The royal knights formed up near the capital's eastern gate, horses stamping in the background while the men checked their gear in the cold morning air.
Near the supply wagon, a group of knights stood in a loose circle, checking their equipment and keeping their voices low.
"Still do not understand why we are bringing a rookie along," one of them muttered, adjusting the strap on his gauntlet. "I heard he passed the Ranker exam and the King is sponsoring him, but that does not mean he is ready for a seven-shard Gate."
"Ranker exam is one thing," another knight added, shaking his head while he tested the edge of his blade. "But this is a high-tier anomaly. We are going in expecting to fight for our lives, and we have to watch over some kid who probably never even saw a real monster before."
"He will probably freeze the moment something charges at him," the first knight said with a short laugh. "Then we will have to drag his body out along with the core."
