As the sun began to set, Arthur called a halt.
"Barely Acceptable," he announced. "But acceptable won't be enough where you will be going."
"Where exactly are we going, Swordmaster?" one of the warriors asked.
Arthur pointed to the mountain's western slope. "There's a nest of elite monsters over there. Your first real mission is to clear it."
Several faces paled.
"Elite-rank?" One of the warriors asked. "Straight away?"
"Yes, Elite rank. You will obviously kill and gain experience on the way there, but that's your first mission," Arthur answered. "With good teamwork and proper strategy, you should have no problem killing the monsters."
He looked at each of them in turn.
"Pack your supplies. You will be leaving in an hour."
As the warriors dispersed, discussing equipment and tactics in hushed voices, Theodore approached Arthur.
"Swordmaster, may I speak frankly?"
"Always."
"We're not ready for elite monsters. Not all of us."
Arthur nodded. "I know."
"Then why—"
