Chapter 66: The Two Heroes to Send

"Call them in," Viona commanded, setting her crystal goblet down on the side table. "If the Wallachians are playing games in the dark, let’s see how they deal with my best."

Prime Minister Belis bowed low. "At once, Your Divinity."

He signaled toward the golden double doors. The guards pushed them open, and two people walked into the throne room.

The first was Miyuki. She was a pretty, kind-looking girl with dark hair and big, gentle eyes, dressed in clean white healer robes. She carried a simple wooden staff and gave off a sweet, innocent presence. Despite her soft look, she was a level 50 S-Class Healer, famous throughout the empire for being able to cure almost any wound.

Beside her walked Ayanokoji, a level 50 S-Class Spearman. He was an average-height young man with messy brown hair and plain, light armor over a dark shirt and pants. A silver spear was strapped across his back. His face was completely blank, his eyes half-lidded and bored, as if he didn’t care about anything going on around him.

Together, the two were considered one of the strongest military units in the entire Solarian Empire.

Miyuki stopped in front of the throne and immediately dropped to one knee. "Lady Viona. We answered your summons."

Ayanokoji just stopped in place with his hands in his pockets, giving only a slight nod.

Viona smiled from her velvet cushions. "Rise. You two have done well reaching level fifty so quickly. Truly impressive."

Miyuki stood up, smiling politely. "Thank you, Lady Viona. We’re happy to use our power to help."

Viona looked at Ayanokoji. "And you, Ayanokoji. Your instructors said you cleared the highest dungeons without even sweating."

"It wasn’t that hard," Ayanokoji answered flatly, his voice deadpan. "Why did you call us here?"

Belis frowned at the boy’s blunt tone, but Viona just chuckled. She liked that he didn’t waste time on flattery.

"I have your first overseas mission," Viona said, pointing to the large map on the floor. "Seven months ago, Grand Inquisitor Valerius sailed across the sea to the western continent with an expedition fleet. Since then, we haven’t heard a single word from them. No letters, no messenger birds, nothing."

Ayanokoji glanced at the map. "An entire fleet going silent usually means they were wiped out."

"Exactly," Viona said, her voice turning cold. "We believe the Wallachian Empire might be behind it. They may have sent ships to ambush Valerius and steal the western land for themselves."

"War with Wallachia...?" Miyuki murmured, looking worried. "A lot of people could die."

"Which is why you two are going to take care of it," Viona said firmly. "You’re two of the strongest fighters we have. And also find out about Hero Sato, the Shadow Assassin, he’s with the expedition."

Ayanokoji shifted his weight, his expression unchanged. "If the goal is raw power and rapid suppression, why not send Kenji? In terms of pure stats, he’s the highest among all the summoned heroes. It would make more logical sense to send him to finish it quickly."

"Kenji remains here," Viona replied, waving a hand dismissively. "We cannot afford to send all our heavy hitters across the ocean. While you investigate the west, the capital must remain secure. If the Demon Lord’s forces move, or if the Wallachian Empire decides to launch a surprise strike on our borders, Kenji’s presence will act as our shield."

She leaned forward, her golden eyes settling warmly on Miyuki.

"Besides, Kenji’s raw strength lacks balance. You two make a far more versatile unit. With Miyuki’s miraculous recovery magic, any battle becomes a battle of attrition you are guaranteed to win. No matter what foe you encounter, her blessings will ensure you both emerge victorious. The Solarian Empire has trained dozens of high-tier paladins and clerics to guard the shrines here, so I can afford to spare our best healer for this task."

Miyuki kept her head lowered, but her hands gripped her wooden staff a little tighter. A troubled look crossed her face, a thought clearly gnawing at the back of her mind.

"Is something the matter, child?" Viona asked, noticing her hesitation.

Miyuki took a small breath and looked directly at the Goddess. "Lady Viona... there is something I have wanted to ask. Ever since we arrived in this world, I haven’t been able to forget how easily you cast aside John Smith. He wasn’t even part of our class—he was just an American tourist who happened to be nearby, an accidental stowaway caught up in our summoning ritual. Just because his appraisal came back as an E-rank, you banished him into the dungeon without a second thought."

Prime Minister Belis took a sharp step forward, his voice rising in anger. "Insolent girl! How dare you question Her Divinity’s judgment regarding useless dregs—"

"Quiet, Belis," Viona said smoothly, though the playful sweetness in her tone was gone. She looked down at Miyuki with cool detachment. "John was weak, Miyuki. A dead weight. He was an error in the summoning circle, lacking the talent, the mana pool, and the aptitude to ever survive high-tier combat. Feeding and sheltering a useless stray would have wasted resources and dragged the rest of you down. Banishment was practical."

"I still don’t agree with what you did," Miyuki said, her voice quiet but firm, defying the grand pressure of the throne room. "Discarding an innocent person who got dragged here by mistake just because he had low stats is cruel. The only reason I am taking this mission and following your orders isn’t out of blind devotion to you. It’s because Sato is out there. He’s my classmate, and I want to make sure he’s safe."

Ayanokoji didn’t intervene. He merely glanced at Miyuki from the corner of his eye, keeping his hands tucked in his pockets, watching how the divine being would react.

Viona stared at the healer for a brief moment before letting out a soft, amused sigh. She picked up another sweet from her tray and popped it into her mouth.

"Motivations matter little to me, little healer," Viona said, resting her chin on her palm. "Save your friend, cure the wounded, or resent my methods all you like. As long as you cross that sea and bring me results, we have no quarrel. I’ll also deploy a battalion that will help you in your journey."