While Amon, Yue, and Arya exchanged their 'tearful' goodbyes, another farewell unfolded on the opposite side of Solfea. However, this one lacked the same intimacy. More than twenty of Eldorin's finest Knights, Magicians, and officers had assembled in one location, efficiently coordinating their logistics as they loaded cargo and luggage onto a train.
The platform buzzed with activity as armoured figures moved precisely, their cloaks rippling in the breeze. The steady clank of metal echoed through the station as luggage was fastened, crates of supplies were hoisted onto the train, and heavy boots pounded against the wooden planks. Despite the flurry of movement, the workers loading the train couldn't help but steal glances at the central group of five, who stood in a tight circle, deep in discussion.
Mainly… they were staring at one man.
The young knight stood tall, exuding an air of quiet confidence, befitting a hero of legend. At just twenty, he possessed the striking features of a noble warrior—golden-blond hair that shimmered in the sunlight, tousled yet effortlessly regal, framing a face sculpted with sharp cheekbones and a strong jawline. His deep blue eyes, clear as the morning sky, held a determined yet kind gaze that inspired loyalty and trust in those who met him.
Despite his youthful elegance, a quiet strength beneath his polished exterior was a fire in his heart that refused to waver, even in the face of adversity. He was more than just a handsome knight; he was a symbol of hope, a warrior destined for greatness.
And he was the one leading their entire expedition east.
"Leon, you don't have to remind us for the thousandth time! We've been preparing for this expedition for weeks!" Venya snapped at the handsome young man.
"Haha, I apologise… I was just too caught up in my role."
"Don't worry, you're doing great! Even Amon wouldn't be as thorough as you!"
"I highly doubt that…" Thɪs chapter is updatᴇd by noveⅼfire.net
Leon wore a bitter smile as he went through his item checklist once more. That action made Venya let out an exasperated cry: "Seriously! Hargh, I give up on this! Johann, talk some sense into this brat, will you?"
"Heh, let him have his fun! This is the first time Amon entrusted a mission of this magnitude to Leon; of course, he would want to make it perfect!"
Ever since he joined Eldorin three years ago, Johann has had a good understanding of the relationship dynamics between Amon and Leon. In layman's terms… Leon was Amon's puppy. They shared an unbreakable bond of brotherhood, but at the same time, Leon adored Amon as a puppy would its master. If Amon's words were wrong, nothing would be right.
At times, Johann felt Leon had more faith in Amon than the Goddess herself.
"Let's talk about the important things instead! Venya~ Why don't we share a room? The desert can get cold at night!"
The future God Archer held back her urge to send a roundhouse kick flying in the pervert's direction. Taking a few moments to calm herself, Venya thought of her destination, and a wave of dread entered her body, dousing her with chilling unwillingness.
"Olavaguel… of all places, Amon is sending us to that unforgiving desert… all while he plays around with his fiancée in Espadavale. Argh, how unjust!"
Venya complained loudly, drawing a distinct frown on Leon's face.
But even if Leon disagreed with Venya's complaints, he could emphasise her worry. The place where Amon had dispatched Eldorin was not a walk in the park.
Olavaguel, more commonly called the Desert of Death, was infamous as a place of no return. It sprawled endlessly beneath the searing sun, a vast and unforgiving wasteland where no life dared to linger. The ground, fractured and bleached by time, bore the scars of relentless desolation. Jagged rock formations, like the skeletal remains of ancient beasts, jutted from the earth, their dark shadows offering little refuge from the unyielding heat.
For kilometres, there was no oasis, no trickle of water, not even the faintest hint of greenery—only an endless expanse of shifting dunes and cracked earth—the air rippled with heat, conjuring mirages of water that would never be reached. By day, the sun reigned as a merciless tyrant, its scorching rays capable of blistering skin within moments. By night, the desert turned on itself, the heat vanishing into an unforgiving chill, transforming the land into a frigid wasteland as if punishing any who dared to endure its wrath.
Seasons changed, and continents would alter their geography throughout the aeons, but Olavaguel remained the same, unchanging since the dawn of man.. Outliving entire eras, Olavaguel was likely the most ancient location on the planet.
But it was also the most unforgiving.
"There's a reason why Amon sent us there. Besides, we'll spend most of our time in the city, so what are you worried about?"
