“What are you talking about, Kan? What attack?”

Nicole replied as normally as she could, but countless of questions fluttered through her head. ‘How does he know about the attack? Has the plan been leaked? Is this really Kan?’ As soon as these questions popped up, she calmed herself and answered. She needed to fish out more information from Kan.

“Big Sister Nicole, will you help me save the village of Clear View. I don’t want anyone to die. I want to save everyone.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about Kan. Clearly explain it to me, and I can try to help you.”

“Stop playing dumb Nicole. I already know that you are working under the Kingdom to attack this village in 3 days. I just want us to talk truthfully to one another.”

‘Did he just call me Nicole? How much does Kan know about this plan? This should have been an absolute secret.’ Nicole continued to listen to Kan’s words to figure out any kind of information. But looking at the expression on his face, she could tell that he was desperate. He was desperately pleading her to help save his village.

No matter how much Kan pleaded, the plan was already set in stone. Nicole had already prepared her feelings to abandon this village and save only those who she needed to save. She was ready to act ignorant in front of Kan.

“I don’t anything about this attack you’re talking about Kan. It’s already been a few years since I left my life as a knight in the capital. I haven’t been in contact with the Kingdom since then.”

“That was the life of Cole Pierce, not you. That was a facade you created to hide your identity. The one I want to negotiate with is Nicole Blaine. The girl who worked under my grandfather, Jonathan, the girl who was healed by Jane Fallen, the mysterious woman in black who gave me 2 letters, but most importantly, my master who taught me about assassination techniques.”

Nicole was surprised. Kan knew so much more about her than she thought he did. He already knew that she was working for Jonathan and he even knew her personal story with Jane. Even the techniques she had been teaching him, he had already realized what they were used for. Nicole had only taught him these techniques, but never told him what they were specifically used for. Nicole was starting to realize that even she had underestimated Kan.

She had only thought that he had talent in fighting, but never realized how observant and astute he was. The imagine of Kan in her mind was always the ignorant happy boy who had a thirst for strength. Even she had been fooled by his facade.

The only question left in her mind was how Kan knew the exact date of the attack. If Kan knew the contents of the letters then she wouldn’t be surprised that he knew an attack was going to happen, but the specific date was never specified.

This was too suspicious. Only a select few elites of each kingdom should have been privy of the exact date. ‘Is there a traitor? Or is Kan being manipulated?’ Nicole began staring at Kan suspiciously. She was trying to sense if there was anything off with the way Kan was acting. She wasn’t an expert in magic, but she did know that some Shadow Guilds had the ability to control people.

During the Three Horned Bone Bear attack, Kan’s atmosphere had once changed. It was like he wasn’t himself and that someone had possessed. Nicole was suspicious that this could be the same person controlling Kan once again. She didn’t trust that entity that had once controlled him.

“Kan answer my questions truthfully. If your Mom and Dad were to get into a fight and stopped talking to each other, who would you side with?”

“Mommy and Daddy?”

“Answer the question.”

“I would find a solution to get them to make up. I don’t want Mommy and Daddy to not talk to each other. Whenever they are together, they have the most fun.”

“If your Mom and Jane’s life were in danger and you could only save one. Who would you choose?”

“I will save both of them. No matter what I have to do, I will save both of them.”

“If you had to sacrifice your life to save another, would you.”

“Yes.”

Nothing seemed out of the ordinary. Kan had not hesitate to answer any of the questions. Nicole knew Kan’s personality well enough that these were answers straight from his heart. It was the same selfless boy who cared more about others than himself. She didn’t know how he knew the exact date, but she knew that the person in front of her was definitely Kan.

“Nicole, let me ask you again. Will you please help me save the village of Clear View?”

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“I don’t know how you know so much information, but I have no reason to help Clear View. Even if its a request from you, Kan. I have my own objectives.”

“Yes, I know that you are here to save Mommy and maybe Daddy. This is why I want to negotiate with you. I just want you deal to with your group that is going to attack.”

“Oh, you’re saying that there is going to be more than one group.”

“Yes, I know that at least 3 groups will attack this village, maybe more. I just want you to deal with your group.”

Nicole was extremely shocked. Kan even knew that multiple groups were going to attack the village. ‘How much information does he have.’ Nicole calmed herself down and continued to talk.

“What benefit is there for me? It is too risky for me to try and betray them.”

