Chapter 652 - A Threat from the Past (Part 2) (1/2)
”By the way, how did you find the container and how did you discover the cable?” Gaakhu asked.
Lith had already prepared an explanation and after speaking with Phloria, he had made it even simpler to justify his measly expenditure of mana.
”Thanks to Captain Ernas I had the time to prepare a Life Sensing array. Once I spotted the container, I got there too fast for the creature to follow me. I had enough time to notice that the arrays needed a power source and I did what anyone in my situation would have done.
”I struck at everything that stuck out.”
”Well done. A good mix of wisdom and luck is exactly what we need to survive.” Gaakhu said.
”Survive? Do you think the army will not allow us to leave?” Rainer asked, causing most of those present to sigh at his naivety.
”Of course not. We opened a can of worms and we are the only ones that can take care of it before the worst happens.” Yondra said while patting his shoulder to reassure him.
”Now, since it's only a matter of time before we need to go back inside Kulah, I'll tell you all I know about the Odi's technology and my colleagues will do the same.”
Yondra explained to them the kinds of golems previous expeditions had faced and how to defeat them, going so in-depth with her explanations that she was sharing secrets of the Forgemasters trade.
No one missed that it wasn't an act of generosity so much as of desperation. Gaakhu and Ellkas prepared a list of common Odi words they had to watch out for and the secret signs used to mark dangerous zones.
By the time the seminar was over, it was already evening and everyone had quite a headache from the cramming.
”Oh gods, we're idiots.” Phloria said. ”Berion can't contact us if we don't boost the signal on our end.” As predicted, the Commander had been waiting for them for hours, even starting to fear that the expedition had been wiped out.
His orders were predictable as well. Their mission was now to search Kulah with the utmost caution and leave only after making sure that there was nothing left that could endanger the Kingdom.
”Sadly, sending reinforcements is nigh impossible. Because of the interference, we can't pinpoint your coordinates, and even if we could, the interference would make it impossible to open a Warp Gate.
”I can only wish you good luck and hope you find only constructs and corpses down there.”
”I'd have a request, sir.” Lith said. ”Could you please tell my family I'm alright? They haven't heard from me since the communications have been sealed. They must be worried sick.”
Berion nodded, expecting the others to ask for the same, yet only an awkward silence ensued.
'Good gods, what a bunch of no lifers! Now I really feel the need to tell my wife and kids I love them.' The Commander thought before hanging up the call.
”I envy you.” Yondra said. ”Even if I went missing for a year, nobody would care.”
”I would.” Rainer's tone was hurt.
”No, you wouldn't. Because you're always with me. You're the only real family I've left.”
”Well then! It's already late, so I'd say we can start our exploration tomorrow first thing in the morning.” Professor Gaakhu was eager to change the subject. Her career had been as successful as her personal life was empty.
”We'll split into two teams, each one composed of a Ranger, since they are our heavy hitters, a Warden, and a Forgemaster. Do you agree, Captain Ernas?”
Phloria nodded and after organizing guard duty, everyone went to sleep. They had a lot to do in the morning.
***
Duchy of Laroxya, Crystal Mines, that same morning.
Ten days had passed since the expedition team had left the mines and the goblin-Abomination hybrid named Korgh had managed to safely resume her routine. The mines were now under heavy surveillance, but she didn't mind.