The Humor Tale: “Expedition Captains”

The gathered crowd could only watch in breathless anticipation. They were enthralled, witnessing a clash of blades that had unfolded before their very eyes.

The bystanders were mere spectators, frozen in a state of mesmerized anticipation, awaiting the culmination of this unfolding drama. It was as if they were observing a nature documentary, where the cruel yet fascinating dance of the wild was showcased for their morbid fascination. The viewer's empathy was piqued, yet their hands were tied, helpless to intervene in the primal spectacle. This was the paradox of 'nature'.

Just as the ripples of chaos were about to spread far and wide, a figure emerged from the throng, it's presence a beacon of calm amidst the tempest. She addressed the woman, her voice laced with an unmistakable air of command, as one would address a wayward subordinate. 

"Esther, desist at once," she decreed, her words dripping with an unyielding authority.

The single syllable that followed, "Lady Sara'el…" served as a stark reminder of the speaker's unimpeachable stature.

All eyes turned to this mysterious interloper, now revealed to be Lady Sara'el, the Captain of Thrilight - a title that demanded instant obedience. The weight of their words hung in the air, a silent plea for reason to prevail amidst the mounting pandemonium.

It transpired that the assailant who had targeted Eba was none other than a woman named Esther, a member of the esteemed Thrilight Navigator Corps. This elite group, ranking third in the current tally, held a unique distinction - they were the sole navigator force directly affiliated with the Church. Comprised of a mere three individuals, their blessings do not come from the hallowed Saints, but from the revered Three Magi - the legendary Kings of Old!. This sacred patronage elevated them to unparalleled heights of power and prestige.

What's more, the Thrilight Navigators enjoy a most curious privilege - they are exempt from the sacred laws that bind all others during the hallowed Expedition Festivals. While violence is strictly prohibited for the common faithful, these blessed agents of the Three Kings may act with impunity, free to kill, assault, or desecrate as they please without fear of punishment.

"I want to keep you on a short leash, Esther. Every time I take my eyes off you, you seem to get into trouble." The Captain's words dripped with a mix of exasperation and warning.

Esther's response was laced with a tone of nonchalance, a hint of insolence dancing on her lips. "I was just playing with her, Captain," she said, the excuse sliding off her tongue with an air of feigned innocence."

The Captain's eyes flashed with a piercing intensity, her voice dripping with a subtle rebuke.

"Play? Ah, but...

"In the chess game's realm, two colors stand bold,

Black and white, no trace of red to behold."

 The words hung in the air, a veiled reprimand cloaked in the guise of a wise blank verse.

"Hehe, by the way... have you seen Apphia?" The words dripped with an air of forced nonchalance, Esther's gaze faltered, her smile wavering as she attempted to steer the conversation onto a different course.

Meanwhile, in a distant corner of the grand hall, a trio of figures prepared to make their discreet exit. Eba, Diana, and the enigmatic blind girl moved with a quiet urgency, their footsteps echoing through the hallowed space as they sought to put the tumultuous scene behind them.

"Are you two alright?" the blind girl asked, her concern palpable and her voice cut through the tension, the words infused with a deep empathy.

"Yeah, sis, can you walk?" Diana asked with a similar tone, her eyes fixed on Eba's battered form.

"Ah, I can... barely," Eba admitted, her voice laced with a hint of pain and wincing with each labored breath.

The blind girl's hand extended, offering a gentle aid. "Don't force yourself, here, let me lend a hand." Eba's gratitude was effusive as she accepted the proffered assistance. "Thank you, not just for this, but for helping us out there," she said, her voice tinged with sincerity.

The blind girl's smile was soft, her reply whispered with a quiet intensity. "Yah, I can't explain it myself, but I'm just glad we're all okay." She paused, her expression shifting to one of hesitant curiosity. "Um, can I talk to you...?" she added, her voice trailing off into uncertainty.

...….

The sequence of events unfolded with breathtaking rapidity, leaving both sisters and the assembled crowd in a state of stunned bewilderment. For the first time, the bystanders had witnessed the blind girl's swordsmanship, a revelation that left them agog. The sheer audacity of her actions was compounded by the fact that she had exchanged swords with a member of the esteemed Rank 3 Navigator, Thrilight.

As the reality of the situation sank in, the crowd's gaze shifted, their attention riveted on the blind girl with a mix of awe and trepidation. Those who had previously hurled insults her way now felt a creeping sense of fear, their earlier mockery replaced by a dawning realization of her true prowess. The atmosphere was heavy with tension, the air thick with the unspoken question: what other secrets lay hidden behind the blind girl's enigmatic facade?

Voices erupted from the crowd, a chorus of surprise and amazement.

"Oh, I'll be honest, I'm shocked... Why didn't they let that blind girl become a Navigator?"

"Hey, Cap, I think we should recruit that blonde blind girl, don't you think?"

The Captain's response was curt, a stern rebuke. "Shut up."

"I want to see this through to the end..."

"That blind girl got lucky the fight was interrupted..."

"Who's that two-chick girl, anyway?"

"Good thing Lady Esther wasn't serious about that fight..."

A collective shudder ran through the crowd as the reality of the situation sunk in. "I felt a sudden scare – if Lady Esther had burst out, we'd all be dead here, you know. I mean, she's a Rank 3 Navigator..."

A murmur of agreement rippled through the crowd. "We're lucky she was stopped..."

"But there are people here who could've blocked her impending attack, like the Pessimist 5..."

