In the Cave Stronghold, Veylin leafed through the Operation Report Kale had submitted. The pages bore hurried charcoal notes detailing the previous night's gains and losses.
"No survivors, but we recovered their equipment and bodies." There was a trace of frustration in Kale's voice. "The self-destruct wards activated too quickly. From mental collapse to organ failure, it took no more than thirty breaths. The Church's methods are far more ruthless than we imagined."
Veylin set down the report and glanced at Xiao Lan, who stood to one side.
The girl's flaxen hair was neatly combed, no longer disheveled as it had been before.
She still kept her head lowered, but her perpetually evasive eyes now occasionally lifted to quietly study her surroundings.
The bloody battle last night had clearly worn away some of her timidity, exposing the hard core beneath.
Ola rested the Great Axe on one shoulder and spoke in a deep, muffled voice. "This little girl did pretty well last night. She struck faster than I did!"
The gruff praise made Xiao Lan's cheeks flush, and she ducked her head even lower.
The corner of Kale's mouth twitched, but he ultimately said nothing. He knew that, coming from Ola, this was already very high praise.
"It doesn't matter. Those were all incidental." Veylin rose and walked over to the enormous Hide Map hanging on the cave wall. Based on the Resistance's recollections, it marked every island, reef, and current in the Southern Isles.
"As long as word hasn't leaked that the True Source Sect is within the Resistance, we've succeeded."
Veylin turned to Kale. "How is Mia's intelligence network coming along?"
"Essentially ready," Kale replied. "Our people in Peaceful Bay have established reliable contact with her. As Barbosa's new favorite, she has access to some critical information. This