The atmosphere became quiet. The meeting room felt heavy as if the air had just been forcefully sucked out.
Clyde studied everyone's faces which were not far from expressions of fear. He himself felt at ease but couldn't say anything because he felt he still didn't know much.
Clyde was sure that his strength had increased quite a lot since the last time. Because he already used the Points he saved.
But his cautious nature made him think that now it was better to observe the situation first. If indeed this mission will be canceled, Clyde will not oppose it too much.
His desire to go to The All Territory doesn't mean he has to be reckless and instead gets into danger.
"No need to rush. We still have one week to do the mission," said Samuel.
Upon hearing that Leyan raised his face to face Samuel. But after he thought for a few more moments, Leyan said.
"It's the same thing. I don't see any difference in what a week could do for us against Uriel's party."
"If we still have a week, we can make plans," Clyde who had been silent until now spoke.
Leyan glanced at him with a furrowed brow in annoyance. "You don't know anything about it so you better shut up."
As soon as he heard Leyan's words, Clyde returned his gaze. It seemed that Leyan's annoying nature would return when he felt panicked or scared.
"Then what are you going to do? Isn't our goal to go rebel against the Celestials?" Clyde replied. "We still have time, meaning we still have a better chance of succeeding if we plan properly."
"Clyde was right," said Samuel. "Senior Council already knows which Ruin Uriel's party will be in. So we can start preparing there."
"What do you mean?" Clyde asked while looking at Samuel.
Samuel turned to him. "Yes. The Senior Council has a way of knowing when, where, and how powerful a party or whatever Celestials are sending to do their errand before it happens."
Clyde frowned. 'It was very strange and amazing. But it does sound like they have a direct spying source close to the Celestials.'
The possibility that there was some sort of divine power that the Senior Council could use to foresee the future also crossed Clyde's mind. But the idea that they had spies sounded more convincing now, somehow.
"Listen," said Samuel. "I know this mission sounds very dangerous for you. We've also just returned from Hades' domain so your burden of fear must still be quite high.
However, we must strengthen our hearts for the goals we want to achieve. You guys still remember that goal, right?"
Samuel glanced at his party members in turn. Hoping to see the resolve's light return to their eyes.
He excluded Clyde from the stares because Clyde was basically a stranger to this party. For now.
Clyde didn't feel offended by being ostracized because he knew his position and didn't expect that he would get too close to them.
Clyde waited a few moments for the changes to take place.
Finally, Leyan said. "Alright. Let's fucking do it." The look in his eyes that had been filled with doubt and fear now returned to the look of a fighter.
Clyde is quite fascinated. Somehow, these party can be easily motivated with just the same goal, that is the resistance against the Celestials.
Based on what he saw Clyde thought that the members of this party must have gone through a lot of pain because of the Celestials. Until their hatred overpowers their fear.
Clyde remembered about Lahn escaping after becoming a slave to a Celestials. And how her eyes burn every time she talks about it.
The same thing apparently happened to the members of this party. After Leyan said that he wanted to do it, Kiara, Haru, and Kei immediately agreed.
Clyde saw Samuel smiling at the reactions of his friends.
"Good," Samuel said. "Let's go to the Ruin to start scouting and make plans."
So they all got ready to go to their respective rooms. Leaving Clyde in this meeting room with Samuel.
"You should know, Clyde." Samuel approached Clyde who was heading out the door. "Senior Council asked you to join in on this mission. Even though, I actually didn't agree to involve you."
"That's alright. I don't mind coming along," Clyde replied.
"As you heard from them, this mission will be very dangerous. The previous mission was nothing since it was only a rescue mission. But now we have to actually fight that member of Uriel's party."
"I've heard about it. Don't worry. As long as we plan well I think we'll be alright."
Samuel stared at Clyde for a few moments. He wondered how Clyde could be so calm. Could it be because he didn't know the scale of the danger he would face?
'That's maybe it. After all, he has never actually fought Celestials or creatures that received their blessings,' Samuel thought.
"Then, I'll get ready. I'll be waiting for you at the portal." Clyde walked past Samuel and away from the hotel. So Samuel immediately went to his room to prepare his gear.
After a few minutes, they finished preparing and walked toward the portal. Clyde was waiting beside the portal with his hands in his trouser pockets. Shows how relaxed he is at the moment.
At his waist were a sword and two daggers. Clyde was wearing the brown coat he had on at the time but now there was a red hue to parts of it. Indicates that Hammer has done something to strengthen his coat.
Haru also joins this expedition. After drinking the Life Elixir, her condition recovered to normal as if nothing had happened.
Samuel places his amulet into the portal. Instantly, a Ruin consisting of an arid desert devoid of any greenery appeared in the portal.
"This is where we should ambush Uriel's party," Samuel said. "Let's go."
The six of them entered the portal. A moment later they set their feet on a reddish stone that was located in the middle of the desert.
~~~
