Chương 345: Preperation for the Expedition

Vale stretched lazily, a long yawn escaping him as the morning sunlight spilled through his window and washed across the room. His muscles loosened one by one beneath the warmth while he rolled his shoulders and arched his back until several satisfying cracks echoed through the quiet chamber. Judging by the position of the sun, it was roughly ten in the morning. In another five hours, he and his squad would depart, carried to the very edge of the explored lands bordering the Ancient Forest.

From there, they would continue on foot into territory no expedition had ever successfully charted, remaining beyond civilization for nearly three months before they were expected to return.

"It's definitely survivable," Vale muttered to himself, Stretching one leg behind him before rotating his arm. His now unbound hair had already been tied neatly behind his head, keeping it away from his face.

"Unknown doesn't automatically mean impossible." His expression grew more thoughtful as he mentally reviewed their supplies.

"Food won't be the problem," he continued, pacing slowly around the room.

"The wildlife out there is dangerous, but it's also plentiful. As long as we don't hunt recklessly, we'll never starve." He paused, tapping a finger against his chin.

"Water is the real concern. Finding rivers or lakes shouldn't be difficult, but finding water that's actually safe to drink..." He clicked his tongue.

"That might become a serious issue." Fortunately, this was exactly why preparation existed. Shade could accompany him, and each member was permitted to carry a sizeable pack of equipment before departure. Vale had already spent most of the previous evening organizing his belongings with almost obsessive care.

Several books rested neatly inside his bag: regional maps, wildlife guides, ecological reports, botanical references, and a blank leather notebook intended to record every new creature, landmark, or phenomenon they encountered beyond the known frontier. After rereading much of the material, he had realized he already remembered nearly everything from Kealix's endless lessons, yet he packed the books regardless.

Korin, Nova, and Nym would undoubtedly benefit from them, and having physical references was never a disadvantage. Satisfied, Vale stretched once more before picking Shade up from beside his bed.

"Bracelet." The shadow obeyed. Darkness flowed like liquid over Vale's wrist before hardening into a simple black bracelet, its surface smooth and unremarkable enough to avoid unwanted attention. Vale smiled faintly. Despite everything that had changed, Shade remained as dependable as ever. He fastened his twin onyx blades to his belt next. His eyes lingered on them for a brief moment.

'There's definitely something strange about these...' Even after everything he had remembered, the weapons continued to trouble him. Their craftsmanship was too flawless, their balance too perfect, and they almost seemed alive whenever they rested in his hands. Questions remained, but this expedition demanded his attention far more than another mystery he currently lacked the means to solve. With a quiet sigh, he stepped outside. Waiting directly before his door stood Ivor.

The elderly butler had both hands folded neatly behind his back, wearing the same immaculate suit he always seemed to possess, regardless of circumstance. His posture was as straight as ever, and his expression carried the familiar mixture of professionalism and perpetual disappointment that somehow suited him perfectly.

"Ivor." Vale smiled warmly.

"Good timing. I was actually hoping you could help me gather some proper expedition artifacts." The old butler scoffed, though the corner of his mouth twitched upward ever so slightly.

"Very well. Left to your own devices, you would likely fill your bag with books and forget every practical necessity. Someone has to ensure you return alive." Vale rolled his eyes with a chuckle before falling into step beside him. The two walked through the quiet halls of the royal residence, descending broad staircases lined with polished marble and ancient banners that hung motionless in the still air. After several minutes of silence, Vale spoke again.

"Hey, Ivor."

"Hm?"

"I was wondering... where exactly do I stand now?" Vale asked.

"Strength-wise, I mean. What rank would you put me at? Or... what category beast could I realistically defeat?" If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it. Ivor glanced over his shoulder before answering without slowing his pace.

"I would place you roughly at the level of a Sentinel. Under ideal circumstances, utilizing every weapon and technique available to you, I believe you could defeat a single Category Four beast." He paused briefly.

"One." Vale noticed the emphasis.

"But not multiple?"

"No."

"And a Category Five?" Ivor's expression remained unchanged.

"Not unless fortune itself decides to fight on your behalf." Vale nodded thoughtfully.

"I haven't actually encountered many beasts beyond Category Four," he admitted.

"I've read about them, but theory only goes so far. What really makes them different?" The old butler let out a slow breath before beginning his explanation.

"The distinction is simple. Category Five marks the point where a creature becomes something fundamentally abnormal by the Tower's standards." He raised a finger as he continued.

