Cedric answered immediately.

"Within days."

The room fell quiet after that.

Not the comfortable kind of silence either.

The heavy kind.

The kind where everyone inside already understood what the conversation truly meant.

Elaina remained calm on the surface, but her thoughts were already moving ahead. If the brigands really planned to strike within days, then Atlas would not have much time.

There would be reconnaissance missions.

Defensive planning.

Caravan security.

Possible combat operations.

Atlas had handled dangerous contracts before, but this felt different from ordinary guild work. This was not a monster extermination request or escort duty through dangerous roads.

This sounded closer to war.

And if the reports were accurate, the city guards in Falmouth were going to have a serious problem.

Eighty armed brigands operating in organized groups was not something poorly trained guards could casually handle. Once fear spread through the streets, the situation could spiral out of control quickly.

Cedric carefully watched Elaina’s reaction from across the desk.

"You understand now why I specifically requested Marcus Manfred."

Elaina gave a small nod.

"Yes," she answered honestly.

Before she could continue, another sound echoed faintly outside the building.

Not gunfire this time.

Engines.

A low mechanical hum rolled through the compound, instantly catching everyone’s attention. Several Atlas personnel outside straightened almost immediately as the sound passed through the camp.

Cedric looked toward the windows in confusion.

"What is that?"

Elaina already recognized it immediately.

Marcus.

Probably returning from the operations area again.

A few seconds later, muffled voices echoed outside the hallway. Boots followed shortly afterward.

Heavy footsteps.

Then the office door opened.

Marcus stepped inside.

Cedric immediately stood from his chair without even thinking about it.

And honestly, the contrast between the two men was almost amusing.

Cedric looked every bit like a wealthy merchant from one of the richer districts. Fine coat. Clean boots. Well-maintained appearance.

Marcus looked like someone prepared to walk into a battlefield.

He wore dark operational clothing instead of noble attire, with a sidearm holstered at his waist and tactical gloves tucked beneath one arm. There was grease near one sleeve too, probably from whatever equipment he had been checking earlier.

Behind him stood the pilot and co-pilot near the doorway.

The pilot glanced around the room once before immediately understanding the situation.

"Client?" he asked quietly.

Elaina nodded.

Marcus’s eyes shifted toward Cedric.

"You wanted Atlas services?"

Straight to the point.

Cedric recovered quickly and gave a respectful nod.

"Yes. Cedric Valehurst."

Marcus walked further into the office.

"Marcus Manfred."

Cedric studied him carefully now.

Marcus noticed it immediately.

Most people did that these days.

Especially after hearing rumors about the Forest of No Return.

People expected someone different after hearing the stories.

Some expected a noble hero.

Others expected a monster.

Instead, they usually found Marcus.

Marcus sat across from Cedric while Elaina quietly slid several documents toward him.

"Falmouth situation," she explained briefly.

Marcus immediately began reading.

Trade routes.

Attack locations.

Estimated enemy numbers.

Village evacuations.

Supply disruption reports.

Interesting.

Very interesting.

The pilot moved quietly near the wall while the co-pilot leaned against the doorway with crossed arms. Neither interrupted for now.

Marcus flipped through the reports quickly before finally looking back toward Cedric.

"You said brigands."

Cedric nodded.

"Yes."

Marcus tapped one of the maps lightly.

"These attack patterns aren’t random."

Cedric blinked in surprise.

That conclusion came much faster than he expected.

Marcus continued calmly.

"They’re targeting logistics."

His finger moved across multiple caravan routes marked in red ink.

"Supply disruption. Economic pressure. Controlled intimidation."

Cedric stared at him carefully now.

Marcus leaned back slightly in his chair.

"Normal bandits rob travelers for coin," he continued. "These people are trying to destabilize movement around Falmouth itself."

The room grew quiet again.

Even Elaina looked mildly impressed.

Marcus had only spent seconds reading the report.

Cedric slowly nodded.

"That matches our suspicions."

The pilot muttered quietly from the wall.

"Told you."

Marcus ignored him.

Cedric folded his hands carefully.

"That is why we came to Atlas."

Marcus glanced toward him.

"And what exactly do you want from us?"

Cedric answered immediately.

"Protection for Falmouth."

Straightforward.

Marcus appreciated clients like that.

No dramatic speeches.

No unnecessary politics.

Just the problem.

Cedric continued speaking.

"The city guards are insufficient. Morale has already begun declining, and merchants are rerouting trade caravans elsewhere."

That part mattered more than most people realized.

Trade kept cities alive.

If caravans stopped entering Falmouth, the city would begin collapsing economically long before the brigands ever launched a direct assault.

Marcus understood that immediately.

"How many guards does the city currently maintain?" he asked.

"Approximately one hundred fifty."

Marcus frowned slightly.

"That should be enough to deal with eighty brigands."

Cedric hesitated briefly.

"...If they were trained properly."

There it was.

Marcus immediately understood the real issue.

Poor discipline.

Weak organization.

Probably noble appointments handed out through connections instead of actual competence.

The pilot quietly snorted behind him.

"Classic."

Marcus ignored him again.

Cedric leaned forward slightly.

"Our guards are city watchmen, Commander Manfred. Most have never experienced organized combat."

"And your brigands clearly have," Marcus finished calmly.

Cedric nodded.

"Yes."

Marcus rested one arm against the chair while thinking quietly.

The room stayed silent for several seconds.

Elaina already recognized the expression on his face.

