-Some Forest Within Arcadina--

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The night sky was inky black and clear.... and even though the moonlight was very bright today, the towering trees had all blocked its rays from reaching the paths below.

It was already autumn, and the trees had already begun to shed their leaves.

'Shreeeeew! Shreeeew! Shreeeeew!'

The gentle night wind continuously blew against the trees, causing a light whistle-like effect.

'Din-Din!.....Din-Din!... Din-Din! Din-Din'

Riding on several black horses, were a group of 55 men all dressed in dark red.

They rode towards the back of the forest silently, while listening to the music of the forest.

And when they were sure that it was safe enough to talk, they visibly relaxed..... while also keeping vigilant at all times.

After all, they were here to deliver a message from their Captains who had just returned from a mission.

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One should know that apart from their leader who was leading them toward the forest, many of them had never been to this particular secret base before.

But in truth, it wasn't the secret base that truly excited them.

Nope!

It was the fact that they would actually get the chance to see their boss in the flesh that got them riled up.

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Most of them had graduated from their bosses, private underground training estates.... which were scattered within 5 major cities around Arcadina.

While they were there, they had never met their boss before.

And even after graduating and doing new missions, they still didn't have the privilege to see this boss of theirs.

Their high would only pass on his words to the Captains and the top leaders.... and they, in turn, would instruct them on what was needed to be done.

And due to this, many of them found it to be a huge privilege and something worth bragging about.... if they actually saw their boss.

So how could they not be excited?

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'Pisp!'

"Hey.... what do you think that our boss will truly be like?" Said one in a whispery tone.

"For sure, he's probably a handsome fellow!"

Of course!... how could he not be?"

"Ahhh!... it would be really great if the boss could put me directly under him as his disciple or something."

"Hehehehe.... just you?

Please!.... what bloody skill do you have that will make our boss put you under him?

Pui!!.... you're just a wannabe, and nothing more."

"I agree with Benny.

Who do you think you are to gain the boss's favour?"

"Exactly tell him, Ray!"

"That's right!

As I said, you're not worthy enough to get our boss's favour........ but I am!!!"

"What?... in your dreams!!"

"Oh yeah?

Well eat poop and die, scum!"

"_"

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They rode for an hour and 21 minutes deep into the heart of the forest, until they came upon an open field, which was filled with thorns, roses.... as well as several 7 feet tall bushes.

The open field was of course surrounded by trees.... and on each tree, were at least 2 secret guards watching who was going in or leaving the field of thorns.

In addition to that, on the base of several other trees.... as well as around the bushes circling the thorny fields, there were also multiple hidden guards placed there as well.

And even before one reached were these men were currently at, along the road leading to the thorny field.... several hidden guards were also positioned there at different checkpoints.

A few of them had already taken several shortcuts to let everyone around the fields know that strangers were heading their way.

So in short, the entire place was heavily guarded and seeming ready for action at any time as well.

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The men immediately stopped when they were just 2 meters away from the field.... as continuously riding forward in this dark night, would mean that they weren't in association with those secret guards here.

This was the only way to differentiate who was for from friends, after all..... with most of the moonlights splendour being blocked by the massive trees, it was hard for them to identify who was who.

Sure... the spies could see people riding toward them, but to clearly see one's face wasn't something that anyone could do within a torch.

So only by stopping, would they be able to tell if the approaching people were their men or not.

And anyone who just rode on ahead without stopping, would be shot dead instantly with a rain of arrows.

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'Heeeeeheeheeheeheh!

The men in red pulled their reigns, and their horses all stopped.

And soon, their leader immediately took out an immaculate white scarf, raised it high up in the air, and waved it around 5 times.

Seeing the signal, one of the hidden spies also followed up by shooting out an arrow unto the tree closest to them.

'Thooop!'

The leader immediately looked at the man closest to him, and swiftly gestured towards the arrow with his head.

And just like that, the arrow was yanked from the tree and given to him I'm a flash.

Looking at the arrow which also had a white piece of fabric tied to it, he immediately raised his hand again..... and signalled for his own men to ride ahead.

The white piece of fabric showed the approval to ride ahead from these hidden guards.

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The men all left their horses and waited close to the field patiently.

And in a blink of an eye, another secret guard walked out from the back of one of the trees..... and swiftly led them through the thorny field, using the only path which didn't have thorns on it.

And at the center of the thorny field, was a massive bush, that was also covered with thorns as well.

These bushes, which were as tall as a single floored home..... had been strategically placed in an oval-shaped manner, as if it were an onion protecting its many layers.

One could also think of it as being arranged like a flower tag had its petals tightly closed, as it waited for the morning sun to open up again.

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Arriving in front of the oval-shaped bushes, the hidden guard found the only region around the bushes that didn't have thorns on it..... and slightly tilted them sideways.

And just like that, a massive pathway was revealed at the center of the bushes..... or rather, it was a stairway.

Yup!

There was a stairway there, that descended downwards into the ground.

The men followed the guard and calmly descended the stairs.

And as they descended, at several points around the walls.... one would find already lit up torches placed there as well, which illuminated their path as they continuously advanced forward.

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They descended for a bit, before arriving at a flat pathway... which seemed endless, as they found out that they had been walking for more than an hour now.

Well, the wait was finally over... when they finally arrived at another stairway and ascended again towards a large metal door.

The guard then opened the door and quickly led them into a small room which looked like a storage room.

"From here on out, remember not to go against these 3 rules.

•No talking around the master without permission,

•No looking directly at the master when he is around you all.

•& No stuttering with words..... it's better if you all can be clear and concise at all times!

Trust me, you'll live longer that way."

"_"

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As the men listened on, they couldn't help but feel a little bit frightened when they heard the last bit of advice.

In the end, just who was their boss?