Chapter 436.3: BIG IS JUSTICE

"... The Army is stationed east of Oasis No.4 in southern Sunset Province. They have at least a 10,000 man battalion there and we suspect they’re constructing an airfield. If they succeed, our homeland will be within their strategic bombing range."

"Moreover, according to reliable intel, a one-megaton nuclear warhead is being shipped from the west. We believe it will likely be sent to that airfield."

Seeing Escaping Mole’s face grow serious, Chu Guang paused briefly before he continued, "You have only five days to prepare. You will learn the operation and maintenance of the equipment under the guidance of technicians in those five days."

"From Dawn City to Lost Valley is nearly 900 kilometers, with about 700 kilometers of off-road terrain. Your mission is simple."

𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

"You must maintain absolute secrecy, utmost caution, and advance rapidly. Before the Army reacts, you must break through their defenses with lightning speed."

"At all costs, stop them!"

"Take the airfield!"

...

While the New Alliance was secretly planning its second military operation, nearly 1,000 kilometers away in Petra Fortress, an equally sensational event was unfolding.

A business group from the River Valley Province called the Order of the White Bear rented a warehouse and opened the Order of the White Bear Bank.

The bank president was a talking great white bear!

With her kind nature, she could not bear to witness the suffering happening before her eyes.

So she decided, together with her companions, to aid the refugees fleeing from the north, exchanging Camel Coins for the worthless scraps they carried, which were Lion Coins.

The moment word spread that someone was willing to accept Lion Coins, the slums outside the city boiled over.

The vast majority of them were refugees from Oasis No.9, carrying money no one would accept.

Almost all rushed over, afraid they would be too late.

And besides the refugees, some locals came as well.

But they weren’t here to exchange coins. They came to see the spectacle.

There were plenty of strange things in the wasteland, but a talking bear... Many were seeing one for the very first time!

"How can a bear have so much money?"

"Who knows?!"

"But seriously, what use do these people have for Lion Coins? That stuff’s practically scrap metal now."

"Must be their overflowing kindness that has nowhere else to go."

A few merchants in long robes watched from the side, their faces full of mockery.

Not even bothering to exchange their pocketful of golden Camel Coins for Dinars, they actually exchanged them for Lion Coins.

Are they in a hurry for the depreciation to speed up?

Inside the bank, one after another, the ragged poor waved their money bags, the clinking sounds almost drowning out the shouting.

Buma stood at the counter with his head throbbing, frantically keeping accounts and helping them exchange their scrap for Camel Coins that could be used to buy bread.

Although the president was a bear, they couldn’t expect a bear to keep accounts. This physical task of being the bank teller fell to him.

"Please, sir, exchange a bit more for me." A shabby-looking man finally squeezed to the front, thumping a bag of coins on the table.

Though he looked pitiful, the bag of coins he held was anything but pitiful. The few people behind him were probably servants, each also carrying a bag of coins.

"No, our boss’s rule is that each person can only exchange 200 Camel Coins." Buma shook his head, letting the helper next to him count out 1,200 Lion Coins from the bag.

They would only take coins. No notes were allowed.

After counting, he took out a money bag that had shrunk sixfold, placed it next to that man’s bag of coins, and continued, "You need to swear to the Spirit of the Desert that you won’t come back here to line up today."

Looking at the old man holding the money bag tightly, the man reluctantly raised his hand and swore by his faith, though he was muttering to himself, “I’ll just come back tomorrow.”

The four servants behind him also stepped forward, helping their master exchange the money.

Several burly mercenaries stood at the door with arms crossed, watching the group walk away before shifting their gaze, continuing their duties as bank security.

Whether that man would take a detour and come back wasn’t their concern.

Their employer had explained that expecting a rule to be 100% enforced was impossible. Their job wasn’t to completely stop the phenomenon of re-queuing, just to raise the threshold for violations, thus ensuring that more people could exchange for money to survive.

Food in the Camel Kingdom was cheap, 200 Camel Coins, if used sparingly, could last a long time.

For the first three days after the bank opened, the exchange rate was 6:1, after three days it would rise to 10:1, and they would no longer limit individual exchanges, allowing those with lots of money, like nobles, to exchange large amounts of money.

The reason they were doing so wasn’t entirely out of sheer benevolence.

More so, it was for their own benefit.

Being able to make money wasn’t stupid, but making money and leaving intact with the money in their pocket was!

Looking at the surging crowd outside, Roshan felt her social anxiety flaring up again, nervously looking at Tail who was beside her and whispering, "So many people... Should we go outside and watch?"

"Oh! No worries, Roro, Tail will stay with you!" Tail patted Roshan’s shoulders, giving a thumbs up with a smile. "Just hold on a little longer, we’ll be switching shifts with Sisi and the others soon! Just think of it as courage training!"

Roshan nodded, gathering her courage to keep going.

