"We all know why we're here."
I told all the raiders gathered in the luxurious sitting room inside Party 1's mansion.
Everyone in the Main Forces except for the Garudas and the Tsamudrans were here.
The presence of those two groups were not necessary given the purpose of our meeting.
[Master 'S1GYN' is ordering Vice-Master 'Serafina (★★★★)' to assign the following heroes into parties.]
[Heroes: 'Serafina (★★★★)', 'Jonah (★★★)', 'Shanny (★★★)', 'Devisha (★★★)', 'Zecht (★★★)', Tarran (★★★)', 'Yuxia (★★★★)', 'Ulrica (★★★★)', 'Matrias (★★★)', 'Djhotti (★★★★)', 'Vallerynne (★★★)', 'Graihan (★★★★)', 'Arian (★★★)', 'Halim (★★★)', 'Ashni (★★★)']
[Designated Parties: Party 1, Party 2, Party 3]
[Directive: No particular directive for the party assignment]
Main Forces' reformation.
Sigyn wanted us to redistribute everyone after our losses in the 20th floor.
Party 1 lost Darius, Party 2 lost Norn and Jordane, while Party 3, 4, and 5 lost their 2-star raiders.
Meanwhile, the Garudas and the Tsamudrans had been assigned as the new Party 4 and 5.
Master wanted us to fill the remaining three parties with the rest of the Main Forces members.
As their Vice-Master, I had to obey Sigyn's order.
And I also personally agreed with this move.
This rearrangement should make the Main Forces grow stronger as a whole squad.
"After spending the entire day considering it, I've decided the new assignment for the Main Forces."
I announced.
While shifting my gaze to the people involved, I began announcing the arrangement.
"Jonah, Shanny, Devisha, and I will remain in Party 1."
The four of us had practically cemented our position in Party 1 after all our experience in the Quintal Trials.
Despite Darius's death, our teamwork in the 20th floor was outstanding.
It would be senseless to separate us at this point in the climb.
All we needed now was to find an archer as capable as Darius.
"Moreover, Tarran will join Party 1."
I had seen Tarran fought and I believed he had the necessary skills to join our ranks.
We would still need time to develop our synergy with the young raider.
But I had no worries on the result.
The next arrangement should have no problem as well.
"Ulrica, Djhotti, and Graihan, you will be in a party together with Matrias and Vallerynne. The five of you will be the new Party 3."
Putting three 4-star heroes in the same party might seem too overpowering.
But this was needed to match their strength against the Garudas and the Tsamudrans whom were bonded parties.
Djhotti was a strong vanguard with immense resilience. But the Keeper did not have overwhelming firepower compared to the other 4-star heroes.
Graihan had great strength and maneuverability. But the lycanthrope would face problem against mages that could exploit his weakness. That was how the Devils were defeated in the Invasion of Asura.
Ulrica was a vanguard with immense firepower, good maneuverability, and solid defense. But her effectiveness would lessen against opponents that were immune or resistant to lightning.
Together, the three 4-stars should be able to cover each other's weaknesses.
Matrias and Vallerynne's presences should also reinforce their rank further.
The lightning sub-elemental mage would provide strong ranged assaults while also strengthening Ulrica.
While the enchanter would be able to enhance Djhotti's own enchantment and providing the necessary magical protection for Graihan.
The five of them had even fought together when they were just starting their climb.
So there should be no issue with their teamwork.
Now the final group was a bit of a gamble.
"Zecht, Yuxia, Arian, Halim, and Ashni, the five of you will become the new Party 2."
Objectively, Party 2 might currently be the weakest of the five parties in the Main Forces.
But in time they should be able to catch up to the rest of us.
Zecht had survived two Quintal Trials which made him one of the most experienced raiders in the Main Forces.
[Zecht Trush (★★★) Lv.19 (Exp 10/190)]
[Class: Warrior]
[Strength: 52/52]
[Intelligence: 10/10]
[Stamina: 43/43]
[Agility: 34/34]
[Skills: Basic Swordsmanship Lv.10, Insight Lv.6, Projectile Defense Lv.5, Pain Resistance Lv.3, Fire Resistance Lv.1, Power Charge Lv.2, Indomitability Lv.1, Savage Lv.2, Berserk Lv.1]
The mercenary had developed level 10 in Basic Swordsmanship which put him on par with Jonah and Shanny.
He had also developed the special Berserk skill which could enhance his capabilities.
Together with Arian whom had the same skill, they should bolster Party 2's firepower significantly.
The Kutub hunter was also skilled in spearmanship, so it should not change the party's dynamic that much even with Norn's absence.
Meanwhile, Halim and Ashni were bonded 2-star heroes that had been promoted to 3-star.
They had proven themselves by surviving the dangerous monster in the Exploration Dungeon.
Their synergy as bonded heroes and unique experience should reinforce Party 2's strength further.
In time, these four heroes should be able to grow their skills and power to match the 4-star heroes in the other parties.
It was not certain they would succeed, but I had faith in them, which was why the assignment was a gamble.
But I did not intend for them to represent the main strength of Party 2.
There was someone else for that role.
[Yuxia Laogang (★★★★) Lv.18 (Exp 11/150)]
[Class: Mage]
[Strength: 14/14]
[Intelligence: 101/101]
[Stamina: 15/15]
[Agility: 11/11]
[Skills: Intermediate Unified Elemental Arts Lv.9, Telekinesis Lv.8, Caster Heart Lv.1, Caster Mind Lv.1, Intermediate Enchantment Lv.1, Mana Detection Lv.5, Elemental Projectiles Lv.4, Pyro Blast Lv.3, Flaring Gale Lv.3, Jet Stream Lv.2, Thunder Blast Lv.5, Lightning Chain Lv.4, Shockwave Lv.2, Permafrost Lv.1, Shard Storm Lv.2, Ground Wave Lv.2, Volcanic Burst Lv.3]
After all this time, Yuxia had finally lived up to his elementalist title.
