The feast lasted deep into the night.
Orange flames danced beneath the dark wilderness sky while exhausted explorers laughed louder than usual, their voices echoing through the ancient forest like proof that humanity still existed against the endless silence of the wildness.
The cold mountain wind carried the smell of roasted meat, alcohol, medicinal herbs, and smoke through the clearing.
For the first time since entering the wilderness—
The Exploration Unit truly looked alive.
Some mercenaries sat around campfires boasting exaggerated stories about how they "fearlessly" fought temple traps despite everyone clearly remembering them screaming moments earlier.
Several mages debated endlessly about the medicinal theories they learned from Vaelthor while scholars desperately copied notes under lanternlight, afraid they might forget something important by morning.
Others simply rested quietly.
Smiling.
Watching the stars.
The month inside the ancient temple changed everyone.
Not only through treasure.
But mentally.
Because they discovered something greater than wealth.
They discovered proof that history itself could lie.
The "demonic temple" turned out to be the graveyard of a forgotten civilization.
The terrifying guardian turned out to be a lonely scholar.
And the monsters humans feared—
Were once simply people trying to survive.
The fire crackled softly.
Laughter echoed again nearby.
Yet amidst the celebration—
Kel remained calm.
Because while everyone else celebrated survival—
He already started planning the next step.
Leadership did not allow prolonged rest.
Kel quietly sat slightly apart from the main gathering atop a large stone near the edge of the clearing. Moonlight mixed with orange firelight across his black coat while scattered papers and rough maps rested upon his knee.
His dark eyes calmly scanned the gathered explorers one by one.
Counting.
Analyzing.
Assigning.
Resources.
Food.
Combat capability.
Transportation load.
Mental condition.
Sairen softly sighed through the soul-link.
"…You really can't relax even for one night."
Kel calmly replied internally.
"That's why everyone else can."
Sairen went silent afterward.
Because she knew—
He truly meant it.
The wilderness remained dangerous.
The ruins were gone.
But now—
The real challenge began.
Transporting everything safely back to the Southern Council Headquarters.
Ancient books.
Medical knowledge.
Artifacts.
Gold.
Weapons.
Rare fabrics.
Mana crystals.
The amount of wealth gathered from the temple alone could destabilize smaller noble territories if news leaked carelessly.
And more importantly—
The expedition itself had become valuable.
Too valuable.
If bandits, rogue nobles, underground organizations, or foreign spies learned what the Exploration Unit found—
Bloodshed would begin immediately.
Kel slowly stood from the stone.
The movement itself gradually drew attention.
One by one—
The nearby explorers quieted down.
Because during the past month—
Without realizing it—
Everyone naturally began viewing Heral as the true leader of the expedition.
Not because of authority.
Not because of title.
Competence.
Kel walked calmly toward the center fire while the surrounding laughter slowly faded.
Orange flames illuminated his face softly while cold night wind moved through the clearing.
Then finally—
He spoke.
"Listen carefully."
The atmosphere gradually became silent.
Even the drunk mercenaries straightened slightly.
Kel's calm voice echoed through the clearing.
"We cannot carry all resources deeper into the wilderness."
Several explorers nodded immediately.
They already understood the problem.
The expedition was overloaded now.
Kel continued calmly.
"So starting tonight…"
A faint pause followed.
"…we begin transportation cycles."
Several people frowned slightly.
Listening carefully.
Kel calmly unfolded one rough map beside the campfire.
"I will assign ten explorers to return to the Southern Council Headquarters carrying the first batch of resources recovered from the ruins."
The atmosphere shifted slightly afterward.
Return?
Already?
Kel immediately continued before anyone misunderstood.
"Those ten will not return into the wilderness alone."
His gaze slowly moved across the gathered expedition members.
"They will remain at headquarters until the full Exploration Unit returns."
The fire crackled softly between moments of silence.
Kel pointed calmly toward the marked transportation route upon the map.
"We repeat this process in cycles."
His voice remained composed.
Strategic.
"First batch."
"Ten explorers."
"Resource transport."
He moved his finger further across the map.
"If we gather enormous resources again…"
A slight pause followed.
"…another ten will return."
Several explorers immediately began understanding the logistics.
Kel continued.
"This cycle will likely repeat three times."
The surrounding camp grew quieter.
More serious.
"By the final phase…"
Kel calmly folded the map again.
"…the remaining seven explorers will return together with the main expedition force."
One mercenary frowned slightly.
"So we're splitting manpower gradually."
Kel nodded once.
"Yes."
Then his eyes sharpened faintly.
"Because transporting resources safely is now equally important as exploration itself."
Several people immediately agreed silently.
The wilderness was dangerous enough already.
But once civilization became involved—
Human greed often surpassed monsters.
Kel continued calmly.
"And remember something important."
The surrounding explorers unconsciously focused harder.
"Every explorer participating in this expedition owns fifty percent of their discovered resource shares."
Several younger members visibly blinked.
Even some mercenaries looked surprised.
Because many noble-led expeditions heavily exploited explorers through unfair contracts.
But Kel's voice remained absolute.
"So do not hesitate to claim what belongs to you."
Silence followed briefly afterward.
Then slowly—
Expressions changed.
Relief.
Respect.
Gratitude.
Several explorers visibly straightened their backs hearing that.
Because fair leadership was rare.
Especially among nobles.
Kel calmly continued.
"The remaining fifty percent belongs to the Southern Council for operational funding, infrastructure, future expeditions, and regional development."
Nobody complained.
Not one person.
Because compared to ordinary expeditions—
This distribution was generous beyond reason.
Even Edwin Hale quietly pushed his glasses upward while observing Kel thoughtfully.
He understands morale management frighteningly well…
The mage already realized what Kel was doing.
Fair distribution created loyalty.
Loyalty created stability.
And stability created long-term influence.
The young man was not merely organizing logistics.
He was building a foundation.
Kel finally folded his arms calmly.
"So."
The firelight flickered across his dark eyes.
"Who wishes to return in the first batch?"
Silence lingered briefly afterward.
Then Kel added calmly—
"I will not force anyone."
His gaze slowly moved across the gathered explorers.
"Those who feel they cannot continue deeper into the wilderness…"
A faint pause followed.
"…step forward."
Several explorers exchanged glances quietly.
"No shame."
Kel continued calmly.
"Only ten are allowed."
The atmosphere became strangely heavy afterward.
Because the question carried deeper meaning.
Continue risking death deeper within the wilderness…
Or return safely with fortune and knowledge already earned.
The choice itself tested ambition.
Courage.
Greed.
Fear.
Several younger explorers looked conflicted immediately.
One injured mercenary lowered his gaze thoughtfully.
A scholar quietly clenched his journal tighter.
Meanwhile—
Kel simply waited calmly beside the fire.
Watching.
Observing.
Because leadership was not merely commanding people forward.
Sometimes—
It meant giving them the choice to step back without humiliation.