20 Dire Situation Revealed

Having Nathan personally escorting them, the squad made their way into the guest area of the village's barracks. The barracks was not very big at all, and the guest area only had enough room for the four of them to be comfortable.

"You all can rest here tonight before you all head back to the city. However, I would like to ask my little cousin to accompany me for some time. I hope that you can understand?" Nathan asked as the group started to unpack their belongings.

Seeing that Nathan was not quite looking for a response, the squad just nodded their heads in approval as Martin and Nathan left the guest quarters.

"So uncle, what do you need to discuss with me? You seem a little nervous and out of place." Martin told Nathan once they were out of the barracks and in a secluded area.

"Martin, I do not wish for you to leave this village tomorrow to head towards the city. I might even go as far as using force if need be." turning towards Martin, Nathan replied with a stern expression on his face.

Feeling confused by Nathan's words, Martin tried to think about why he would have such an expression. Unable to come up with an answer, Martin began to ask Nathan some questions.

"Uncle, you have never treated me in this way as to even prevent me from traveling back to the safety of our household. What is going on where you do not want me even in the city?" asked Martin as he still remained rather relaxed.

Though they were technically cousins, Nathan had helped Martin while he was growing up. Because of this, Martin and Nathan felt closer to each other when compared to even others in their households.

Seeing Nathan being so stern towards him, Martin felt a level of fear. Nathan, though had a noble and righteous aura, would be more carefree and relaxed towards Martin. For Nathan to change his attitude without any warning, Martin couldn't help but to feel that something was seriously wrong.

"Not just our household, but the whole city is in danger of being annihilated very soon. The orcs in the mountains, have finally merged into a single entity. Usually, we wouldn't be paying much attention to the orc tribes since they would always be fighting among themselves."

"This had all changed once a powerful leader of an orc tribe showed itself. Since last year, each of the orc tribes would individually fall to its hands and would declare their loyalty towards it as their one true leader. Right now, they have not shown much interest in attacking the city, but, it seems as if one of the alliances within the city might be colliding with them."

"You should understand by now that the reason monster waves have appeared more frequently over these past few years, has been due to the orc tribes pushing them out of their homes. If it was not for those damnable orcs, warriors like me, wouldn't have to travel so far away in order to protect villages like this one. Instead, villages such as the one we are in, would be able to prosper over time!"

"In order to not aggravate any nearby villages or even citizens within the city walls, the elders have just been having all of the households concentrating more on building their personal strength. Which is why many of the citizens who have shown promise, have switched places with the usual army and guards so that they could have more time to train." Nathan explained to Martin.

In their city, a household could be considered a powerful group of experts who over the years of its existence, were able to gain a foothold. However, there were always common citizens within the city who worked hard to prove themselves strong enough to join an established household.

It could be said that the true foundation of the city itself and its strength, came from these households supporting it.

"If that is true, that gives us even more of a reason to head back to the city right away!" Martin shouted at Nathan now filled with rage.

"Actually, if you and your squad went back to the city now, not only would you be in danger before even reaching the city walls, but, you would also make it harder for our household. Right now, everyone in our household and every other household is working diligently to increase their strengths. As far as your squad is concerned, you would only be getting in the way of things."

Nathan continued to explain the current landscape to Martin in order to convince him to stay within the village. Though, the village would often need to fight off waves of monsters, there was actually a higher possibility of Martin and his squad surviving longer there versus in the city.

"From what you have explained to me about your run in with Jacob and his underlings earlier, I can only assume that they might be siding with the orcs. It is highly possible that they decided not to enter a life and death battle, because you outnumbered them in the end."

"If any one of you would have escaped successfully, it would be grounds to assume that they had a connection with the orcs. However, we are unable to do anything to them or their households, due to them retreating and neither side losing a life."

"Unfortunately, that is not the case because your squad killed one of his underlings. I can understand that it was in self defense, but, they might use that to frame you and drag our household down to silence us." Nathan deducting the whole scene finally came to such a conclusion.

"If what you said is true, it makes sense for my squad to remain here within the village. However, I am not sure that Leo would agree to these terms." finally coming to terms with the situation he was now in, Martin accepted Nathan's suggestion.

"Do not worry about a thing cousin, you can leave convincing Leo to me." Nathan told Martin as he patted him on the shoulder and led him back to the guest quarters within the barracks.