Clyde's words sounded very confident. That's because he was trying to squeeze out the words so they could come out as if he really meant it. While in fact, he felt nervous.
Clyde gulped and looked at them all. The five people seemed to be thinking in silence.
Then, Wiley said. "Isn't this a great opportunity?"
His friends immediately turned to look at Wiley as soon as he said that. Albert and Rosie agreed with Wiley's opinion. However, Leon and Lola still felt that it was a bad idea.
"We're not quite ready for that yet," Leon said.
"But like Clyde said," Wiley glanced at Clyde for a few moments. "He will do everything. But uhh... are we going to get anything?"
Wiley asked, looking at Clyde. He also showed a sheepish smile. He seemed to be saying: 'I'm defending you. I hope you give us something worth it.'
"Of course." Understanding the meaning of that look, Clyde immediately answered firmly.
Even though he had never heard that Maethion would provide a reward, Clyde was sure that Elf had thought about it before telling him to find another companion to join this expedition.
Maethion of all people must know that he can't just give orders without giving appropriate rewards. So did Clyde.
Hearing Clyde's answer that sounded sure and confident, Wiley's smile grew wider.
"We don't really understand the concept of rebelling against the Celestials yet. But we're also not stupid to understand that something is bound to happen to this place," Wiley said. "So, I don't think trying to gather strength as fast as possible is not a bad idea."
Clyde glanced at Wiley. Inside his mind, he nodded approvingly at the way Wiley spoke. He was smart enough to realize it all.
"So you agree?" Clyde asked again to be sure while looking at them all.
Leon sighed. Then answered with a helpless expression. "You should give us some time to train first."
Clyde nodded. "Sure. I also still haven't received the time for us to go."
Hearing that, the five of them felt a little relieved. If the time hasn't been set yet, it means they still have a little time to prepare themselves.
At that moment, Clyde had an idea. He thought about the idea for a while before finally deciding to present it to them.
In the end, he didn't take long to contemplate whether would say it because he really wanted to try out the truth about the idea as soon as possible.
"Have you guys planned how you're going to train?" Clyde asked while looking at them with a meaningful look.
"N-Not really. We were planning to ask the people here first," Rosie replied.
Clyde nodded his head several times, then said. "If you don't mind, I can help you train."
They looked at each other again as soon as Clyde said that. From what Clyde could see, they seemed pleased with the idea and weren't going to reject it.
"If that's the case, we'll be happy to accept it," Leon said.
They did not need to argue long to approve the idea. Once again, they know what Clyde is capable of doing. If he decided to help them train of course they would learn an important lesson.
"Good. Follow me," Clyde said.
So, the five of them followed him like obedient children.
Clyde takes them to Hammer's place. Some of Hammer's men who were present looked at them with surprised looks because suddenly there were a lot of people visiting their smithy.
Their amazement was increased by the presence of a figure leading them. Someone who has changed their fate from being bored to death to an exciting one with the materials he brought.
They smiled at Clyde's arrival. But Clyde only answered them with a curt nod.
"You're pretty famous around here, huh?" Wiley asked in awe.
"I'm just doing a few things for them," Clyde replied. He felt a little flustered at the compliment but disguised it with a straight face.
As soon as they entered Hammer's room, the Dwarf immediately widened his eyes in shock at the people he had brought.
"Uhhm... May I help you?" Hammer asked.
"They need weapons," Clyde answered simply. "You still have enough materials, right?"
Hammer's eyes shifted between Clyde and the five people he was carrying. Then back to Clyde.
"We're always happy to get a weapon order," Hammer said with a smile. "But you don't need to ask for more. We have created a lot of weapons from the materials you brought back then. Your good friends just need to choose."
Hammer ushered them out of his room into another room behind his men who were working. The room he used to store all sorts of things they had created.
It turned out that this room was so wide and only a third filled with the weapons and armor that Hammer and his men had created. Some of the weapons were hanging on the wall and some were just lying on the table.
Hammer made sure that the weapons with good quality hung on the wall while the inferior ones he just laid on the table.
"So, my good friends!" Hammer said while spreading his arms out to the sides as if to show that he has all of this. "Choose the weapon you like!"
Clyde snorted. The Dwarf had suddenly said that they were friends even though the five of them were coming here for the first time.
Clyde turned to them. "Yes. You can choose."
Leon, Albert, Wiley, and Rosie started to scatter to get the weapons that caught their attention when they entered this room. While Lola just stood there because she didn't usually hold any weapons to fight.
"You should start using a weapon," Clyde suddenly said next to her. Causing Lola to look up in surprise.
"A-Ah, I'm not that good with weapons," Lola replied with an awkward smile.
"You can't expect them to protect you forever," Clyde said in a firm tone. "Someday you will find a time when you are left alone and have no choice but to fight to survive."
Lola swallowed loudly when she heard Clyde's words. She bit her lip.
"I-I guess you're right."
~~~
