"Level 5 and above move on your own!"
In practice, this meant the Level 6 members operating independently—the four vanguards. Bete, Tiona, Tione, and Ais all had the ability to act solo, and doing so only strengthened their combat performance.
"The rest of the teams, proceed according to your assigned formations."
These formations weren't arranged on the spot. They had already been finalized during the three days of preparation before the operation.
Several teams were divided by specialization. The scouting unit, focused on reconnaissance, was responsible for widening the field of vision across the entire Hidden Floor. They didn't need to fight; their only job was detection. This unit was organized mainly around Cassandra.
Because of that, it was a stable team. As long as nothing unexpected happened, they should be able to complete all assigned tasks flawlessly.
After all, Cassandra had the ability to foresee the future. During the three days of preparation, she had already dreamed prophetic visions about this expedition, gaining a good amount of insight into the situation inside. Of course, Cassandra only foresaw fragments of the future, not everything. That was why she needed to be placed in a relatively dangerous position—so her prophetic dreams would gain clearer direction.
"Captain Liliruca."
"Yes."
Seeing that Cassandra was ready, the fully equipped Liliruca was prepared as well. This was the same lineup Liliruca and Daphne had used when they first formed their team for deep-level expeditions. This time, both teams were acting together, jointly assigned to the scouting unit.
"Everyone, get ready."
The squad had more than twenty members. Aside from the faster runners, there were frontline defenders and members skilled in Attack Magic and Healing Magic, making the group unusually lightweight and mobile.
"Move out!"
Everyone pulled on their cloaks. The moment they did, the cloaked members vanished from sight. The scouting team had set off… and the central assault team began its own preparations.
"Bete, we're counting on you this time."
"Hmph. Who do you think you're talking to?"
Bete let out a short laugh and loosened up his shoulders.
"Hey, you two Amazon idiots, keep it together. Don't drag us down."
With that, Bete shot out of the group and disappeared like the wind.
Tiona glared angrily in the direction he'd gone.
"Stinky wolf, you don't even know who's really holding us back!"
Tione was already used to her sister's back-and-forth with that stinky wolf, though his comment just now was genuinely infuriating. But this expedition was serious business, and there was no room for emotional flare-ups.
"Tiona, you packed everything you need in your bag, right?"
"Of course. I checked it several times before heading out."
"Then don't bother with anything that stinking wolf says. If he ends up being the one dragging us down, we'll make sure to mock him properly at the banquet when we get back."
After saying that, Tione shot her sister a slightly worried look.
"Don't overdo it. This isn't a mission you can fool around on."
"I'm not Bete. I don't get brain-dead at critical moments. I'm going."
Tiona let out a small complaint, took a deep breath, and headed off in another direction.
Tione shook her head helplessly, then turned to blow Finn a kiss.
"Captain, don't forget you promised me a reward after this expedition."
Caught off guard by Tione's air kiss, Finn felt a sudden weight settle on his shoulders. But considering he'd already agreed to Tione's engagement proposal, he supposed this wasn't exactly unreasonable.
Watching her leave, he couldn't help but call out.
"Stay safe."
In the next instant, Tione, who had just taken a few steps, spun around and rushed straight back to him. She threw her arms around Finn and practically smothered him in her embrace.
"Captain, I swear I'll come back alive!"
Right then, Tione reaffirmed her determination. No matter what, she had to survive and marry the Captain. If she died here, wouldn't she just be leaving him to some random wicked woman?
Suddenly, she felt a whole series of buffs appear over her head.
'Return for Engagement' — Attack, Defense, Evasion Rate
'Captain's Love' — HP Recovery, Attack + Sanity
'Must Return' — Evasion Rate, Sanity
The stack of buffs lit Tione up like a blazing torch. Every aspect of her power spiked sharply.
At the same time, she understood completely: this expedition was the final barrier standing between her and the Captain. So… break through it!!!
"Waaah!!! I'm off, Captain!"
Tione burst into motion, charging down another path with overwhelming force.
Finn was left standing alone. Anyone could see that his usually unchanging smile now carried a hint of awkwardness and a faint, rare flush. Clearly, this wasn't just one-sided enthusiasm anymore.
"Finn, once this expedition is over, it's about time for you, isn't it?"
Gareth offered the reminder kindly.
"You know you need an heir. You really should start thinking about marriage."
The sudden strike left Finn feeling miserable.
"This is during an expedition, Gareth."
"That's why I said it as a reminder."
Finn wanted to argue, but Gareth's pointed look toward Tione's departing figure shut him up immediately.
"We'll talk after the expedition."
Finn understood Tione's feelings very well. And since he had already accepted her proposal in that desperate moment last time, he truly no longer had any grounds to refuse.
Still, having the topic of marriage thrown at him so abruptly left him more than a little unsettled.
He had actually been thinking about the matter of an heir for quite some time. Because of his long-held dream, his original plan had always been to find a partner within his own race and let his child take up his unfinished aspirations.
But Tione had overturned those plans entirely.
At the very least, his future could no longer be decided by his ambitions alone.
...
If you'd like to support my work and unlock advanced chapters, you can follow me on p-@-treon.
[email protected]/PinkSnake (100 Chapters Ahead).
You can also follow as a free member to read a few advanced chapters.