You’re lucky I’m so competent, or I’d give you a good wallop for all these changes!”

I end the call, exhaling heavily. At least Kawakaze maintains some professionalism despite that cold attitude of hers.

Maybe I should have a word with Kali about Asanagi’s bratty behavior. Or if Kali’s being deceived about the extent of it, I might need to step in myself. A thorough disciplining might be in order - that attitude of hers is practically begging for it. A good spanking is becoming more tempting by the day.

I summon the helmet I got from the Snappers gang and put it on, along with that ridiculous jacket - thankfully covered by the standard White Fang white robe. For the final touch, I lock the token I was given in Menagerie onto my chest, making it visible to avoid any potential issues with other White Fang members.

Preparations complete, I step through the portal. There’s work to be done, temperamental shipgirls notwithstanding.

Earthen walls appear around me, the air thick with the scent of damp soil. A solitary light is the only guide until I emerge into the vibrant jungle. My eyes scan the dense foliage, eventually locking onto a wooden palisade and watchtower jutting above the canopy.

Mistral. Southern region. The humid air clings to my skin, a far cry from Menagerie’s salty breezes.

Initially, I hadn’t planned on leaving Kuo Kuana to take charge here, but the discovery of Atlas troops was more than enough reason to get involved and oversee the situation personally.

Of course, I made sure to complete as many tasks and paperwork in advance to prevent delays. Things back home should proceed smoothly, but they can always contact me if needed. This is also a small test of sorts, to see how they manage without my direct oversight.

For now, I’m just another operative in the field now, no different from Triffa. She left first as instructed, and it seems she’s still on her mission since there’ve been no new reports. 

I know this from the update from the Albain brothers. They’re aware of my arrival but have kept it secret as ordered. In public, I’m just another soldier, blending in with the masses. They’re quite busy handling the situation.

Sending them both to take charge weeks ago was truly the best decision, because from what I’ve been told, the base’s situation was a disaster waiting to happen.

It wasn’t due to incompetence by the officers left in charge; they simply weren’t trained to handle these kinds of situations. Most were assistants to the lieutenants who died in action months ago. They were only capable of keeping things from falling apart. It is a glaring issue in our military. I should draft plans for re-education and retraining to avoid situations like this from happening again.

Even though the brothers are doing good work, progress is still painfully slow. I can see this clearly as I walk across the base, or more like a large, haphazard encampment. Most buildings are just tents or caves, like the one I arrived at. Wood as the main defense material.

While I understand some of the reasoning behind this - like easier replacement, maintenance, and concealment - it’ll cause plenty of problems in the long term. Our troops will be exposed to sickness, harsh conditions, crowding issues, security problems, and plenty of sleep disruptions. 

Of course, I know they’re soldiers and have to endure harsh conditions, but they’re also people. We can’t force them to endure so many bad conditions for long periods. It’ll slowly chip their spirit and resolve. They’ll perform terribly when it matters most, and that’s something we can’t afford. A base like this should be temporary while we set up the real one, not a permanent solution to a temporary problem.

And that was only the lodgings’ lack of infrastructure. As I kept exploring, my frown deepening with each step, I quickly found where they store the supplies: in dug holes, like improvised basements. But something poorly made is prone to cave-ins, which could damage or completely ruin the stored supplies. One heavy rainfall, and everything could be ruined.

I need to bring one of my villagers to start working on all the upgrades. We might not be able to build a base on par with Atlas, but we definitely can do much better than this bare minimum.

I pause, considering the risks. I also need to be careful about how much we improve and build, because that would raise the chances of the base being discovered. A fully subterranean bunker headquarters would be ideal, but that’s currently out of reach. Still, a week should be enough to make significant improvements with what it’s in our reach.

I should have brought Ilia for this. Her company would have been really appreciated, but since I need to bring a villager, she can be his temporary guard as they make the journey. Asanagi will be patrolling those waters, which have already turned her into another layer of security.

Although...

Wouldn’t it be much faster if I portal back home and-

NO.

It’s only a day. There’s literally no problem in waiting a single day. It even gives me more time to plan things out. Yes...

I shake my head, trying to dismiss those thoughts and forget about them.

