Novel Full Chapter 835: Expedition
Chapter 835: Expedition
The expedition to the ruins of that legendary figure had been delayed for quite some time.
At first, it had been scheduled to begin barely weeks after the discovery was confirmed. But reality, as always, proved far more complicated than intention.
There were many reasons for the delay.
But two stood above the rest.
Internal... and external.
Internally, the capital itself had not been unified.
Powers within the kingdom had clashed behind closed doors the moment news of the ruins surfaced. No one wanted to be excluded from a ruin tied to a legendary existence.
So progress stalled.
Externally, the situation was no simpler.
The ruins did not belong solely to one kingdom’s discovery rights. Negotiations had taken weeks to finalize.
So the expedition was delayed.
Again.
And again.
Until eventually...
Everything aligned.
The internal disputes within the capital reached a temporary equilibrium. External negotiations between kingdoms concluded under mutual benefit agreements.
Only then did the expedition move forward.
And for those directly involved...
Like Michael...
The long-awaited day had finally arrived.
"Are you ready?" Duke Evermoon asked as he gazed at his daughter and Michael’s appearance.
The two of them stood before the Duke.
Arianne sat atop her Flame Lion.
Michael’s gaze lingered on the beast for a moment longer than usual.
It had been more than a month since he last saw it, yet the difference was immediately obvious. The lion’s mane burned brighter, each strand of flame flowing with deeper intensity. Its muscles were more defined beneath its blazing hide, its posture more grounded, more stable.
Stronger.
Michael estimated its strength silently.
Peak Rank One.
It had grown considerably under Arianne’s care.
The Flame Lion exhaled slowly, embers spilling from its nostrils as its golden eyes scanned the courtyard with territorial awareness. It no longer carried the wary demeanor it once had. Now, it radiated disciplined ferocity, like a trained war beast rather than a wild predator.
But the lion was not alone.
Hovering slightly above Arianne’s shoulder was a crimson-feathered bird, its wings giving off faint heat distortions with every slow flap. Its eyes were sharp and intelligent, occasionally flicking toward Michael with cautious curiosity.
Coiled lazily around the lion’s saddle frame was a scaled serpent, its body patterned in dark emerald rings. Its tongue flicked in and out, tasting the air, pupils narrowing whenever Michael’s aura brushed past it.
These were all Arianne’s tamed beasts.
Unlike Michael, who possessed spatial treasures capable of storing undead and materials within soul-bound spaces, Arianne did not have such convenience for living creatures.
Thanks to the advancement level of the Lionheart Kingdom, spatial treasures that could hold living beings were extraordinarily rare and prohibitively valuable. Even most high nobles did not possess one.
So she had no choice but to transport her contracted beasts openly like this.
Fortunately, none of them were troublesome to move.
Michael shifted his gaze away from the beasts and toward Arianne herself.
She wore light expedition armor, fitted but elegant, designed more for mobility and magical channeling than brute defense. Her posture was straight, her expression calm, though her eyes carried unmistakable anticipation.
Michael was not surprised at her visible excitement.
The ruins they were heading toward did not belong to just any powerful figure. They belonged to an existence that had stood above even the strongest powerhouses of the Lionheart Kingdom.
And that being had been a Beast Tamer.
The same path Arianne walked now.
Naturally, if the ruins held attraction to anyone, it would be Beast Tamers the most.
For Arianne, this expedition was not just an opportunity.
It was destiny knocking.
Michael understood that much.
But he also understood something else.
Just because the legendary figure had been a Beast Tamer did not mean the ruins would only benefit tamers.
Power never limited itself so narrowly.
A legendary existence would not rise to that level through a single discipline alone. So while Arianne’s gain might be the most direct...
Michael had no doubt there would be benefits for himself as well.
To be honest, his interest in entering the ruins had grown far more than before. He did not dare expect a reversal of time, but he wondered if he might find something capable of restoring his soul to its previous state.
After observing his daughter’s appearance and secretly nodding with pride, Duke Evermoon’s gaze moved to Michael.
Compared to Arianne’s vivid presence, Michael looked starkly different.
He wore black armor.
No insignias.
No decorative trims.
Just matte dark plating that absorbed light rather than reflected it.
There was no visible weapon at his waist, back, or arms.
If one ignored his presence entirely, he could almost pass as a silent escort knight rather than one of the expedition’s core participants.
Duke Evermoon studied him briefly before speaking.
"Are you ready?" he asked, his gaze moving between his daughter and Michael.
Arianne nodded first without hesitation.
"I am, Father."
Michael gave a simple nod as well.
"I’m ready."
The Duke’s eyes softened slightly, though the underlying seriousness did not fade.
His gaze lingered on Michael a moment longer before he spoke again.
"Sir Mic."
The Duke exhaled slowly.
"I am aware," he continued, "that in terms of raw combat capability... you may very well already stand above me."
He did not look embarrassed saying it. If anything, his tone carried calm acceptance.
"But strength within known territory," he went on, "and strength within an unknown ruin... are two very different matters."
His gaze hardened slightly as he gestured toward the distant mobilizing expedition forces.
"In there, lineage may not matter. Rank may not matter. Experience may not matter. So even if you stand above me in power... you will still only have yourself to rely on once you enter."
Michael inclined his head slightly.
"I understand."
The Duke held his gaze for another second, then nodded once, satisfied.
But he did not step back yet.
Instead, his expression shifted subtly.
Less formal.
More personal.
"There is also... a selfish request I would like to make."
Michael waited.
Duke Evermoon’s eyes flickered briefly toward his daughter seated atop the Flame Lion.
"You know as well as I do," he said quietly, "that Arianne’s path aligns closely with this ruin. If opportunities appear, she will chase them without hesitation."
Arianne opened her mouth slightly.
"Father, I—"
He raised a hand gently, stopping her.
"This is not doubt in your capability," he said, not looking away from Michael. "It is a father’s nature."
Then he looked back at Michael directly.
"If it is within your means..."
His voice lowered slightly.
"Pay attention to her as well."
Not guard her.
Not protect her.
Just...
Pay attention.
It was a carefully chosen request.
One that acknowledged Michael’s autonomy while still conveying concern.
Michael did not hesitate.
"I have no issue with that. Even without you saying it, as long as she’s within my line of sight, I’ll keep an eye on her."
Duke Evermoon’s shoulders relaxed slightly, the tension he had been carrying easing by a fraction.
"Thank you."
Then his expression sharpened again as he turned his gaze toward Arianne.
"And you."
She straightened instinctively.
"Yes, Father."
"You will listen to Sir Mic inside the ruins."
Arianne blinked, clearly caught between pride and obedience.
"I..."
Her eyes flickered briefly toward Michael, then back to her father.
"...Understood."
The Duke studied her for a second longer before nodding.
"Good."