170 A Bluff or The Truth?

"The East?" Paul asked, taking a step forward to represent everyone else. "Captain, can you tell us the reason why we need to head to the eastern side of the continent as soon as possible? Because... Our forces had just regrouped. Won't we suffer more loss if we split from each other again?"

Pedro took a deep breath whilst shaking his head. Then, he said, "You guys don't understand... It's not like we have any choice! The western side of the Aquari continent only has the Naga Kingdom and Kagat Village as human strongholds. The eastern side had a completely different case. There are hundreds of villages and a handful of Kingdoms on the eastern side of the continent. If these same amounts of monsters attacked the eastern side... the very same amount that even we were barely able to hold off... Do you think that they would be able to survive?"

Paul, Antonio, Aks, and everyone else could only avert their eyes as Pedro glanced at them as if he was waiting for their answers. That said, their reactions were enough to speak their answers. 

It was a definite NO!

The chaos caused by the influx of both players and monsters was really hard for an ordinary village to handle. Kagat Village was already an example. Add up an external factor--like Village Soldier Tam, any village would definitely fall and be destroyed. 

Everyone knew about that fact. That is why they felt ashamed towards Pedro, especially Antonio and Aks. The two NPCs had experienced, first hand, the difficulty of defending against the monsters and the revolting players. 

On the other hand... To Pedro, what he said was partially part of a bluff. If not for the Tarala Kingdom that was about to fall, he would not dare lay foot in the eastern side of the Aquari Continent. 

First of all, he had the western side of the Aquari continent for himself. This includes the resources, the monsters, and the dungeons that all players would fight over. 

And secondly... He knew that the players won't be that disorganized as before. Or so he hoped. 

Every member of the United Asian Force had suffered a huge loss from their defeat in the hands of Pedro and his force. And they definitely can't take any further losses. 

There is a huge possibility that some major gaming organizations would leave the United Asian Force, consequently weakening it and it might even cause its disbandment.

Thus, In order to remove the suspicions and the questions in the NPCs' mind, Pedro took this chance to add weight to what he had initially pointed out.

"The Kagat Village is already destroyed. And... The Naga Kingdom's crystal walls could survive the onslaught of these monsters. There's not much for us to protect here on the western side. So... Instead of fending off these monsters for no concrete purpose... Won't it be ideal for us to go to the east and save as many lives as we can? After all... We have a duty to fight for them!" He said.

"But Captain... The assessment of the ships' integrity is yet to be completed. And it would take us almost a month to circle around the continent. Won't be ideal to work our way to the eastern continent by land instead?" Paul said, making Pedro force out a smile deep inside. However, before he could speak, Paul continued, saying, "I am sure that we would reach the eastern side in two weeks, at most. We could, at the same time, reduce the population of monsters along the way."

"I am aware of that!" Pedro said, annoyed. "But two weeks is too long! By that time, too many lives would already be lost! So... I have decided to form a small team of my own instead. We would go to the east, ahead, and help as many villages and Kingdoms as we can."

"This!" 

Everyone can't help but gasp in astonishment at what Pedro had just said. However, they had no other choice. Deny it or not, it was the best option that they had right now if they want to save as many humans as they can. 

Their main force could focus on advancing to the eastern side, slowly but surely. While a small but terrifying group led by Pedro himself would buy them time by holding off the monsters and protect as many strongholds as they can. 

Plus... The fact that Pedro and his team are technically from Bearth Human Organization... It could encourage and rally the hearts of the NPCs who are placed in a tight situation.

That said, once he used his identity as someone from BHO, he must be extra careful with his actions as it might affect both his reputation and the reputation of BHO, itself. Well... He's not that much of an idiot to bluntly and proudly say that he is from BHO, isn't he?

Thus, in the end, no one argued any further from his decision. With a heroic goal in mind, even Paul yielded and awaited for Pedro's instruction and command. 

"So, what's the plan?" Paul asked. "Who would be on your team?"

Pedro simply smiled and said, "The Eagle, Faith, Direction Idiot, Antonio, Aks, and Yuson."

"Yuson?" Paul asked. "Why not bring Beatrice? She's a noble from the north. She might hold more credibility than Yuson as a member of BHO, right?" 

Pedro simply shook his head and said, "I know. But... You also need a hand! Until Yojiro and Arvedar recover from their injury, it would be very risky to leave the safety of the ships, alone, in your hands. With Beatrice on your back, I won't be worried about the safety of the ships. Besides... The Chicken, The Ant Army, and The Treants are more than enough to fight on the land. Though we are advancing through the land, I still want to retain the strongest defense that the ships could offer, as much as possible. It's like our Kingdom after all."

"I understand." 

"Great!" Pedro celebrated by clapping his hands. Then, he glanced towards his Aunt and said, "Aunt Purple Jade, I'll leave you here with Paul, as usual. You'd be safest with him, after all. If you need anything, don't hesitate to contact me at any time."

"Don't worry about me, Nephew! I'll be fine!" She said. "Remember to rest and avoid overworking yourself! Don't be like your cousin, who doesn't care about himself... And too arrogant!"

Pedro burst into laughter after remembering Weyron, who always got into fights or trouble. Then, he said, "Thanks, Aunt! I will!"

Aunt Veronica simply smiled in response as Pedro glanced and nodded towards Antonio and Aks as if saying 'Let's go?'. 

However, before he could transform into his dragon form, he was somehow intrigued by where his cousin was, at this moment. So, he gestured his hand towards Antonio and Aks as if he was saying, "Wait a minute.". 

Then, he glanced back to his Aunt and asked, "By the way... Aunt, where's my cousin right now? From the looks of it... his guardian angel had protected him from death once again."

"Your cousin?" She asked. Then, she burst into laughter in the next second and said, "He said that he went straight to the north--running away from the giant chicken, earlier."

"Is that all?" Pedro asked in a calm tone. "I mean... I know cousin... He's lazy as fuck, than me! He won't go out of his way to the north just to run away from a friendly chicken who just wants a friend to play." 

"Haha, you know your cousin very well! He said that he's going to meet a woman named, Meen. He called her guild leader... But I think that it's your cousin's girlfriend." Aunt Veronica said in a mocking tone, before bursting into laughter. 

"Meen, huh?" Pedro simply smirked as if he was joining his Aunt's tease to his cousin. "It seems like cousin Weyron had finally found his source of happiness."

Pedro and his Aunt burst into laughter. Everyone else could only force out a smile because they weren't able to understand the humor that only Pedro and his relatives could understand. 

At this moment, Pedro waved goodbye to everyone on the ship as he approached Antonio and Aks. With a nod, the two NPCs started to climb down a rope ladder leading to the shore. While Pedro casually jumped down from the deck of the ship--that was tens of meters high above the ground.

"Now... Let's solve our manpower issue by getting ourselves a Kingdom!" Pedro murmured to himself. Then, his face wore a faint mischievous smirk.