They wanted to use that power to fight against the beast tide.

But they couldn't. The merchant had only one clear instruction from his boss. 'Even if you take away the guns for yourself, I might let you go. But if a single gun falls in the hands of Thalassa… you will see what true torture is.'

That was his warning.

So, the merchants made sure they only sold to the people that wouldn't want to get caught by Thalassa and the people that have no relations with Thalassa.

The scout captain came to see the young master who is ready to collapse on his knees and cry to the skies.

"Young master. I think it is better if you retreat. We cannot hold on to the city. We already spotted the leader of the Pack and it is not looking good for us. The squad sent by the family forces is also trapped inside the forest.

The pack identified them and those beasts are toying with them.

You should leave this place before you become a victim to this.

"

He turned to look at her. She is in her battle gear. No more raunchy dress and she looked a lot more natural and comfortable with herself.

She had a couple of open wounds, which seemed to have been cauterized. She looked a bit exhausted with droopy eyes and dishevelled hair. She just came from the battle.

His eyes landed on the wounds and he became a bit cautious.

"Don't worry, the wounds were cauterized the moment I got attacked. Until now, that was the only thing that worked against this disease.

When the infection was fresh, it should be bathed with extremely high level flames. Only then would the infection die.

"

That is all they could come up with. So, as soon as they found a dead body in the city they are burning it right there and then.

"Are you sure?

"

The young master asked.

"Yes, I am sure.

"

This made him feel a bit uneasy, however, since she prompted the idea of him leaving, he decided to do just that.

"I will leave. I will try to let me father send some reinforcements. Until then hold the city.

"

He said and left. The scout captain heaved a sigh as soon as he went to use the space gate. She looked at the city and gritted her teeth. She took wanted to leave, but she cannot. If she does so, then she would have to deal with the Thalassa family.

However, she and her team cannot just die in vain. And if they continued in the same pace, their deaths are only a matter of time.

So, she decided to hatch a plan in which the young master wouldn't be here and no one from Thalassa wouldn't be a witness to what she is about to do.

"You are back.

"

She greeted him with a slight smile. He returned the courtesy and took a seat.

"What is the current status of the war we waged? How is the Zeus Academy doing?

"

"Not just Zeus Academy, every academy is in a perilous state. Right now, only our academy is floating by.

The closure of the exchange centre is happening all over the academy realm and people are striving hard to get more coins.

For some reason, they managed to get by until now without any pressure from the Hub. But I don't believe all of them can be safe from Hub this week. At least ten to twenty percent people will be gone and they would have to pay a lot of compensation according to their contract with the Hub.

"

"I kind of know all that. What about the war situation?

"

"Well right now, the Dean is not there. So, there is a slight behind the scenes internal strife going on in the Zeus Academy. We won a lot of resource points across all levels. We are holding the cream of the crop as our hostage.

Since the Inter academy tournament is nearing, the Zeus Academy is extremely frustrated. Without the Dean, the other academies are not offering their support. Some elders tried, but no one openly supported them.

We did get some under the table deals which we rejected.

From what we know, there are three prime candidates to become the next Dean and people are pushing for them. But it seems like it won't go down without a fight.

"

"That is good.

But I am sure, we cannot hold them hostage forever.

"

Dove pursed her lips and nodded. That is indeed true.

"Yeah, I just wanted to keep them until you are here. I want you to be involved in the planning. So, what do you want to do with the hostages?

"

"Well, I suggest that you seniors exchange for whatever that is you need to get a higher score at the inter academy tournament.

I am sure, you are all desperate for it.

"

"You don't want anything?

" She is surprised. After all, Sam played a key role in this whole war thing. In her opinion, he suffered because of her incompetence and it is her duty to compensate him for that.

Since the academy itself doesn't have any involvement in the ransom they get, she hoped Sam would take a piece of that pie.

"No. But I do have suggestion.

" Sam said.

"What would that be?

"

"Tell him a sky high compensation.

"

"I am sure they would just agree at this point. We pressured them way too much. We are already seeing the activity of external forces trying to attack our academy students to get them back. If they can find a way out with money and without offending an academy, I am sure they would do it.

"

"Well, that is where the twist comes.

"