Chapter 215: The Expedition

Chapter 215: The Expedition

Chapter 215 - The Expedition

Kai removed the chair and the glass shards of broken vials from the door and windowsill. No one had come for him that night. Already jittery for the expedition, he had slept little and woken up with just darkness outside. Hallowed Intuition had stayed quiet since he had left that office, but the encounter with Annyl hung in his mind.

He wouldnt blindly trust a skill. The Fate Fulcrum and the spatial anomalies had both muffled the whispers. While those were unintended side effects, there must be abilities that could obscure a Favor-based skill.

Once they were inside the jungle, hed be too far to reach.

Lets hope these are the ruins. Zervathi promised a safe passage to the Hidden Sanctuary if I got to the Altar of Covenant when the time was right.

There werent that many sites remaining. While the passage might stay hidden without godly guidance, the Republic had scoured every other ruin. The only other possibility might be Velu, where the spirits dwelled.

To respect their will, the island remained uninhabited except for the occasional pilgrimage. It housed the largest Vastaire site that had been discovered, and Kai had seen reports of yellow beasts appearing. With divinities being real, the Republic was hesitant to profane their land. They left a small team to quarantine the ruins after failing to find any clue.

Kai didnt want to consider the final possibility: that the Altar had been destroyed seven years ago by the governor and his whole quest was doomed.If that were true, hed need to take more drastic and risky actions.

All the enchantments seemed anchored to the Hidden Sanctuary. A god should know, right?

Kai put on his waterproof pants and boots. Hawkfield had a nice selection of shops to trek into the wild, no more days spent drenched wading through mud. He left most of his dads journals behind and filled his backpack with rations that would last him weeks. The military was supposed to provide the meals, but there were too many unknown variables.

Dawn was warming the barren outpost, a small crowd had already gathered in ranks in the central square. Half the soldiers and mana professionals were new faces, many reaching half-step yellow or higher.

Valela and Lou were there too with a small contingent of guards. Ferla stood by her side, even by her standards she looked less than pleased. They had also stepped up their average grade, though their numbers were a third of the military.

Given the death toll of the last operation, hed be surprised if everything went smoothly.

Hmm I should ask her whats the deal with Annyl. Shes the most likely to know, and least likely to be involved.

Valela was busy talking with another grizzly guard. He was about to nonchalantly wander to their group when Makyn stood in his path. I sent a man to escort you.

Uh I must have missed him. I woke up early since the expedition is on a strict schedule.

Could I ask him? He doesnt usually lie outright, that I know of

Given their agreed collaboration, Makyn shouldnt be involved with that strange woman either. The soldier was pretty good at reading between his bullshit. He would have asked him directly if he wanted something.

Unless I misjudged him and theyre all playing me. Damn, this is annoying. There are too many ears to ask anyway.

The soldier gave him a curt nod. Were almost ready to depart. Go get briefed and do as youre told. The Veeryd jungle is a mana zone, you cant be careless.

Boy, I hunted among those trees since I was a child while you were probably still bigger than me. But you had no idea the place existed.

Ill be careful, Kai marched to the group of non-combatants. Barely concealed mutters for his age quickly spread, with more amused glances at the scabbard he was carrying.

Whats a kid doing here?

Look at the sword he's carrying. Is the little soldier here to protect us?

I mean, hes not bad for his age, but he doesnt have a profession.

I didnt know wed be getting a mascot.

This is going to be great.

Youre here too! A hand grabbed his shoulder.

Kai found himself a palm from Sonya's beaming smile, teal irises watching him from behind her glasses. She squeezed him into a hug before he could respond. Its so nice to see you. Things got pretty crazy that night, didnt they? They told me you were safe, but I wanted to confirm with my eyes.

Im glad to see you too. Kai slowly patted her back. He was relieved to have one friendly face and not have to awkwardly stand by himself. Hmm Is it only you?

Of our group, yes. There are two scholars who studied the ruins of Velu. Hey, Mehvin and Ivonn, this is Kai. The one I was telling you about. Sonya energetically waved to a man with white-streaked hair and his bald companion. Both immediately turned away, acting as if they didnt know her.

