Chapter 61: Upcoming Expeditions

The atmosphere in the room was thick with tension as Ronald stood in front of Abel, Nando, Isabella, and Sena. The flickering light from the single lantern cast long, dancing shadows on the stone walls, amplifying the feeling of unease in the cramped space. Ronald’s heart pounded in his chest, and he could feel the pressure mounting with every passing second.

He had expected this meeting to be difficult, but not like this. The weight of their collective gazes made it almost impossible to focus. Nando, with his dark aura and unsettling black veins, looked predatory, like a beast ready to pounce. His expression was blank, but there was a sense of danger radiating from him, an almost feral intensity that kept Ronald on edge. Sena was no better. He sat with his hulking form slouched, his eyes burning with a primal intensity that made Ronald feel like prey. There was something wild about him, like a barbarian waiting for the right moment to strike. Abel was the most composed, but his glowing eyes pierced through Ronald’s composure. That quiet, mysterious air Abel had always carried was now magnified, making him seem even more unsettling, like he knew far more than he let on. Isabella, however, was the one who unnerved Ronald the most. It wasn’t just her presence—it was the feeling that two entities were staring at him, the sense that her familiar was observing him as well. The subtle movement of the gray snake coiled around her wrist only added to the tension.

Ronald swallowed hard, a bead of sweat rolling down his temple as Nando leaned forward, his voice cutting through the silence with an impatient snap. “Speak up already, Ronald. What’s all this about?”

Ronald straightened, taking a deep breath to steady himself. He had prepared for this moment, but the pressure in the room made it hard to think clearly. “I… I have information,” he began, his voice shaky but gaining strength. “Information about the upcoming expeditions."

The mention of expeditions caught their attention, and Ronald noticed how their gazes sharpened. He continued, feeling the need to prove himself. “I’ve been hearing things—rumors, details that others haven’t been privy to. It’s about the kingdom, about the Bask Territory to the south. The kingdom is large, yes, but it doesn’t cover the entire continent. Much of the southern lands remain unexplored, and they stretch far until they meet the Southern Isles along the ocean’s edge.”

Sena leaned back in his chair, arms crossed. “And?”

“The Stone Tower, where we are, is in the center of the Bask Territory,” Ronald explained. “But there are two other Towers in the region, far apart from each other on opposite sides of the Stone Tower, each with its own politics and territory to manage. We’re separate from them. These Towers are newer, just like ours, and have their own apostles, their own dynamics. They’re preparing expeditions just like we are.”

Nando’s eyes narrowed, his impatience growing. “Get to the point, Ronald. What about the expeditions?”

Ronald nodded, pushing forward. “There will be five expeditions coming up in a few months within this bask territory which we reside. Two of them will involve delving into forgotten ruins—places that haven’t been explored in centuries. Dangerous, but the rewards could be unimaginable. Two more expeditions are about securing magical mines and fruit farms that are being attacked by vile creatures and dark forces. These are important for the Tower's resources.”

Isabella’s fingers tightened around her katar as she listened, her snake coiling tighter on her arm, its small tongue flicking out as if sensing the tension.

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Ronald hesitated for a moment before dropping the real bombshell. “And then there’s the fifth expedition. It’s the one we need to avoid. It involves restraining a magical terror.”

Abel, who had been silent until now, spoke, his voice calm but carrying an edge of curiosity. “A terror? What exactly is that?”

Ronald felt a shiver run down his spine at the mention of the creature. “A terror is… well, it’s not quite a Horror, but it’s close. It’s a monster, a terrifying creature with abilities that make it a nightmare to face. Even apostles struggle with them. It would take several apostles to bring one down, and even then, it’s not guaranteed.”

The room fell silent as the gravity of the situation settled in. The idea of facing a terror—a creature that could potentially challenge apostles—was terrifying, even for these recruits, who had seen their fair share of danger.

Sena cracked his knuckles, the sound echoing in the room. “And who’s leading these expeditions?” he asked, his voice low and serious.

Ronald continued, his confidence growing slightly. “Each expedition will be led by an Apostle. Gloomeyes, Wolf, Salamander, Gravedigger, and Threeeyes. For the terror mission, Greenthumb will assist Salamander.”

Isabella raised an eyebrow. “Salamander and Greenthumb handling a terror together?” she mused. “I’ve heard of them… That’s no small task.”

Nando, ever the pragmatist, leaned forward again, his dark aura flaring slightly. “You’re telling us we get to choose which expedition to go on?”

“Yes,” Ronald replied. “We’ll have the choice, it's the way it seems to have been since the tower opened. But I wanted to warn you about the terror. That’s not something anyone should face unless they have a death wish.”

Abel nodded thoughtfully, his glowing eyes narrowing. “And you’re sharing this with us because…?”

Ronald hesitated again. This was the hard part. “Because I don’t agree with the way the gifted treat the non-gifted,” he said quietly, his voice barely above a whisper. “I don’t think it’s right. The prejudice, the arrogance… it’s wrong. We’re all trying to become apostles, to protect the kingdom, to grow stronger. When we make it—when we become apostles—I want us to break that stigma, to prove that the non-gifted are just as valuable as the gifted.”

For a moment, no one said anything. Ronald could feel their gazes on him, weighing his words, judging his sincerity. Nando’s lips twitched as if he was about to crack a joke, but he remained silent, his expression unusually serious.

Isabella was the first to speak, her voice soft but firm. “It’s rare to hear that kind of honesty from a gifted recruit.”

Abel nodded in agreement. “We’ve heard plenty of words like that before in life, but actions speak louder. Still, it’s good to know there are some gifted who don’t look down on us.”

Sena glanced at the others, then back at Ronald. “We’ll think about what you’ve said,” he rumbled. “If you really want to prove yourself, you can come to one of our meetings in a few days.”

Ronald felt a wave of relief wash over him. It wasn’t exactly an acceptance, but it wasn’t a rejection either. He stood, bowing his head slightly. “Thank you. I’ll be there.”

Without another word, he turned and left the room, the door closing softly behind him. As he made his way down the dimly lit hallway, his thoughts raced. He had taken the first step, but the path ahead was still uncertain. Whether or not they would accept him, he didn’t know. But at least now, he had a chance.

Inside the room, the four recruits remained silent for a moment, each of them processing the conversation. Nando was the first to speak, his usual grin returning. “Well, that was unexpected. A gifted apologizing. I didn’t think I’d live to see the day.”

Abel chuckled. “Maybe there’s hope for him yet.”

Sena, however, remained quiet, his brow furrowed in thought. “Let’s keep an eye on him,” he said finally. “Gifted or not, information like that could be useful. But trust? That’ll take time.”

Isabella nodded, her snake flicking its tongue out again. “Agreed. Let’s see what he does next.”