Chapter 493: Changes I (2/2)

Xiao Wan still looked worn and tired, but her eyes now showed steely determination.

”Thank you for all your effort these days!” Xiao Wan expressed sincerely.

Arwa bowed slightly, ”It is my duty.”

Xiao Wan watched Arwa in his stiff military uniform and felt a wave of emotions rushed up to her. Arwa had never liked wearing it, and he was the only one in the Xiao Family army who refused to wear the military uniform. It was only a small gesture, but Xiao Wan could see that he was doing all he could for their current predicament. Arwa had always looked like an honest young lad from a rural village, but now he had the charisma of a general.

”What's the situation right now?” Xiao Wan asked.

”It's not looking good,” Arwa looked worried as he explained, ”We've lost our best opportunity!”

Xiao Wan understood him. She knew that Arwa was referring to the war at the frontline. Arwa had been openly against it, but his lowly position meant his opinion went ignored. After the war, there was little left in the Xiao Family Army. Even the 1st Platoon's Commander, Guang Bei, did not make it. Xiao Wan's heart ached at the memory.

Arwa knew that he had misspoke, and quickly added, ”However, we're not without hope.”

He had the Young Miss's attention now. Arwa quickly elaborated, ”I've gathered many mech pilots along the way. We now have 1,500 mech pilots. It's not exactly an army, but enough to bring us to Planet Duodania. Once we enter the He Yue Galaxy, we'll be alright!”

Xiao Wan was confused. ”Isn't He Yue Galaxy also invaded by the red-tailed beasts?”

Arwa explained, ”The red-tailed beasts are also in the He Yue Galaxy, but the place is larger, with enough room for us to find a place to settle down. Besides, the He Yue Galaxy may be at war now, but it's core areas remain unaffected. We can find a place to lay low in the meantime. I think that once the aristocratic families got rid of the red-tailed beasts, they will most likely be weakened as well. It will be our chance to rise again. On the contrary, Gray Valley is small, and lacked the space for us. Additionally, with our defeat, half of Gray Valley's combatants are gone. It's only a matter of time before Gray Valley falls under the control of the red-tailed beasts.” It was in moments like these that Arwa looked like the genius tactician that he truly was.

Xiao Wan considered Arwa's analysis carefully.

Arwa made sense, but this would mean them leaving Gray Valley, the place she grew up in. It was also nearly impossible for them to ever return.

”You think that it's more to our advantage to move to the He Yue Galaxy?” Xiao Wan asked after a long moment.

”Yes!” Arwa replied firmly without hesitation.

Xiao Wan took a deep breath and made her decision, ”Alright! Then let's try our luck in the He Yue Galaxy!”

Arwa was pleased to hear that. ”Thank you, Young Miss!”

”Thank you? You can thank me for sending Guang Bei to his death in a pointless war.” Xiao Wan looked sad as she said this, with a hint of self mockery.

Arwa could only sigh quietly to himself. He remembered something then. ”Young Miss, right now we are in urgent need of close range mechs. Without them, we'll be heavily disadvantaged against the red-tailed beasts.”

”Close range mechs!” Xiao Wan pondered on it, then lifted her gaze to Arwa, ”What do you suggest?”

”We steal them!” Arwa forced the words out of his mouth.

”Steal them?” Xiao Wan did not look troubled at all, as though it was a natural decision. She mused, ”From who?”

She looked at Arwa meaningfully and said, ”You probably thought of everything already, so let's hear it.”

Arwa chuckled and said, ”Sharp as always, Young Miss. There are not many organizations with close range mechs now, and most of them are too strong for us. In the end, the Research Consortium seems to be the best option.”

”The Research Consortium?” Xiao Wan looked hesitant, but did not reject the idea immediately. ”The Research Consortium is too powerful for us to meddle with. I believe that it will be difficult.”

Arwa laughed. ”Maybe not. The Research Consortium's intel has always been the most reliable in Gray Valley. Nothing escapes them. News of defeat at the frontline must have reached them. The Research Consortium is powerful, but they don't have many mech pilots. If that's the case, their best option is to gather their people and focus on defense. Besides, they're mostly cowards. I believe that the Consortium's headquarters must be empty by now. In the haste of their retreat, they might have left something in their warehouses. These things are now free for all. Hehe, why not take them for ourselves? Of course, it will depend on our luck.”

Xiao Wan thought through Arwa's words. She clenched her teeth and made her decision. ”Alright! We'll do as you say!”

[1] This is also YC’s fake name back in Chapter 291!