21 Decision (1/2)

A few hours after the team entered the Deadlands area. They were already 50 km south of the border.

The sun is still very intense and scorching, signaling the day is still at noon.

Fortunately, they found a rare green oasis that had a small lake inside of it amidst this barren desert. In the end, the team took a break in the oasis.

After a while, Melissa ordered Luccio to conduct a reconnaissance of the team's route to the south.

When Luccio was about to leave, Steven, the young holy knight, suddenly proposed himself to accompany Luccio.

Melissa, who heard Steven's proposal began to think that maybe it would be very dangerous to only send Luccio alone. Thus, she agreed to allow Steven to accompany him.

Steven does not speak much, but even so, he has a polite attitude and friendly manner. According to Rionne and Victor, Steven is a young holy knight who demonstrates good potential and is highly competent.

Ryson was the one who proposed to take Steven in this expedition, even though he was young and didn't have much experience.

From the story, Melissa could clearly see that Steven was being nurtured by the Church as a future radiant knight. Hence, it's extremely important for him to accumulate a lot of experience outside of the Church protection.

And it appears that he enjoys a good relationship with Alfred and Luccio even though they have just known each other. Maybe because all three of them are from the same generation.

Besides that, Alfred and Steven can be said to possess comparable strength, which is a Level 3 Super Warrior. And they have a similar fighting style.

Which mainly focus on defense while carrying heavy shields and swords. Their formidable defense is a valuable asset for the team.

Melissa thought again, the holy knights indeed also carried shields as their standard equipment. Their fighting style is more or less similar to the Astoria legion.

That's why Alfred and Steven can easily complement each other in terms of battles.

After getting approval from Melissa, Steven immediately began to step toward his horse while carrying his equipment.

He also did not forget to take a silver shield from an inventory ring on his finger and tie it up on his back.

Then, Luccio along with Steven quickly departed using their horses and heading straight towards the south direction. While the other team members continued their rest in the oasis.

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At first, they were terribly tired from the combination of the hot weather and the journey itself. This is only the first stage of the trip and they have just traveled no more than 100km from the border, but the condition of all team members has been to the point of being miserable. They can't imagine what will happen when they get deeper into the Deadlands.

All of them were affected by the rough climate of the Deadlands, including Victor who was a Saint rank and Alfred who got heat protection from Arno.

Only Arno, who seemed still very fit and fine.

Even when other members eat their lunch, he only drinks a little water and smokes his pipe while relaxing.

Melissa tried offering Arno food, but he refused politely. She was very confused as to why Arno refused her, but after Melissa saw Arno's appearance still fresh, she did not force him.

She just thought that Arno might not be hungry at all.

It is very clear Arno is currently not hungry or thirsty, and he will never be able to.

He eats only to enjoy delicacy not because of necessity. He refused because seeing the food served to the team looked very simple.

Just a barley bread and oatmeal that isn't appetizing at all.

But the other members were accustomed to eating the dish, even Melissa who was a lady from a large noble family was very eager in eating it. Even though they don't seem to enjoy it.

They tried to save space in the inventory ring and also they merely wanted to bring food that would not be stale and durable for a long time, which is why they did not carry complicated ingredients.

It seems they will eat nothing but barley bread and oatmeal throughout the duration of this mission.

Not long.

Melissa began rising from her sitting position and glanced at the other members.

”I think we have enough rest, let's continue shall we.”

After hearing Melissa's words, the team members nodded and prepared to resume the journey.

”We will regroup with Luccio and Steven first right?” Rionne asked.

”Umm, right. I only ordered them to scout our route a few kilometers to the south. So they might not be far from here.” Melissa nodded her head and answered.

”Okay, if you say so.”

Afterward, the team members mounted their horses again and eventually leaving the oasis behind them.

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”That's the mountain gap, Lady Melissa ...” Luccio told seriously.

Melissa then placed her vision into a steep mountain range that stands in the distance. But her eyes were focused more on a small crack that large enough for people to pass.

After the team reunited with Luccio and Steven on the way here, they both began to inform about the existence of a mountain that completely blocked the team's route.

However, they also found a gap that seemed possible for the team to pass.

The other members also watched the mountains earnestly.

That unknown mountain range is actually not too tall, but its formation is quite steep and formidable, which makes it very difficult to climb to its top. Moreover, it can also be seen from afar that the mountains are spread very long and wide. From the west to the east with over hundreds of kilometers of distances.

Therefore, it will take a very long time for the team to circle around it. Which of course is impossible for them to do now, because of limited time and supply.

Their only hope now is to pass through the mountain gap.

”Are you familiar with it, Luccio?” Melissa asked Luccio.

She was actually very doubtful because they did not know anything about the mountains. According to the map provided to the team by the Astoria legion, the mountains in front of them right now did not exist.

They are also not sure whether the gap actually forms a path to the other side of the mountains or not. Because if it's not, then, they will just wasting their time.