After hearing the sound of that very loud trumpet, Asqa and Joshua immediately rushed away from the field where they were practicing.
Joshua walked at a fast pace. His long legs allow him to move very quickly even though he just walking, much faster than Asqa.
Asqa, who only has a pair of short legs, tries her best to speed up her steps but still can't match Joshua's speed. Finally, she gave up and let Joshua go first.
Joshua turned his head when he realized that Asqa was not next to him.
"I'm sorry, but we have to hurry," said Joshua.
"Yes. I know," Asqa replied in a flat tone, trying to hide her annoyance.
Despite feeling guilty about leaving Asqa behind, Joshua chose to prioritize obeying the trumpet's call rather than waiting for her and risking a delay in his arrival. Consequently, he paid no further attention to Asqa.
Seeing Joshua who turned his head and walked faster, Asqa slowed down her steps. Why was she in such a hurry to respond to the call? Asqa is not as devoted as Joshua to the Archangel.
But she is also curious, what happened now? She had never heard a horn or trumpet or whatever it is sound like that before. Nor did she ever hear anyone say about the horn calling all followers to gather and prepare for battle.
The ongoing event was undeniably significant. It demanded the participation and presence of all the residents, leaving no doubt about its importance.
The sheer scale of the gathering implied that something substantial and momentous was unfolding.
The horn continued to sound for about fifteen minutes before finally stopping when all of Archangel Uriel's followers in this domain gathered.
It was the first time Asqa had seen so many beings gather. All of them were wearing pure white clothes like her and had the same confused faces.
They gathered facing the white palace which was the main residence of the Archangel. An air of anticipation filled the atmosphere as they yearned for an explanation that would unravel the mystery behind the resounding horn's purpose.
Asqa did not see Joshua's presence around the followers who lined up below. But she saw someone she knew.
"Hiro," Asqa called out to him. Hiro turned and smiled at her, though his smile was thin and he couldn't hide the tension on his face.
Asqa approached him and asked. "What happened?"
"This is Archangel Uriel's summons. Something big happened. You already know what the conflict in the Far East is all about?"
Asqa nodded briefly.
"While I cannot be certain, there is a possibility that it is connected to that particular event."
Asqa is silent and has the same tense face as Hiro. Hiro turned his head and looked straight ahead. He wanted to say some words that might ease Asqa's fear. But unfortunately, he also felt the same fear.
A moment later a woman walked up and stood on the balcony of the white palace, facing them all.
"My brothers and sisters!" the woman began to speak. Her voice was so loud that all the beings present could easily hear it. "We are facing an unknown danger. Archangel Uriel has asked us to prepare for a battle."
"As expected."
Asqa heard Hiro mutter next to her. She thought, 'Shit, I don't know what's going to happen. Should I pass this on to Clyde? But... I don't know how to reach him first!'
So far, it's always been Clyde who contacts her first in a way she doesn't know how. Asqa didn't even know that it was possible, and he did it without making anyone suspect it.
"You will be under the leadership of the most devoted followers of the Archangel with experience in battles. And you will start preparing tomorrow," the woman who seemed to have a strong leadership aura around her continued. She was one of those strong and experienced followers and warriors of the Archangel. Though, Asqa has never seen her.
Asqa looked around her. Everyone seemed to be wondering what threat they would face. What she saw was just a stiff face that seemed eager to immediately fight under Archangel Uriel's orders.
So Asqa leaned closer to Hiro and whispered. "What exactly are we going to face? Monsters?"
Hiro shook his head in response. "I'm not sure. Some claim that monsters emerge from anomalies in the Far East, while others believe it to be an intangible force." The uncertainty in his voice mirrored the lack of concrete information surrounding the matter.
Asqa nodded while wearing a restless and anxious expression that seemed to have been etched eternally on her face. She bit her lower lips. 'I haven't even started learning the new Skill yet. Why did this have to happen now?!'
After that, the meeting was disbanded because they didn't want to waste time and wanted to make preparations immediately. Distribution has also been done.
It turns out that not all beings who become Uriel's followers will jump into battle. Some who are not strong enough will stay in this place to strengthen their defense or do things that are their job while others focus on preparing for threats.
Asqa hopes that she will be the one who stays yet she knows that it is not possible. Joshua, who was appointed as one of the troop leaders, pointed at her and immediately put her into his troop. Asqa didn't have too many words to complain about so she entered even though she was reluctant.
Within Joshua's army were twenty beings of various races who seemed to be more experienced than her. Asqa scanned around and saw that there were Elves, Dwarves, and even something that looked like a lizard and towered over two meters.
Asqa had never looked at a race other than humans this closely because she was still afraid of creatures other than humans since the Selection Stage.
The lizard realized that Asqa was staring at him so he turned his head. Then the corners of his lips pulled up to form what was supposed to be a smile. However, the presence of small, pointy teeth made his smile appear eerie instead.
But Asqa knew that she would offend that being if she showed a scared face or frowned even a little. So Asqa forced her face to also make a smile.
"Listen, brothers and sisters," Joshua began. "You all know that what we are going to face is a threat we have never faced before. So, I expect more attention and dedication from all of you this time."
All the beings in his squad replied resoundingly. Joshua nodded in satisfaction then continued. "We'll start preparations now since we can't waste time."
And then, their preparations began just like that. A day that was originally peaceful suddenly turned into a day filled with tension.
~~~
Samuel, Leyan, Kei, Haru, and Kiara waited in front of Clyde's living quarters with mixed feelings.
Some of them feel reluctant and worried. But they are united by the same feeling, that is the feeling of getting meaningful progress after years of living in uncertainty.
Clyde came out not long after while fully equipped. He was even wearing a brown coat armor and two swords hanging from his waist.
"Are we going to do combat training right away?" Leyan asked confusedly when he saw all of Clyde's preparations. Clyde also asked them to wear their battle gear when they came here.
"If that's possible, then yes," Clyde answered lightly as he walked towards them. "You may be surprised by what you hear. But believe me, this is for the best."
Hearing Clyde's words, the five of them exchanged looks of uncertainty and confusion.
It turns out that there is still something more behind this.
They followed Clyde into a house styled like a palace from the eighties which was where Maethion lived. When they entered, Maethion greeted them with a smile like he always did.
Samuel and his party members already knew who Maethion was and found Maethion - as one of the Senior Council - calling them directly to his place making them wonder.
"You must be wondering why you are here," Maethion began. "Let's get straight to the point. I will restore your power of system."
Maethion's words elicited a reaction that Clyde and the bespectacled Elf could have expected.
The explanation continues about Clyde and the five people who weren't here who were allowed to use their power of system out of dire need. Maethion also immediately said that there will be consequences if they having the power of system.
Leyan and Samuel let out humorless laughs. Meanwhile, Kei, Haru, and Kiara just sat with their jaws almost dropping to the floor, dumbfounded.
"So the reason for your power is just that?" Leyan stared at Clyde with a look full of disbelief.
Clyde just nodded and decided not to tell all the truth.
Samuel felt a weight in his heart lifted. It turns out that it's not because he is less talented or simply not strong enough. But that's because Clyde still has the power of his system while he doesn't have it.
"So, we will return it to you for this expedition," said Maethion.
~~~
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