Realizing my mind is wandering too much, I pivot on my heels and head straight to the command post. It’s just a simple abandoned two-story house that’s been repurposed, a far cry from what we need, but it’ll have to do for now.

I walk past the guards stationed at the entrance without issue since they were informed of my arrival. Their eyes follow me, a mix of curiosity and respect in their gazes. I head straight to the second floor where a meeting should be taking place, my footsteps echoing in the empty stairwell.

As I approach the door, I can hear muffled voices behind it. Without hesitation, I grab the doorknob and open the door. I don’t need to knock.

The room falls quiet as all eyes land on me. In an instant, everyone straightens their backs and puts a fist above their chest, lowering their heads slightly.

“High Leader,” they say in unison, their voices holding the due respect.

I nod in acknowledgement. I walk closer to the large table in the middle of the room where a map of the region is displayed. My eyes narrow as I take in the details. It’s not just a map; it’s a planning board.

There are models for four different groups scattered across the surface. No, not scattered–strategically placed.

Us, the White Fang, holding our ground in the south. 

The Prometheus group to the west. 

The Mistral families, a thorn in our side, in the east. 

And the latest arrival, Atlas, their cold efficiency looming in the north..

With so many forces relatively close to each other, conflict is inevitable. The question isn’t if, but when. We have resupplied and bolstered our forces, but an open conflict with any of these, especially Atlas, will be very dangerous.

The others in the room remain silent, waiting for me to speak. I can feel their eyes on me, expecting a plan.

I lean closer, hands resting on the table, and look at my men. “What have you learned about Atlas’ arrival?”

The officer with antlers clears his throat before speaking. “Sir, our forward scouts managed to photograph one of the Atlas soldiers. The quality was sufficient to identify their insignias. These deployed troops are from the 4th Infantry Division, known as the Iron Vanguard.”

That’s actually surprising to hear. A numbered division means Atlas’ military is far more complex than I remember.

“The Fourth Division falls under General James Ironwood’s command,” adds the second officer.

Hearing the general’s name makes me frown. Because that would add a dangerous piece added to the game.

“And his security form, the Ace Operatives. Are they here as well?”

“None spotted so far, High Leader,” the officer replies quickly.

So they’re either good at hiding or weren’t actually deployed. I’ll need to consider both possibilities.

“Prometheus group,” I say, shifting focus.

Corsac speaks up, pointing at the west coast. “As seen on the map, they’ve established themselves in a coastal town. It’s only a single company, but we’re still uncertain if there are high-value personnel among them. That’s where we’ve sent our sister to investigate.”

“Has Triffa obtained any new intel yet?” I ask, turning to Fennec.

He shakes his head slightly. “Just confirmation of what we already knew, High Leader. But we are expecting an update in the coming days.”

Then we can only wait for now. I can put some trust in her abilities and her next report will have as many details as possible.

Looking at the map again, I focus on the pieces in the east. “The Hitsui family still controls this region, correct?”

Corsac nods."Technically yes, High-Leader. But a week ago, the Spider clan made their move. Now the village and its plantations have become contested territory. We’re uncertain if this is a simple land grab or if they intend to burn the plantations to the ground."

One of our officers steps forward and places a small vehicle model on the board. “The Hitsui family has been amassing forces, High Leader. Mostly modified cars and trucks, not military-grade. We believe they’re gearing up for a decisive battle to push out the Spider clan.” He pauses, then adds, “The Spider clan, on the other hand, has been stockpiling explosives and bringing in hunters - or at least individuals with unlocked Auras.”

I straighten, my mind racing with possibilities. Because this small war could work to our advantage. The victor will be weakened, potentially removing themselves as a threat to us. But there’s more to be gained here.

We could get involved and garner favor, potentially bringing a temporary ally to our side, even if it’s just a deterrent against the other two players. The Spider clan is the obvious choice due to past dealings, and the Hitsui family has always been openly hostile towards us.

“Send Triffa to the Spider clan once her report arrives.” 

Fennec’s brow furrows slightly. “High-Leader, are we involving ourselves in this fight?”

A slow, dangerous smile spreads across my face, even if none of them can see it. “Not openly. We’ll sabotage the Hitsui family, paving the way for a Spider clan victory. The Hitsui will be too focused on their battle to see us coming.”

