Jean and the rest of the team moved quickly, but it still took them three days to get across the border between the two empires and enter the Empire of the Moon, where they were met with the Voyager sent to get them and were welcomed into the camps around the Emerald City, where the Moon forces were amassing.

All around the Emerald City, men in blue armors were marching. In direct contrast to the crimson armors of the Sun soldiers, the Moon soldiers wore light blue from top to bottom. Just like the Sun soldiers, they had runes on their weapons.

All of the Moon soldiers wore white bands on their head. It was an act of mourning. As Jean walked past them, she could sense anger from these men. Anger that could only be dissolved by blood and pain.

“These camps now hold over 80,000 men. It’s quite a powerful force, even for us.”

The Voyager that came to welcome Jean and her group was a short woman. She had her Voyager armor on. Jean noticed many marks on her armor. Something tells her these marks weren’t for show.

She told the group her name was Lyla.

“Where are we going?” Viper asked as she looked around. To be honest, when she came here, she expected to be faced with hostility among the Voyagers around here. After all, in a sense, she was coming to steal the fruit of their work. Even normal people wouldn’t enjoy this, much less Voyagers that value profit above anything else.

What she saw was completely different. The Voyagers here seemed oddly united and even sent someone to welcome them in. It felt odd.

“To meet John. He’ll introduce us to the Emperor, who will incorporate us into the invasion.”

“John?” John’s image and information immediately popped up in Jean’s head, and that's why she was so confused.

John was a special Voyager, not because he looked powerful, but rather because he looked weak. In fact, John was a cripple who entered the mission literally holding onto a crutch. If it wasn’t for the watch on his hand, he might not even be thought of as a Voyager.

Voyagers weren’t known for looking at things on the surface, but they could still tell John’s condition wasn’t fake. He might have some sort of power, but the fact remains that he was slower and weaker than the others. Usually, the fact that he was able to pass how many missions should prove to the others his strength, but just like Jean, John has only gone through a single mission.

He was quickly classified as a recruit who really screwed up in his recruit mission and somehow ended up in this mission, posted by the Protectors, among much stronger Voyagers.

When the Voyagers chose their missions, John was among those that chose to stir up war between the two empires.

Judging from how they were told to go meet John, it seemed like there was more to the recruit cripple than most Voyagers anticipated.

The Voyagers made their way past thousands more Moon soldiers before finally stopping in front of a large tent. Jean frowned when she noticed two other Voyagers were standing guard at the door.

Since when were Voyagers used as sentries?

“Violet.” One of the guards glanced at the purple haired Voyager. He saw her before at the start of the mission. “John is expecting you.”

Violet glanced at him before walking into the tent. Her hand wasn’t far away from her watch. There was something fishy about this John, and she didn't look forward to falling victim to whatever trick he has up his sleeves.

Jean and the others followed tightly.

“Welcome.”

The Voyagers expected to walk into a line of crossbows or a tent full of assassins. Instead, they found themselves facing John. The Voyager was unarmed. Neither his Voyager armor not his Voyager weapons were anywhere near him. Between Voyagers capable of landing a strike in less than a second, it practically screamed peace. The tent was empty as well. Not a single guard was present to stop Violet if she wanted to flip the table.

“I have underestimated you.” Violet suddenly said as she glanced at Cassandra, who turned to face the entrance of the tent as a lookout. The other Voyagers quietly stepped to the side and observed the exchange. “How did you do it? There are 30 Voyagers here, and you, a cripple, became the leader.”

“I’m not a leader, Violet.” John didn't seem to be touched by Violet’s demand. “I am merely an organizer.” He grabbed onto his crutch and slowly got up from his seat. “As you said, there are 30 Voyagers here. All of them want to get something out of this mission aside from the Protector’s bounty. I am just making sure they get the most possible. In exchange, I get a free ride through this mission without having to touch a blade even once.”

Violet frowned. “What do you mean?”

“Look,” John waved his hand. “let’s say your power gets enhanced in the death of others. I can arrange to have all the empire’s criminals, already sentenced to death, to be shipped over and be executed by you. If you want some girls, I can talk to the emperor and arrange for that to happen. Basically, I am keen in what people want, and I am damn good at striking deals accordingly.”

“And the emperor is good with being your puppet?”

“The emperor is fine with anything that can help with avenging his dead son. He would gladly sacrifice a couple hundred prisoners or a handful of girls for the support of powerful individuals like us. I only convince him to go through with it.”

Violet nodded slowly. Throughout the entire conversation, she was scanning John from top to bottom, and she could tell the man was fragile. He looked even weaker than an average soldier in this world. She suddenly tilted her head and let off a dangerous feeling. All the other Voyagers in the room tensed up as they expected Violet to strike, judging from the scent she gave off.

Except for John. He still had the smile on like he didn't feel anything, which seemed more and more like a valid possibility.

Seeing the lack of response from John, Violet finally dispersed the menacing scent.

“So, what now?”

