Mukhalis: Hero of Bentala
33. Moral Compass

Reed was stifled to hear the same village he was about to approach, exclaiming merely curiously, "You have a plan?"

"Oh, sure, don't you see me taking down this brilliant idea?" Savira pulled the piece and put it right in front of Suluh's face.

"Alright, I look forward to your explanation," said Suluh brushing Savira's hand from before him.

"But I wanted to make sure of something" Savira said, putting the paper back on a table made of mahogany. "Are you willing to help us get back here?"

Suluh lowered her head, thinking about what she should have done. "Actually I traveled to find information about Mr. Arnadi's whereabouts and tried to ensure their safety."

"Mr Arnadi?" Savira didn't seem strange to hear that name. "What do you mean Arnadi who owns the Automobile Company in Asarania?"

"Yes, right!" The man then turned excited. "Do you know where he is?"

"No," said Savira shaking her head, glancing the other way. "But I may have an informant leading you to him."

"Hey, how about we make a deal," the woman added with a big smile. "You're in our operation, then you get that information."

"Yes, I knew you would say so" cried Sulah sitting before Savira. "All right, I'm ready."

The woman still flashed a smile, feeling successful in convincing men who were stricken with curiosity. The "hunting" operation has been very often carried out in several villages and cities before, they will take some of the food to be brought back into the forest. To do that, it would require at least two horse carriages with a relatively wider scale of carts.

Their plans are varied, always changing according to the conditions on the ground. Since Sinambu Village was a big event that many merchants would attend, it was an opportunity for them to enter. However, due to the event, Ganendra's heroes will further tighten the situation while complicating their operations this time around. Still, Savira, with a strong sense of self-confidence, was firmly convinced that his idea would work.

"We can no longer take them when they are in the village" exclaimed Savira who was listened to by Suluh, Alan, and Intan. Some of the volunteers gathered to listen. "Because this event will most likely be invaded by residents, there is no gap at all in camouflage. We'll get caught easily."

"So we have to follow the chariot before we get to the village and mingle as if we were one of them" Savira said. "When they are aware of our presence, be friendly while carefully pulling the hook as they cross the rocks."

"Ah, smart, to cover up the effects of his stomping," Alan said. "The sound of the train is also very noisy when crossing uneven roads."

"That's right, Alan!" Savira tries to concentrate again. "After that they must have sensed that their carriage was slowing down from the others. Then we'll tell you that something's wrong."

"Offer help, stop them at that time" Savira said in a serious tone. "Each train has at least two heroes coming along, we have to get rid of them as quickly as possible and take over the wheel."

"Ten and Alan" exclaimed Savira turning in turn toward the man. "This is your role, do it smoothly and without disability. Put on their clothes and quickly get on the train."

"If there is no obstacle, Intan, Reno, and Riki will do the same in the second horse carriage" Savira said as she caught her breath. "Of course, none of this is immediately in my head, reality may be more than what is expected."

"Therefore, when the situation gets out of control and starts to go awry" Savira added. "Private one train to be brought back."

"Wait," said Suluh made all the people flabbergasted to him. "I can't do that kind of thing."

"What do you mean?" Savira knitted her brows, feeling a little strange and confused.

"That action is not justified" said the man now standing. "You speak up for the rights of others and for the lack of food, it makes no difference to the situation here."

"We did what we thought was right for our people" Savira defended.

"No, you're wrong!" A little scream. "You just keep adding to the problem for the sake of the never-ending problem!"

"Then what can we do?" Savira was getting emotional, shouting suddenly. "Letting my own people starve to death? Why should I care about others who have even started this kind of situation!"

All was quiet and silent, Suluh was just silent on the spot. Letting Savira say the phrase, "You think we're bad people who are inhumane, don't you?"

"We have a different moral compass." Savira moved, turning his face away from Suluh. "Decide before tomorrow, you're free to get out of here."

The woman stepped away from there, making the atmosphere even more gloomy. They are equally focused on the Subuluh who is still weighing, must choose. But one thing Suluh knew was that he owed nothing to these people, one of them even wanted to harm him. The informant Savira said did not necessarily provide accurate data on Mr Arnadi's whereabouts, the mission he carried out did not stop here.

"Ten ... did you leave?" Intan quickly approached.

"I'm sorry," said the man. "I have something to do. You're supposed to go back to Baturia Village, they need you more."

"Do you think our people are no more valuable than they are?" Now Alan's the one who's messing around.

"No, I think you should go back to the village and build what belongs to you" Suluh said seriously. "Rather than hiding like this, I believe those in Sinambu were also victims of the catastrophe two years ago."

"But they defended blatantly, without having to do any damage," the man continued, further heating up the situation.

"That's because they're subject to Ganendra's power!" Alan lost control, violently clutching the tanned-colored clothing of Sulah. "Are you one of the kingdoms?"

"Alan, release!" Intan tried to break up both. "It won't solve the problem."

"No, I also do not want to submit to those who slaughtered my village and my parents," Suluh said, closing his eyes without anger. "But until when do you continue to live in their shadows?"

Alan was slapped inwardly, releasing both of his hands in silence. Suluh continued her sentence, "I will help in the operation this time. But, I won't interfere with your affairs after that. I have some unfinished business."

No one denied Sulah's decision even to refuse him help. They didn't have much of a chance this time, the more people participated, the better they operated. Moreover, they know that Suluh is not an ordinary person because he managed to survive a duel with Savira, as a whole able to avoid all his attacks. With those martial skills, it could be said that they needed it to make the plan work.

"You want to hold him back, don't you, Savira?" said the brown-haired man who was eating an apple. "But he refused to stay here."

"She's a traveler, of course she can't stay here" said the woman, who was dressed in casual clothes while sitting on a branch, enjoying the night. "Moreover, he had a different view. It's gonna be hard to make it among us."

Alan looked down, occasionally biting the fruit. "Yes, I'm sure you've thought about that too."

"About what?" sahut Savira was distracted, turning as fast as lightning.

"When are we going to do something like this?" Alan watched Savira, their eyes linked. "We're fugitives in Niskala after everything we've done."

"What?" screech the woman until she gets up from the back. "Are you influenced by him?"

"What he said wasn't entirely wrong, you know?" Alan stood up, throwing the rest of the apple on the ground. "Why don't we go back to the village and gather the people to fight back rather than deprive our own brothers of the rights?"

"So we don't have to do a plan once a week that has the potential to get us caught" Alan continued preparing a sentence. "And was executed cruelly."

"Then, what difference would it make if we fought together with the local villagers?" The temperamental Savira raised the voice. "Isn't the result the same?"

"I know that," said Alan, turning to Savira, who had looked down. "However, at least I did the right thing and was not insulted like this."

Savira was wide-eyed to hear the response from the man next to her, immeasurably Alan who had accompanied her all this time had now changed drastically. The woman leaned back, bent her knees and hugged her tightly. "We can't, we can't go back."

"It's too late to change, it's the way of life we have to embrace."

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