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Furthermore, she needed to maintain her facade, especially with the people monitoring her and her group, knowing that Clyde and his friends were likely also under surveillance.

"I would love to have such talented people with us," she began, her expression neutral, "but as you can see, our last expedition barely allowed us to return with our lives intact, and our supplies are dwindling. We’re currently seeking a partnership with someone who can provide us with ample resources while we recover," she added, stating her position frankly.

Beside her, Duke handed her a raspberry as she spoke.

Clyde was well aware of this issue and had heard people mention that Kisha and her group had endured significant hardships, to the point where even Commander McMillan’s team remained bedridden from their injuries sustained in their struggle for survival.

Given their current condition, gathering additional supplies and supporting others was undoubtedly a daunting challenge for them.

Clyde sighed with regret, but he remained committed to his decision.

"I understand the challenges you’re facing, but we’re not asking for a free ride.

We’re willing to work hard to earn our keep.

I just want to ensure we ally ourselves with trustworthy people who won’t betray us when it matters most," he explained, earnestly expressing his desire to join their guild.

This was exactly what Kisha had been waiting to hear. While she wasn’t ready to trust him completely yet, their resolve and dedication were promising. If Clyde or his friends ever attempted to betray her and her group for personal gain, she felt capable of handling the situation.

Kisha understood she wasn’t perfect, but she believed in fairness and intended to approach their alliance with integrity and transparency. After all, she wasn’t a saint but she also wasn’t a devil so she made sure to play it fair.

"Alright, understood. Once we secure a backer, we’ll notify you immediately. You can head back for now, and when the time comes, we’ll reach out so we can ensure proper support for you and your family," Kisha assured as if her concern for their supplies was real.

With this decision, Kisha could demonstrate that her options were limited. Even if Clyde joined her group, it didn’t alter the fact that she and her people were committed to working for someone else in exchange for supplies.

This approach would lead those monitoring them to believe that capturing Kisha’s group would also entail gaining influence over Clyde, effectively achieving two objectives at once and reaping substantial benefits.

This action would allow Kisha to subtly protect Clyde, his friends, and their families from danger. It would also prevent those monitoring them from becoming hostile towards Kisha and Clyde’s group, potentially catching them off guard and giving them a strategic advantage.

Clyde didn’t fully grasp Kisha’s intentions, but he trusted her judgment.

Knowing their strong principles, he was confident they wouldn’t align with someone of questionable character, even if it meant their death.

He nodded thoughtfully before asking, "So, does that mean my friends and I can consider ourselves part of your group now? "

Kisha tilted her head slightly, observing Clyde’s nervousness.

After a moment, she nodded, prompting Clyde to exhale in relief.

"Then, we’ll leave it to the guild leader and vice leader to decide," he said, bowing respectfully with his fist cupped before Kisha and Duke.

His friends mirrored his gesture, smiling in anticipation.

"Alright! We’ll surely follow the one with the best offer.

" Kisha said deliberately, Clyde found her statement unusual but refrained from saying anything, after all, he just said he would leave everything to their decision.

With their discussion concluded, Clyde and his friends bid their farewells and departed, each heading home to their families.

They contemplated how to sustain themselves in the interim, awaiting Kisha’s good news.

With everything progressing positively, Kisha sensed the urgency of addressing the Coltons and the Minister of Defense promptly, to preempt any plans they might hatch against her group.

Duke shared her concerns. They exchanged a quick glance before resuming what they were doing earlier before Clyde and his friends arrived, maintaining an appearance of calm and nonchalance.

Shortly afterward, dinner was prepared and they all enjoyed a satisfying meal together.

But after their meal, they showed their concern about the food supply dwindling, Marcus and his grandchildren even showed fear because they believed that they would be cut off since they were not that helpful to Kisha and her team and only another mouth to feed.

After expressing their concerns, Kisha and Duke retired to their rooms for rest. Meanwhile, Vulture and Sparrow patrolled around the villa to keep watch. Marcus and his grandchildren were left deeply worried, their anxiety keeping them awake until their eyes grew red with exhaustion.

Kisha strategically raised this issue to scare the Wyatts.

She knew it would appear plausible that their supplies were dwindling, possibly leading the monitors to believe they were vulnerable and ripe for manipulation.

Kisha suspected their observers might attempt to coerce them into accepting backing under unfavorable terms, expecting them to shoulder all the work in return.

When Kisha and Duke finally reached their room, they washed up and climbed into bed, both exhausted from exploring the territory space and managing Kisha’s farm.

They were too tired to exchange banter or playful remarks before sleep.

Instead, they cuddled closely and quickly drifted off into a peaceful sleep in each other’s arms.

After the Wyatt grandfather and grandchildren finished crying and cleaning up the villa, they dragged themselves back to the workers’ dorm and settled in for the night.

None of them slept well, haunted by memories of past hardships and the looming fear of hunger.

The children, especially, dreaded the thought of returning to such deprivation.

Despite their worries, they felt helpless, unable to change their situation immediately.

Meanwhile, Marcus resolved to redouble his efforts in the backyard garden, hoping to yield a better crop to alleviate their food shortage. Once he formulated a plan, exhaustion finally overtook him, and he fell into a deep slumber.

Vulture and Sparrow, on the other hand, patrolled the perimeter of the villa. During their rounds, Sparrow seized an opportunity to slip away, with Vulture providing cover to allow him to fulfill a mission assigned by their young madam.

Successfully slipping inside the forest just behind their villa’s backyard, Sparrow retrieved a black cloak left there by Kisha for nighttime operations. Donning the cloak, he disappeared into the shadows, blending seamlessly into the darkness.

Clad in the cloak, Sparrow activated his whirlwind ability, effortlessly leaping through the trees, seamlessly blending into the shadows as he approached the tent where the Winters’ men waited in silence.

Fortunately, they were consolidated in one tent, minimizing the risk of being discovered by others.

All that remained was for Sparrow to reach them and proceed with his mission.

En route, Sparrow discreetly observed the guard rotations and eavesdropped on soldiers’ conversations, gathering valuable intelligence on the shelter’s defenses and daily operations. Despite Kisha’s extensive knowledge of the area, Sparrow recognized the importance of acquiring his own insights.

He methodically collected information while making his way towards the Winters, taking advantage of the opportunity to enhance his understanding of the shelter.

Sparrow’s prowess in reconnaissance lay in his ability to seize every opportunity effectively. He knew precisely how to gather information and capitalize on each moment presented to him, making him a skilled operator in the field.