I can feel the energy in the room shift. “Prepare a list of our best available operatives for this operation.” 

Fennec glances at the officer with antlers, who quickly nods and leaves to act on my orders.

That’s one thing done.

Then I need to address the other issue.

“The initial reports mentioned increased and unusual Grimm activity,” I pause, as I look at the remaining men. “What else have you learned?”

Corsac steps forward. “High-Leader, there have been numerous attacks on the town's defenses in this region. Oddly, they were small groups, but the attacks were frequent, too frequent. Yet, all of them were dispatched easily due to their size.”

I narrow my eyes, a frown forming. “And our base? Have we suffered any attacks?”

“No, High Leader,” Fennec replies, a hint of confusion in his voice. “We’ve prepared our defenses, but nothing so far.”

Strange. A military base, potentially full of negative emotions and aura users, should be a beacon for the Grimm. So that brings the question; why are we being spared?

And one thing comes to mind.

“Has there been any significant event in Mistral? A massive tragedy, or perhaps a family war, erupting?” I ask.

Everyone exchanges glances before one speaks up. “None that we’re aware of, sir.”

I cross my arms, my frown deepening. “Then something is displacing them. That should explain the smaller, scattered groups. If an Alpha had emerged, they’d be moving in hordes, not stragglers.”

The room falls silent for a moment.

“Of course, we’ve considered the possibility. But without concrete evidence, it’s just speculation. The teams we’ve sent to investigate have come back empty-handed. That leaves us with the question; natural occurrence or man-made?”

“Behemoths,” I state, my voice cutting through the room.

The temperature seems to drop as everyone goes still at my words.

I press on, unfolding my arms. “As we know, Behemoths are significantly different from the average Grimm in many ways. One key difference is that they are capable of claiming and protecting territory as their own, even from other Grimm.”

Fennec’s eyes widen. “So you’re suggesting a new Behemoth has arrived in this region, or was recently born, and claimed these lands as its territory?”

“And scared off the other Grimm, pushing them against the villages and towns?” Corsac adds.

I maintain my silence, letting them connect the dots themselves. It’s important they understand the gravity of the situation on their own.

Corsac speaks up again, his voice gaining strength. “Then that would explain Atlas’ presence, especially Ironwood’s division. His forces primarily focus on fighting Grimm across Remnant; much of their equipment is specialized for it.” He pauses, a glint in his eye. “We should investigate the equipment they’ve brought. Even if our forces clash, we’ll have an inherent advantage and can exploit their overspecialization if they have indeed only brought such equipment.”

I look in his direction and give him a nod of approval, which makes him smirk. This information about the general is new to me - so dedicated to fighting humanity’s true enemy. But I’m certain that wouldn’t stop him from attacking us, given the chance.

“But what about the Prometheus group?” The lone officer asks.

Fennec decides to answer, “They could be aiming for the same thing as Atlas. Behemoth data and samples can fetch high prices on the market.”

Samples? So my acquisition of that bone from the rock-eating Behemoth wasn’t just a fluke? Interesting.

“We’ve withdrawn our forces and kept only limited patrols as per your orders, High Leader. Do we maintain the same stance?” The officer’s question brings me back from my thoughts.

I press my lips into a line, considering our position. Moving against the families seems prudent, but we must tread carefully. And don’t bring too much heat on us.

“Our original purpose was to lie low,” I begin, my voice firm. “But given the current situation, we can’t maintain that position. We need more intel on our enemies. However, we can’t force a confrontation and spark a four-way war. We can’t afford that.” I pause, making sure they’re all listening. “We need to gather as much information about the Grimm as possible and confirm once and for all if a Behemoth is indeed the root of this problem. Once we achieve that, we can proceed accordingly.”

“It will be done, High Leader,” they respond in unison, standing straight with fists over their hearts, bowing slightly.

Everyone slowly exits the room, leaving me behind.

Alone again, I return my gaze to the map. 

The stakes have risen considerably, that’s for sure.

I take a deep breath, centering myself. This is what I’ve prepared for and why I’ve taken charge of both the White Fang and Menagerie.

This shall be the first victory of many.

But first I need to make a call.