Arslan tapped his foot to the ground nervously as he listened to Ama explain the plan. Reinforcements were here. He knew some of them. He even trained together with them but others were strangers to him. Though he could feel they were skilled he couldn’t help but feel nervous working with new faces. Especially since he was working on this case for months now.


    “How do we know about all this?”


    One of the people Arslan didn’t know asked. Looking at his horns Arslan guessed he was a goat-type beastkin. Arslan didn’t like that guy’s tone.


    “We had a spy.”


    Ama answered. Hearing that answer, the man looked at Arslan first. Then he looked at Blaria and Ursara.


    “Can we learn the name of this spy? Meet him?”


    “He is currently with Blanche Silverfox, trying to make sure she doesn’t come back before we finish this operation.”


    Hearing this, the man frowned.


    “Your spy is a fucking human?”


    Chattering filled the room.


    “You guys trusted a human!”


    “I can’t believe you are that naive!”


    Several people shouted.


    “She never told he was a human though.”


    Some tried to calm others. But the room was so chaotic and filled with so much noise that nobody could understand each other fully.


    “Enough!”


    Ama slapped the desk in front of her. A wave of hot air traveled around the room, making everyone shut up.


    “Please realize that there are more than 10 people in this small room. If all of us talk at the same time, nobody will understand what is being said. Speak at once.”


    The man who talked first raised his hand.


    “Yes, please continue.”


    “Is this spy you talked about a human?”


    “Yes.”


    With Ama’s answer, the crowd went wild once again. Ama had to slam her hand once again to quiet them.


    “How can we trust him? He is not even here!”


    Ama didn’t answer at first.


    “His name is Poyraz. When we first met him, he was taking care of a sick non-human girl. We also didn’t trust him at first. But I am sure you heard of the people we save from here and sent to Whifur. Those were all his doing. He managed to break out those people by risking his life. I can vouch for him.”


    Ama looked at Arslan briefly. Arslan sighed and took a step forward while raising his hand.


    “I too can vouch for him. He is an asshole but he isn’t like other humans.”


    Ama let out a quiet sigh.


    “How can you, out of all people say this, Arslan? You experienced how bad humans are!”


    The one who said that was a beastkin Arslan knew. Arslan cursed under his breath. He thought if he vouched for Poyraz, at least the people he knew would be convinced. Damn, if he can’t even convince people he knew, how was he supposed to convince others? He took a deep breath before speaking:


    “I know how bad humans are.”


    He pulled his sleeve up, revealing scars across his arm.


    “We all know it. Do you think any of us would be here, risking our lives if we didn’t know it? Leave our families and friends behind and maybe never see them again?”


    This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    He stepped forward from the wall he was leaning on.


    “We know it. We experienced it. That’s why I know human cruelty. And I didn’t see that in that human. That’s why I trusted him. Now I ask you, my own kind to trust me.”


    He looked toward Ama.


    “And trust us.”


    “So we are trusting you guys'' gut feeling?”


    One of them asked.


    “I am asking you to trust someone that will fight together with you tomorrow.”


    After the crowd whispered to each other for a minute, one raised his fist in the air.


    “I trust them.”


    Others followed him. Suddenly, everyone was raising their fist. Arslan looked at Ama. She smiled and nodded approvingly.


    After around an hour later:


    “Are there any questions about the plan? Did everyone understand their part?”


    Ama asked. Everyone shook their heads.


    “Good. We will be moving now. There are around 4 hours until dawn. We must rescue everyone until then. I will give everyone 10 minutes to check their equipment.”


    Everyone left the room in a hurry to prepare. Only Ama and Arslan were left. Ama first didn’t realize Arslan was still there as she checked her notes.


    “Uhum.”


    Arslan cleared his throat, which made Ama jump. Arslan thought the way her ears and tail perked up when she jumped was cute, but he didn’t say anything.


    “Sorry, I didn’t see you there.”


    She pointed to her notes.


    “Just checking to soothe my nervousness.”


    Arslan couldn’t help but smile. Even though she was calm and collected during the meeting, it was normal she was nervous. She was appointed as the leader of this mission. While she also took the role of leader before, it was with people she knew.


