Morning arrived beneath clear blue skies.
The gates of Base 101 slowly opened.
A cool breeze swept across the plains.
Outside the fortress...
A small expedition had already assembled.
Unlike previous campaigns...
This was not an army.
It was a diplomatic mission.
At the front stood Sam.
Behind him...
Ben adjusted the straps on his armor.
Zora quietly checked several enchanted scrolls stored inside her robe.
Leon stood beside the gate, his face hidden beneath his hood.
The eight Shadow Scouts had already disappeared.
Only Leon remained visible.
George approached carrying a rolled map.
"Commander."
"The route has been prepared."
He pointed toward several marked roads.
"We've cleared and repaired the western trade route."
"If negotiations are successful..."
"This road will become our first official trade route."
Sam accepted the map.
"Good work."
George smiled proudly.
"We're building more than roads now."
"We're connecting kingdoms."
Nearby...
Doran carried a long wooden crate toward the expedition.
He carefully opened it.
Inside...
Rested several newly forged weapons.
The first creations made using Mana Crystals.
He picked up a sword and handed it to Ben.
The blade shimmered with faint blue light.
"Mana Steel."
Ben slowly drew the weapon.
Its edge glowed softly.
He smiled.
"It feels lighter."
"And stronger."
Doran nodded.
"The crystals reinforce the metal without increasing its weight."
Next...
He handed Kael a newly forged spearhead.
"The shaft isn't finished yet."
"But I wanted your opinion."
Kael examined the icy-blue metal.
A grin spread across his face.
"I already love it."
Doran laughed.
"I'll finish the rest before your next campaign."
Finally...
He looked toward Leon.
"I haven't finished yours."
Leon raised an eyebrow.
"No?"
"I refuse to rush an assassin's weapons."
"They have to be perfect."
Leon gave a respectful nod.
"I'll wait."
Mira approached the expedition carrying several packs.
"Healing potions."
"Emergency supplies."
She looked directly at Sam.
"Hopefully..."
"You won't need many."
Sam smiled.
"We'll try."
Kael laughed.
"That's never happened before."
The group chuckled.
Standing near the gate...
Runa folded her arms.
She looked toward Leon.
"So..."
"We're trusting your sense of direction?"
Leon answered without looking at her.
"I've only gotten lost once."
Runa smiled.
"That's not very reassuring."
Leon finally looked at her.
"I found my way back."
She laughed.
"I'll remember that."
Ben noticed the exchange.
He quietly glanced toward Zora.
Without saying a word...
He smiled.
Zora caught the look immediately.
She simply shook her head.
"Don't start."
"I didn't say anything."
"You were thinking it."
Ben couldn't argue with that.
Inside his mind...
Rex spoke.
Commander...
All preparations complete.
Mission ready.
Sam looked around one final time.
"This mission has one purpose."
"Peace."
"If diplomacy fails..."
"We'll deal with it."
"But we don't draw our weapons first."
Every captain nodded.
"Understood."
The expedition left Base 101.
The massive gates slowly closed behind them.
Citizens waved from the walls.
Children shouted toward Leon and the Shadow Scouts, even though most of the scouts couldn't actually be seen.
The Mana Crystal Golem remained standing atop the western wall.
Like a silent guardian.
Watching its Commander leave.
Hours passed.
The kingdom disappeared behind the hills.
The roads became narrower.
The forests grew thicker.
Leon suddenly stopped walking.
He raised one hand.
The entire group halted instantly.
Ben rested a hand on his sword.
"What is it?"
Leon knelt beside the road.
Fresh footprints.
Broken branches.
Recently extinguished campfires.
He closed his eyes.
His System quietly analyzed the surroundings.
A moment later...
He opened them.
"Someone passed through here."
"Within the last twelve hours."
Zora looked around.
"Bandits?"
Leon slowly shook his head.
"No."
He pointed toward the ground.
"Military formation."
"The spacing is too organized."
Sam stepped closer.
"How many?"
Leon studied the trail.
"...At least thirty."
Ben frowned.
"Scouts?"
Leon nodded.
"I think so."
"They weren't hiding."
"They were patrolling."
Silence settled over the group.
Inside his mind...
Rex spoke.
Commander...
Probability increasing.
The unidentified kingdom maintains regular border patrols.
Sam looked toward the dense forest ahead.
A faint smile crossed his face.
"So..."
"We're getting close."
Far ahead...
Hidden beyond the trees...
Unknown eyes watched the road.
And for the first time...
Someone else had discovered the approach of Base 101's Commander.