“Isn’t this the perfect opportunity for you to deal with the enemies from other countries. I know that this group will consist of people from different countries. And I know that you are not working under King Lance or Phillis the advisor. You are personally working under my grandfather, Jonathan. Having worked under my grandfather, i’m sure you know that King Lance and Phillis have been unjustly ruling this kingdom, favoring the rich and ignoring the poor. Since my grandfather fought for the poor, i’m sure you feel the same as him, wanting to give the poor better treatment. That is why your objective this time is to save Mommy, the rightful Queen of this Kingdom. Only she can change the current conditions of this Kingdom. I’m not sure why your group has waited so long to bring back Mommy to the throne, but i’m sure you’ve been slowly accumulating power to overthrow King Lance. Am I correct so far, Nicole.”

This time Nicole couldn’t even reply back to Kan. Everything Kan had just said was exactly spot on. Her objective this time was to retrieve Claire and Clive. Ever since 20 years ago when Jonathan’s group was almost exterminated, they had been slowly building up strength. They had been making connections with other resistance groups all across the countries to become stronger. It was almost time to retrieve Claire, but the order to attack the village had come. Claire and the various resistances were going to use this chance to retrieve Claire.

“I’ll take your silence as confirmation. Like I said early, this is a great opportunity for you and your group. This attack on the village will be a conglomeration of various elites from different countries. During all the chaos, it would be the perfect opportunity to take some of these elites out. Losing elite fighters will cause the kingdoms to be in a state of panic for a while. During this time you could use it to go into hiding while gaining more power or even overthrow King Lance. What do you say, Nicole.”

“There is a major flaw in your plan, Kan. Taking out an elite is not as easy as you make it seems. Each one is quite strong on their own.”

“Isn’t this why assassination techniques were created. To take an opponent by surprise while they are vulnerable.”

‘How can he be so confident?’ Nicole was truly confused at the situation at hand. Kan was acting so differently than he had ever been. She had never seen him interact like this with anyone at all. It was like she was talking to someone entirely different.

Thinking over Kan’s proposal and suggestions, they weren’t too bad of ideas. She had other accomplices within the groups attacking the village, so if they could coordinate an attack against a few elites then it would be a major blow against the other kingdoms. One of the many problems is the risk of getting caught. How were they going to get away if they assassinate a few elites. Even if a few were killed, there would still be other elites to attack them.

“Tell me Kan. What makes you so confident that you can save the village if I hold back a certain group.”

“I’ll be truthful with you Nicole. There are two factors that make me extremely confident that we can overcome this disaster. First is Mommy’s golems, but they aren’t regular golems, they are Magic Golems. Second is the Dragon’s Den Formation.”

“The Dragon’s Den Formation? I’ve known about Claire creating golems, but what is this formation.”

“The Dragon’s Den Formation is an ancient formation that has been in this village since its creation. Once activated, the formation will lock down anyone not recognized as a villager. To be recognized as a villager, you must sacrifice some life force to the formation. Not only will it lock down enemies, it will also sap away their strength and energy, and give it to the villagers. Over time the enemies will lose strength while the villagers are empowered.”

Hearing about the golems and formation, Nicole began rethinking the odds of Kan’s plans being successful. Although the chances of beating the enemy back is higher, what of it. Even if there were golems and a special formation, they couldn’t possibly kill every enemy. The difference in number and strength is too great for a mere formation to compensate for.

“Is there more information you’re hiding?”

This is the conclusion Nicole came upon after thinking everything over. A small village can’t defeat an army of elites. There must be more information Kan is withholding from her.

“Hehe, wasn’t it Big Sister Nicole who taught me that I shouldn’t reveal everything I know right away.”

“Heh, you little brat. It was me who told you to be wary of people and not reveal everything you know. So what is this secret that will guarantee you victor.”

“I just need and your group to hold out for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes have passed then our victory is guaranteed.”

“How certain are you of this secret weapon.”

“100%.”

Nicole could see that Kan’s smile was full of confidence. Within his mind there wasn’t even a single percent chance of his secret weapon failing.

‘30 minutes. If it’s just 30 minutes then maybe…’ 30 minutes wasn’t an absurdly long time, but within the chaotic mess of a battle, even a single second was precious. After rethinking about all the preparations on Kan’s side and the preparations on her side, 30 minutes was definitely doable. Being able to kill a few elites straight off the bat would decrease the enemies total power, then all her group had to do was defend from within the Dragon’s Den Formation for 30 minutes. Retrieving Claire was her objective, but being able to kill elites from the various factions was a plus to her side’s cause. If everything went perfectly then it would be a win win situation with little losses. Nicole’s decision was clear.

“Kan Lock, I agree to your proposal.”