The Second Expedition

"Ridiculous isn't it. It was me who said those stuffs to you and it was also me who made you unable to say goodbye… I'm sorry… and goodbye."

Huvel muttered those words in front of a grave.

The name on the grave stone was Hugo Franklyn. He died in his sleep. That was how other people know. Only Huvel knew the truth that he was killed since it was him that killed Hugo without anyone knowing. He stopped Hugo's heart from beating while he was asleep using light magic. It was the least he could do to make him die without suffering any pain.

Huvel thought he could stay unbothered but, apparently, he could not. He could not sleep at nights thinking about Hugo.

"I used to think of it too lightly. Taking people's lives is such a bad thing. And I have to do it three more times. Sigh! I'll bear this sin until the day I close my eyes for good."

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"Have you packed up everything you might need?"

"Yes. Then, I will take off now, Dadie."

"Alright. Take care of yourself. And have fun."

Huvel watched Pechie getting onto his carriage. He recalled how hard he cried after learning his friend's death. Huvel hoped Pechie would recover from his sadness after travelling to a different place. However, he was a bit worried since it was the first prince that invited Pechie to his place.

As Huvel had suspected, Prince Leonard had suspicions about Hugo's death. So, he summoned Pechie on the disguise of wanting to see Hugo's friend. Huvel was confident that the prince would not harm Pechie although he was worried that Pechie might say weird things. Anyway, he let him go for a change of pace.

As for himself, Huvel rushed for his second expedition and went back into Emmele Jungle. He had to make himself busy to clear his thoughts. His new party was much bigger and stronger than the first time. The combat team was led by the two knights sent by his neighbouring marquises. Just as he requested, both of them were 3rd-ranked weapon-masters.

A few other nobles who were interested in the expedition also send their knights. There were three such knights and all were 2nd-ranked weapon-masters. The nobles also sent a few squires as well. But since he wanted to keep the number of people he brings along as low as possible, Huvel did not bring them along. He did not bring the squires Karl was training too. He believed those greenhorns would just die in battle fast without being able to do anything.

Apart from the two knights of marquises there was another 3rd-rank weapon master called Antoine. He was a mercenary and quite well-known in his field of work. Despite his strength, Huvel did not put him in the lead like the knights because he was suspicious. After all, 3rd-rank weapon master could easily get highly paid jobs anywhere. There was no good reason for him to choose the expedition into the Emmele Jungle – except for sightseeing as he said himself.

When they first heard that Antoine wanted to join the expedition, Chance suspected him to be commissioned by a noble or even a political faction. Huvel agreed with him and thus, he offered Antoine the same rank and payment as 2nd-rank weapon masters to test him. Nevertheless, Antoine accepted those poor terms. That confirmed their suspicion. However, Huvel decided to bring him along and use him first, then find out his real intentions later.

In addition to Antoine, there was another man that surprised everyone. He was an old man who was in his mid-fifties and he was a 3rd-circle earth magician specialized in defensive magics. His name was Jacques. He had a frail body and looked older than his actual age. He could only walk slowly with the help of his staff. According to him, he wanted to join the expedition because he had a lot of debts to pay. He also said that since he had no family, it did not matter if he died in battle.

Regardless of his weak skinny body and mindset, the other recruits rejoiced when Jacques joined. Having a 3rd-circle magician in the team was quite reassuring for them.

Huvel, however, was worried that old man Jacques might die on his own even before encountering monsters because of how fragile he looked. Having a funeral as soon as the expedition starts is not something anyone would want. In the end, he reluctantly allowed Jacques to join. He was put on a wagon so that he could keep up with the travel without dying.

There were also quite a number of labourers just like the first time. Among them were also stronger and more skillful people thanks to the success and low casualty of the first expedition.

In addition to all the people needed for the expedition, Huvel brought along one more person. It was Meodinand. He was brought along under the pretense to run errands. But since there really was nothing to do in the jungle, the actual purpose of him being there would probably be to be teased when his master got bored.

The expedition team was in high spirits. Everyone was excited thinking about the glory they would gain when they returned. It was not wrong of them to think as such since even the soldiers on the wall looked at them enviously when they left the wall. The expedition went smoothly without encountering any monster until they reached the end of the road they built in the first expedition.

Starting from that point, the woodcutters and road constructers worked enthusiastically. The combatants who had nothing to do other than guarding the workers were quite restless. They were eager to fight the monsters they only heard about from other people.