"Looks like we meet again, Oliver." Aria said with a gentle smile as she stood before him.

Oliver, who had nearly fallen asleep while resting his head on his hand, suddenly stumbled forward in surprise. He blinked several times after noticing the beautiful girl standing before him before quickly rising to his feet.

"You... are you Auron’s sister?" Oliver asked awkwardly.

’They know each other?!’ Waine and the others were inwardly shocked. The Ice Princess, an untouchable existence in their eyes actually knew this town boy. And he even knows the Flame Prince?

"Mind your manners in front of the young lady!" the knight named Raeburn scolded sternly.

"Ohh, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it." Oliver immediately bowed repeatedly toward Aria.

"It’s fine. I didn’t expect you to come here either. If my brother knew you were also here, he would surely regret not accepting this mission," Aria said while continuing to smile gently.

Seeing Oliver casually talking with the girl he admired sparked jealousy inside Waine’s heart.

"Anyway, let’s go straight to the briefing. There’s been a change of plans. We’ll strike tonight in one hour, not tomorrow night," Aria suddenly said as her expression turned serious.

"May I know why that is, Lady Aria?" Waine asked politely.

"It seems they already know we’re coming for them." Aria then unfolded a map of the city along with the surrounding regions. Oliver and the others immediately gathered closer to take a look.

"Based on the intel we received, there are three locations around the city that serve as their main bases. We should strike all of them simultaneously. We should also expect support from the Five Scorpions." Aria explained.

"Thanks to Oliver, one of their members has already been defeated, so only four remain."

"This village boy actually defeated a member of the Five Scorpions? Is that really true?" Waine stared at Oliver in disbelief. Edgar and the others also found it difficult to believe.

"Village boy?" A trace of displeasure appeared on Aria’s face after hearing Waine address Oliver that way.

"Anyway, we’ll divide into three groups and move in pairs. After that, we’ll strike all locations at the same time." Aria pointed at the map while explaining.

"Edgar will move with Barid. Waine with Ingram. And Oliver will move with me."

"One more thing. If you encounter a member of the Five Scorpions, do not engage them unless another group arrives to support you. Any questions?"

Waine clenched his fists and gritted his teeth the moment he heard that Oliver would be paired with Aria. He glanced angrily toward Oliver, who showed no reaction at all.

’You must be really happy getting carried around by a woman, huh? I won’t let that happen,’ Waine sneered inwardly before raising his hand.

"Err, excuse me. Why is the village bo-, I mean, Oliver, paired with you? I think he would be better suited with Ingram instead. I’m the strongest one here, so if we work together, we should be able to clear our objective quickly and then help the other groups afterward." Waine shamelessly tried to sound reasonable.

"Are you saying my plan is wrong?" Aria asked while raising an eyebrow.

"N-No, no... that’s not what I meant." Waine quickly waved his hands in panic. He wanted to continue arguing, but after noticing everyone staring at him, he decided to remain silent.

Aria looked at Waine’s expression before glancing toward Oliver and the others. It did not take long for her to grasp what was happening.

"Alright. If there are no more questions, we’ll move in one hour. Go make the appropriate preparations." Aria instructed calmly.

Soon, Oliver and the others left the room.

"Are you sure you don’t need me to escort you?" Raeburn asked after only the two of them remained inside.

"Yes. Just stay on standby and prepare to move with the soldiers once you receive my signal."

"That Oliver guy... is he the same one who defeated your brother five years ago? He looks pretty weak. Are you sure you’ll be alright pairing up with him?" Raeburn asked doubtfully.

"Weak, huh? I don’t think he looks weak at all. In fact, I think he’s become much stronger than before." Aria chuckled softly.

Thump!

Suddenly, a loud sound came from outside the wall. Aria merely shook her head helplessly.

---

Oliver was currently being pinned against the wall by Waine, who was gripping his collar tightly while Edgar and the others tried to pull Waine away from him.

"You think you’re so great, huh? Acting like you’re not interested at all." Waine glared fiercely at Oliver.

"If anything happens to Lady Aria, I’ll personally end your life."

After saying that, Waine finally let go of Oliver before walking away toward his room together with the others.

Oliver calmly straightened his collar while staring sharply at Waine’s back.

"You’re the one who should watch your back." he muttered coldly.

---

Inside one of the warehouses within the city, groups of workers hurriedly moved back and forth in panic.

"Alright, move faster! If any of you slack off, I’ll cut this month’s salary!" Helton shouted toward the workers while overseeing the evacuation.

Suddenly, four figures approached him from behind. Helton turned around and faced them.

"So, there are six cockroaches we need to kill, right?" Verner asked with a grin.

He had long hair, a bulky body, and a large scar across his face. He was the leader of the Five Scorpions. Alongside him stood Clint, Gideon, and Preston. They were the other remaining members of the Five Scorpions.

Each of them wore sinister smirks on their faces.

"Yes. But one of them might be very precious. The Ice Princess herself has come for us. Don’t kill her. I want to play with her first before demanding ransom from her father. " Helton said with a twisted grin.

"You’re really strange, Helton. You already have status and wealth. Why do you still involve yourself in all these shady dealings?" Clint asked curiously.

"Hehehe. Haven’t you ever heard the phrase, ’Greed is a bottomless pit?’"Helton smirked before turning his gaze back toward the workers busily moving throughout the warehouse.