The World Is Mine For The Taking-Chapter 1153 - 176 - The First Expedition (2)

After I finished talking with Lady Hasegawa, I didn’t head anywhere in particular right away. I let my feet carry me as I walked around for a minute, my eyes naturally scanning the training grounds and nearby corridors. I was looking for someone specific—the disciple I had personally been teaching how to fight.

It didn’t take long before I spotted her.

Asada Kaori.

She stood out, not because she was flashy, but because of how composed she looked. Kaori was one of the healers, and not just an average one either. She had an exceptional grasp of mana control—clean, efficient, and stable. That alone already put her above most people. Because of that, she could use magic without much strain, weaving spells almost instinctively.

And yet, despite all of that, she had chosen to use a sword.

That decision still caught me off guard every time I thought about it. A healer picking up a blade wasn’t unheard of, but it wasn’t common either. The way she trained, though, made it clear she wasn’t just dabbling. She was serious. It honestly felt like she was walking the path of a magic swordsman—someone who could stand on the front lines while still wielding healing magic when needed. That kind of hybrid role was rare, and even rarer when someone could actually make it work. 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

I knew that better than anyone.

I was a magic swordsman myself. That was exactly why I had become her instructor. Mixing magic into swordplay wasn’t something you could casually learn. It demanded absurd levels of focus. You had to control your body, your blade, your breathing, your mana veins, and the mana in your surroundings—all at the same time. One misstep, one lapse in concentration, and everything fell apart. Because of that, very few people ever managed to use magic naturally in the middle of a swordfight.

And yet... Kaori was doing it.

Not flawlessly, but well enough that it surprised me every time I watched her. She adapted quickly, corrected mistakes on her own, and absorbed feedback like a sponge. Her talent was obvious. Sure, the fact that she was a Hero probably played a role in how fast she was growing, but talent alone didn’t explain everything. She had genuine potential.

So much potential that I was starting to feel uneasy.

If I was being honest, it might not be enough for me to be the one tutoring her anymore. That thought lingered longer than I expected. Maybe Leon should take over at some point. He had more experience, a sharper edge when it came to combat instincts. If she trained under him, I was sure she’d grow even stronger.

When I finally took a closer look at her, I noticed she was wearing armor.

It wasn’t the heavy, bulky kind that restricted movement. It was light armor, carefully crafted to balance protection and mobility. Every piece fit snugly, allowing her to move freely without obstruction. Even as she walked, there was no awkward stiffness, no hesitation in her steps.

Still, "light" was a relative term.

Armor like that still carried weight. Walking around in it for extended periods wasn’t easy. It took strength, endurance, and proper conditioning. Most people would tire quickly, their movements growing sluggish over time. The fact that Kaori walked so naturally, as if the armor was just another layer of clothing, spoke volumes about how far she had already come.

"Princess, how is it?" she asked, spinning around lightly as if to show everything off.

The movement was smooth and controlled. No wasted motion.

I looked her over once more, taking in the details. She definitely looked stronger now. Strong enough to handle monsters that weren’t considered particularly dangerous. Still, strength alone didn’t erase uncertainty. There were always unknown factors—unexpected situations that could easily turn lethal if she wasn’t careful.

"It looks good on you," I said honestly. "Though... doesn’t it feel a bit heavy? You could wear something lighter and something more flexible."

"Well, this gives me extra protection," she replied without hesitation. "So I think I’ll keep wearing it."

Then she glanced at me sideways, a playful glint in her eyes.

"What? Are you worried about me or something?" she added with a grin. "I didn’t expect that from you."

That smile...

This was probably how she used to be back then. She was cheeky, confident, and just a little reckless.

"You really don’t need to worry," she continued as she walked past me. "I remembered everything you taught me. I even came up with a few ways not to die, so I think I’ll be fine."

Her tone was light, but there was confidence behind it. She was probably heading toward the courtyard, where the expedition briefing was about to take place.

"And if I do end up dying," she muttered quietly, almost to herself, "at least one person would cry for me."

There was a wry smile on her face as she said it.

I didn’t respond. I just watched her walk away, the faint clink of armor echoing softly with each step.

***

Later, I stood at a distance, observing as the Heroes gathered for their briefing.

They were all dressed in their assigned gear, standing in loose formations. Just by looking at their equipment, it was obvious how much money had gone into it. Their armor and weapons were easily comparable to those of magic knights. The craftsmanship was excellent and the enchantments were subtle but powerful.

It was only natural, really.

The kingdom wanted to emphasize their importance. These Heroes weren’t just assets—they were symbols. And judging by the gear alone, the kingdom wasn’t holding back on budget.

"Heroes from another world," Commander Lilia began, her voice clear and confident. She wore her usual charismatic smile, the kind that made people feel seen and reassured. "It has already been a few months since you arrived here, and I must say, I’m truly surprised—and genuinely happy—to see how much you’ve all grown."

She let the words sink in, her gaze sweeping across the group.

"Unfortunately," she continued, her tone shifting slightly, "this request comes from necessity. Please understand that everything we do is for the benefit of the kingdom—to protect its prosperity and secure its future."

Her expression softened, just enough.

"With that in mind, I ask for your forgiveness, as well as your cooperation. From the bottom of my heart, I ask for your help."

The sorrow in her voice was carefully measured.

I could tell immediately.

She was good. Really good.

Commander Lilia was a master manipulator, someone who knew exactly how to present herself depending on her audience. Every pause, every shift in tone, every expression—it was all deliberate.

Ironically, many of the female Heroes weren’t buying it. They could see the cracks, the performance behind the words. But most of the Heroes were male, and they were completely caught in her charm. Their eyes were fixed on her, their expressions earnest, almost eager.

From the looks of it, her speech was working perfectly.

"With this expedition," Lilia continued, "we are not asking you to recklessly risk your lives. Rather, we hope to build something genuine—something that will allow you to stand strong and defend our shared interests."

She straightened slightly, her presence commanding attention.

"This will be your first real battle," she said. "So I pray that the Goddess of Victory smiles upon you."

A brief pause followed.

"Now then," she concluded, "show us how much you’ve grown. Not in a mock battle—but in the real one that awaits beyond these walls."

Silence followed her words, heavy and charged.

The Heroes stood there, weapons at their sides, faces filled with a mix of tension, excitement, and resolve. And as I watched them, one thought lingered quietly in my mind.

This expedition would change them.

Whether for better or worse... only time would tell.