The Extra Can't be A Hero-Chapter 153: Olavaguel (2)

Leon asked with a little shock in his voice. Venya would have been given plenty of opportunities to travel the globe as a mercenary.

"No one commissions missions to deserts," the archer snorted. "Still, why do you seem fine? Everyone else is dying."

Venya pointed her thumb back, and the rest of the Eldorin members were dragging their feet off the train, many of them drenched in sweat. The Knights were in better shape, given they'd been training their whole life to endure the elements. But healers like Ellahan, magicians like Johann, and scouts like Bane barely held it together in the blistering heat.

"We possess the Solaris Bloodline, and we fight with fire. It would be odd if this paltry heat would get to us."

For someone who uses fire in his abilities, it would be funny if Leon couldn't handle just a little heat. In fact, the other Solaris Knights like Horus, Flydian, Lydia, Gale and Adelia were perfectly fine too—which greatly annoyed the future God Archer.

"Urgh, you monsters and your bloodline…"

Venya harrumphed with a protest. Leon gave a distinct smile before returning to concentrate on ensuring everyone was present and accounted for. Once they had gathered, he would lead them to their next accommodation. But before that…

"Is this the Solaris delegation?"

A fragile middle-aged man approached Leon with his arms behind his back. His frame was impossibly thin, draped in layers of dark, flowing robes that did little to disguise the sharp angles of his body. His skin stretched taut over gaunt cheekbones had the sickly pallor of one who rarely saw the sun, though the deep-set hollows of his eyes suggested he had not been spared its wrath.

"Yes, we are."

"Ah, apologies for not recognising you. I am Governor Vaedros, the man responsible for this humble town."

"Governor? A governor came out to welcome us?"

"Of course," the man replied warmly. "We can't risk the Hero and the legendary Solaris House developing a bad opinion of us, now can we?"

"... I'm Leon Bright."

After the debacle at Alverton, Leon had developed a deep-rooted scepticism of people in high positions sucking up to him. Naturally, Leon would remain polite, but he kept a careful degree of caution as he reached for a handshake.

"Sir Leon, I understand you have already obtained accommodation in the city. But if I may be so bold, I would like to invite you to a mansion specially built for dignitaries visiting Olavaguel."

"Do you have enough space to house my comrades?"

"That… Unfortunately, we can at most accommodate you and the Saintess."

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"Then, I must respectfully decline. Due to the nature of my mission, I cannot be away from my team."

"I see…"

Although rejected, the Governor kept a neutral expression, not offended by Leon's rejection.

"If that's the case, I would like to invite you for dinner or, if that's not possible, a moment for conversation."

"I was expecting that," Leon replied confidently. "Since we're intruding, we would like to discuss the scope of our work with the Governor and the limitations we must adhere to. However, please forgive me, as I must settle down at our accommodations first. If possible, could we arrange a meeting at your office tomorrow?"

"My… Of course."

The governor couldn't help but release an impressed smile. He'd expected Leon to be more challenging as a young hero. Given his elevated status at such a tender age, some ego was expected. Yet, the young Knight presented himself as a confident and dignified statesman, going toe-to-toe with the governor.

"Then, I shall look forward to your visit with great anticipation."

Governor Vaedros bowed his head and didn't raise it until Leon disappeared with the rest of Eldorin. Cracking into a wry smile, he whispered so softly that the hustle and bustle of the station covered his voice:

"I hope you live up to your reputation… Hero."

❖❖❖

Settling in Olavaguel went smoothly. After departure from the train station, Leon and the team were quickly escorted to their hotel by their pick-up. The Oasis Grand lived up to its reputation as the premier accommodation for anyone bold enough to visit Olavaguel.

The hotel stood at the city's edge like a lone sentinel against the endless waves of sand. It was a squat, sun-bleached structure of weathered stone and carved wooden beams, its walls pockmarked by time and the relentless desert wind. Contrary to the sweaty and inhumane conditions outside its walls, Oasis Grand was a haven from the elements.

A grand archway led into a dimly lit lobby; the cool air contrasted with the punishing heat outside. The scent of old incense and dry wood lingered in the air. Ornate lanterns hung from the low ceiling, their amber glow flickering against walls decorated with faded tapestries and relics of past travellers.

The floors were a patchwork of polished marble and woven carpets, so soft they seemed to swallow each footstep. A vast atrium stretched toward the ceiling, where a magnificent blown glass chandelier hung. Its shimmering crystals refracted the golden glow of lanterns suspended from the intricately carved wooden beams.

Beyond the grand lobby, tucked away in the most prestigious wing of the hotel, lies The Mirage Hall—the finest meeting space in the desert. Designed for dignitaries, merchants, and leaders, this opulent conference room perfectly balances refinement and practicality.

Servants in flowing robes moved silently, offering trays of chilled pomegranate juice and sweet dates to the esteemed guests who graced the land. And contrast to her prior complaints, Venya quickly got used to her new opulence.

"Ah, I spoke too soon! The Solaris House knows how to pamper its Knights!"

Venya indulged in her early afternoon cocktail by kicking her feet on the conference room table.

"All these are free, right?"

"..."

Leon held back a smile and looked at all the members gathered in the conference room. After they were fully settled, he addressed them all in a calm and welcoming manner:

"Thank you all for your hard work. I know it's a big change in the environment, so we won't be expected to start our mission immediately. We will have three days to acclimate ourselves to Olavaguel, so please take it easy during this time."

"I can live with that!"

Venya spoke for the rest of the members, who were elated to finally take a break after a long train ride and enduring the hot desert temperatures for the first time.

"Meanwhile, let me brief you all on our objective for travelling this far," Leon's voice lowered by an octave, highlighting the shift in the topic's importance.

"We have only given you bits and pieces to avoid any information leakage, but now that we're here, I can tell you the whole story… We're investigating the Clay Emperor and the Lost City of El Dorado."

"El Dorado? Isn't that the City of Gold? That place exists?"

Johann interjected with stars rising from his pupils. As a magician, he was deeply interested in the affairs of the ancient and arcane. El Dorado had always been a myth, and no one could ever verify its existence. Many treasure hunters and adventurers attempted to find this lost city but always left empty-handed. In the end, most scholars believe it was just a bunch of gibberish the ancient people came up with when they were bored.

"We're not sure; that's why we're here."

"Since when did treasure hunting become part of our job scope?"

"Since Amon discovered that the Demon Cult is investigating it too."

Treasure hunting wasn't part of Eldorin's responsibilities, but hunting the Demon Cult was. If the Demon Cult were interested in El Dorado, that would be the best way for Eldorin to corner and smoke them from their foxholes.

"Amon believes that one, maybe even two Apostles have been dispatched to find this Lost City."

"Goodness!"

The jovial mood of the members turned sour, and a renewed resolve graced their pupils.

"You mentioned something about the Clay Emperor? What is that?"

Lydia, Leon's cousin and the talented Knight-magician raised her question. She was unaware of Amon's briefed details since she wasn't part of the council.

"The Clay Emperor is an ancient existence that ruled over El Dorado. We are unsure of his overall power, but if he regains all his strength, he will be an existence that could threaten the Hyades Republic. At least, that's what Amon and Yue believe."

The group let out a dry gulp. Although they didn't know how Amon and Yue could accurately predict the future, the pair had never been wrong thus far. Usually, when they sent Eldorin on missions, it was because they had enough information to conclude that there was an imminent threat.

"So, where is this Clay Emperor and El Dorado?"

"That is…"