Regaleon: The Forgotten Knight

Despite the rather blunt remark Aelric had directed at them, none of them argued...

Though each of them inwardly felt that calling them greenhorns was a slight exaggeration, they also understood that he hadn’t been belittling them or dismissing everything they had accomplished. If anything, the exact opposite was true.

This was because throughout their conversation, Aelric had repeatedly acknowledged just how remarkable their achievements had been.

Surviving an entire week within the Crimson Forest and bringing down the Scarlet Streak Antelope, a Rank One Anima, were feats that very few newly exiled Awakeners could ever hope to accomplish.

Though he had never openly praised them; his words, his tone, and even the expectations he held for them betrayed the respect he had quietly developed.

To Aelric, they were inexperienced. But they were by no means incompetent...

A brief silence settled over the campfire until eventually, Aureleah spoke. Her expression became contemplative, as though she were carefully weighing every word before allowing it to leave her lips.

”I have a question.”

Aelric’s emerald eyes shifted toward her before he gave a small nod.

”I thought you might.”

Truthfully, he would’ve been surprised had she remained silent.

Among everyone gathered around the campfire, Aureleah was undoubtedly one of the most perceptive, rivaled only by Regaleon. She possessed the unsettling habit of dissecting every statement, searching for inconsistencies that others would overlook.

Moreover, Aelric knew that despite everything he had revealed, the silver-haired assassin still regarded him with a considerable degree of reservation.

Not that he blamed her. Trust wasn’t something earned within a single conversation or by a shared meal.

Receiving his permission, Aureleah spoke; her silver eyes rested unwaveringly upon him, their penetrating intensity making it seem as though she wished to peer directly into his thoughts.

”You’ve spoken extensively about the dangers and opportunities of the Nether Lands. You’ve also explained the Sanctuary’s mission...”

She paused briefly as though preparing for the statement that follows.

”But there’s one thing I don’t understand. If the Nether Lands is truly as dangerous as you’ve described, why does the Sanctuary continue risking the lives of its people to search for survivors?”

Her gaze never left him as she questioned further.

”From my perspective, wouldn’t it be far more pragmatic to concentrate those resources on strengthening the warriors you already possess rather than sending them into the wilderness in search of people who, in the grand scheme of things, might amount to nothing more than expendable liabilities?”

Though her words were undeniably harsh, Regaleon couldn’t deny the logic that lies behind them.

He had never seen the Sanctuary himself, but he found himself arriving at a similar conclusion.

In a place as unforgiving as the Nether Lands, investing in proven strength seemed considerably more prudent than gambling precious manpower on uncertain prospects.

His reasoning wasn’t born from cruelty or selfishness. Instead, it was simply the reality of survival.

The Nether Lands rewarded neither sentiment nor misplaced compassion... It demanded efficiency.

And because of that, it seemed far wiser to strengthen the foundation one already possessed than to squander resources chasing uncertain possibilities...

Aelric lifted an eyebrow.

Contrary to what one might expect, Aureleah’s question didn’t offend him in the slightest. If anything, it perfectly reflected the mindset of an assassin.

Assassins were conditioned to prioritize necessity over sentiment, and immediate utility over distant possibilities.

Therefore, what surprised him wasn’t the question itself but the fact that Aureleah had voiced it so openly before her companions.

Was she not concerned that they might perceive her as callous or something?

What was he thinking. If she truly cared about their perspective, she wouldn’t have asked that question...

The corner of his lips curved into a knowing smile as he replied.

”Actually, you’re right. It would certainly be more cost-effective for the Sanctuary to invest solely in promising warriors instead of dispatching scouts to search for survivors who may not even exist.”

He shrugged lightly and continued.

”But, some things cannot be measured by efficiency alone. You see, there are reasons that exist beyond simple calculations and those reasons aren’t mine to explain.”

His answer only deepened Aureleah’s curiosity. At this point, it was quite obvious that the green-eyed youth was withholding something.

Whether it was confidential information or simply knowledge he wasn’t permitted to reveal, she couldn’t tell. But either way... She intended to uncover it eventually.

However, before she could press further, Aelric continued.

”Besides... This tradition was something predates everyone currently living within the Sanctuary. It has existed since the Sanctuary’s founders first established it and apparently, they believed that no one deserved to be abandoned simply because fate cast them into the Nether Lands.”

His expression softened ever so slightly.

”So every year, scouts are sent out. Not because it’s efficient... But because the Sanctuary has always chosen to extend a hand to those whom the rest of the world has forsaken. Call it care or whatnot but it’s simply the way they chose to act.”

”And that...” he finished quietly. ”Is one tradition they refuse to abandon.”

”Care?” Vaelorin repeated, his expression dubious. ”And why would they care about people they’ve never even met?”

He gestured broadly.

”Have you forgotten what the Nether Lands is? It’s considered a literal prison. A dumping ground for murderers, criminals, political exiles, and every other manner of society’s undesirables. So why show care?”

Aelric merely smiled.

”I won’t answer that. But someday you’ll understand someday.”

His gaze swept across everyone seated around the fire. ”In fact, you’ll understand... Assuming you’re fortunate enough to see it.”

”Fortunate?”Caelestra asked, her expression perplexed. ”And what exactly does luck have to do with any of this?”

”Luck doesn’t.” Aelric answered.

”Strength does. As I’ve already told you... None of you are capable of making the journey to the Sanctuary nor are you ready to understand everything surrounding it.”

His voice remained gentle but resolute.

”Continue growing stronger. And when you’ve reached the point where I deem you worthy enough... It is only then that I’ll answer every question you still have.”

Regaleon regarded him thoughtfully.

A minute ago, the silver-haired Knight had arrived at the same conclusion as Aureleah.

Aelric wasn’t being dishonest. But neither was he telling them everything. Also, his deliberate attempts to redirect the conversation only reinforced that suspicion within him.

Still, Regaleon chose not to pursue the matter. If Aelric remained silent, then there was likely an obligation he was unwilling, or perhaps unable, to violate.

”Improving ourselves...” Veyrath suddenly muttered despondently. ”We’ve been doing nothing but that since the day we were exiled.”

He looked into the campfire.

”And yet today we nearly died to a single Rank One assassin. So tell me... What’s truly the point of training so relentlessly if, in the end, we’re still confined by the limitations of being Awakeners?”

”Don’t think like that.” Regaleon’s voice rang with quiet conviction.

The Forgotten Knight looked directly at Veyrath and spoke firmly.

”Every step forward matters. And whether it’s the battles we’ve survived, or the scars we’ve earned or simply the lessons we’ve learned... They’ve all brought us closer to the same destination.”

His golden eyes shone with unwavering certainty.

”We will become Etheryeans. It isn’t a question of if; it’s only a matter of when. And when that day comes... We’ll discover that everything we’ve endured until now was merely the beginning, serving as a whetstone to sharpen us.”

”Oh...” Aelric suddenly smiled mysteriously. ”So that’s what you’ve all been worried about.”

He lightly tapped his own chest.

”If breaking into the Etheryean Realm is your concern... Then just leave that to me.”

There was immediate silence as every pair of eyes turned toward him after he completed his statement.

Kaeloris’ spectacles flashed beneath the crimson sunlight, his eyes gleaming with unconcealed anticipation as he asked.

”Are you saying that you actually know a way to help us break through?”

Aelric chuckled oddly. ”Not merely a way.”

His smile broadened. ”I know a place...”