Otherworld Advance Team
Chapter 241 - 234: Reporting the Situation

Chapter 241: Chapter 234: Reporting the Situation

If that’s the case, then the situation would indeed be tricky. All the forces were eying Arya’s Blade, but having only five members of the Advance Team dispatched from the headquarters to compete for it seemed like a fool’s dream.

Considering the current martial law in Saint Bava City, the chances of these people making a move within the city were slim, but it couldn’t be completely ruled out. Once Arya’s Blade left the city, there would be countless forces watching this precious sword on its way back to the Holy City.

However, it’s still too early to speculate now, particularly since the Heresy Tribunal Army has yet to arrive, making it hard to assess their overall strength. But if the Church’s Pope isn’t a fool, the Heresy Tribunal Army should deploy all its elites to ensure the safety of Arya’s Blade.

Aud people, equipped with Earth’s firearms. For some reason, when Cheng Ziang put these two clues together, he was instantly reminded of their experience at the Magic Academy. Those who held the Academy hostage were also Aud people, but they spoke English and used Earth’s weapons, intending to throw the blame on Earth.

Could it be that these Aud people were also sent by that same group back then? If he remembers correctly, those people seemed to come from the Court, and it’s highly likely they have received the backing of the secular power, seizing the opportunity to incite conflict between Earth and the Church Court.

If this group was indeed sent by the same people from then, would they also want to stir up conflict between the Church Court and Saint Basaya?

"One drink is enough for me, you can continue!" After finishing his drink, the soldier told his companion.

"What kind of reason is that?" The confused companion asked.

"The Captain wants us to stand guard and keep an eye on those people so that they don’t cause any problems, and I need to go and change the watch duty later!" The soldier said after burping loudly.

"Those Aud people?" The companion asked after a pause.

"Yes, the Captain fears they will cause trouble. These people carry weapons from the Otherworld. If they conflict with the Church’s people, we will end up getting the blame." The soldier complained unhappily.

"Alright then, you should drink less," the companion said in understanding, "There have been more and more strange people in the city recently, all coveting Arya’s Blade in the royal palace!"

"Speaking of which, which palace is the sword kept in?" The soldier, clearly a little drunk, couldn’t help but ask.

"I’m not sure either, but it seems people in the lower city district have been having a tougher time, perhaps..." The companion seemed to realize something but quickly shut his mouth.

"It’s okay, nobody will hear us here!" The soldier said in a daze.

"You’d better drink less, let’s go!" The companion said with a guilty conscience.

"Hey, I already offered to treat you!" The soldier said loudly.

"Let’s just wait until this period is over, and then I will accept your offer!" The companion tried to dissuade him.

"Then you will be treating me at that time." The soldier replied.

"Not a problem, I will treat you then, let’s go now!" The companion agreed.

Seeing the two soldiers leaving the tavern together, Cheng Ziang finally let out a sigh of relief and stepped out from the shadows.

Seems like the army of Saint Basaya has noticed something as they have been keeping a close eye on the suspicious characters in the city. Obviously, stirring up trouble within the city is not a good idea. On second thought, Cheng Ziang couldn’t help but admire Luo’er’s foresight. If they had chosen to directly settle in the city initially, they would have been under the surveillance of the Saint Bava army by now, and there would be no chance of conducting any reconnaissance or treasure-hunting operations.

However, they had obtained loads of information that they couldn’t get in the city by conducting city-based reconnaissance. For starters, they were aware that the CIA was preparing to make a move, and like them, they had set up their pieces within the city.

If the CIA agents aren’t that stupid, they should also have the majority of their forces waiting outside the city while deploying a small reconnaissance team within the city. However, until now, the exact number of people dispatched by them still remained unclear, so it’s difficult to make any judgments at the moment.

Having remained undercover in the city for two days, Cheng Ziang’s daily routine consisted of going out for walks to observe the movements of these outsiders and figure out just how many forces were coveting Arya’s Blade. The current atmosphere in the city, while tense, was relatively calm, emanating a sense of an impending storm.

As for Baiyue, she was not idle either. After Cheng Ziang completed his daytime rounds, she would take advantage of the night to carry out reconnaissance—not to find the location of Arya’s Blade, but to see how many ’rats’ were roaming the streets at night.

On the second day, Cheng Ziang left the city as promised, leaving Baiyue at the inn. To avoid arousing suspicion, he deliberately took the water route, leaving the city by boat, disembarking downstream a little way, and then walking back to the inn outside the city.

"How’s the situation?" As soon as he saw Cheng Ziang, Luo’er asked eagerly.

"We saw the agents dispatched by the CIA. We’re not sure if they’re in the city to do reconnaissance or stakeouts, but at the very least, we know that the CIA has initiated their plan," Cheng Ziang replied.

