Assimilate All Talents

Chapter 255: New Mission

The next day, the squad gathered in the meeting room to discuss their upcoming mission. Sol stood at the head of the table, while the six knights sat on either side.

Sol began the meeting with a more formal tone than usual. "A little over a week ago, the Crestelia Kingdom and the Frostaxe Clan entered into a cooperative agreement to work together to find the ancient city of the dwarves, hidden somewhere in the Orna Mountains. While there are surely many treasures to be found in their ancient capital, the main objective is to uncover the process by which they created life clusters. Two days ago, with the help of the two nations’ best explorers and scouts, and guidance from the Saintess, we found it. However, due to certain... trust issues, no one has yet entered the city proper."

The orcs had little trust in humans in general since long before their first attack, finding them to be a deceitful race that would even turn on their own kind.

"The Frostaxes don’t want the kingdom to explore on its own, fearing we might hide the method of life cluster production. Meanwhile, Crestelia doesn’t want them exploring the city alone, as there are many treasures that would benefit them as well. Both sides have agreed to let us lead a joint expedition team."

"Huh? Why us? Aren’t we just a newly formed squad?" Lazuli, still not fully caught up, didn’t understand how they became mediators between two nations. She had heard about what happened in the Orna Mountains, but she thought their involvement had ended.

Duncan explained, "The one who made this cooperation possible was the Captain. He negotiated with the dragon to give the orcs the time they needed to find the city, and he got the kingdom to help. They probably believe the Captain won’t do anything to jeopardize their chance of salvation after negotiating with and being recognized by the dragon."

Sol nodded. "That’s the reasoning, at least. We’ll be leading the initial exploration team. Our job isn’t complicated: we’ll protect and guide the scholars, explorers, and other personnel into the city, set up a base of operations, and focus on finding the method to create life clusters, which is our main priority. Once we find it, we’ll head back, and what they decide to do with the city afterward is up to both nations."

Aron chuckled. "Who knows? They might even decide to move into it if it’s in good enough condition."

Nataly rolled her eyes and asked, "When do we leave?"

"In an hour. Also, this expedition isn’t expected to last long, a week at most. Any other questions?"

No one spoke up, either because they had no questions or because they didn’t think their concerns were important enough to bring up. Seeing this, Sol dismissed them to prepare.

She was referring to the moments before her death, when the ice law technique had invaded her body, crystallizing her from the inside out.

Sol nodded resolutely. "Yes. And I wouldn’t hesitate to do it again."

What was the point of having all these skills and abilities if he didn’t use them when they mattered most? That was Sol’s guiding principle. Even if the whole world learned his secret afterward, he would act without hesitation if it meant saving those close to him.

"Then it’s fine." Lapis said, seeing the strong resolve behind his eyes.

She could accept not knowing as long as she knew he wasn’t going to let her and the others die just to maintain his secret when there was something he could have done to prevent it. She believed Sol wasn’t that sort of person, but if he was, she would have taken her sister and left the Royal Knights, at the risk of becoming wanted criminals, without hesitation. To her, those types of people were the worst, most untrustworthy kind that wouldn’t be there for you when all hell breaks loose.

She was about to leave it at that, but then said, "Do you remember what I said after losing to you in the tournament?"

It had been a few months, but he clearly remembered her words, which had made him laugh at the time. "You said you would wipe the floor with me next time, right?"

She nodded. "While I don’t see that happening anytime soon, I still want a rematch, one where neither of us holds back."

"Are you sure? I’ve improved a lot since then."

Without hesitation, she nodded again. "I’ll happily get my ass handed to me if it means I get to see your real strength."

He chuckled. Even in admitting defeat, she did so proudly. "Alright, let’s do it when we get back from this mission."