New Team (Part 4)

Everything was adamantite...

First he wore a bracelet around his right wrist to which he clipped one end of a long adamantite chain. He then wrapped the adamantite chain around his right arm leaving ample space between and clipped the other end of the chain to a small leather and adamantite harness he had over his shoulders.

As if that wasn't enough he picked up a giant, really wide single edged adamantite sword and put it over his shoulder with the bladed side faced downward. It was a bit shorter than Luca's height and wider than his shoulders. He somehow hooked the hilt to the right side of his shoulder harness and... Well his giant ass wide sword also had a big, curved, notch, just below the top of the sword on the non-bladed side. between the notch was a leather wrapped handle like a hilt. Now he securely clipped to that hilt a small piece of leather attached to the left side of his belt behind the waist. So now the entire giant sword was crossed over his back.

After that he put a white cloak over his back to probably hide the sword and attached the top of it to the front of his shoulder harness. Finally he wore a normal looking satchel to the side of his waist.

Once done, he looked back, all of us staring at him, perhaps expecting something more.

And I thought my gear was heavy.

With that I broke out of my trance and started gearing up as well. I didn't wear a full armor as it was extremely uncomfortable, slow and hard to move around in. So I instead preferred individual metal guards for my body parts. Metal guards for my shin, thigh, forearm. A strong breastplate, backplate and shoulder guard for both sides. Finally I attached my new sword, Lightbreak along with it's scabbard to the left side of my waist and a sturdy half-body shield on my left arm.

Yes, a satchel too on the right. It had a small water bag for emergency, a map of Asella, two small flintstones for starting fire, two small rune scrolls, a small finger sized blade and my silver adventurer tag.

Once we were all done, Lance appeared in front of us again. "The caravan is here. All your belongings have already been loaded on it."

The doors opened and all of us exited the mansion. Luca volunteered to to take the reins.

I turned back to face the four people behind me.

Dias approached me first. "Hard to believe you are really an adventurer now. Seems like just a few years back that you came to the world, now you are off to fight for it. Kid is all so grown up..."

Macy came over too and pat his back. "Hush hush, don't become emotional now."

Then she looked at me. "What he wants to say is that, you are a man now Liam. A real adventurer, it is your mission, but also your life now. Make it a good one, I know you'll be amazing."

Charles was next with a smile. "I have seen you get stronger, fight to achieve greater heights, eager to follow your father. But remember your father's real strength isn't in his magic or abilities, it's in his morals and values. His strong heart. I believe he must have given you some advice before... Something like remember not to die..."

I nodded. "Yes, something like Its important not to die. But I don't get it, why state something so obvious?"

Charles sighed. "As expected, he is not great at explaining at all. Sigh... what he meant to say was that you should value your life. Often many people think that if there is no option, death is the only choice left. Sometimes, people give up their life for saving others. But they seem to easily forget that you only have one life. If there is no option left, use your head and create one. Death is never an option. Sacrifice can never be justified, no matter what. You try to save as many as you can, sometimes you just can't save everyone. But if you live another day, you can save someone. Again and again. As long as you live, there is a future. Even in moments of extreme pressure or pain, no matter what kind, remember not to die."

I stuttered slightly. "I... I... understand. I think. Thank you Charles."

Charles smiled. "You are welcome.

Michelle here was somehow stifling back her tears, she might be big and strong but inside she is soft and emotional often too. "You know kid, I was there when your mom gave you birth. I held you in my hands, afraid I'll break you by mistake or something. That was the gentlest I could ever be. Look at you now... Snifle... You better keep yourself safe. Don't you dare die before me, alright? I held you when you were born, I don't wanna hold you when you die."

I sighed and hugged her. "Alright, I get it Michelle. I love you all."

It was true, four of them and Sebas were as much family to me as my father. Perhaps even more. Times like these when my father couldn't be there for me, these guys would never let me feel lonely. They have been around forever and were no less than my real parents. So I loved them as such too.

Just as I said that, Michelle hugged me back so hard that my self-regeneration activated and Macy started to panic.

Once she finally freed me, Macy looked at me with a smile. "Go make us proud."

I said nothing, only a nod and turned to join my new party members waiting by the caravan.

With that we slowly rode out of the estate. As we exited through the gates, I saw Sebas waving me goodbye. I smiled and waved back to him.

What I didn't expect was right outside the gate a huge crowd of villagers had gathered to see me off.

"Best of luck Master Liam!" "Master Liam come back soon!" "Be safe Master Liam!" "Go kill those demons!"

Someone also cheered. "Get them girls, yeah!!!!"

I smiled and waved back to them.

Luca whistled. "I have never seen such a send off. Popular huh?"

I sat back in my place as we went further from my father's estate. "I guess..."

Ren pulled his scarf over his face and laid back. "I'm gonna sleep for a while. Wake me up when we reach. Don't get us lost, horse boy."

Luca picked up an handful of hay from behind him and threw it on Ren. "Shut up."

All of us laughed as Ren threw some back...

And with that began our journey as adventurers.