The next day, Sarah, who was the last one to be on watch duty yesterday, woke Kael up.
Kael responded groggily, his eyes half-opened and his vision hazy.
"The scouts have reported that the beasts have moved. They will be here within a few hours."
Sarah informed, and in an instant, Kael's sleepiness disappeared.
Kael looked around and saw all three soldiers staring at him. This made him frown.
"Was I the last one to wake up?"
"You sleep too much."
Aria, however, just chuckled and,
"I don't think the one who doesn't even perform night duty has the right to say this."
"Are you on his side now? Did you fall for his seduction as well?"
"That's enough. Prepare yourself, we are leaving. You have 15 minutes."
Before the flustered Aria could say anything, Kael ordered as he stood up.
His tone was completely different from before.
While this was his first time leading a mission, this didn't mean he had no experience. Leadership didn't come from theory alone. Therian, during his lectures, often made Kael order a group of soldiers to fight against another group of soldiers.
The group under Kael's command could only do what Kael ordered them to. Kael was tasked with leading this group to victory while he calculated everything going on in the battlefield.
Hearing his words, the three women nodded as they quickly dispersed to prepare themselves. The sudden change in their attitude was quite surprising.
Kael, on the other hand, walked out of the room and his eyes fell on Tobias and Selina.
"Hero Kael, you are awake."
Tobias bowed slightly. Unlike before, when he bowed his head just for the sake of it, this time, his actions seemed a lot more natural.
Kael nodded, his eyes fell on Selina before he glanced at Tobias again. Understanding the meaning behind his gaze, Tobias nodded and answered,
"I will leave Selina with a neighbor. The two of them will head towards the underground shelter while the townfolks who can fight will be drafted into the emergency unit."
Kael nodded. Then suddenly, Selina called out.
"Hero Kael… is everything okay?"
Her tone was full of worry and uncertainty. Kael walked towards the girl and ruffled her hair.
"Didn't I promise to bring back the town's laughter yesterday? That is what I am going to do now.
But for my magic to work, you and the others need to group up in a safe place since I will need your power to cast my magic. Can you help me?"
"Will Grandpa come with me as well…?"
Hearing this question, Kael stared at Tobias, and his eyes turned draconic golden, surprising the Town Head.
[Name: Tobias Erwick]
[Strengths: Experienced in battlefield tactics, Resilient and composed under pressure, Strong physical endurance despite age]
[Weaknesses: Declining speed and reflexes due to age, Limited mana reserves]
"He cannot. He needs to be with me to help me cast my magic."
Kael answered as he stared at the system screen in front of him.
Tobias was this town's strongest Tamer, an experienced Second Stage Warrior.
Kael needed someone like him by his side to deal with all the beasts.
"Okay, then I will help you and Grandpa together with Aunt Reene."
Kael smiled as he then nodded at Tobias. The Town Head nodded back before he took Selina with him and rushed out of the house.
There wasn't much time left. The people of the town were panicking again—he needed to be there to calm them.
Kael, who was left alone, closed his eyes. Then suddenly,
He heard a voice in his head.
It was Igni, who had sensed his uneasiness and was there to calm him down.
This put a smile on Kael's face. He opened his eyes and decided to freshen up.
In 15 minutes, the three soldiers were ready. Tobias had returned as well, this time, he was wearing a set of worn-out armor.
Kael was wearing a set of new armor as well. It wasn't a heavy one since that restricted his movement—this one only protected his vitals and more vulnerable areas.
Kael nodded at Tobias, and the Town Head took him to the central plaza, where all the soldiers and the civilians who had become part of the emergency unit had gathered.
Tobias took Kael and his party on the stage, and with a big smile on his face,
"Brave soldiers of Estwyn Town!"
"Our long wait has finally borne fruitful returns!
Most of you must already know who this man standing next to me is, but for those who do not, let me introduce him to you."
Tobias spoke as he pointed at Kael.
"This young man's name is Kael Carter. He is the Hero chosen by none other than Lord Feraos himself!
The Hero who will protect not just our town, but all of Nerathis!
And today, the Hero himself will lead our tow—"
Before Tobias could complete his words, a loud, dismissive snort was heard, and a 183 cm tall, giant man with a muscular frame stepped forward.
"I don't care who that boy is or whatever fancy title he holds."
The man stared at Kael and dangerously narrowed his eyes.
"Hero or not, it doesn't fucking matter.
All I see is a lost little kid playing hero.
While I would love to be a part of his little games, this will not be at the expense of my town."
The giant man turned back to Tobias and,
"I know you are banking on those three soldiers he has brought with him, but if getting their help means we would need to listen to this child's commands, then I refuse to stay in the emergency unit.
I will not sacrifice my life for some fool's fantasy."
The man snorted, ready to walk away, but then,