170 A Bluff or The Truth? (1/2)
”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?