Chapter 82: Dangerous Sir Astaroth

"What?!" Nolam screamed out in shock, and being the only one, his voice resonated quite loudly, further aided by the silence of the hall, after Sir Astaroth's words.

"To repeat myself clearly once more."

"The only fate that awaits you all if you fail this mission is death, because the barrier that surrounds and protects the world from Atlantis can only be sustained for a week once we forcefully open it up." Sir Astaroth proceeded to explain the reason, and everyone quieted down.

"The first opening is what will allow you all to enter Atlantis as discreetly as possible, and it will only remain open like this for seven days."

"If you all cannot complete the mission in seven days, then the realm doors will shut close by themselves."

"If that happens, you will all be forever trapped in Atlantis, never again to see the cosmos once more."

"And if that happens, there's no difference between you and a dead Celestial Heir. So you all will be dead!"

Sir Astaroth explained, and Nolan's eyebrows furrowed upon hearing that.

It seemed the death he was talking about wasn't as direct as he meant it to be. His death was that they would be trapped within the Lost Realm, most likely forever.

"Can't the academy just open another portal if the first one closes in a week?" This time the voice was feminine and soft, belonging to an oval-shaped faced lady with long purple hair that fell around her shoulders.

The aura that surrounded her was like a goddess sitting among mortals, neither oozing with disdain nor love.

"The academy can open another portal, but it will take at least 500 years for that to happen."

"The majority of you here won't be able to live past 300 years."

"So yes, you would be close to death by then and be no different from being dead. So know now that the academy cannot save you!" Sir Astaroth said as the hall quieted down a little.

"Tch. If you're all scared of death, then just sit down and don't go..." An uninterested and bored voice rang out as everyone turned their gaze to the side, where a blindfolded young man could be seen, with both palms placed behind the back of his head.

"The academy isn't forcing us, are they?" He completed, as he turned his head to the side of Sir Astaroth.

"Yes, the academy is not forcing any of you to partake in this mission."

"You all can turn away if you want, especially you, Nolan. It is understandable if you do so, as this is just too abrupt for you...." Sir Astaroth said, looking firmly at Nolan.

"Call me when we're leaving. I need to take a pee..." The bored voice rang out when everyone was waiting for Nolan's answer as the blindfolded young man rose from his seat and, without seeking permission from Sir Astaroth, continued to the exit.

But Sir Astaroth didn't seem to mind at all, only smiling casually before returning his attention to Nolan.

Now Nolan was stuck between two hard decisions.

He had only found himself here because he had been recommended by a godly ten, and the academy had allowed him to go on a mission with them.

But then the mission seems too difficult and life-threatening for him.

It made sense in every way to simply back out right now.

[Main Quest Activated!]

[Follow the godly ten and partake in the mission to save Atlantis, and therefore the balance of the world.]

[Reward: ??]

The notification suddenly flashed before his face, followed by the system's voice.

[It will do you good if you do so. Not just to protect your image or to look tough, but for your own personal growth.]

[Many things are to be learned from the Lost World of Atlantis, and this might just be your only chance to go there...]

"I choose to go on the mission, and I have no hard feelings toward anyone if I end up trapped or dead during its duration..." He finally made his decision, his voice filled with resolve.

"Ok then. You'll be allowed to go on the mission too. I'm guessing the rest of you have already agreed to go on the mission already, isn't that right?"

Sir Astaroth said as he looked at the remaining godly ten who all had smiles on their faces as they looked at Nolan.

And only now did Nolan's eyes flash

"Could... could it be?"

[They will all take part in the mission already. My guess is that they all asked those questions just to test you and see your decision. Pretty smart play, don't you think?] The system broke to him, as Nolan exhaled.

The people around him were already willing to go on the mission even though they knew there was a possibility of death.

It was either they were ready to die, or they had an unconflicting belief in themselves that they would never fail.

All the questions from Sir Astaroth were to water down Nolan's will and make him give up.

This, the Godly ten also knew.

If he had given up, they would at least eliminate a person who is weak-hearted away from their group.

Having a person who isn't sure in himself isn't a headache they would love to handle in the heat of the mission.

But it seems the young man possessed some backbone and agreed. That at least gave him the basic fundamentals to work together with them.

"The location and geographical points have been input into your spaceship."

"I believe following that, Oliver would be able to drive you all to the destination."

"Isn't that right, Oliver?" Sir Astaroth called out as he turned to the scholarly-looking young man who gave a simple nod of reassurance.

"Good, let me help you all to your Aethercraft." Sir Astaroth said, gesturing down, and they all headed for the door, where a certain blindfolded person was already waiting for them. Sёarch* The Nôvelƒire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

Together they moved into the port, toward a particular Aethercraft amongst the multitudes.