Chapter 127 - Dark Lands

Joan Duplicate arrived at the adventurer guild without problems. The grandeur was still the same as the first time he arrived. Entering with the other adventurers inside, he saw that the place has many adventurers waiting on standby. Also, he saw earlier that there was a caravan of carriages waiting outside.

Upon observing, he saw that many adventurers seen were ready for an all-out war anytime soon. Asking several adventurers, he inquired what was currently happening. His curiosity was getting ahead of him.

"You don't know? We are the next batch to be deployed at the Dark Land. The King himself gave a huge fund to explore the Dark lands. We call it 'The Dark lands exploration'. Don't worry too much about it, we can only pray we get out of that place alive. Many died already to these explorations as the monsters are stronger there. The reason was maybe due to seeds of evils that are left untouched till now.. Making them evolve," The Adventurer in Ranger's outfit said.

"Ah, you seemed to know a lot. By the way, how rude of me. I am Joan," Joan Duplicate offered his hands.

"Erthurul, that's my name," He said.

They were getting to know each other and a man in full plated armour arrived. It was made of Mythril that was shiny. Getting their attention even without effort. He then stands amid all the adventurers and coughed.

"Ahem! Attention adventurers! We will leave to venture into the dark lands after the announcement. Old folks know what I will say but I will repeat it for the newbies. The King has put funds for this exploration and it was in the hands of the adventurer guild to fulfil this task. You will be paid handsomely as the King has promised and that is if you arrive home safely. The salary is of no use if you died. So, to make things clear, this is an exploration mission. We will have tasks for you to do and this mission is dangerous. Yes, I know. The monsters are behaving more aggressive as time goes by and we are in a bind too. We will reclaim what's was ours and if we didn't try, then when? So steel your hearts and make your resolve firm. We are to free the lands of this evil and to slay evil! That's all and the mission details are to be told in the Lukarian stronghold. Now, let us leave in a minute," He said to them. Not even saying his name or rank in the adventurer guild.

Erthurul then walked beside him after the briefing.

"So, see you in the carriage. We will travel to the dark lands after this," He said to Duplicate.

"Yeah, see you later," Duplicate said with a smile. The two then separated after they went outside. He was in the first carriage and Duplicate was in the last carriage. It was a total of ten carriages. Four of the carriages were supplies and the rest were the adventurers and guards sent from the King. There were also horse riders as their escorts. Though they were capable enough, it wouldn't hurt to have extra guards along the way.

Joan duplicate went inside the last carriage and settled there at the right seat located at the furthest inside. Others went inside too with him. There were eight of them inside and they have their job class. There was a man in the outer left that has full plated iron armour with an adventurer badge of bronze.

Others were either of steel like him or iron badge pinned in their chest. One was a Rogue that has an iron badge in him. Seemed intimidating as he has a scar from his forehead towards his cheek. Staring at him and his badge that was of steel. Making him bite his lips in his disbelief that a kid like him was stronger.

Badges were a symbol of one's capabilities and strength. As simple as it was but it has impacts on the ones who see it. Making the onlookers think twice if the opposite was a higher rank in his badge. They could be faked if you can steal the badge of others but stealing from a higher rank than you were still praiseworthy in itself.

Waiting for several minutes, the person who was the one who made an announcement was checking them one by one. It seemed he was a captain of the army and was not an adventurer. Sent from the king himself to supervise the mission. Their welfare was one of his responsibility.

"Okay, we will leave immediately!" He shouted then the caravan was up and running. The whipping of horses started and then they felt that they were moving.

As they were moving, Joan duplicate closed his eyes on the way. He can't look at the views from his seating position so he did close his eyes. They travelled to the far north where the Dark lands were located. The road was silent as they went far where Joan haven't reached from before. Camping beside the roads and setting up tents on the way. Days of camping and travelling was what they were in their routine until they were getting nearer and nearer to their destination.

Joan didn't miss the opportunity to see it with his own eyes so he tried to get out and see it for the first time. Dark crimson clouds from afar were seen up in the sky. Thundering in random succession as its rumblings were heard echoing in the surroundings.

"First time? Beautiful isn't it?" Said the female Mage in him.

"Ah, yeah," Joan said then smiled.

"Hahaha! You will see more things inside the fog. We will enter it sooner," Said the man with an axe in his hands. The tip was settled on the floor.

"Welcome to the dark lands boy! Hahaha!" Said the Mage. Others soon chuckled right after she said the words.

Joan Duplicate can only felt more excited. As how mysterious this place was for him and his imagination runs wild. Furthering themselves towards the place, they saw a foggy environment that stretched forth as their eyes can see. To the left and the right, it was unending in its wide span. As they entered a foggy road, their visions were greatly reduced. The sky was dark and the place was foggy. What could be worst in their current predicaments? The road became foggy so they all carried torches with them. Handed to the escorts on the way and others were lamps or lanterns.

"Beware of monsters! Stay close to the carriages and arm yourselves as we travel!" Shouted the said captain of the guards.

Joan then felt alarmed. Multiple enemies were sensed by his instincts. Joan went outside and the others tried to stop him.

"Where are you going? Sit down kid, let the adults handle this," Said the axe wielder.

Joan was a little bit insulted but it can't be helped. Enemies were getting nearer and nearer. He ignored him and then manoeuvred to went up on the roof of the carriage.

"They're here," Duplicate said out loud.