Chapter 52: Preparations For The Expedition
The rest of the day went off without a hitch.
Florielle continued implementing her strategy, believing it was working because of the ever-present grin on Zorat’s face.
She isn’t yet aware that it’s just his restful face at this point.
Zorat, after a couple of exchanges with Florielle, decides to rest his body and mind in preparation for the next day.
After his visit to the catacombs, which lasted hours, he returned, put in the work with Kalara, and spent hours upgrading his new ability until morning. His soul has perpetual vitality, but his current body does not.
Zorat rested the whole day, and soon it was morning.
Florielle had already prepared breakfast and arranged all he would require for the expedition. She seemed to be working harder than usual since yesterday.
Is her dress getting shorter... or is it my imagination?
This bunny. Hehehe.
Zorat enjoyed his breakfast, and after he finished, he told Florielle to get him ten times as much food, clothing, water, and blankets as she had originally prepared.
Florielle was surprised by this because they had already received word that the expedition would last no longer than three days, so the necessities had been prepared with that timeline in mind.
They were just going until close to the top twenty floors of the catacombs of permafrost, then they’d return.
Still, she did as commanded and made the move secretly, since Zorat had told her no one should see her getting the extra supplies.
Before long, they received word that all the heroes should gather at a place called the sparring grounds. Another location Zorat had never been to in the palace.
After storing all the necessities in his spatial repertoire, Zorat was led by Florielle towards the south wing of the palace, passing through the royal botanist’s, royal tailor’s, and royal blacksmith’s workshops.
They soon arrived at a large open space that resembled an amphitheater, though this one was more enclosed and luxurious.
High up in the bleachers, in a rectangular structure built onto the amphitheater, was a luxurious section where the king, princess, grand vizier, and saintess were positioned, looking down on the gathered heroes.
Erica waved at Zorat to come over to her and the rest of the present heroes who were gathered in the center of the space, and he did with a smile, while Florielle went to stand to the side with the rest of the maidservants, looking very worried.
It would seem Zorat was not the one to make it last this time, because Broddy hasn’t arrived yet. Still. The king gave his usual inspirational speech, and the saintess said a few encouraging words as well.
Though, Zorat didn’t fail to notice that she was actively avoiding bringing her gaze to the general direction where he was.
Must have made an impression. hehehe.
The knight commander who was standing in front of the heroes looked very impatient as they were now waiting for Broddy for almost thirty minutes after the king and the saintess’s speeches’s had come to an end.
There was also an old man with a long grey beard in a long flowing purple regalia, holding a wooden staff and standing with his eyes almost closed beside the knight commander. He looked to be fast asleep but considering he’s standing straight straight, he probably isn’t.
Soon, Broddy joined up, but he was looking unusually tense for some reason.
Jacob called him over, and they seemed to be quietly discussing something while Broddy would cast occational obvious glances in Zorat’s direction, only for Jacob to smack him on the head.
This should be fun, hehehe. Zorat mused as he caught sight of their actions.
"Today officially marks the day your hero journey begins." The knight commander’s voice boomed.
"You will get to slay monsters, level up and grow stronger, increase your skill and battle experience, and also expand your mana pool so you can start using your divine skills to some extent."
"Though a hero is already a monstrous being in their own right without their divine skills. However, a hero without a divine skill is no hero at all," the knight commander said this, laying emphasis on the final part as she looked in Zorat’s direction.
Ah. Why’s this little demon saying that and looking at me?
I have the item box divine skill, though.
Do they not consider that a divine skill ?. hehehe.... How amusing.
"Prepare yourselves. You will be transported by means of teleportation magic, one person every hour, until we are all gathered at the catacombs of Permarfrost."
"This here is grand-mage Augustus..." she said, gesturing in the direction of the frail-looking old man, who opened his eyes slightly and bowed just a little in accordance.
"He will be responsible for the teleportation, and in eleven hours’ time, we will all have arrived at the catacombs."
"I know what you are wondering... why not just take horses right ?" the knight commander said, reading the expression on the gathered hero’s face.
And indeed, horses would have been faster, taking them no longer than two hours to get to their destination since the catacombs isn’t that far from the kingdom.
"We could have taken horses. But you all would have died on the way," she said flatly, as the heroes gasped in confusion, though Zorat already knew what she meant.
"On the part to the catacombs of permafrost, are several monsters all beyond your current levels. And though I will be with you, how many monsters do you think I can handle myself ?" she explained, and the heroes nodded in understanding.
"Now... I will go first, for obvious reasons. I have to create a safe space for you all to arrive at."
"And in no particular order... the rest of you should all follow..."
"The blade hero comes after i go. Then the flame hero, the hero of spare, the hero of bow, the hero of lightning, the hero of healing light, the hero of sealth, the hero of shield, the hero of strength, and finally... "
"The hero of item box comes last," the knight commander said, grinning.
would you look at this asshole. I like it. hehehe.