The warhorses, known as Earth Smashers, galloped forward, pulling the long carriage behind them. Inside the carriage, Jonan and his team sat in their designated seats, except for their leader, Rhydian, who was conspicuously absent.
"Sir Elias, why isn't Sir Rhydian with us? Will he not be accompanying us to the front lines?" Jonan asked.
Hearing Jonan's question, Marla smirked mockingly.
Lifting his smoking pipe, Elias exhaled a puff of smoke before replying, "Young one, Sir Rhydian doesn't need to stay with us. He follows the carriage at his own pace. It may be difficult for you to understand, but he has reached a level where rest is barely necessary. He can easily keep up with the Earth Smashers all by himself."
Realization struck Jonan. Though he was well-read and knowledgeable, he had never witnessed the true power of those ranked above him. The thought excited him, what feats of strength would he witness on this journey? He also wondered when he would finally break his limits and step onto the path of true power.
Meanwhile, Rhydian followed behind the carriage at an even pace. Though he appeared to be simply walking, he effortlessly kept up with the galloping warhorses.
His mind was occupied with thoughts of his master's orders, Draven, the Hero and head of the Starfall Family. Unlike what others might assume, even Rhydian was puzzled by the command he had received.
He recalled the scene from a few days prior, in the grand hall where Draven sat upon his throne. Rhydian had approached and bowed deeply. "Master, what are your orders?"
Draven lost in thought, remained silent for a moment before finally speaking. "Rhydian, you are to go to the front lines with your current team. Additionally, I am placing one of my sons in your cohort."
Rhydian nodded. "Which of your sons should accompany me to the front lines? And is there anything else I must assist the young master with?"
Draven once again fell into deep thought, his sharp gaze piercing through the silence before he muttered, "Let him face death every day on the front lines. Make him just like you were taught. Teach him your Domineering Baleful Aura."
Rhydian was stunned. The Domineering Baleful Aura was a secret technique passed down to him by Draven himself. He had never encountered another practitioner of this technique.
Secret techniques were vastly different from battle arts. Unlike battle arts, which had ranked classifications, secret techniques had no grades, they were like abilities that could only be utilized upon full mastery of the secret technique. The most remarkable aspect of secret techniques was their ability to grow alongside the user.
Such techniques were exceedingly rare, often triggering wars over their possession. Across the entire continent, only the Hero families possessed secret techniques. No one knew where they had acquired them, but neither royalty nor the highest nobility had ever been able to claim one.
Even within the Starfall Family, it was a closely guarded secret that Rhydian had been given a secret technique by Draven. The Starfall Family and its descendants wielded a different technique, and the revelation of another secret technique beyond the known seven would plunge the continent into chaos.
Not that Draven feared such consequences. According to him, the technique Rhydian practiced was incomplete, an anomaly among secret techniques. It was not meant for humans, and attempting to master it carried severe side effects. Yet, somehow, Rhydian had defied the odds, rising to an unprecedented level of mastery.
And now, he was being ordered to pass it on, and if it was someone else, he would understand, but why would Draven ask him to teach his own son a secret technique that has many side effects, when they had the better option of their own main secret technique, which is also only taught to the best of those carrying Draven's bloodline.
But he didn't dare question his master and would do as he was told.
"Oh yeah, you will be training my son, Jonan, on the front lines," said Draven.
Rhydian couldn't recall the name. While he had spent most of his time outside the Starfall Family castle completing missions, he was sure he would at least remember every prodigy of the family. Yet, no matter how hard he tried, the name escaped him.
Then, suddenly, a memory surfaced. Years ago, a child with a similar name had been born one who, as far as Rhydian remembered, lacked any weapon affinity.
That couldn't be possible. There was no way his master would ask him to teach the secret technique, let alone help someone grow stronger if they couldn't even cultivate it.
"Master, are you talking about young master Jonan? But... he cannot cultivate. Such a weak individual won't survive the front lines, even if we do our best to protect him."
Draven's expression darkened. His tone was firm and laced with irritation. "You are not tasked with protecting him at all times. You are only to guide him in becoming stronger. The rest will be up to him."
Rhydian couldn't fathom how he was supposed to accomplish this mission. He would have preferred any other task, even one that put his life on the line. But this? This was impossible.
His head ached just thinking about it. How could he train someone who couldn't even ascend to the next realm of cultivation?
For now, he had no choice but to go with the flow and let things play out. Perhaps, in time, a solution would present itself.
Meanwhile, inside the carriage, Jonan anxiously awaited his arrival at the front lines. From what Garret had told him, the journey would take a week, even with the aid of Earth Smashers.
Growing bored, Jonan turned to the only person he could talk to. "Sir Elias, can you tell me more about the team? What kind of missions have you completed? How many soldiers have fallen by your hands? And... just how strong is the Team Leader?"
"Well, well, aren't you an impatient one? As you already know our names, I'd say Marla is the one responsible for watching our backs while we 'play' with our enemies," said Elias jovially.
"Edric, on the other hand, is our main fighting force. He tears our enemies apart, while I handle any... unfortunate accidents that might occur. And I do have one more responsibility, but that's more of a secret, hehe," he smirked.
"Hmph, what secret? You just steal anything worth stealing and assassinate the targets we're assigned to kill," Marla retorted.
Elias's face darkened at her words. He had been hoping to maintain a sense of mystery in front of the newcomer.
Jonan, however, showed a flicker of disgust at the mention of stealing. He couldn't understand why anyone would resort to such actions. But his reaction didn't escape Elias's sharp gaze.
"Ahh looks like our newbie is a pure greenhorn. Well, can't blame him, being born to His Holiness does have its perks," Elias smirked.
"Listen, brat, you might look down on stealing, but in war, anything goes. So correct your mindset. We're not in the great Starfall Family's castle anymore. Where we're headed is pure hell on earth. Don't fantasize about comrades who will go through life and death with you. There's only survival or death. Nothing else."
Jonan was stunned. He hadn't expected the old man to read his subtle expressions so easily. Yet, it wasn't the first time he had heard such words, many old soldiers who had survived the front lines often said the same things.
Noticing Jonan's reaction, Elias sighed and thought to himself, Looks like he'll learn his lesson soon enough, just like that red-haired brat. Though I wouldn't wish that fate on anyone... Ugh, just what are these so-called Heroes thinking? Slowly killing off all of us normal folk. And Draven… he's the worst of them, sending an innocent child with us.
Looking at the childlike innocence on Jonan's face, Elias felt a painful, long-buried memory resurface. Is that why that red-haired brat was so annoyed to look at her? She was just like this too. We all were at some point. But time changes everything. And so have we, for better or worse.
If that damned maniac of a Hero had to send someone, why did it have to be a helpless child? Of all the groups, why us? From the looks of it, this kid doesn't know the nature of our missions or much about us at all. Well, he'll learn soon enough. But damn… and here I thought these Heroes couldn't get any more ruthless. Yet, here they are, sending their child to die.
Not even the prodigies were sent with us. Our work is too dirty for someone of the Heroes' bloodline.
But it's not like I can change anything. Well, good luck, kid. Let's see if you survive the journey. Who knows? Maybe you'll outlive us instead. Hahaha!
Elias let out a foolish grin, lost in thought.
Marla glanced at him and frowned. "Damn, this old man must be thinking about us dying again. He really is weird."
At the same time, Edric, barely cracking an eye open, thought, "Old man, looking at that stupid grin of yours… are you expecting us all to die?"