This bank boiled with activity all the way till evening before closing.

After locking the bank’s doors, Buma, carrying the ledger, walked up to Sisi, saying respectfully, "Today we disbursed 2.1 million Camel Coins and collected 12.6 million Lion Coins."

"Not bad, not bad." Sisi’s revealed a pleased smile.

It seems that the people who fled from Oasis No.9 weren’t particularly wealthy. They only spent 2 million Camel Coins under the purchase limit. After three days, she feared people might come rushing in carts to exchange money at her place. That was way more profitable than buying cattle!

Speaking of which, the Knights Templar in the past seemed to have started that way, fighting wars and losing money, but they made their fortune through lending and promissory notes.

However, the Order of the White Bear wasn’t currently offering high-interest loans.

Sisi considered, perhaps after the war was over, when the reconstruction of Oasis No.9 ended, she might open up the service.

Taking the money they exchanged that day and lending it back to them... It was a way of taking from the people and using it for the people.

"We should hire a few more mercenaries." Sisi stroked her chin, speaking seriously, "Our business might get targeted."

Buma couldn’t help but laugh and cry at her statement, thinking of any fools who would target these pieces of scrap metal.

The whole city was buzzing with rumors that the foolish big spenders from River Valley Province, with too much money to spend, had exchanged their hard-earned money for a bunch of scrap and would probably lose everything on their way back.

Clearing his throat, Buma spoke respectfully, "Hiring these mercenaries is probably enough, but if you really are concerned, we could bribe the city defense captain to set up a patrol post nearby... Those guards loyal to the city lord are more effective than hiring any number of people, and it won’t cost much."

Patrolling was their job. As for where to patrol, that was a matter of administrative flexibility.

Those refugees from other regions were most afraid of causing trouble, especially when it came to provoking local guards. Just having the patrol team walk by occasionally would keep even the most defiant in line.

Sisi’s face brightened with a smile. "That’s a good idea, thank you."

"You’re welcome... You saved my life and returned the property taken from me. This is just my duty." Buma spoke respectfully.

His instincts told him that the young lady was capable of great things.

At his age, he wasn’t quite suited to be a merchant anymore, might as well seek a position in the bank.

After arranging work for the next day, Sisi found the mercenary leader standing guard at the door.

The muscular, burly man was holding his arms, chatting and laughing with a few brothers about where to go drinking later.

Once the sun set, it would be their time off, and the lively crowd would move from the marketplace to the commercial street, where endless fun awaited.

"Interested in working overtime?"

Hearing his boss’s voice, the mercenary leader whistled. "Command me, miss, serving a beauty is my honor."

The mercenaries beside him also jeered. "As long as you’re paying, I’ll do anything."

"I can massage shoulders!"

"I can give back rubs!"

Sisi smiled faintly. "There are members of the Army stationed in Lost Valley, have you heard?"

The mercenaries looked at each other, unsure why their employer was bringing it up. The mercenary leader rubbed the stubble on his chin, thinking for a moment before speaking again, "These past few days... There seem to be similar rumors in the tavern, and they’re quite outrageous, saying there’s a 10,000-man strong garrison there, shooting at anyone who approaches. No one knows what they’re up to."

"That’s not enough information," Sisi threw him a bulging purse. "People here lack imagination. The rumors should be more outrageous. For instance, the forces stationed there are the elite who first invaded Oasis No.9, they’re building a forward base in preparation for the arrival of the main forces..."

Seeing the surprised look on the mercenary leader’s face, she pointed to the purse in his hand.

"That’s 1,000 Camel Coins. I hope by this time tomorrow, the whole Petra Fortress is discussing when the Army plans to attack the city, talking about how those big-noses torture prisoners..."

"I hope wherever I go, I can see the fear and anxiety on people’s faces."

The area of Lost Valley was vast, with a radius of nearly 10 kilometers. They wouldn’t be able to see the other side from where they stood.

Yet, even so, given the Army’s abilities, it was extremely difficult to approach. Once discovered, there was probably no chance to escape.

Therefore, conquering it through brute force was hopeless. No amount of equipment and ammunition prepared would help.

She needed someone to distract the Army.

Or at least draw the Army’s attention.

Only then could they create an opportunity to sneak into the valley.

The mercenary leader looked at his employer in surprise, not understanding what she wanted to do, especially not expecting such a pretty girl to be so scheming.

But seeing the purse, he didn’t ask any more questions. He chuckled to himself as he tucked the purse into his chest, even mimicking those generous nobles, bending deeply in a bow. "It’s an honor to serve you!"

He was just about to go to the tavern for a drink and the job was just too damn easy!

Arrange a few of the most talkative brothers to dive into the crowd, circle around shouting for a bit and they would be able to draw those who loved gossip over in minutes.

With them spreading the news, Petra Fortress would soon know the Army was coming!