"I see. We’ll conduct reconnaissance on the people outside of the city to see if we can find their accomplices," Luo’er nodded in response.

"Additionally, it’s not just us and the CIA interested in Arya’s Blade. Other forces from the Otherworld are also on the move," Cheng Ziang continued.

"What information have you gathered now?" asked Luo’er.

"A couple of days ago, I received some intel that a group of Aud people had entered the city, all carrying Earth’s firearms," Cheng Ziang said.

"The Aud people?" Luo’er pondered.

"Aud people, firearms, what do you think?" Cheng Ziang asked, looking at him.

"The incident at the Magic Academy?" Luo’er hesitated for a moment and then reasoned.

"I suspect they might be people sent over by the King of Odelanqi again!" Cheng Ziang analyzed.

"Can you be sure?" Luo’er asked, furrowing his eyebrows.

"I can’t say for certain; it’s just a bit perplexing," Cheng Ziang said. "The city is clearly on lockdown, yet they still came in groups carrying firearms. I feel they were not there for Arya’s Blade!"

"If it wasn’t for Arya’s Blade, what was their intention?" Luo’er asked.

"Do you recall back at the Magic Academy, what those gunmen were demanding?" Cheng Ziang asked.

"They demanded the Church Court allow Earth’s military to station in Yazhi City!" Luo’er said.

"What’s the advantage for them in doing this?" Cheng Ziang continued his questioning.

"Sabotage relations between the Church Court and Earth’s nations," Luo’er paused for a moment then came to a realization, "You mean, these people aren’t after Arya’s Blade. They’re here to incite conflict between the Church Court and Saint Bartz!"

"That’s just my suspicion. Besides Saint Bava’s troops are inside the city, at that time the Heresy Tribunal Army will also be present. Trying to snatch Arya’s Blade from so many people, is like a pipe dream for them, but stirring up trouble is much easier. As long as they can provoke a conflict between the Heresy Tribunal Army and Saint Bava’s troops, they can ruin the trade."

"Given this situation, should we take action inside the city and steal Arya’s Blade amidst the chaos?" Luo’er asked with a frown.

"It would be better not to!" Cheng Ziang shook his head, "Even if we do get hold of Arya’s Blade, we won’t be able to deal with everyone. No matter what, making our move outside the city is the best choice. Once the Blade is in the hands of the Heresy Tribunal Army, Saint Bava’s troops are less likely to fight for it, which means less pressure on us."

"Alright, I got it," Luo’er nodded, "You all must be careful inside, don’t get found by the CIA or Saint Bartz’s people."

"Also, I think our odds of success this time are very slim!" After a moment of hesitation, Cheng Ziang reluctantly voiced his concerns.

"Why so?" Luo’er asked, surprised.

"We’re only five people, trying to snatch something from so many people. Ignoring how much manpower the CIA will deploy, we alone will have a hard time dealing with the Heresy Tribunal Army. We are reconnaissance soldiers, not Gundams." Cheng Ziang couldn’t help but shake his head and complain.

"No worries," Luo’er smiled and said, "We’ll do our best. If the mission fails, it’s not because we didn’t try our hardest, but the objective difference is just too large, we can’t help it. My request remains the same, we will only strive to complete the mission as much as possible without risking our lives. If it is indeed as you said, the power disparity is too large, then we will abandon the mission and return. I’ll take the blame if there is any trouble."

"After hearing you say this, I feel embarrassed to not complete the mission." Cheng Ziang shrugged.

"In any case, safety first, mission second, that’s my requirement for all of you. Don’t worry about how HQ arranges it, I am now the Captain, you are all my team members, all orders will primarily follow my instructions." Luo’er said.

"Being so stubborn, aren’t you afraid of being dismissed?" Seeing Luo’er’s serious face, Cheng Ziang couldn’t help but laugh.

"Rest assured, without me, the Advance Team wouldn’t have a soul!" Luo’er laughed and said.

He knew what he meant to the headquarters, and he also understood why the headquarters would have their team take on the role of the Advance Team; this was also the reason he spoke with such confidence.

After their discussion, they generally agreed on a plan: no matter what happens inside the city, they will wait outside for the Heresy Tribunal Army to exit the city, and then seize the opportunity to snatch Arya’s Blade amidst the chaos.

This plan seemed far-fetched, but they had no other choice. After all, there were only five people in the Advance Team. Wanting to compete for the Blade with so many forces and so many people, they could only rely entirely on luck.

According to the information given to them by HQ, the Heresy Tribunal Army had already entered Saint Bartz’s territory and would arrive in Saint Bava at the earliest in three days. When that time comes, it will be their turn to act. Who ends up with Arya’s Blade will all come down to their luck.