The Path of Ruin

Chapter 61: A Strange Group of Five

Kael woke up very early on the morning of the next day.Having done the same thing every day for two months, he reflexively prepared to go to Hakon without thinking about it. He was just leaving the room when he realized what he was doing.

"Haaah..."

He couldn't help getting angry with himself as he headed towards the palace garden.

'How could I have forgotten?'

There was no training today. On the contrary, there was a mission. A scouting mission with a group that Hakon had probably picked out especially for him.

When he finally stepped out into the garden, Kael breathed in deeply. Hakon had told him what to do beforehand. He was to go to the north gate of the palace and meet a group of four people there.

Yes, there were only five people on the mission including himself. They would travel in a single carriage and the journey would take six days.

But apart from that, Kael had no other information about the mission or the other four people. Hakon had kept everything else secret from him.

'Let's see, let's see...'

As he approached the north gate, he found himself surrounded by carriages and groups of people. His eyes traveled quickly over everyone,

"Are you here to gain 'experience' too?"

"You got it right again."

"Haaaah..."

She couldn't help sighing deeply. It was quite clear what she was thinking. Bearer or not, she didn't want to deal with young people.

Kael could understand why she thought that, so he kept quiet. But... another issue was bothering him this time.

'The Empire is a very disciplined, organized country. Why did they create such a... random group? It can't simply be to test me...'

The fact that the fifth member was not at all normal had changed his mind. Either this was not a test, but a really sloppy group... or it was indeed a test, but not for him.

Something told him that it was this newcomer who was actually being tested, and he was just a secondary.

"Anyway, since we're all gathered..."

Despite Kael and this fifth member, the auburn-haired woman remained professional and calm. Her expression turned slightly serious as she glanced around at all the members of the group and continued to speak in the serious tone expected of her.

"I'm Pecera. I have been appointed as the leader of this group. The members of the group were quickly assembled without my knowledge, as the situation was said to be urgent. That is why I do not know anything about you. Please introduce yourself."

Her eyes quickly turned to the only person in the group not wearing any armor, the man who looked like a scholar.

"My name is Scher, and I am a normal person. I was told that my help would be needed on the mission, but I don't know anything more."

The blond man spoke after him.

"Baroch, I will serve as the main scout of the group, I am also a normal human."

"Kael, I am a bearer. I will serve as a scout."

And the eyes slowly shifted to the last member. The target of all those stares, however, kept a smile on his face and gently introduced himself.

"Matthew Treanor, I am a bearer like Kael. But I have no specific duties... I can do anything that is asked of me. My first choice, however, would be to fight when necessary, if possible."

*(A/N: There will be two chapters after this one or more probably tomorrow, and then another.)*