The next day, the squad gathered in the meeting room to discuss their upcoming mission. Sol stood at the head of the table, while the six knights sat on either side.
Sol began the meeting with a more formal tone than usual. "A little over a week ago, the Crestelia Kingdom and the Frostaxe Clan entered into a cooperative agreement to work together to find the ancient city of the dwarves, hidden somewhere in the Orna Mountains. While there are surely many treasures to be found in their ancient capital, the main objective is to uncover the process by which they created life clusters. Two days ago, with the help of the two nations' best explorers and scouts, and guidance from the Saintess, we found it. However, due to certain... trust issues, no one has yet entered the city proper."
The orcs had little trust in humans in general since long before their first attack, finding them to be a deceitful race that would even turn on their own kind.
"The Frostaxes don't want the kingdom to explore on its own, fearing we might hide the method of life cluster production. Meanwhile, Crestelia doesn't want them exploring the city alone, as there are many treasures that would benefit them as well. Both sides have agreed to let us lead a joint expedition team."
"Huh? Why us? Aren't we just a newly formed squad?" Lazuli, still not fully caught up, didn't understand how they became mediators between two nations. She had heard about what happened in the Orna Mountains, but she thought their involvement had ended.
Duncan explained, "The one who made this cooperation possible was the Captain. He negotiated with the dragon to give the orcs the time they needed to find the city, and he got the kingdom to help. They probably believe the Captain won't do anything to jeopardize their chance of salvation after negotiating with and being recognized by the dragon."
Sol nodded. "That's the reasoning, at least. We'll be leading the initial exploration team. Our job isn't complicated: we'll protect and guide the scholars, explorers, and other personnel into the city, set up a base of operations, and focus on finding the method to create life clusters, which is our main priority. Once we find it, we'll head back, and what they decide to do with the city afterward is up to both nations."
Aron chuckled. "Who knows? They might even decide to move into it if it's in good enough condition."
Nataly rolled her eyes and asked, "When do we leave?"
"In an hour. Also, this expedition isn't expected to last long, a week at most. Any other questions?"
No one spoke up, either because they had no questions or because they didn't think their concerns were important enough to bring up. Seeing this, Sol dismissed them to prepare.
On the way out, Lazuli saw Lapis waiting by the door of the meeting room and casually said, "Hopefully neither of us dies. I don't know which would be more unlucky: me dying on my first mission, like you, or you dying again on your second mission."
Lapis ignored the comment and handed Lazuli her spatial ring, as Lazuli still didn't have one. "Pack your things. I'll meet you later."
Thinking she might have hit a nerve, Lazuli replied as she took the ring, "Okay, and don't worry about what I said, nothing bad will happen."
Her sister only nodded in response. Lazuli walked away, not knowing that Lapis hadn't even registered what she said. Her mind was preoccupied with what she considered more important. Once her twin was gone, Lapis returned to the room, where Sol was about to leave as well.
"Lapis? Did you forget something?" Sol asked as he put the chairs back in place.
She shook her head and simply asked, "How?"
"How... what?"
"How do you have all those abilities? The various magics, your clearly superior attributes, and all those skills you've been hiding? I've never seen or heard of anything like it."
Sol was silent, unsure how to respond. He knew it was something on the minds of everyone in his squad, but he had been ignoring it, hoping the topic would never come up. Fortunately for him, the others had refrained from asking, sensing their captain didn't want to discuss it. Unfortunately, the one they'd brought back to life wasn't as tactful. It seemed he could no longer avoid this conversation.
"It's not something I can explain," Sol finally said. "But as you've noticed, I have more skills than most. For now, I'd prefer not to say more. I hope you understand."
He knew he was essentially telling Lapis that he didn't trust her enough to reveal his secret, but what else could he say? This wasn't like Amber, someone he could wholeheartedly trust, knowing she would never betray his confidence. He trusted them, not only as friends but as fellow knights of his team, but some things had to remain unsaid. For their safety as well as his own. He didn't want them to become targets if anyone powerful got suspicious. Eventually, his secret would come out, it wasn't something he could hide forever, but for now, he would keep it to himself and as few others for as long as possible.
Lapis stared at him for a moment, her thoughts racing. Just as Sol began to wonder if she was angry about his lack of trust, she asked, "Did you do everything you could? Before I died?"
She was referring to the moments before her death, when the ice law technique had invaded her body, crystallizing her from the inside out.
Sol nodded resolutely. "Yes. And I wouldn't hesitate to do it again."
What was the point of having all these skills and abilities if he didn't use them when they mattered most? That was Sol's guiding principle. Even if the whole world learned his secret afterward, he would act without hesitation if it meant saving those close to him.
"Then it's fine." Lapis said, seeing the strong resolve behind his eyes.
She could accept not knowing as long as she knew he wasn't going to let her and the others die just to maintain his secret when there was something he could have done to prevent it. She believed Sol wasn't that sort of person, but if he was, she would have taken her sister and left the Royal Knights, at the risk of becoming wanted criminals, without hesitation. To her, those types of people were the worst, most untrustworthy kind that wouldn't be there for you when all hell breaks loose.
She was about to leave it at that, but then said, "Do you remember what I said after losing to you in the tournament?"
It had been a few months, but he clearly remembered her words, which had made him laugh at the time. "You said you would wipe the floor with me next time, right?"
She nodded. "While I don't see that happening anytime soon, I still want a rematch, one where neither of us holds back."
"Are you sure? I've improved a lot since then."
Without hesitation, she nodded again. "I'll happily get my ass handed to me if it means I get to see your real strength."
He chuckled. Even in admitting defeat, she did so proudly. "Alright, let's do it when we get back from this mission."