Route 1: An Unexpected Appearance

**Scarlet Aubrielle**

“Now those who have decided to join me - you may step forward and those who have decided not to, then I respect your decision and you may now all leave” that is what I said, however a few seconds after a said those words I am surprised because half of them took a step forward and knelt down right in front of me and the other half left - well, most of those who have left are the ones who are just new in the duchy.

However, I do understand and I already expected that they are the ones that will leave because they are still extremely skeptical about my abilities and whether or not I can really lead a group in exploring an unknown and newly existing dungeon. One factor also that I think greatly affected their decision is because I literally have no experience in such a thing. Again, this is my first time - of course, it is only natural that they will be extremely cautious because they value their lives more than anything.

When the newbie knights left it didn’t shock me but what surprised me is the fact that half of the knights of the duchy still decided to stay. Those knights are the veterans - the ones who have been with my parents right from the start and the other one are the knights who has been with our family for quite some time as well. I do think, that they have stayed not only because they respect me as the young lady of the house - the daughter of the duke and the duchess that they look up too but because of the fact that I have proven to them that I can use my magical abilities. That I too possess a talent similar or maybe greater than my mother or brother. I guess that is what they are waiting for, or if I didn’t actually showed to them what I am capable right now - if I didn’t prove myself that I can lead the group as we go on with the expedition.

“Are you all sure that you are going to come with me? That this is a decision mainly because you trust me and not just because you respect my family and that you think that you will be punished if you didn’t follow me” I said, basically making sure that they are not being forced by the mere fact that I am simply the young lady of this house.

If they think and feel that I am not worthy then I am not really stopping them from leaving - again, they have their freedom to decide on what they think is best for them and that decision should not be shackled by anything.

I honestly thought that some of them will still leave because I already clarified some things to them, however I am shocked that no one of them left anymore from the group which means that they really are sure about their decision.

“If that’s so, then I will accept each of you and I will now give you the information regarding the dungeon. I want you to give me your thoughts regarding this especially with the plan that I am going to present later on. I will also give you instructions on how you will train in order to be fit for our mission” that is what I said and I gave him a signal that they can now stand up.

Well, since I didn’t expect that there are going to be a lot of them that will join me, I guess I have to re evaluate the plan that I made and make sure that I will cater to all of them, but of course I am not really going to let all of them join the expedition. A lot of people in that dungeon will not be good because not only that it will attract monsters even more but also it is quite dangerous to move if we are many inside.

“I am grateful that all of you wants to serve me but then again, I cannot bring all of you for safety reasons and also, I cannot bring you all and leave the duchy unarmed - that is going to be a dangerous thing. I have asked the crown prince, Helios to give me a clear overview of what the dungeon actually looks like and what I noticed first is the fact that it will not be good if the expedition team will be that many. In short, I am going to choose among you, the top ten knights that I am going to bring. Preferably five from the knights that have served my family every since my father became duke and five from the ones who have served the duchy until recently.” that is what I said and all of them looked at me surprised. Well, I guess they aren’t really expecting for me to mention that it will be dangerous to bring all of them and leave the duchy unarmed. Maybe they thought that I will be overwhelmed because of the sudden support and because of that I will automatically order to bring them all with me.

Well, if that is really the case then they are really thinking lowly of me, however it is also quite understanable since again, I am known to be the pampered lady of my family and that I haven’t really learn anything concerning the stuffs of the duchy or how does subjugating a dungeon or even eliminating a monster works. Everything is supposed to be and is actually new to me, but then again because I have knowledge on how the story of this game works, then I am going to use it to my advantage.

Although I cam from a completely different timeline and that I really don’t have a single clue of how magic really works and I would probably shiver when I first see a monster right in front of me but still I am not stupid not to understand the basics. I also studied on my own, without even Elisha knowing.

I looked at Elisha who is still imprisoned inside the transparent barrier that I created and right now she is glaring at me. Well, I am going to let her out when I am already finished discussing everything to them. She could just seat on the ground first and just watch me handle everything because if I let her out now, I am sure that she is going to pinch my ears and scold me. I need to focus first on what I am about to do.

“Now, I am going to select the people that I am going to bring with me”

I said and I started to roam my eyes and examined each and everyone of them. Well, some may think that I am just looking at them from head to toe, however just by reading at our house’s library I have learned a lot of things and one of those is the fact that I have learned an appraisal method just by using my eyes. It is actually an innate ability that I was able to activate by fulfilling a few conditions stated in that book that I have read.

Well, at first I thought that it didn’t work but the moment that I set my eyes on Elisha on that day, I found out that it is effective.

*

A few minutes has passed and I am already on the last row of the knights that I am examining. Well, so far I have already chose nine knights to accompany me and Theo is automatically included based from the orders of my brother. I can honestly not choose him but I need to comply to the condition of Calyx for him to fully allow and trust me with the subjugation and the moment that my eyes landed on a knight, my whole world literally stopped and I cannot help but to let out a curse inside my mind.

I am really surprised to the point that although the frozen ground couldn’t affect me, for some reason I feel like my feet are glued on the ground and I cannot run away.

*“What the hell is Lucas doing here?Wait should he be here in the first place?!”*