Chapter 50

The 18th of January

All the knights have returned to the temple for another meeting, this time with the Emperor.

"I wonder what's going on."

"I heard there were signs of creature around the empire"

"What?! That's terrifying."

"His Majesty, the Emperor has arrived"

"We greet His Majesty the Emperor, may the highest bless you with grace." The squad knights bowed. The Emperor proceeded straight to the center, where there is a map of the entire empire.

"I beg of you all to keep this important mission a secret. Because the situation has not yet been confirmed, it will be difficult to make an early statement. Do you understand that if I even hear one rumor regarding this mission of yours, I will punish you all?"

"Yes, your majesty," they replied, closing their mouths because they felt frightened by the emperor.

"We received a report last year that a citizen had been attacked by a creature. We believe the beast who attacked the citizen was a wendigo. If you observed the citizen's condition, you'd see that his limb had been severed by the wendigo's bite. Following that occurrence, a lady went missing and was eventually located."

"May we ask what causes her disappearance, your majesty?" Aron asked, the leader of Squad 1.

"A Kapre. Kapre, as you all know, adores young and beautiful ladies. It happened when the night market opened, which meant that even if she yelled for aid, no one would hear her because of the town's cacophony. There was no mention of a creature lingering around after either occurrence."

"Thank the highest..."

"However, those creatures were present in the Forest of Asra. Because of the beast attack many years ago, that woodland was outlawed." Roven looked at his brother and gave the map to him. "Lawrence, explain to them what the purpose of this map is."

Lawrence sighed. 'I thought you'll be the one to explain.'

"Is there a problem, Lawrence?" Roven glared at his brother.

"No. There aren't any, your Majesty."

'Calm down, that's your brother, and worst, the emperor.'

"As you can see, there are places with marks, there are 7 marks here. There will be two squad teams patrolling the area for each village. Squad 15 is the only squad that will not be participating."

"Of course..."

"What do they expect?"

"May I inquire as to why?" Aeries inquired. He believed it was unjust.

"That's because your squad is incomplete." Lawrence answered, sternly, as he looked at Aeries eyes.

Aeries sensed Lawrence was attempting to say something and waved it off. "I see... please proceed."

"Squad 13 and 14 will be sent to Peridot, 11 and 12 to Beryl, 9 and 10 to Hessonite, 7 and 8 to Siam Town, 5 and 6 to Topaz, 3 and 4 to Agate, and 2 and 1 to Amethyst."

"Will there be a senior knight to accompany us?" Mhurt asked.

"There is. We don't know if there is a danger in the village you're going to, and since you're still a knight in training, it's better to come with a senior knight to accompany you."

"I understand." Mhurt nodded.

Roven averted his gaze away from Mhurt. 'This kid's face looks annoying.'

"You will all be leaving tomorrow. Since all the villages were too far away from here, you will be using a portal."

"A portal?! That means this mission is really important!"

"If there are no further questions, the meeting will be adjourned. Stay, Squad 15."

The squads started to leave one by one.

"Even if you don't have a station, it doesn't mean you won't be completing any missions. For the time being, patrol the Empire Capital but stay away from the Forest of Asra. You'll be a reserve squad, and when a squad needs reinforcement, you'll be the reinforcement they need." Lawrence elaborated. "It's true that you won't be able to complete this task because you're one person short."

"How come we're usually the last to get a mission?" Kane bravely inquired. "We are not helpless. In fact, we outperform the other squads. The only thing they have is their status."

"Kane." Yjhan remarked.

"You're quite bold." Roven was the one who answered. "The reason you're always the one who doesn't have much of a mission is because your squad's purpose is to do an important mission. You are not weak, as you stated, and this is why I accept you and allow you to perform the duties of an Imperial Knight."

The emperor's statements caught Squad 15 off guard.

"That's right, consider your squad to be the most important." Lawrence stated with a smile.

"With all due respect, it is not that the prince and the emperor are trying to console us, right?" Idris asked.

"Idris." Yjhan whispered, with a bit of threat.

Lawrence chuckled, "All we said were facts."

"I see..." Idris was relieved that their squad's efforts were finally recognized.

"Can we start patrolling the Capital tomorrow as well?" Aeries inquired.

"Yes. When will Nash be back?" Lawrence asked.

"Perhaps next week. She stated that she would be gone for no more than three weeks." Yjhan said.

"I see... then, you may be excused now."

Squad 15 bowed and exited the meeting room.

"hahaha" Idris laughed, pleased with all the compliments he had received.

Yjhan and Aeries shook their heads looking at Idris who's at the same age as them.

"They're quite bold, huh?" Roven stated the moment the Squad 15 left.

"I agree, they don't do much courtesy." Lawrence shook his head. "Much like your daughter."

Roven shook his head. "They could handle being near the Forest."

"Still, it would be better for them not to go near it." Lawrence stated, "You really acknowledge them? Is it because Nash was one of them?"

"No. I've had my eye on Yjhan since I first saw his abilities. If I could have made him a knight at such an early age, I would have. He may be Celeste's private knight. And the others would have been knights by now if it hadn't been for their age."

"You're right."

'Indeed they are good.'