“The Emperor is planning to launch the invasion in two days. The Moon forces will attack the Border Army of the Empire of the Sun, wipe it out, and then disperse into multiple forces and ravage through the Empire of the Sun. They were given orders to put any soldier they face to the sword and place the rest into slavery. We are allowed to do whatever we want as long as we fight well to take down the Border Army. I can bring you to see him now so you can state your requests. I find personal interest to be the best tool of motivation for people like us.”

As Violet and John reached a consensus, Jean was carefully observing on the side, and she found things in the conversation to be weird. First of all, Voyagers weren’t so easily satisfied. There was no way some smart planning was enough to get them all in line. Second, the Emperor is way too trusting toward John. Jean has never seen him before, but someone with the position as the head of state shouldn’t be so consumed by vengeance that he was willing to give up everything else.

Of course, perhaps she was just falsely assuming people to be more logical than they truly are. This happens...a lot.

As the agreement was reached, John slowly walked out of the tent and through the camp. Jean and the others followed him closely. As he left the tent, Lyla and another Voyager guard joined him as well.

As they moved, the Moon soldiers in the surrounding became more and more elite. Eventually, they found themselves surrounded by Emperor Guards, the elite guardians of the Emperor, but they didn't even question John as he led a group of literal strangers to the Emperor.

What’s wrong with this place?

Finally, the team stopped in the largest tent in the camp. Five guards in bright blue armor were at the door. The leader was a woman with dark hair and a shining blue sword.

John let out a polite smile.

The guard leader quietly stepped to the side and allowed entry.

The Emperor to the Empire of the Moon was an old man in his sixties. As Jean saw him, she realized why taking out his son angered him so much. Even if he could somehow have another child, he wouldn’t be alive long enough for his child to grow up. As soon as he dies, the Empire would crumble without a rightful heir powerful enough to stabilize the situation. In the best case, he would need to give someone else all the power and hope that person wouldn’t try to usurp the throne. In a sense, his family’s rule of the Empire was practically over due to a single death.

Scattered pieces of plates and decorations were on the ground, likely as a result of the Emperor lashing out. When John and the Voyagers entered, the Emperor turned to them with an annoyed look.

“Calm down, your grace.” John spoke first. His voice was calm and soothing. “I bring good news.”

It was as if something struck the Emperor as the man nodded. The anger on his look all but disappeared.

“You haven’t disappointed me before. I’m sure you’ll stay that way.”

“I have found six more powerful individuals that are willing to fight for you, for a right price, of course.”

Jean’s body slightly tensed up. Usually, when she was trying to make a deal with someone else, especially an Emperor who was used to getting what he wanted, she would try to be more polite. The way John spat his point out was rash and even reckless.

But it turned out that she was worrying too much. The Emperor nodded in understanding.

“Of course. If y’all came to me without asking for something, you are either up to no good or are just weaklings. Tell me what you want, and I’ll do my best to fulfill your wishes.”

Violet was the first to step up.

“I would like to receive a castle and the land around it as a reward, after the battle is won, of course.”

Jean didn't know what Violet’s power was exactly, but it certainly wasn’t anything the Emperor could help enhance. What she asked was normal for a common mercenary, but it meant nothing for a Voyager.

Cassandra and Blink asked for similar things.

“I would like to get hold of as many corpses as possible, your grace.” Demon said, unsurprisingly. His ability to revive the dead meant the more bodies he could get his hands on, the more influence he could have in this world.

The Emperor frowned.

“It is the tradition of our nation to let the dead rest in peace underground.”

“Your grace,” John stepped in again. “I know Demon. He can do a lot of things with corpses, some of which might add to our favor on the battlefield. It might be the difference between life and death.”

The Emperor finally nodded.

“Fine. I will order my men to collect as many bodies as possible and deliver them to you. If anyone objects, have them come see me.”

“Thank you, your grace. You will not regret it.”

“And you?” The Emperor turned to Ares. “You’re a big fella, aren’t you? I just hope your size is equal to your strength on the battlefield.”

“I’m sure I won’t disappoint you, your grace.” Ares let out a bloodthirsty smile. “But it will be to my delight if I can get a few kills before the invasion begins. It helps me warm up.”

From what Jean saw, Ares’s weapon had the ability to improve itself with the pain and death of its victims.

“It’s granted. There are a lot of traitors among my Empire that has been taken captive. It is only right that their lives are used against their masters. And you, girl?” The Emperor finally turned to Jean, the last member of the team.

Jean lowered her head.

“If I may, your grace, I would like to see how the runes are created.”

The Emperor suddenly stood up. As old as he was, and as pleasant as he was when he made the promises, he was still the leader of an Empire. He commanded the life and death of hundreds of thousands. Tension immediately filled the tent.

“The art of rune crafting is among the most heavily guarded secrets in any Empire. It is directly related to the strength of our forces. If you want a set of runes on your weapon, fine, but if you want to learn how it’s done...you can’t have it.”

The other Voyagers glanced between the Emperor and Jean, half expecting Jean to strike the old man down. Voyagers don’t really take rejections well. But all Jean did was nod and reply calmly.

“Very well, your grace. I apologize for that inappropriate demand. In that case, may I suggest being introduced to a rune crafter? I would like to get my armor and weapon decorated.”

The Emperor sat back down.

“Your wish is granted.”