Chapter 424: New unit

There was no doubt that Monica and the others were worried about his sudden announcement of departure, especially considering Luke had yet to recover completely from his last battle.

However, none of them allowed their true feelings to show on their faces. They understood that trying to dissuade him might accomplish little, so they chose to support him in whatever way they could, even if it meant swallowing their own concerns.

Monica, in particular, seemed unusually eager to help him prepare for the journey.

She busied herself with packing his belongings and preparing all sorts of things he might need along the way, barely giving herself a moment to rest.

To anyone else, it might have appeared that she was simply being a thoughtful lover, determined to ensure he had everything necessary for the trip. Luke, however, knew her too well to be fooled by the act.

He could see the effort she was making to keep herself occupied, as though staying busy would prevent her from dwelling on the thoughts troubling her.

He didn’t want to interpret her actions that way, but after spending so much time with her, he could easily guess what was going through her mind.

She was probably blaming herself, wondering whether she had become a shackle holding him back rather than someone who could stand beside him.

Perhaps that was precisely why she hadn’t tried to stop him, despite knowing how dangerous his journey could be.

Her concern for his safety had not disappeared. She was simply forcing herself to believe that letting him go was the right thing to do.

’Haah, but I really do need to leave and explore the world.’

His experience in the dungeon had made one thing painfully clear. There were countless beings in this world against whom he would be utterly powerless, and he couldn’t afford to remain ignorant of just how wide the gap between them was.

His victory against Astfall had been impressive, but even that battle had depended heavily on the advantage granted by the two moons.

Without them, would the outcome have been the same? And what if his next opponent possessed comparable strength and he couldn’t rely on the moon again?

Worse still, what would happen if several enemies of that caliber appeared at once?

He couldn’t continue relying on favorable circumstances, the system, or sheer luck to get him through every dangerous situation.

If he wanted to reach a point where such threats no longer dictated the course of his life, he needed to venture beyond familiar territory, encounter powerful opponents, and challenge dangers he couldn’t fully predict.

Only by doing so could he discover the limits of his abilities and learn how to overcome them. At least when he was alone, he could make his own decisions, retreat when necessary, and bear the consequences without putting anyone else in danger.

Luke loved his life. He cherished everything he had managed to build and everyone he had welcomed into it.

He had no intention of throwing all of that away through some reckless decision made in the heat of battle.

His desire to grow stronger did not mean he had suddenly developed a death wish. If anything, it was precisely because he wanted to protect what he had gained that he needed to become stronger.

However, explaining that distinction to someone who loved him was easier said than done. No matter how carefully he explained his intentions, the people closest to him would naturally worry whenever he faced a threat capable of taking his life. He couldn’t expect them to remain calm simply because he had decided that the risk was necessary.

That was why he needed to make this journey on his own terms. It was necessary for his growth, but it was also an investment in the future he wanted to build, one where he could finally look at the dangers surrounding him without wondering whether he possessed the strength to overcome them.

A future where Luke could confidently say that nothing in this world could threaten him or the people he loved.

"You’ve arrived." Dart’s cheerful voice interrupted his thoughts.

Luke turned toward him and waved. "Yeah. What happened? Have they arrived yet?"

He had come to check on the reinforcements dispatched by the tribal ruler. With their arrival, he would have one less matter to worry about before leaving.

He also wanted to give his lovers some time to settle their emotions before sitting down with them for a proper conversation about his little trip.

Trying to have that discussion while everyone was still struggling to come to terms with his departure would hardly be productive.

"Yes, they have. They’re about to reach the entrance. Want to come along?" Dart asked, already looking prepared to set off.

Luke nodded, and the two men began walking down the trail together.

Silence didn’t linger between them for long as Dart raised the question,

"Did you have a chat with Nadia this morning?"

Luke’s steps faltered ever so slightly. He glanced at Dart, then quickly composed himself before asking, "Did you go to see her this afternoon?"

He barely managed to keep the regret from showing on his face.

Dart nodded, seemingly oblivious to the subtle change in Luke’s expression. "I did. She seemed much better than she was this morning. In fact, she’d prepared quite a huge meal for me."

The satisfaction in his voice was impossible to miss. He looked genuinely pleased as he recalled the encounter, apparently convinced that whatever had troubled Nadia earlier had passed without leaving any lasting consequences.

Luke nearly groaned.

If only the man knew what had caused that sudden change in her mood.

For a brief moment, Luke considered whether he should say something. But the thought was quickly dismissed. Getting involved would only complicate matters. Well, he was already involved but still...

Besides, there was no reason to drag Dart into the affair.

He decided to keep the entire incident to himself. After all, he had no intention of ever letting Nadia get any closer to him anymore.

Whatever had happened that morning would remain a secret, and as far as Luke was concerned, that was where the matter would end.

"Well, I’m glad she’s doing better. I only gave her a few pieces of advice, and it seems she took them rather well."

The advisory session had started in the kitchen, continued in the dining room, and eventually moved to the bedroom. Apparently, after a long session of convincing, the woman had finally come around.

"Hmm, let’s see if things stay this way. Otherwise, I might have to rely on you again. All right?"

Luke offered him a wry smile. I hope you don’t have to.

Soon, they arrived near the entrance, where Gary and a few others were already waiting.

In the distance, a group of warriors approached on horseback, riding in perfect formation. Weapons hung from their waists, and their sturdy builds and disciplined movements made it clear that they were well suited for their profession.

Behind them came a procession of carriages, one after another, carrying what Luke assumed were supplies and other resources intended to help the villagers.

Truthfully, the village hadn’t suffered too many losses beyond the death of its chief and the destruction of its perimeter defenses. However, the guilt and grief weighing on Kalish had prompted him to take better care of the people under his protection.

As the newcomers drew closer, Gary approached Luke with a serious expression.

"I believe someone needs to take charge and command these soldiers. And don’t you dare suggest Dart for the position."

Luke groaned. "But why? You said he’s the best spokesperson you’ve ever seen."

Gary shook his head. "People respect you, and warriors listen to someone they respect."

Luke crossed his arms, reluctant to accept the responsibility. Unfortunately, he couldn’t deny the logic behind Gary’s words.

Exhaling a resigned sigh, he muttered, "Don’t blame me if this goes wrong."

Before long, the warriors began dismounting their horses and approached the trio. Gary stood to Luke’s left, while Dart took his position on the other side.

Luke waited patiently until the warriors had assembled into a proper formation before stepping forward.

"All right, listen up. I know none of you wants to be here, away from your homeland and stuck protecting a rundown little village like ours. Unfortunately, that’s how things are for now."

Gary barely managed to suppress a wry smile at Luke’s opening words, but he wisely kept his mouth shut and allowed him to continue.

"This village has a nasty habit of attracting trouble, one incident after another. So, if you’re men of action, you won’t remain bored for long." Luke paused briefly before a mischievous smirk crept across his face. "And if nothing unsavory happens because of your numbers, don’t worry. I’ll take on any one of you, or every single one of you, at any time of the day. That should keep your bodies moving."

Both Dart and Gary froze at his declaration.

The warriors, however, reacted quite differently. Their expressions changed as they studied Luke, newfound interest and excitement gleaming in their eyes. A few even exchanged glances, seemingly tempted by the prospect.

Luke grinned inwardly.

Well, this should do the trick.