Chapter 73: With Or Without A Scout

POV Cornelius

The next morning we rode back to Lightburgh. As expected, we found no trace of Liss along the way, but we didn't have an experienced tracker with us either. Three days later, as we approached the capital's city gate, we were greeted with a salute by the guardsmen.

"Welcome back, noble heroes." <Guardsman>

“We are looking for a person. Has she come through here in the last two days?” <Cornelius>

I gave the guard a description of Liss.

“I’m sorry, noble heroes. She didn't enter the city on my shift. I will ask the others if you wish.” <Guardsman>

“Yes, do that. And send someone to the palace to take a mugshot. We have to get hold of her as soon as she enters the city.” <Cornelius>

"Yes, noble heroes." <Guardsmen>

We then entered the city and rode straight to the palace. Here we were let in straight away and welcomed. Attendants looked after our luggage while we were taken to our quarters. First we freshened up. Eli was especially happy that she could take a bath. We then gave our martial arts teacher a brief report on our progress in the dungeon. In the evening I met with the others for another meeting.

“Okay guys, let’s have our strategy meeting on how to proceed. I have come to a decision on how we should move forward because I am currently dissatisfied. As much as it annoys me, we are too weak and need to become much stronger.” <Cornelius>

“Hmm, that’s right.” <Javier>

“I see it that way too. Stronger is always good.” <Ansgar>

“Does that have to be the case?” <Eleonore>

“But to do this we have to make another important decision. We are lacking in scout skills, and no matter what we thought of them, Liss showed us how important they are and what it means to be good at them. We now have two options. Either we look for a replacement and run the risk of getting the wrong person again, or one of us has to learn the skills.” <Cornelius>

“Hmm, that makes sense.” <Javier>

“No woman!” <Eleonore>

“Do we really need a scout? If we become strong enough, we won't have to fear any monsters. We'll knock everyone out, no matter what.” <Ansgar>

“Hmm, that’s true. But what about chests and traps?” <Javier>

“Good objections. We should consider what tasks a scout has and what skills are required for them. We then have to learn it ourselves, then we can save ourselves the need for a scout.” <Cornelius>

“We must do what true heroes are capable of. Who needs helpers or foot soldiers?” <Ansgar>

“Hmm, yes, I have to agree. It would be laughable if we couldn't do it ourselves. Then I make a list of the skills needed.” <Javier>

“It's a good thing that I talked to the military scouts several times. Essentially there are three groups of skills that make up a scout. Perception of all kinds, everything related to traps and stealth. Resistances are also important because a scout should be particularly protected themself in order to be able to carry out his task.” <Cornelius>

“Forget stealth, I’m not taking part in that. That’s not my style.” <Ansgar>

“Hmm, I guess none of us want that. Besides, we're heroes, we don't need underhanded tactics. We can delete that part.” <Javier>

“Every one of us should be able to perceive, but they are difficult to increase. The same applies to them as to resistances. We should take advantage of every opportunity that arises to improve the relevant skills. Eli, you have the knowledge of the church. Explain to us which ones there are. I know you’ve had courses on this.” <Cornelius>

“As you wish, Corni. Let's start with resistances, which are the easiest to explain but the hardest to increase. Almost every form of magic has ways to protect yourself. First there are no resistances to the six elemental magics. Then there is light, darkness and mind with their resistences respectively. There are also several resistances that protect against status effects. Pain, poison, paralysis and petrification as well as sleep, hunger and other esoteric resistances are known.” <Eleonore>

“There is petrification? I don't like it at all. Which monsters can do that?” <Ansgar>

“There are ancient reports of basilisks and medusas, but they have been exterminated within the Empire. There are also said to be strong undead that can petrify while touching. The Church assumes there are some in the Darkness Dungeon, but no one has gone this deep in over a hundred years.” <Eleonore>

“Hmm, what I'm more concerned about is increasing elemental resistances. Unfortunately, there is no spell that I know of to protect yourself. I know there are artifacts for protection, but that needs a better value in artifact control. They are also quiet expensive.” <Javier>

“In light magic there is a protective spell against dark magic. In dark magic there is a protection spell against light magic, which makes dark magicians a great risk to us. On the other hand, we have the best chance against them. There is no known protection spell against poison, paralysis and petrification, but I can cure them with Purification.” <Eleonore>

“Hmm, in alchemy there are also potions against status effects. There are even potions that provide temporary protection, but they are expensive and sometimes require rare ingredients. The wizards here are researching better protective potions that provide even better protection. They are currently our best option if we want to maintain this resistance. Unless someone here wants to tank the attacks of monsters until the resistance increases." <Javier>

“Perception and trap skills are still missing. The last ones include disarming traps and opening locks. Basis characteristic is agility. Who wants to?” <Cornelius>

“Hmm, I’m falling out, just like Eleonore. As magicians, we specialize in other things. Ansgar, you wanted another task. You do it.” <Javier>

"Why? But I have to, right? Crap.” <Ansgar>

“Then it’s decided. Ansgar, you should also train your perception more. In addition to Sense Presence, Sense Danger is also important. There's also Sense Mana, which we should all have if possible. Okay, then let's continue without scouts. But that means we have to train more intensively and fight more. You too, Eli.” <Cornelius>

“If that’s what you want, I’ll do it.” <Eleonore>