Once a few moments of silence was achieved, Adonis turned to Grandmaster Conrad and nodded.
It was time for the second grave announcement to be made.
"The Head Warrior Brutus has yet to return from his expedition."
This announcement didn't seem like much to the students, and to be honest, it wasn't supposed to be.
"We gave him and his men three days to complete their investigation, and it's only been two days. Normally, there would be no cause for concern, but a recent development has occurred."
The faces of the twisted slowly began to twist in worry. They could detect, from Conrad's tone and expression alone, that the matter was grave.
"His Royal Badge was also destroyed, but more than that… his Life Force is barely detectable."
Lucielle slowly nodded solemnly as Conrad said this, her brows creasing to form wrinkles of worry on her usually clear face.
As the Grand Mage of the Alliance, Lucielle had a lot of Spells at her disposal.
One was a Spell to detect a person's life force.
Of course, there were conditions to be met for this to work, such as Lucielle's proximity and extensive knowledge on the person in question.
As such, while she could not detect the Life Force of the two Otherworlders who were missing, she could detect Brutus' own.
… And it was waning.
"He's dying. Or, at least, he's in a very weakened state."
Upon hearing this, the students were appalled.
They had been assured that the Dungeon, despite being safe, wasn't a fatal choice. They were also told that Brutus and Lucielle would protect them.
Yet…
"I was able to track his location, thankfully. He's at the very bottom of the Dungeon—the Last Floor."
Everyone's eyes popped wide open.
The Royal Dungeon was rumored to have about 99 Floors.
How was it possible that the Head Warrior had reached the bottom Floor in such a short period?
"It's not something that is possible by natural means. That means something is definitely wrong—perhaps the Savage Monster he was investigating." Lucielle muttered as she rubbed her chin.
"S-savage Monster?!"
"You didn't tell us about this!"
"What Monster? If it's strong enough to put Brutus in that state, then…"
Lucielle instantly realized the mistake she made by airing out her thoughts.
Unfortunately, it was too late.
The Otherworlders began to whine and complain, their voices echoed around the room like joint cries of entitled children.
Yes, they were scared. However, more than anything… they were angry.
Angry at the Alliance for trying to make them descend into the Dungeons despite how dangerous it was.
They yelled about how their current training method was better, and how the Alliance was going to unnecessarily make them risk their lives.
None of the students—or at least, most of them—understand the rationale behind the Alliance's decisions.
They only saw the danger associated with the Dungeon and began to spread their words of distrust.
And with that came chaos.
"This is… getting a little upsetting."
~VWUUUUUUMMMM!~
A sudden pressure filled the room, causing everyone to be silent.
Adonis stepped forward, his golden eyes flickering as he frowned deeply.
"Right now, our two classmates are in trouble. The man who taught us how to fight, and went to ensure our safety is also missing… and all you can think to do is complain?"
Adonis had never used such a harsh tone before, so it shocked a lot of people who heard him.
"Do you all realize what you sound like right now?" His words had no filter.
"… Selfish scum."
No one uttered a word of complaint or disagreement.
Instead, surprise and fear consumed the faces of the students who watched.
Right now, it felt like Adonis had finally snapped.
"I don't even care anymore. The students who aren't interested in helping out, or being at all useful should just leave."
Shock filled the faces of everyone in the room—even the members of the Royal Council.
"H-Hero, maybe that's a little too—"
"Harsh? Inconsiderate? Unwise? No… I don't think so." Adonis sighed, exhaling deeply.
His annoyed reaction remained, but the intimidating pressure he exuded began to dissipate
"What this world needs are saviors—soldiers who are willing to see the bigger picture and fight for the greater good."
Adonis wasn't wrong. The threat of the Dragons increased with each growing day.
The Alliance desperately needed capable warriors.
"But what I see before me are still immature children who think this is all a game and desire to be pampered."
They were only teenagers, so their previous displays of immaturity were very much understandable.
But the situation was different now.
This wasn't a time to murmur, gossip, or complain. It was a moment that required decisive action.
Yet… the very saviors of this world were not interested in any of that.
"What is the point of wasting time and resources on you if you won't do anything but complain at crucial moments like this?"
Adonis said it as it was.
"The Alliance doesn't need Otherworlders who simply want to grow strong so they don't get devoured by the dangers of the world. What they need are heroes who will brave the danger and save the world from peril."
It was a tough task, one that shouldn't be thrust on mere teenagers.
But for the people of H'Trae, 16 Years was the Legal Age for humans.
That was why the Summoning Spell had been so specific to summon high-schoolers who were that age.
The younger someone was, the more malleable they were to training, and the higher their growth potential would be.
That was why the Alliance needed their saviors to be as young as possible, but also adults.
Hence, 16-year-old teenagers.
What they didn't count on, however, was the kind of Otherworlders they ended up with.
Selfish, entitled, problematic, and self-preserving young kings who would rather ditch the world in times of trouble than save it.
"By dawn tomorrow, a team will be selected to descend to the depths of the Dungeon to rescue Head Warrior Brutus."
Gasps echoed out as Adonis said this.
"I don't expect any of you to tag along, but I am going. If I can not save just one person, or a group of people, from peril… how do I expect to save everyone?"
Right now, they were still unsure of the location of Alicia and Billy, which meant that the most urgent matter was Brutus' case.
… Especially since he was in danger of dying.
And so, while a thorough investigation would begin that very night concerning the two Otherworlders that were missing, radical action had to be taken in the Dungeon.
"Lucielle and I will lead the rescue team to save Brutus and his men." Adonis declared, his gaze cold and his tone oozing resolve.
"You all can choose to remain here, or enjoy your stay in the town for all I care. No, you could even leave the Estate if that's what you really want."
These were heavy words, but Adonis no longer held anything back.
All his diplomacy was gone.
"I will remain here, and I will do my best to save this world from the Dragons!" He roared.
Everyone was silent.
Everything was still.
All eyes were on Adonis as he walked out the door.
"… And I don't care if I have to do it alone."
*
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Thanks for reading!
What an intense chapter, right?
How do you see Adonis and his reaction towards everything?
Was he right? Or did he go too far?