Just because it was a desert, it didn't mean that there weren't any settlers. Humanity had adapted wildly to all conditions, and living in the desert was one of them. Gradually, they managed to find a home on the outskirts of Olavaguel, making a city that sheltered them from the elements.
Furthermore, with the rising need for sand for building costs, Olavaguel's capital had become a bustling hub of commerce, and there were even direct train services to the far-out lands.
"Hmph, as if you're not expecting us to head into the desert to investigate the claims that Amon made."
"You're not even the one going out scouting."
At this point, the skinny middle-aged man who observed from the sidelines broke his silence. Bane, once Amon and Yue's informant, seemed agitated and annoyed that he was dispatched on this mission as well, as he complained:
"My Echelon scouts would be the ones doing the investigating. You guys are just the muscle if we run into any trouble."
"Quit your complaining," Bane snapped. No matter how hard he racked his brains, he still couldn't understand why Amon made him babysit these youngsters. "Join my scouts, or shut up and enjoy the ride."
Venya sighed and rolled her eyes but chose to hold her tongue. As a newcomer to Eldorin, she had no personal stake in its affairs—her loyalties were purely transactional. She worked for the highest bidder, and at the moment, no one could outbid Amon for her services.
Venya would openly complain, curse, and even swear at her clients as a mercenary. So, working in a Knight Order proved to be a great culture shock for the ace mercenary. Nonetheless, she knew how to read the room and kept her mouth silent.
With his group finally silent, Leon could finally move his briefing forward.
"Everyone gather around!"
At Leon's orders, the scattered members of Eldorin came marching towards him and gathering in a semi-circle. Among them were some familiar faces, such as Lydia, Rufus, Gale and Adelia. But there were also a dozen new faces, all elite talents who had passed the exam to join Eldorin.
"Alright, the trip to Olavaguel will be one week by the high-speed train. Every night, we will leave the train to sleep at a hotel. Ensure your team is always with you, and don't wander too far from the train during our breaks. Are we clear?"
"Good," Leon smiled and looked to the side, where Horus stood in wait. Even though Leon was in charge of this whole operation, Horus was here to advise and take over if necessary. In essence, Horus was the highest commander present.
"Anything to add, Sir Horus?"
"Nope, nothing." The Knight of the Morning Sun smiled and shook his head. "Carry on."
"Okay! Everyone dismissed!"
With the order in place, everyone in the area left to continue their activities. Most were preparing to board the train, while a few were saying goodbye to their loved ones. Watching it all unfold, Horus folded his arms in akimbo, and the smile on his face disappeared.
"Is there something wrong?"
A middle-aged knight approached Eldorin's advisor with a keenly perceptive question. Flydian, one of Horus's longest-serving subordinates, had spent years studying the man's every nuance. A mere twitch of Horus's lips was enough for him to sense something was amiss.
"This mission isn't that easy," Horus replied solemnly. "Amon's words at the council the other day… I just can't get them out of my head. That he's dispatching all the Eldorin's executives is also a telling sign. I'm afraid… some of them might die on this mission."
"... well, they all knew the risks going into it."
"Yes, they did. But I still can't understand why Amon would let Leon lead this mission."
"Maybe he wants to give Leon autonomy? After all, he is the Hero. He can't keep living in Amon's shadow forever."
Horus sighed as he thought of the young man who rose through the ranks faster than a comet breaking through the atmosphere. The youngest Seven Sun Knight and Knight Commander in history. Those were accolades that Horus couldn't even come up with, let alone aspire to become. Even now, he was still stuck as a Six-Sun Pillar Knight.
After a while, Horus had begun to rely on Amon more than he'd realised. And with his commander missing, Horus felt uneasy about this dangerous mission.
"You can't cancel the mission based on a hunch, right?"
"Horus, you can't be serious."
"Yeah… I'm sorry, I've said something stupid."
Shaking his head, the Knight of the Morning Sun turned away and began walking toward the train. But just before he could step aboard, memories of being tossed around by the Apostles at Alverton came rushing back—the helplessness he felt, relying on Amon to save everyone. His fist clenched involuntarily as cold sweat dripped down his brow, and a single thought consumed him:
'Maybe… it would be good to get insurance.'