"If the creature possesses a relatively small frame, it compensates through overwhelming speed, strength, or durability. If it is enormous, its raw physical capabilities merely need to be average for something of its size to qualify. Regardless of appearance, every Category Five possesses qualities that ordinary biology should not permit." Vale listened carefully.

"The easiest comparison," Ivor continued, "would be the Spawn." Vale looked toward him with renewed interest.

"A Category Five beast is roughly equivalent to what a Stage Two or Stage Three Spawn would become if it entered the Tower while retaining its abilities." Vale's eyebrows rose.

"Seriously?" He let out a low whistle.

"So you're saying someone like me, still only First Stage, can already fight something comparable to a Second or even Third Stage Spawn?"

"Correct." Ivor looked at him directly this time.

"But do not let that inflate your confidence." Vale's expression sobered.

"Within the Tower, powerful beasts generally live alone. In the outside world, Spawn rarely does. Fourth Stage Spawn and below often travel in groups. Defeating one does not prepare you for surviving twenty."

"Fair point." Vale shrugged.

"They're weaker individually, so overwhelming numbers make sense."

"Indeed." The conversation ended naturally as they arrived before an enormous reinforced vault hidden beneath the library itself. Ivor gave a single sharp whistle. For several seconds, nothing happened. Then the ceiling shifted. The stone itself seemed to ripple before an enormous reptilian creature slowly materialized. It resembled a drake crossed with a chameleon, clinging effortlessly upside down with broad gecko-like feet.

Its scales continuously cycled through different colors while its oversized eyes rotated independently, carefully observing both men.

"Camo." The creature blinked.

"Ensure nobody enters while we're inside." Its long tongue flicked lazily across its lips before its body dissolved into transparency once more until only the faint distortion of light betrayed its existence. Vale couldn't suppress a quiet laugh.

"I'll never get used to that." The heavy vault doors opened with a deep rumble. As they stepped inside, Vale glanced toward Ivor again.

"Will Drago be seeing us off?"

"I believe so."

"... Believe?"

"I am unsure." Vale sighed dramatically.

"That sounds exactly like him. Even after legally adopting me, the man still refuses to make straightforward decisions." A surprisingly soft chuckle escaped Ivor.

"He has always been that way. Even after serving him for longer than I can accurately remember, I know remarkably little about the man himself." Vale absentmindedly picked up one artifact after another as they walked between shelves overflowing with carefully organized equipment.

"Huh." He looked toward the old butler.

"So even you don't know his past."

"No." There was no hesitation in the answer.

"And I doubt he intends to change that." For nearly two hours, the pair carefully selected equipment, discussing every item's usefulness until Vale finally settled on three essential artifacts. The first resembled a compact metal canister capable of filtering virtually any muddy, stagnant, or contaminated water into something perfectly drinkable. According to Ivor, locating water in the wilderness was rarely difficult, making it safe, however, often proved far more dangerous than the creatures guarding it.

The second artifact was a delicate scanning device designed to periodically survey the surrounding area for large concentrations of hostile life. It could detect packs of predators and any creature equivalent to a Third Stage threat or higher long before they entered visual range. Unfortunately, its internal mechanisms were exceptionally fragile, meaning it required careful handling throughout the expedition. The final item was deceptively simple: an enchanted lighter that never exhausted its fuel.

No matter the weather or altitude, it would always produce a steady flame, making campfires and emergency heat a certainty rather than a luxury. Beyond the artifacts, they gathered practical necessities as well.

Durable tents, ropes, cooking equipment, whetstones for weapon maintenance, sewing needles and repair kits for damaged armor, medicinal herbs and antiseptics to prevent infected wounds, spare cordage, flint, tools for constructing temporary shelters, and several waterproof containers for preserving supplies. Vale insisted on preparing for every plausible situation. Healing potions, however, remained inside the vault. They were simply too valuable.

A single shattered bottle represented months of work and enormous expense. More importantly, every member of the expedition was already capable of surviving injuries that would kill ordinary people. Proper preparation would accomplish far more than relying upon miracles. By the time they finally emerged from the vault, the afternoon sun had climbed high above the city.

Vale and Ivor crossed the great bridge leading from the royal library, stopping near its center where the wind drifted gently through the banners hanging overhead. They had agreed this would be the easiest place for Korin, Nova, and Nym to gather before departure. Vale rested both forearms against the stone railing and gazed across Irea's sprawling skyline. The city shimmered beneath the midday light, its towers rising proudly above winding streets while distant airships drifted lazily across the horizon.

He inhaled deeply, filling his lungs with the cool breeze before allowing a relaxed smile to spread across his face.

"What a wonderful day," he murmured quietly.

"A perfect day for an expedition."