What a funny pair. Sonya leaned closer, lowering her voice. Theyre a bit stuffy but Mehvin is very knowledgeable about ancient languages and cultures. Darlo was also offered to join the expedition, but you know him

They set up camp by the edge of the inner area. The stew was surprisingly tastier than the one he had eaten at the mess hall of Wildepoint. He got no chance to speak with Valela, or anyone else for that matter. Her group kept to themselves, and with the militarys paranoia, he was never farther than two steps from another human. Worse yet, he had to share a tent with five other people, one of whom snored.

Spirits grant me patience. If there is no space, why does Seryne get her own private tent?

The next day began much the same, with more recommendations since they were actually entering a dangerous area, and a hard cracker that tasted of sawdust for breakfast. Kai was tempted to reach inside his bag for his own food, but worried the group would fall on him like a pack of rabid seagulls. Worst case scenario he might be forced to surrender his supplies.

Heading into the inner reaches, the mana density was distinctly higher. Around mid-morning, a feral screech and the soldiers halted the expedition. The beast was killed before he could glimpse the fight.

From then on, the attacks kept repeating every hour or so. It was always over in seconds. The non-combatants stuck close to the middle, and the soldiers cut a way through the dense greenery, careful of where the trees grew too thick. There were myriad places where a threat could hide, though Mana Sense made most of them trivial.

Why do they keep attacking? Awakened beasts were naturally aggressive since hunting was their faster way to grow stronger, but they werent suicidal. They should be wary of a larger group.

Maybe we crossed their territory, Sonya shrugged. Crossing a mana zone in a large group always attracts attention, especially where such expeditions are rare. If they're hungry enough, an unknown enemy might be a better bet than another beast they know they cant defeat.

Hmm guess the precautions werent for nothing.

The mana-saturated jungle made for a much more interesting environment. He had found three high-red herbs and an orange one, though none of the soldiers was willing to make a detour to pick it, which wasnt helping his mood.

They were forced to slow down further, and Sonyas banter could only help so much.

That night the camp was even more cramped, set on a small hill around a towering rubber tree.

If this goes well, I can ditch them on the way back.

People didnt smell too nice after two days of marching. A world without deodorant had accustomed him to a different standard, but there was still a limit to it if he had to share the tent with them. When he kindly offered to wash them with Water Magic, they got them mad at him.

Its not my fault if you stink. Thats an objective fact.

Worse yet, there was an extra snorer in his tent, and the beast attacks picked up under the cover of the dark. He woke up cranky from a stilted sleep. He took out a bag of whiteberry cookies he had bought in Hawkfieldconsequences be damned.

They were a bit stale, but they still beat the tasteless crackers by miles. Munching on his food, he dared any of the fools in his tent to come closer.

Revenge never tasted so crunchy or sweet.

What are those? Sonya peeked over his shoulder. Can I have one?

You can have the bag, just dont let any of those five get a crumb. Kai pointed at the faces one by one and marched off. He had caught sight of another, familiar person.

Were going on a walk, Kai informed Makyn.

How does he look as good as the day we departed?

The soldier gave him a once-over. Were about to set out, I dont have time.

We can easily follow them.

I need to guard the convoy.

How many yellow professionals do you need to bully a red monkey? Cmon, we can walk ahead and act as scouts. Anything you want, just get me away from here.

While I sympathize with your plight, I cant entertain you.

Fine, Ill share my candies. Kai grabbed a paper bag from his backpack and jiggled it in front of him. He couldnt endure another day of this without having tried everything in his power. I bought this one in the upper city of Higharbor. You wont find anything better in the archipelago.

Makyn examined the bag of hard candies. Still no.

Fine. You can have the whole bag.

You greedy boy.

I

Kai gritted his teeth and pulled out a second bagwhatever it took. Two bags! Last offer.

I'll inform the vanguard Ill be joining the scouting party for today. Makyn grabbed both bags with one hand. Wait here.