"This person is good and could help with technical support..."
"And can he handle things during the mission? Like if our devices stop working? If you’re sending soone into Ravah, things like that will happen."
Izu quietly watched as Haji and Allen browsed through profiles of n who could fit the mission. Even though the plan wasn’t finalized yet, everyone already knew this mission required a small group.
Sending a larger team would be riskier. The land they were infiltrating was dangerous.
This mission wasn’t a war — it was a rescue.
So, Allen was presenting the candidates and their specialties, while Haji added details and asked questions to ensure they chose the right people.
Just monts ago, Haji had been idle. Although he trained hard, he didn’t have a role in the Order yet. But now, he was working side by side with Allen, and surprisingly, they were in perfect sync, as if this wasn’t their first ti.
anwhile, Izu stood off to the side, unable to contribute anything.
His thoughts halted when Haji suddenly turned to him, holding up a profile.
"What do you think of him?"
Izu shifted his eyes to the profile, his expression unchanged — though bitterness churned in his chest. All the candidates Allen had suggested were from the Inner Circle, which wasn’t surprising.
"He’s a skilled fighter, and also an efficient dic with broader dical knowledge," Izu said, essentially repeating what Allen had already ntioned.
"Is that so?" Haji picked up another file and showed it to him. "Which one do you think is better?"
"Both are equally skilled." Izu offered a polite smile. "Either way, they’d contribute greatly to the mission. And since both are from the Inner Circle, their coordination would be perfect."
He straightened and turned to Allen. "Sir Allen, I’ll return to my post."
He bowed quickly. Allen gave him a small nod, and Izu left without slowing or looking back and without a single extra word.
Haji and Allen watched until the door shut behind him.
"That’s strange," Allen murmured. "He’s usually focused and rarely distracted."
Haji shrugged as he examined the profiles. "Beats ."
They were only discussing sending two dics on the mission, but Izu hadn’t realized it because his mind was drifting far away.
"These two are alright," Haji concluded. "As long as they can treat injuries. Let’s just hope they don’t die first."
"Oh, God..." Allen muttered as he placed the profiles into a separate folder. "The life we have... I never thought I’d be in a position to decide who gets to live or die."
The words slipped out casually. Yet Haji paused upon hearing that, making sothing tighten inside him. As soone raised in a place like hell, hearing Allen say that struck a chord.
"That’s the first," Haji comnted, causing Allen to lift his gaze. "First ti I’ve heard soone say that."
"Say what?" Allen asked.
"Being part of the process of deciding who lives or dies."
"Ahh... haha..." Allen leaned back and sighed. "It’s sothing my boss told back then. Before we even started managing this place."
A subtle smile tugged on his lips, his feelings still mixed about it.
"He said he never imagined he’d end up in a position where he’d decide who lives and who doesn’t." Allen looked up at Haji again. "Then he asked to reconsider following him because this is sothing we may never get used to."
And Atlas was right... like always.
Allen still wasn’t used to it. But decisions had to be made in their world. Even with a heavy heart, orders must be given.
"All the soldiers we send aren’t guaranteed to co ho," Allen said as he refocused on the files. "So the least we can do is choose those with higher chances of survival."
That was why Atlas made the policy public to keep missions as mutual agreents instead of unilateral orders.
A subtle gesture, but extrely effective.
"Wow," Haji blurted, making Allen raise an eyebrow.
"What?"
"Nothing." Haji shrugged. "It’s just interesting — comparing your perspective and the soldiers’ perspective."
Because for sure, this was not what the soldiers thought of it.
"There are countless perspectives in the Order," Allen said, smiling faintly. "But in the end, we all just want to survive in a world that sees weakness as an opportunity — and having a weakness is a guaranteed death sentence."
That was why the Order was the way it was.
Everyone worked to ensure the Order survived within the Secret Society.
Haji nodded, then asked, "What about Izu?"
"What about him?"
"Aren’t you picking him?"
"He didn’t send a form." Allen tilted his head.
"A form?"
"As I said, big missions here are mutual agreents. Those willing to go submit a form. It’s sent to every soldier each ti." Allen explained. "He didn’t submit his. So I assu he doesn’t want to go."
Haji’s confusion deepened. "You’re not choosing him because of that? Not because his group is the weakest?"
Allen laughed.
"Is that what they’re saying?" He shook his head and resud his work. "Izu and his team aren’t the weakest. Never were. It’s just that..."
He paused, amused by his own thoughts, then looked up with a knowing smile.
"...the numbers they talk about don’t matter to the man at the helm of this family."
Haji still didn’t quite grasp the aning, but let it go. "Interesting."
"Anyway," Allen continued, "we need nas by the end of the day. Ti is crucial."
"Yeah, but before that..." Haji paused, and Allen looked up. "Do you think Atlas will let Lola join the mission?"
"The Madam?"
"Mhm. She knows Ravah’s underground routes. But planning is different from reality, especially in Ravah." Haji exhaled. "I doubt your boss will allow her to go."
Instead of answering, Allen tilted his head. "Us? You’re going?" His eyes lit up. "I was just about to ask — that’s great!"
"What the hell is wrong with you?" Haji grimaced at the man’s reaction. He was used to being forced into deadly missions, not invited. So, this was definitely sothing he didn’t know how to react to.
"But as for the Madam..." Allen rubbed his chin. "Honestly? I don’t think so."
He sighed. "The Madam is the Madam. There’s only one her in the world. He’d never send her into a mission like this. He would never let his wife be in danger."
"Well, that sucks," Haji muttered.
"I’m sure he’ll find another way for her to help without putting her at risk."
The n nodded in agreent and returned to work, giving little thought to the obvious.
Little did they know that a day later, they’d be sitting in a room making plans — with Lola at the far end of the table, leading it.
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