He had been harnessing his elemental magic so diligently that he developed special skills for each element.
The fourth Quintal Trial also pushed him to his limit that he managed to integrate his main elemental skills.
According to the name of the skill alone, I supposed it allowed him to cast stronger fusion spells.
He had also fused and evolved some of his supporting abilities into the Caster Heart and the Caster Mind skills.
Yuxia was rapidly growing stronger as a mage.
I would not be surprised if he eventually surpassed me within the realm of elemental magic.
And it was for that reason I believed Party 2 would not get left behind by the other parties.
His magical prowess should make up for the strength his comrades were currently lacking.
Yuxia's elemental magic would provide Party 2 with the versatility that the other parties, except ours, could not achieve.
If he could master dimensional magic, then Party 2's strength would be complete.
I was certain Yuxia had been working hard to achieve that goal too.
So there was nothing to worry on their front.
"That is the new assignment. Any objection?"
I asked the raiders.
They all just stared back at me.
Jonah was right when he said everyone had left the decision in my hand.
But I still needed to make sure that these people were satisfied with the arrangement.
"Ulrica, Djhotti, I'm aware that there is a Guntur warrior and a dwarf among the advanced heroes summoned recently. I would understand if you wish to form a party with them instead."
Master specifically ordered us to be distributed into the three parties only.
But I could still make a suggestion for Ulrica and Djhotti to form their own.
Sigyn might not think of us as real people, but they had been respecting all my opinions so far.
I believed there was a high chance for them to permit this order deviation.
"That's alright, southlander. I'll join Party 3 as you say."
"So will I, Great Mage."
Ulrica and Djhotti replied.
"Are you certain?"
I asked them back.
They nodded immediately.
"I am a Near-Kin of the Guntur folk. But now I am also a hero of the forged land. My current obligation is to Master and to you. And I honestly believe this rearrangement is necessary if we're going to climb higher in the tower."
"Though I am a Keeper, I have joined Master's army of heroes. So I must obey what their general ordered. I also think this new assignment is a wise decision on your part, Great Mage."
Graihan nodded alongside them.
"As long as these two are in the party with me, I won't mind working with the mages. So count me in as well."
Their words were firm and certain.
They were not the sort of characters to break their promises either.
So I nodded to their replies and turned to the rough-haired girl with the painted face.
"Arian, I could arrange for you to be in a party with the Kutub shaman if you wish it. I'm not going to force you to keep the assignment if you want to work with your fellow people instead."
The Kutub hunter immediately shook her head.
"I want to become a member of Party 2. Norn helped me grow as a better warrior. It would be a great honor to join the party she was in."
Zecht suddenly patted the girl on the head.
"Welcome to the party, kid!"
He said merrily with his bright demeanor.
The Party 2 leader then turned to the bonded Tsahanam mercenaries.
"I'm excited to fight alongside you folks as well. We'll show the other parties what we're made of, hahaha!"
I then continued asking the other raiders on the assignment.
None of them gave any objection.
So it was settled.
"Alam."
I summoned the fairy.
She appeared immediately upon the call.
[Here I am, my angel!]
I proceeded to hand her a piece of paper written with the new arrangement of the Main Forces.
[Vice-Master 'Serafina (★★★★)' has party suggestions!]
[Party 1: 'Serafina (★★★★)', 'Jonah (★★★)', 'Shanny (★★★)', 'Devisha (★★★)', Tarran (★★★)']
[Party 2: 'Zecht (★★★)', 'Yuxia (★★★★)', 'Arian (★★★)', 'Halim (★★★)', 'Ashni (★★★)']
[Party 3: 'Ulrica (★★★★)', 'Djhotti (★★★★)', 'Graihan (★★★★)', 'Matrias (★★★)', 'Vallerynne (★★★)']
"Submit this to Master."
[They're gone for the day, unfortunately. But I'll make sure they see this the moment they arrive tomorrow!]
Alam said eagerly before she disappeared.
With the rearrangement settled, I dismissed everyone from the gathering.
But I was not done yet for the day.
One last thing I had to do.
"Zecht, can I talk to you for a minute?"
I asked the Party 2 leader.
"Yeah, sure! What's up?"
He replied in a laidback manner.
I waited until everyone had left the room before I spoke to him again.
This conversation could only be held in private.
"Say it."
I told him.
The man frowned.
"What do you mean?"
"Say the things you want to say to me. I know you've been holding yourself back. Go ahead."
After I said it the second time, Zecht's expression immediately darkened.
Never had I seen him put on that face before.
That mixture of rage, hatred, and sadness.
"Why did you wait that long?"
Zecht asked with a trembling voice.
Despite hearing his question clearly and knowing perfectly well what he meant, I just stared at him in silence.
"Did you have to wait that long to save us?!"
He cried.
I kept staring him silently.
Nothing I could say would matter.
Zecht did not want an answer.
He just wanted to let these words out.
The man just wanted me to know what he was feeling.
It was important to him that I knew.
"If only you didn't wait that long…"
Zecht said as he fell to his knees.
"If only you could've saved us sooner…then they would've…"
He began sobbing.
"Then Norn would've…"
I silently listened to the hurting man as he cried and faced his wound from the fourth Quintal Trial.
It was the healing he needed and the only thing I could do for my ailing comrade.
By letting him breaking down completely like this, Zecht would be able to rise again and return to his strong self.
I needed him to become strong again so we could keep moving forward.