Chương 14: ESCORT MISSION

The team had returned to the district, meanwhile, Chioma was placed on admission at the District Hospital. She had suffered a direct hit to her neck bone.

"I must say, captain, that kid is not normal," the doctor said.

"How? What do you mean?," Ebun asked confused.

"Under this same condition, she should have been dead on the spot. I am glad she's alive and recuperating, but there is something off about her. When her neck was examined, we found no broken bones or fractured bones. The bones were all intact. How this happened I do not know. I take my leave," the doctor said and left to attend to another patient.

Ebun was glad she would survive, but she had questions. If Tobi's words were the exact thing that had happened, then she should have been dead. "Maybe she's a special kid, or she protected her neck at the last impact? Well, she's alive and that should be the point," she thought to herself.

Ebun returned to District to find Tobi and Andrew training. She had told them to get some rest.

"Did I not tell you boys to get some rest? Do you want to die?, Ebun asked.

"We will die if we don't become stronger. I could not even do anything in the last mission. I am ashamed," Andrew replied as he continued his push-ups. He was one-shotted during the last fight and contributed close to nothing in the fight. If only he had done more, maybe, Chioma would not be in a such critical state.

"How is Chioma? What did the doctor say?," Tobi asked concerned. He had seen, with his two eyes, how Chioma was hit. He knew it was a life-threatening hit.

"She is fine. She is responding to the treatments," Ebun answered. "Now, you should go and freshen up. Today is the day you get your uniforms. I give you 30 minutes for that,"

After about 45 minutes, Ebun led the boys to a building. The building was small. It had only one door that served as an exit and entry. On the surface, it looked like a military fashion house—more of a military tailor house. Across the room, military linens and materials lay on shelves directly opposite the entry door. Adjacent to it was the counter, which a young lady was in charge of.

"Good day, how may I help you?, The young lady asked sweetly.

"We are here for the uniforms. Uniforms for three, two boys and a girl," Ebun answered.

"Okay. Their names?," the young lady asked.

"Tobi, Andrew, and Chioma," Ebun answered.

"Give me a minute, I will be right back," the young lady asked and left for the inner section of the room. A few minutes after, she returned with three boxes. The boxes had the names of the intended recipient and the Army's brand pattern. "This is it. Please, sign here," the young lady gestured. After the signing, they left for the district.

There was nothing to do in the district. There was no mission. Tobi and Andrew used the time to continue their training. They wanted to get better and stronger. They were disappointed and embarrassed at the outcome of their first mission.

The sun had set, and the boys were tired from their intensive training. They had been at it since morning. Ebun watched as the two of them staggered into the headquarters building. She had just left the commander's office.

"We have a mission tomorrow and it starts at dawn. You must go and rest now. It's an instruction. If you want to die, don't rest for the mission tomorrow," Ebun said as she watched them carry their tired legs.

The next morning, Team Ebun was ready and stationed at the Royal Inn. There is a Royal Inn located in the central area of each district. It is meant for the royal household only. Their mission was to escort the princess back to Kirara, the capital. Ebun had explained that mission was a C-rank mission but it must not be underestimated.

"Why must we be the one to escort the princess? What happened to the team that escorted her here? I would have preferred a better mission," Tobi reacted. He was not particularly pleased with the mission.

"Well, you have a point but a mission is a mission. Besides, if this mission succeeds, the princess might put in a good word for the team. We might get a boost," Andrew answered as he looked around. He was fond of looking around. It was like a habit.

"I am a warrior, not a bodyguard. I don't like this," Tobi said as he swayed his arms in the air. He was dissatisfied with this particular mission.

"Quiet," Ebun commanded as she saw the princess and her guards coming through.

The princess appeared dissatisfied as she saw team Ebun. "Is that the team to escort me? Aren't they meant to be 4 in number? Why are they the only ones escorting me? They don't even look strong," she turned to ask her chief guard.

Ebun noticed the change in the princess' expression. She moved forward and addressed the princess.

"Good morning, your highness. I am Ebun, the captain of this team. It's a privilege to be your escort," Ebun said while her head was bowed.

"Where are the other teams? Are you the only one assigned for this escort?," the princess asked.

"Yes, your highness. The other teams are currently on a mission. We are the only team available," Ebun answered.

"I hope you guys do a good job. Let's go," the princess said.

Ebun called Tobi and Andrew and gave them a few instructions. Andrew will be inside the carriage with the princess alongside some guards. Tobi will guard the front and right side while Ebun will man the back and left side. The carriage had a space where Ebun could sit at the back. The journey on foot will last seven days on foot and four days with a carriage.

The path to Kirara, from Saikyuu, was not new to Tobi. He knew the path like the back of his palm. The carriage moved at a steady speed till they got close to a river. It was night already and the horses were tired and needed rest. They decided to camp there for the day. They would continue the next morning.

"Hey! Hey! Wake up! The princess has been kidnapped!" Tobi shouted as he tried to wake Andrew up. Andrew did not flinch. He was deep in sleep. The other guards in the carriage too were in deep sleep. "Who did this?," Tobi mused.

"Captain! Captain? Where is Captain?," Tobi shouted as he paced around. The guards accompanying the princess were on the ground, asleep. "Why is every one asleep, where is the captain?,"

"Hey! Hey! Come to your senses!," Ebun said as she snapped Tobi awake.

"The princess! Where is the princess?," Tobi exclaimed as he woke up.

"The princess has been kidnapped. We need to move now," Andrew alerted.

Tobi was confused. He had just seen Andrew asleep. The Captain was nowhere to be found. What happened?

"If you are wondering, you were placed under a false reality. This mission difficulty has just shot up to an A-rank mission. This kidnap, I'm afraid, was done by someone of the captain class. It is much harder than the last fight. Are you ready for this?," Ebun remarked.

"Yes!," they both replied.

"Let's go," Ebun commanded.