    Several strands of her hair were in her face. It must be because she jumped so suddenly. Arslan gently tucked them behind her hair.


    “It will be okay. Captain B?rü picked you because he knows your skills.”


    Ama grabbed his hand and put it to her face, surprising Arslan.


    “Thank you. You also helped.”


    She put her hand to her chest and spoke:


    “Trust me, my comrades!”


    She mimicked Arslan’s tone. Arslan blushed and looked away.


    “Come on…”


    He said weakly.


    “I am sorry.”


    Ama laughed and let Arslan’s hand go.


    “But it was really impressive for you to rally those people to trust you. I am serious.”


    “You are doing it on purpose.”


    Arslan complained as his blush spread more.


    “Maybe. It is your own fault for being so fun to tease.”


    Arslan let out a disgruntled growl and turned around.


    “I should also check my equipment.”


    As he hurriedly walked out, Ama looked at his twin swords hanging from his belt and smiled.


    In darkness, they moved out. It was common for beastkin to move in darkness since most of them had better night vision compared to a human. While they couldn’t see in full darkness, as long as there were stars and the moon shining in the sky, they were good to go.


    Unlike what’s first been communicated to Ama, there were 12 elites with them. With Arslan, Ama, Blaria, and Ursara, there were 16 people. While they were outnumbered, if what Poyraz said was still true, it didn’t matter. They didn’t want to occupy the barracks or the village. They just wanted to quickly raid the place and free the beastkin.


    3 of that 12 were mages. Considering how hard for mages to be trained, that number was huge. 3 were trained in stealth, 2 in archery, and the rest were close-range like Arslan.


    “They are inside.”


    One of the mages said as she looked at the orb in her hands.


    “All three of them?”


    Ama asked.


    “Currently tw- Yes. All of them are inside.”


    Before they used brute force, 3 stealth types were to go inside and unlock the chains and doors that held beastkin. While it was risky, if any of the buildings holding them were to collapse or burn during the scuffle, they could die, so Ama chose this.


    “They are moving to their second ones.”


    Orb-holding mage said. Ama nodded.


    “Good. Prepare to engage the enemy as soon as they give the signal.”


    As soon as Ama finished her sentence, a large explosion rang out.


    “No!”


    Ama nearly shouted.


    “All forces ready! They probably got discovered! We are going in! Neutralize guardians and break out beastkin! Blaria and Ursara, you will guide them! You already know the escape route.”


    She extended her hand to the sky.


    “Greater Fireball.”


    A fireball, as tall as half of an adult person and wider than that appeared. Several beastkin, who were closer to Ama backed away from her when they felt the immense heat radiating from her fireball.


    “Argh!”


    She let out a growl before throwing it to the wooden gate rather effortlessly. It was blasted to pieces, and the wooden wall started to burn. Ama ran beside other beastkin. Before they reached the now-destroyed gate, Ama made a motion of splitting something into two with her hands. Fire split open, allowing beastkin to get inside without burning.


    A ringing noise filled everyone’s ears.


    “It is an attack! Everyone on your posts!”


    Humans were quick to react.


    “Find our kin! Escort prisoners! Come on!”


    Ama used mana to amplify her voice.


    “You fucking animals!”


    One of the guards pointed his spear toward Arslan. He pushed the guard’s spear to the side with one sword and beheaded him with the other. He looked around and saw everyone engage with enemies.


    “We are not here to fight! Find prisoners and our kin and get out!”


    Arslan shouted as he kicked one guard down. His eyes traced the area, trying to find prisoners. He fought his way with two other beastkin. He knew that he was being cut off from the main group and Ama, but this place was bigger than Poyraz’s reports. It was possible they built more when he was away.


    He saw several beastkin escape from a building. He waved his hand.


    “Hey, here! We are here to save you!”


    He stepped forward to greet them.


    “Then who will save you, Brother?”


    Something heavy fell in front of Arslan. Looking at the figure towering over him, Arslan gulped.


    “Why? Why are you here?!”