"Listen up!" Lena raised her voice. "We will begin our expedition soon. The target this time is the graveyard.
"The ship will take us there and I, along with other summoners, will descend deep into the sea.
"I will leave the ship's protection to the person who will serve as my vice captain for this mission, Greg!"
"Understood!" Greg saluted, accepting the order.
Lena nodded and continued, "We will return as quickly as possible and this mission will last for two days, so let's make it count. Understood?"
"Yes, Ma'am!" The people saluted.
"Good. In that case, I will introduce you to our adviser for this mission as well as the requester. He is Nathan, the unique summoner." Lena noticed Nathan coming in, so she chose the perfect timing to introduce him.
The people couldn't help but shift their gaze to Nathan, only to find two women beside her. Still, a lot of them recognized Flora, considering she was the first princess as well as the princess who hailed from this town.
On the other hand, they didn't recognize Selena.
"Hmm?" Even Lena couldn't help but furrow her eyebrows. "Flora? And who are you?"
Flora smiled wryly. "I'm sorry for deciding it without telling you. Actually, this person is Selena Ashton, a helper I've brought from outside. I believe she has the ability to help you with this mission."
"…" Lena squinted her eyes. It wasn't hard to realize Selena's relationship. She didn't even understand why Flora would ask her to come, but she couldn't really dismiss her that easily.
At the same time, she couldn't take her in just like that. Lena asked, "What is the meaning of this, Adviser Nathan?"
Nathan nodded, expecting this reaction. "I also believe she can help us. That's why I hope that Admiral Lena can accept her into the team. Besides, the plan you have is good, but I believe it could be better. If we have her highness Flora on board, even if she can't help us under the sea, she will be able to protect the boat."
Lena turned to Selena, asking if she had something to say.
Selena politely bowed. "I am Selena Ashton. Admiral. I know that my entry is sudden, but I hope you give me a chance. I won't become a burden. You can test me in any way you want if you're unsure about my strength."
Lena paused for a moment before saying, "Can you even make a barrier?"
Selena released her ena as skeleton bones started to appear around her. This was even more terrifying than a barrier, as this barrier of hers was in the form of an avatar, which could help her fight.
The people couldn't help but drop their jaws, realizing how exquisite her control was. Even Lena didn't expect an avatar to come out.
Lena added, "In that case, Chloe. You go test her. I will permit you to unleash your strength for one minute. I will decide whether you're qualified or not. The rest will have to step aside."
The people started walking to the side as a female summoner walked to the front.
Chloe politely put her hand on her chest, giving Selena a military salute. "I am Chloe. Admiral's order. I won't hold back."
Selena nodded. "Selena Ashton. Use your strength anyway you wish."
"In that case…" Chloe released her ena along with her familiars. As expected of summoners who resided in this town, their familiars were different from what they had seen so far.
Chloe summoned four familiars. The first one was a humanoid fish called Sahuagin. The rest had the bodies of humans but tails of fish. However, the first one had a harp in her hand while the other two didn't have anything.
At first glance, Nathan could see that the first one was a siren while the other two were normal mermaids.
Unfortunately for them, their opponent was Selena.
Selena tapped the ground with the back of her staff and called, "Amphitrite. I will leave them to you."
Another clicking sound echoed as an extraordinary pressure appeared from behind Selena.
For humans, they wouldn't really feel that much difference. However, it was different for the sea creatures.
They couldn't help but widen their eyes, sensing the superiority of the familiar who had just appeared. Unlike them, she looked like a perfect human holding a trident, but all of them knew she wasn't a human.
There was a faint sense of submission that made them want to lower their knees before her.
"Now that I'm here, why don't all of you kneel down?" Amphitrite asked, her voice carrying such an authority that they couldn't help but tremble. However, since they were going to fight, they resisted the urge and pointed their weapons.
Chloe was dumbfounded, as this was the first time she saw an opponent that could make her familiars tremble in fear.
Lena, on the other hand, had realized what was going on. Just like Flora said, Selena could truly help them. Even without her own strength, this familiar alone could help them.
Nathan was just smiling inwardly. That was right. Unlike Fenrir and the others, Amphitrite was the ruler of the sea. Even if she didn't have absolute suppression over her own race, her authority as the ruler was definitely enough to make sea creatures tremble.
Lena hurriedly stopped the match, as there was no point in continuing. "That's enough. Chloe. Recall your familiars."
"Y-Yes." Chloe looked down, feeling ashamed.
"Thank you." Selena whispered to Amphitrite.
Amphitrite nodded and disappeared as well.
Everyone was still too shocked by what happened, but they heard Lena saying, "I shall accept the participation of Selena Ashton and Flora Vietta Ezelia. Selena Ashton will be a part of the advance party.
"Meanwhile, her highness Flora might be strong, but she has no experience in commanding a battle . Hence, she shall serve as Greg's deputy and protect the boat.
"Greg. I trust you. Protect her, even at the cost of your life."
"Good." Lena waved her hand. "In that case, let's set out!"