Chapter 35: Expedition Leaves (2)

"If it isn't, the hero Hermes and his party!" Said Silkpan. "It is rare, is it not?"

"It is, but it is also factual," answered Hermes, leaning on one foot. "Nothing is more reassuring than having someone as experienced as Lord Isaac in the group."

Kristine nodded at his words.

One person was off her Hitlist. As for not blowing up, how could she do in front of Isaac himself? She was a quiet and kind lady, how could she kill them in front of him, he even didn't dislike her family!

"Haha, if Hermes himself says so I guess it must be true."

"It is, he is too strong for me to handle," Hermes said. "Well, if you'll excuse me, I probably should greet that old friend."

He then patted the head of the girl with a staff in her hand, her hat folding downward. "This witch of ours is quite taken with Lord Isaac."

A NEW MEMBER WAS ADDED IN HER HITLIST!

"Lady! With tact! With tact!

***

"Do I still look good?"

"It's been three seconds since you last asked."

Isaac and Valeria still conversed. It was only thanks to the other knights that had been bothering Kristine that Valeria hadn't triggered any of her radars yet, she would do better to count her blessings.

It was right then that someone placed a hand on Isaac's back.

"I-S-Aac!"

Isaac stumbled ahead before standing back upright. He slowly turned an exact one-eighty degrees and lowered the corners of his lips by half a centimeter each.

"Woah, what's with the frown?" Asked his old comrade, Hermes.

Named after one of the ancient gods, Hermes had become an embodiment of protection for the people and a symbol of not just adventure, but also courage and strength. Despite not being a noble, this adventurer held more sway on the people than many nobles themselves did.

As fate would have it, Isaac also found him insufferable.

For he was friends with Lady Kristine before he could even speak to the lady.

"It's a shocker to see you here, truly. I didn't think you would be here," Hermes continued without receiving and answer from Isaac. He wrapped his arm around the wizard's shoulder and then turned to his teaching assistant as well.

"It's a shocker to see you here, truly. I didn't think you would be here," Hermes continued without receiving and answer from Isaac. He wrapped his arm around the wizard's shoulder and then turned to his teaching assistant as well.

"Oh, Valeria is here too! It's almost like the old gang has gathered…"

Hermes pursed his lips. He looked down and took a step back.

"I am sorry."

Not able to stand the sudden change in the mood, Isaac gently removed the overcoat that Hermes had touched, tossed it in the air, and with a snap of his fingers, burnt it into cinders.

"A…"

"Oh my,"

"That's lord Isaac for you, as inviolable as ever."

With another snap of his fingers, his attache case opened up and a completely different coat with barely anything different from the last snugly flew over and wrapped itself around his arms.

With another snap of his fingers, his attache case opened up and a completely different coat with barely anything different from the last snugly flew over and wrapped itself around his arms.

"T-that…"

Isaac fixed the creases and looked back at Hermes.

"I've been told, it is quite the scary place this time around."

"Is that so? So that's why you're tagging along?" Hermes asked. "Ah, I am not worried if you're there though."

"Don't expect much…" Isaac muttered in a low voice.

Hermes felt a shred of hesitation, but flicked back his hair and tapped the shoulders of the wizard next to him.

"Meet her, by the way. She's our party's newest addition. She's been around for two years, you just haven't met her."

"I have not had that pleasure, yes," Isaac said. "How do you do, little girl?"

"L-little…" the girl muttered. "But… I am twenty four."

Isaac closed his mouth.

"I meant the little girl in all our hearts."

"Heh, goofy as ever. I told you he's not that bad."

The girl nodded like a little girl before grinning at Isaac.

"I hope you can teach her a trick or two, or maybe hundred. We kinda need a strong wizard."

"I'll try."

To cut their conversation once more, Kalyufis finally slammed the ground and spoke up.

"All of you. Gathered here today, on this evening."

Everyone in the expedition turned toward Kalyufis and looked at the man with bright eyes.

The silence filling the room at once.

"I have come here, today, to tell you all… aw hell, the princess was supposed to make the speech but she fell asleep on her way here."

Kalyufis sighed.

"Magic ready. Get lost. Don't die."

The magic circle began shining before anyone had any chance to say a word of protest. Mercilessly, Kalyufis activated the teleportation and all court wizards began chanting their spells.

A bright light of white enveloped all the members of the expeditions.

They blinked their eyes.

And the world changed.

The expedition party had arrived, in the labyrinth of Kara Veria.