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Today is the big day, the day of the herald on journey. To be honest with myself, I've never really expanded my knowledge and my sight in this forest; I've been focused to my own territory. This is a great chance to see more of this forest. This could be also for gathering intels.
I readied myself up, prepared some clothes if I need to change. Thinking about it, it would probably better for me to travel in my wolf form than this human form, I haven't really accustomed to this body yet, umu. Well, let's get back to my quadrupedal self before we set out.
Ah, also, Alnoe-sensei could we make a spell to erect some kind of a barrier to protect the members and prevent outsiders to come in the territory?
[Certainly, master. Will it be surrounding Master's whole territory?]
Yep, please do. This, well, it's just an insurance, at least if, if Fenrir happened to revive and attack my lair, the barrier should give some time for the inhabitants to flee from the scene and for me to get back home as fast as I could.
I already told Old Alpha how to communicate with me through Telepathy. Ah, I forget the image and the shape of the magic. Well, I want it as the barrier looks like my arms spread out; healing, protecting, enhancing all the member's abilities and preventing any outsiders come inside the territory.
[Importing User's Magic Interpretation… Applying Runic Words… Realization Process: Complete] [Spell Created: Luna's Protection] Chant: o, Luna et sol, benedic terram tuam. Tuerre populous, Sana eos, da vires, et mala voluntate percelle. Silva et terra, Erige santuarium tuum et esto custos noster]
Umu, now that the spell is created, let's go to the dining hall and gather them all for the last breakfast until we get back home.
. . . .
It took some time for all of them to come down and gather here. I can see them being anxious about the journey and maybe also they thought of they might not be able to see their close ones for some while, well, I could feel the same. It's like when my parents leave the two of us when Dad need to work out of the town.
<<Umu, we've finally all gathered in dining hall. And as you already known, today is the day we departure to the dungeon. Old Alpha had selected 40 of you that will be accompanying me in the journey. They will be 20 Soldiers and 20 Guards. And I want to warn you before agreeing to join this journey>>
<<There will be always a chance for all of you to die, even if you might not be able to realize it. This journey is only for the strong ones, physically and mentally. I won't protect you all the time, in fact, the journey is also your training to protect yourself and to work together>>
<<For the journey itself, if calculated, we should able to arrive in about 20 days. Resting and camping is once every three days. And there will be no slowing down, unless it comes down to fighting. There will be 4 supporters from the Goblin kind that I've picked myself. Supporters will ride my back, since they're slow but important>>
<<Supporter's job is to set up tents, beddings, cooking food. Food is only given once a day rationed. That is all, ready yourselves! Old Alpha, I'll expect you bringing the expedition party on the surface after breakfast, make sure to prepare and brief them well>> I ordered.
<<Certainly, Luna-sama>> he replied. <<Well, what are you waiting for? Let's eat! >> I declared. Even though, the air is kind of awkward, they're still having their breakfast. After I had enough, I went to my room to prepare myself. Yup, all I need is inside the storage magic. Let's head to the surface and wait for those that Old Alpha brings with.
Ooh, that's right, it is now fall season already, I rarely goes to the surface lately. It's vibrant, beautiful and this maple aroma, what a good sight before the journey, this could be a good omen.
. . . .
It took some time, but Old Alpha finally spotted on the entrance of the dungeon with the ones he had selected. Some of them seem wary and anxious; some of them are highly spirited. And there comes the supporters, carrying big bags full of ready to eat rations and cooking utensils. Alnoe-sensei, can you do a favor for me and check their stats?
[Certainly, Master] [Scanning Individual Status and Statistics… Sorting… Finished] [Result: Master, most of them are level 30s, the wolf members mostly high in STR, DEF and AGI stats, while the werecats and rapis tigers are high in VIT, DEX, and CRT. Some have good intrinsic skills and spells, it's moderately good choice for the party members, Master]
Umu! Thanks a bunch, Alnoe-sensei. At least, I won't busy myself covering and guarding them all the time.
<<Good job for selecting the party members, Old Alpha! Umu, well, I would also want to ask you something>> I said.
Old Alpha frowned, <<Thank you, Luna-sama. What is your question? >> he asked. <<I'm sure you know that I'm a female and most of the members are males, you don't mix the lustful and creepy bunch in them right? >> I asked. <<No, no, I carefully selected them for also that reason, Luna-sama. Most of them already have their own mates>> he explained.
<<Umu, before we go, have all of you said something to your close ones? It might probably the last chance you will be able to talk with them… I will wait here. But don't raise a death fla- I mean don't tell them that you'll mate them if you came back or something like that. If you want to mate someone, do it now, don't wait until this journey is over! >> I advised.
Some of them excused themselves, I know it, and they do want to raise some death flag. Well, I told them I'll wait, so, I will. Took some time, but they're here, seems like they're more ready than before. I can see some of their satisfaction on their faces.
<<Have you done your business? >> I teased. A lot of them reddened their faces; they're all young, umu umu~! <<Then, ready and brace yourselves! I'll cast speed enhancing and wind shield magic on all of us! Supporters, get on my back! We'll rest only once every three days! If you spot anything, don't get straight to battle, tell me first! >> I declared.
I already pre made two magic spells to support us running through the forest. <Well, then! Let's depart! >> I said. Then, we began traversing, through all the green leaves, fruitful trees, that's right, it is autumn now. Maybe I'll teach them to harvest and eat fruits after this job is done
. . . .
It's been three days. We have traversed almost 200 kilometers. Umu, to reach 300 kilometers in 3 days, not bad at all. And I could see that they almost couldn't catch up to me, it's time for a day rest. I ordered them to rest up and the supporters began making the tents and cooking food, while the others is scouting the lake that we'll be resting at.
From their reports, there are some packs of hyenas and wolves, but we have encountered and deal with them enough while we're running. It's not like it is a smooth run after all. Well, whatever that will be halting our journey, we'll just have to take it down.