New Mission

When Poney and Zero arrived at the conference room, they saw Gin, Natala, and Kurome sitting together with the others at the same table.

"Looks like everyone is here, we can start. The rebel's funds come primarily from the black market and from trading with the other countries. The product they sell the most is salt, therefore, I would like to destroy their saltworks. We have lost contact with too many spies in the town of Sweun, south-east region of the Empire." Gozuki said, pointing at the town on the map.

Zero saw that the city was situated next to the large river and by the terrain around, he only assumed this city must be thriving.

"Are we sure it's the rebels who are behind the disappearance of so many of our spies?" Zero asked with furrowed brows.

"Hm? Who else would be behind it if not rebels? We already have information that rebels like to trade with salt and the business with salt is quite popular at Sweun."

"Yes...the only group I can think of is Oarburgh. They already know that the Empire sends our unit to important missions. Oarburgh has been hired by the rebels so it wouldn't be a surprise if they were working together to lure us out" Zero explained with a slightly troubled expression.

"Are you afraid?" Gin asked with a teasing expression.

"No, this is a plausible theory, however, even if it's the truth, we still have to investigate it. We will eventually be forced to confront them so let's be careful so we can surprise them in case they ambush us." Gozuki nodded his head with a solemn expression.

'This kid isn't inferior to Najasho in any way. Be it his leadership or his careful planning, unfortunately, he wasn't with us for long enough to become a leader. He would be able to replace Najasho just fine if he joined us much earlier.' Gozuki's appreciation for Zero's talent only grew stronger. Not to mention, finding someone suitable to wield Teigu also took some effort.

"So what is the plan?" Cornelia asked.

"We have a trading firm set up there. We will investigate the disappearance of our spies discreetly, pretending to be merchants. We can also use this chance to truly trade between cities so you can gain some experience in this field. Just try not to go in the red." Gozuki explained the plan and the group prepared to leave the Capital once again despite Poney not being fully recovered yet.

On the way to Sweun, Zero talked a bit with Natala and found him to be easier to talk to than Green. Even 2 sisters decided to spend some time talking around him but he felt that Kurome was strangely cautious of him as if he was intending to steal her sister from her.

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"Whoa! That's what I call a change of the scenery compared to the last mission!" Poney said enthusiastically while walking down the streets of Sweun, looking all around.

As Zero assumed, the prosperity of this town was at a much higher level than any other towns he has been to, maybe aside from the Capital if he were to exclude the slums, considering how big the Capital is.

The group stopped in front of the building with the sign saying "Suekuni"

"This is it, you all will be working for this firm. This trading firm is actually run by our spies so there is no need to be careful with your words and you can openly tell to the other merchants that you are working for this firm." Gozuki said once they were inside.

The interior looked completely normal, like of any regular shop however there was a hidden passage behind the bookshelf that lead to the underground secret room.

"Since there is the possibility of Oarburgh being behind this, you will travel in 2 groups. 4 of you in each group should be enough to repel any ambush even by the likes of Oarburgh."

"4 people in each group? But there are 9 of us, how are we going to form 2 groups of 4 people each?" Poney asked in a happy-go-lucky manner which caused Zero to look at her, wondering how clueless can she get.

"Zero, do you want to team up with m- eep!" Poney didn't even wait for Gozuki's reply and once her eyes met with Zero's she wanted to approach him, however, Gozuki was faster than her and caught her ponytail

"You are not going anywhere until you are fully recovered. This is how they will form 2 groups of 4 people each" Gozuki explained before he urged them to create teams.

Akame and Kurome were already inseparable therefore those two were the first group with only 2 vacant spots. Tsukushi as Akame's best friend obviously joined them at first chance.

Zero looked at Green and saw him deep in his thoughts.

"*Seriously?!*"

"Zero, do you want to team up with us?" Natala approached Zero with Gin by his side who didn't seem exactly thrilled by his action.

"Let's make the girls-only team!" Cornelia joined the girls which shocked Green who was thinking until now about how to propose the idea o teaming up with them.

Zero looked at this before he looked back at Natala and Gin. Since the groups were already decided, there was no need for him to answer but...

"Hmm" Zero started eyeing Gin from head to toe while holding his chin.

"What?" Gin frowned after seeing his judging look, however, the next thing Zero said completely caught her off guard.

"I guess you are more than beautiful. Mmm" Zero said aloud and nodded his head calmly. His comment caused the girls-only team to turn at him with surprised faces.

"W-What?!" Despite, trying to look mad, Gin's face grew slightly red.

'W-What is this idiot saying?!! We don't even know each other for that long yet he is being so forward...unlike some other spineless dimwit next to me! He doesn't even look like he is bothered by that idiot's comment, tch!' Gin hatefully glared at Natala for a few seconds before turning back to Zero.

"Zero, you big jerk! You don't even get along with her and you just compliment her like that but when it comes to me, you are just making fun of me! Do you secretly hate me or what?!" Poney shouted at Zero, trying to hit him but her ponytail was being held by Gozuki.

Her words caused girls' brows to raise in question.

'Poney, you fucking idiot. Don't make it sound like there is something between us, jeez!'

"You misunderstood me, I have a perfect strategy how to make a lot of profit." Zero explained with a confident smile.

"Oh? If that's the case, let's make it a competition!" Cornelia suggested after seeing Zero's confidence.

"Heh, fine by me. But don't go crying once you lose, girls. You already made a big mistake by not having a single male in your group." Zero grinned at Cornelia and his words fired up the rest of the girls who were now feeling like giving it their all, well, except for Gin who didn't look exactly convinced.

"Alright, just don't forget your primary objective. You are to scout the surroundings and sniff out an enemy who has been killing our spies." Gozuki reminded them just in case.