In response to the situation, Aaron chose to go see Robert. This was done to make things safe for him and Isabella.
Robert could have informed the Night Liberators group representatives about Aaron and Isabella's presence simply because of his ignorance. That was why it was best to tell Robert earlier so that he could anticipate the incident.
The stocky man was sighted in his house, working on some paperwork about his group. Another member's death kept him busy allocating the amount of supplies to be well-balanced between members.
The door was knocked, Robert welcomed Aaron and Isabella's arrival. Since both of them had a higher CP than Robert, there was no need for the man to be rude to them.
"Is there something I can help you with?" asked Robert.
"Yeah. There's something I need to talk to you about."
Robert stared ahead, taking turns looking at Aaron and Isabella's faces. The two looked at each other, Isabella responded with a slight smile.
"We lied to you. The truth is that we are still members of the Night Liberators group," Aaron explained.
"What? N-Night Liberators?" asked Robert, shocked into jumping to his feet.
"Easy. Even so, we came here purely to seek protection."
"Protection? What's really happening? I don't understand," asked Robert firmly.
Aaron turned aside, Isabella began to explain their current situation to Robert. Starting from David's control over her and the death threats against Aaron. Robert listened attentively, not skipping a single word of Isabella's words.
Robert could only widen his eyes with his mouth gaping. Never did he expect a woman as strong as Isabella to be imprisoned by David's lust. The man could not imagine Isabella's agony for seven years with David.
He looked to the side, knowing exactly what Aaron's part in this matter was. Now, Robert was haunted by a difficult decision between making a deal with Aaron or cooperating with the Night Liberator Group.
"If you protect us, we will not only help you in the Monster Raid, but we will be your representatives on the tenth floor," Aaron said.
The young man was bold enough to offer something many of the small adventurer group leaders on the lower floors really wanted: a representative or branch of their group on the tenth floor.
Robert narrowed his eyes, sitting back while leaning on his chair. He took a few deep breaths to settle the turmoil in his mind, then looked back at Aaron.
"You betrayed your former group. How can we trust you?" Robert asked.
"We betrayed them for a reason; there is no good reason for us to betray you," Aaron said.
"You ask a lot of questions! If you don't want to help us, let us destroy your group and leave to find another place!" snapped Isabella, annoyed.
Aaron watched Isabella grab and pull Robert violently, which made the young man try to calm Isabella down. He said violence would not do them any good.
'I-It's better to cooperate with them than fight them. If they are brave enough to fight the Night Liberator group, they will not hesitate to destroy a small group like the Star Pillar.'
"Take it easy, Isabella. Don't act reckless like this."
"I can't relax, Aaron. He's so cowardly when he has two strong people like us. I really can't get enough of him," Isabella complained, annoyed at Aaron.
In the end, Robert agrees with Aaron's deal. Still, the man needed a guarantee to gain Aaron and Isabella's trust. Isabella grew increasingly upset at Robert's request.
He gave Robert several items he got from the Raid Monster on the first floor, which were 2 Talent Slips Rank A and an Arknoir Sword. Robert saw its quality. At least both of them were grade-A items.
[Item Details:]
[Name: Slip Talent Rank A]
[Grade: A]
[Description: Useful for getting additional A rank talents for the user. Users must be at level 30 to unlock Secondary Talent]
[Item Details:]
[Name: Arknoir Sword]
[Grade: A]
[Durability: 7500/7500]
[Description: A sword with an iron blade mixed with dragon bone, suitable for mage knights due to the resistance of dragon bone to magic energy]
Tempted by the guarantee, Robert said that Aaron and Isabella were safe in the Star Pillar Group. Aaron was relieved to hear that, unlike Isabella, who chose to leave without saying goodbye.
Aaron tried to catch up with Isabella as if to calm her down. Robert paid them no mind and focused more on the grade-A item stored on the table before his face.
Isabella stepped into the house and sat with her face buried in her palms, sobbing.
Aaron arrived and saw Isabella again, showing her weak and frightened side. It seems the trauma in her heart towards David was deep enough to make her react the way she is now.
"Isabella?"
"Even though I have braced myself to tell him everything, he still tries to find an advantage for himself."
"He has promised to protect us. If he breaks his word, I will kill him alone," Aaron explained.
The young man's words suddenly calmed Isabella's anxious heart. The woman wiped away her tears and drew a broad smile line again, although her eyes looked puffy.
"Thank you, Aaron. That means a lot to me."
***
Three days later.
Star Pillar Group Base.
DING!
The sound of bells rang out from the gate of the base; the two men in the watchtower clearly saw a group of adventurers on motorcycles crossing the hill.
They saw and read the motorcycle's speed pattern; the gang of adventurers was planning to come to the base solely to look for someone fugitive for them.
"It's the Night Liberators group!"
Aaron, who was setting the abilities status in his room, gasped at the announcement. He stopped for a moment and then went outside the room, wanting to see Isabella.
Right outside the door, Isabella stared with a scared face towards the front, precisely at the watchtower, with two men constantly pointing forward. Aaron arrived behind Isabella, patting her gently on the shoulder.
"They're coming," Isabella whispered.
"I know. Let Robert handle them," Aaron said.
"What if Robert betrays us instead?"
"I have kept my servants ready from last night; the rising mist is his talent."
Aaron raised his eyes and saw Jack the Ripper's Servant in the sky, standing on top of the fog created by him.
From afar, Aaron saw Robert walking accompanied by two men. The three of them seemed to be heading outside to approach the group of the Night Liberators.
The gate opened, Robert met with a representative of the Night Liberators group. He said his group was looking for two fugitives, Aaron and Isabella, who went up to the second floor.
"We need to inspect and search all the houses in your base," explained the representative of the Night Liberators group.
"Unfortunately, we can't do that. It would ruin our dignity."
"Are you trying to refuse my orders? Do you realize how powerful the Night Liberators are? We could destroy your group in a night!" he threatened, his voice loud enough for Aaron to hear.
"They tried to threaten Robert," Aaron explained.
He stepped forward and called his servant. Jack the Ripper appeared before Aaron, standing with his head bowed.
"Show your presence before them. Make them realize they can't get what they want!"