(A.N: I won't go into details, but I made a mess when I edited this chapter. If you find repetitions or weird sentences, please let me know, and I will fix them. Ofc I already did it, but something could have slipped past my attention. So, thanks in advance.)
"Before you reject the idea, consider this," he said, making sure to make eye contact with everyone in the room, "I want you to take a moment and consider this important point. We have already made plans to send some men into the ancient city to clear out the Arthropods that reside there. No matter where we go, we are bound to find danger," He paused for a second.
"If things are already like this, sending more people on this quest wouldn't make a huge difference in our fighting strength against Frant, so why don't we simply send them there?"
The proposition made by Gian appeared to have a significant effect on the villagers. He had a point. They were already in danger. If they could achieve something substantial in the process, wouldn't it be worth the risk?
The villagers looked at each other, silently communicating and considering the different choices they had before them.
His suggestion was met with a soft sound of agreement from the people present, and then there was a moment of quiet hesitation from Amos.
The heaviness of the reality they were facing was palpable in the room. Every person in the village knew that if they divided their human resources even more, it would make the village more susceptible to an imminent attack from Frant.
"But we can't afford to spread our forces thin," Amos argued, "Sending a group to the ancient city to deal with the Acidspitter Arthropods is already a major strain on our human resources. If Frant decides to attack during their absence, we'd be sitting ducks." His statement seemed to echo the concerns of others in the room.
Most people agreed that this critical mission carried a notable amount of risk to their ability to defend themselves.
Given their limited human resources, the prospect of losing more individuals was simply not doable for them, especially considering the imminent danger posed by the looming Frantian attack.
Despite the intense debate, one fact was clear: they had to act. The village's survival hung in the balance, and they needed every advantage.
"If we don't act," another person said, "we won't have any chance of moving into the underground city. Yes, it's a gamble, but we might need to take it. To increase our chances of success, it is crucial that we carefully plan and execute our operation with efficiency and speed. This approach could be our sole opportunity to achieve our desired outcome."
Deep in thought, Amos pondered over the weight and significance of those uttered words, allowing their meaning to sink in and resonate within him.
As he looked around, his eyes carefully shifted from one face to another, taking in the emotions written all over them. He could see the traces of fear and worry, but he also noticed something else shining through a solid determination to keep going, no matter what.
Even in the face of dire circumstances, the flame of hope continued to burn brightly, refusing to be extinguished.
Everyone's attention shifted to Erik. Their faces showed hope and anticipation. Amos shifted his attention towards Erik, his gaze becoming even more severe and intense than it had been previously.
"Erik," he started, his voice echoing in the hushed hall. "Would you be able to recognize this tree if you saw it?"
Erik paused briefly, feeling his heart race as he processed the question. He looked into the eyes of the villagers. It was evident that they were desperately seeking a solution to their problems.
As he reminisced, his mind wandered back to the days spent in Frant during high school. The memories flooded like an endless stream of knowledge pouring into his eager mind. He couldn't help but recall the countless lessons he had attended. The memories were there, clear as day.
"Yes," he finally replied, his voice filled with a solid and unwavering determination that caught him off guard, leaving him pleasantly surprised. "I can recognize it."
Amos nodded in happiness, feeling a slight relief that washed over his tired facial expressions.
As the room fell into a moment of calm, it appeared as if everyone had let out a collective breath, causing the tension present before to dissipate gradually. However, Erik couldn't help but feel a distinct chill travel down his spine, causing a sudden and unexplainable sense of foreboding to wash over him.
As soon as he spoke up and revealed his ability to identify the plant, he instantly realized that he had unintentionally offered himself up for this dangerous mission.
As Amos started to talk about how the team would be formed, Erik's mind was filled with thoughts and ideas, moving quickly from one to another. He carefully considered the various risks that lay ahead, weighing them against the potential outcomes that could arise.
As Erik stood in the room, surrounded by ongoing discussions, his mind wandered back to the vivid memories of his lessons in New Alexandria.
The Lumisgrove has always been a great interest for him and has been extensively discussed in various lessons.
Its importance in the agricultural sector of Frantia is widely recognized and unquestionable. However, due to its significant importance, numerous warnings were issued regarding the dangers of that particular location.
The loud sound of the cascading water nearby, the Lumisfalls, was just the beginning; the abnormally strong Thaids, the treacherous terrain, and the unpredictable weather added layers to the threats.
However, the specific type of tree they were searching for, the Auburn Pine, could only be found in that location.
However, he would find more than just that at the location. It was evident that engaging in combat with those Thaids would provide the young man with significant experience.
Monsters there typically possessed considerably larger amounts of mana than the other creatures in other areas. Although it was risky to go there, it was not a completely useless endeavor.
Amos shifted his attention back to Erik, his face showing signs of wear and tear, and a hint of hesitation caused his features to appear less harsh.
The atmosphere in the room became very quiet, almost as if the room itself was pausing and waiting. The question asked felt very important, and everyone could feel its significance in the air.
"Erik," Amos began, his voice cutting through the bustling conversations that filled the air, causing a calm and respectful silence to settle over the room. "Would you be willing to lead a team to the Lumisgrove?"
The words he spoke reverberated through the air, resonating in the space that separated them and serving as a powerful reminder of the urgent and challenging circumstances they were currently facing.
Amos carefully considered this decision before taking any action. The villagers were placing a great deal of expectation on a young man who had recently come to their village.
At first, they were doubtful about him. However, due to the prevailing circumstances that were in play, they were left with no choice but to pursue the path ahead of them, and at this very moment, Erik emerged as their most favorable and promising option.
The young man felt his heart pounding rapidly in his chest, filled with emotions, as he carefully contemplated the immense magnitude of the request that had been presented to him. As he contemplated the perils ahead, his mind whirled with many thoughts.
He couldn't help but ponder the uncertainties that awaited him on this daring expedition and the weighty burden of responsibility that would be placed squarely upon his shoulders.
Feeling mixed emotions, he inhaled deeply, gathering his thoughts and calming his nerves, before directing his gaze towards the wise and experienced village elder.
After a brief moment of silence, he replied calmly and unwavering, expressing his willingness to proceed.
"I am willing," he responded after a pause, his voice steady. "But there's a condition. You have to teach me this village's neural links developing technique." The request stirred a wave of surprised murmurs around the room.
A hushed silence followed Erik's proposition, quickly shattered by the rising voices of dissent that rippled across the room.
His request, which was straightforward but important, caused a strong reaction of anger and disbelief among the people who had gathered together.
"That's absolutely preposterous!" exclaimed a large and muscular man, his forehead creased with anger, as he shouted from the rear of the room.
His words resonated with the other present individuals who expressed their disbelief and anger. The villagers were very cautious about sharing their secrets, especially when it came to the technique of developing neural links.
This unique knowledge was highly valued and only passed on to individuals who had shown unwavering loyalty and dedication to the community.
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