Planning mode.

Marcus’s mind was already tearing apart the situation piece by piece.

Terrain.

Travel time.

Enemy mobility.

Possible ambush zones.

Supply vulnerabilities.

Defensive choke points.

Response timing.

Cedric waited patiently while Marcus thought.

Finally, Marcus spoke again.

"How much are you offering?"

Direct as always.

Cedric immediately reached into his satchel and pulled out several folded parchments.

"Initial payment of five million kinah."

The co-pilot nearly choked beside the doorway.

The pilot elbowed him instantly.

"Professional face."

"Right. Sorry."

Cedric continued carefully.

"And additional compensation depending on operational duration and threat elimination."

Marcus remained calm outwardly.

Internally though, even he recognized how large that number was.

Five million kinah as an initial payment alone was enormous for regional security operations.

Falmouth must be desperate.

Marcus glanced briefly toward Elaina.

She gave a subtle nod in return.

Worth considering.

Definitely worth considering.

Marcus looked back toward Cedric.

"What exactly are you expecting Atlas to do?"

Cedric answered without hesitation.

"Defensive preparation. Caravan protection. Brigand elimination if possible."

The pilot quietly muttered again.

"There it is."

Marcus crossed his arms lightly.

"How much authority would Atlas have inside the city?"

That question visibly caught Cedric off guard.

"...Authority?"

Marcus nodded once.

"If my people are deployed into a combat zone, I need operational control over defensive planning."

Cedric looked uncertain for the first time since arriving.

"That may require negotiation with the city council."

Marcus shrugged slightly.

"Then negotiate."

Simple.

Because Marcus already knew one thing clearly.

He was not sending Atlas personnel into danger while incompetent officials interfered with every decision.

The Forest of No Return already taught him what poor preparation could cost.

Cedric slowly nodded.

"I believe that can be arranged."

Marcus leaned slightly forward now.

"Good."

Then his tone hardened slightly.

"But understand something before Atlas accepts this contract."

Cedric listened carefully.

Marcus’s eyes remained steady.

"My people are not city guards."

Silence settled across the office again.

"We do not stand around looking impressive while brigands burn villages."

Cedric remained quiet.

Marcus continued calmly.

"If Atlas deploys to Falmouth, operations will be conducted our way."

The merchant slowly nodded.

"I understand."

And honestly, he probably did.

The atmosphere inside Atlas made it obvious enough already.

The rifles.

The organization.

The soldiers outside.

Nothing about this place resembled ordinary mercenaries.

Marcus finally stood from his chair.

"Then we start with reconnaissance."

Cedric blinked once.

"...Reconnaissance?"

Marcus nodded.

"I’m not deploying blind."

The pilot grinned slightly from the wall.

There it was.

Marcus turned toward Elaina.

"Prepare the operational briefing room."

Elaina nodded immediately.

"Yes."

Then Marcus looked back toward Cedric again.

"You’ll stay here tonight."

Cedric looked surprised.

"I beg your pardon?"

Marcus answered calmly.

"You said the attack could happen within days."

"Yes."

"Then there’s no reason wasting time traveling back and forth."

Marcus walked toward the doorway.

"We begin planning immediately."

Cedric stayed silent for a moment after hearing that.

Then slowly, very slowly, he began realizing something important.

Atlas moved fast.

Dangerously fast.

Most kingdoms would still be debating responsibility while Marcus was already preparing operations.

Cedric stood from his chair shortly afterward.

"Commander Manfred."

Marcus stopped near the doorway and glanced back toward him.

Cedric hesitated briefly before speaking again.

"...Can Atlas truly protect Falmouth?"

The room became quiet again.

Even the pilot and co-pilot stopped joking around.

Marcus looked toward Cedric calmly.

Then he answered in the simplest way possible.

"We’ll know soon enough."

But despite the calmness in his voice, Cedric felt something after hearing those words.

Confidence.

Not arrogance.

Not empty bravado.

Just confidence.

The kind possessed by people who already survived things far worse than brigands hiding near trade roads.

Marcus stepped out into the hallway afterward, the pilot and co-pilot following behind him.

The moment they left the office, the atmosphere outside changed immediately.

Atlas personnel moved quickly through the compound carrying crates, reports, and equipment between buildings. A pair of recruits jogged toward the training grounds while another group unloaded supplies near one of the garages.

The low hum Cedric heard earlier still echoed faintly somewhere deeper inside the compound.

Machines.

Vehicles.

Things that did not belong in this world.

Cedric slowly walked toward the doorway and watched the camp outside.

The soldiers moved with discipline.

Not like adventurers.

Not like city guards.

Everything looked organized.

Purposeful.

One squad crossed the yard carrying rifles while another group practiced formation drills near the obstacle course.

No shouting.

No wasted movement.

Just efficiency.

Elaina stepped beside him quietly.

"You’re realizing it now," she said softly.

Cedric glanced toward her.

"Realizing what?"

Elaina looked out toward the camp.

"Atlas isn’t growing into a mercenary company anymore."

Cedric followed her gaze again.

Men training with modern rifles.

Watchtowers overlooking the compound.

Supply depots.

Operational buildings.

Professional soldiers.

Then he thought about Marcus.

The way he analyzed the reports within seconds.

The way he immediately demanded operational authority.

The way he spoke about reconnaissance before even accepting the contract.

Cedric slowly exhaled.

"No," he admitted quietly.

"It really isn’t."