A warning was issued, a solemn reminder of the dangers that lurked within Thrilight. "Hey, listen up – never get in the way of any member of the Thrilight Navigator. We'd be killed..." The crowd's tone was a mix of awe, fear, and reverence, still reeling from the sudden, explosive fight.

A few high-ranking Navigators chimed in, their voices laced with a mix of praise, shock, and enjoyment.

...….

In the corner, near the scattered artifacts, a towering figure stood motionless, it's imposing frame a stark contrast to the chaos that had just erupted. The being, an astonishing 8 feet 3 inches tall, was a behemoth of muscle, its massive physique a testament to its formidable strength. A colossal machete-like knife, a staggering 3 meters in length, was slung over its back, a menacing presence that seemed to darken the air around it.

Clad in black pants and a black cloak that enveloped its entire head and face, the figure exuded an aura of mystery and terror. The cloak's hood was drawn up, obscuring its face, making it impossible to discern where its gaze was directed. And yet, its face seemed to be fixed on the trio of girls - Eba, Diana, and the blind girl - its attention unwavering.

This intimidating figure was none other than the Captain of the Pessimist 5, the 5th-ranked Navigator in the current and earliest tally. Its very presence seemed to draw the light out of the room, leaving only an unsettling sense of foreboding in its wake.

As the din of conversation and chatter continued to fill the air, Diana's gaze suddenly snapped to the scattered artifacts on the floor. She darted towards them with an air of urgency, her eyes scanning the debris with a singular focus. Her goal was to retrieve the watch that Eba had been fascinated by earlier, hoping that its touch might stir some forgotten memory within her sister.

But as Diana hastened towards the artifacts, her haste proved to be her downfall. She failed to notice the imposing figure looming before her, and before she knew it, she had bumped into something - or rather, someone. Her eyes widened in terror as she found herself face to face with the Captain of the Pessimist 5, the very embodiment of menace.

A stammering apology escaped her lips as she took in the Captain's intimidating presence, her face a mask of fear. "Ah... sorry, I didn't mean to...", The words trailed off as she realized she had no idea whose imposing figure loomed before her, its face hidden behind a veil of darkness.

The Captain of the Pessimist 5 remained silent, its imposing figure motionless, its gaze fixed on Diana like an unyielding statue. The air was heavy with tension as the two stood frozen.

Then, without warning, the Captain's massive hand stirred, its movement eerily slow as it reached behind its back. Diana's heart skipped a beat as she sensed the darkness emanating from the Captain, its presence suffocating, like a shroud that threatened to consume her.

As the Captain's hand grasped something unseen, its shadow enveloped Diana, shrouding her in an unholy darkness that seemed to repel even the faintest glimmer of sunlight. The atmosphere grew heavier, weighted by the promise of impending doom. Diana's fear was palpable, her mind racing with the possibility of another brutal encounter, similar to the one with Thrilight. The silence was oppressive, a heavy fog that threatened to suffocate her.

But as the Captain's massive arms unfolded, he revealed the object of Diana's quest: the watch-like artifact she had been searching for. The sudden turn of events left her bewildered, her mind struggling to comprehend the Captain's intentions. The artifact, once the focal point of her desire, now seemed shrouded in mystery, its significance lost on her.

In a sudden, almost mechanical motion, the Captain's hand opened, releasing the watch-like artifact, which hovered in the air for a fleeting moment before beginning its descent. Diana's reflexes kicked in, her hand darting out to catch the artifact, her fingers closing around it with a sense of relief.

As she grasped the artifact, the Captain turned to leave, its massive frame disappearing into the shadows, leaving Diana to ponder the enigma that had just unfolded…

"What could that be...?" she thought to herself, her mind still reeling from the unexpected turn of events.

With the artifact secure in her hand, Diana hastened towards the location of Eba and the blind girl, her thoughts still tangled in the mystery of the Captain's actions. The encounter had left her with more questions than answers.

Meanwhile, two prominent groups of Navigators, who had emerged victorious in the tally, began to take an interest in the trio of Eba, Diana, and the blind girl. Unbeknownst to the three, their lives were about to become entwined with those of these seasoned Navigators.

"Lady Sara'el, there's something peculiar about that girl..." Esther's voice trailed off, her curiosity piqued.

"Yah... I don't know myself, but let's keep a close eye on those girls", the Captain of Thrilight responded, her gaze fixed on the trio.

"And wait, you really can't keep your head cool, I said we'd talk to them, right?" The Captain added, a hint of displease dancing in her eyes.

"Hehe sorry... I couldn't help but let my sword do the talking... but seriously, the blind girl surprised me", Esther replied, a smile creeping onto her face. The air was thick with tension, the Navigators' interest in the trio palpable, their intentions shrouded in mystery.

.....

"I think we should kill them now, Captain," a member of Pessimist 5 said, a sadistic grin spreading across his face, his eyes gleaming with a thirst for blood.

"No, let's just wait," the Captain of Pessimist 5 countered, his tone measured. "Let's make things more interesting."

The member's grin only grew wider as he pointed the tip of his knife in the direction of the girls. "Eh... I want to carve our name into their faces..."

The Captain's voice cut through the atmosphere, curt and decisive. "Let's move on and gather the other members."

The mysterious member response was a chorus of excitement, his voices rising in a frenzied crescendo. "Ayyeee, and let's get back to the 3rd Layer! I need to carve up that old hag!" The air was heavy with malevolence, the Pessimist 5's intentions clear: they would stop at nothing to achieve their twisted desires.