Cough, cough!
Faelan had been in this state since they left that cursed place. his weary eyes spotted the walls of Ashford. A pale smile crept across his face — echoed by Jen and the others. They picked up their pace, hearts lifted by the sight of home.
"Wow… city walls. I didn't expect an infamous barony to even have one," a craftsman muttered, staring up at the tall structure that cast long shadows in the light.
The others wore similar expressions — surprised, skeptical, yet hopeful.
They were thinking of Jen's promises...
"We've arrived, Captain. Thank you — to you and the knights. We're all together again."
They passed through the checkpoint. Faelan vaguely caught sight of Eldrin in a suit, busy shouting orders at laborers.
"Rowan! I heard you're starting a family!"
"Mmm"
Rowan smiled warmly, remembering her. He patted the man's shoulder and turned his attention to the streets. None of them could believe what they were seeing.
Ashford had changed.
Not long ago, it was a struggling frontier town. Now, people wore proper clothes. Vendors shouted over colorful food stalls. Tools clanked. Carts rolled past. real joy filled the air.
Knights and craftsmen's families wandered excitedly among the crowds.
Faelan parted ways with the knight captain and approached Eldrin, the Minister of Construction. Then he spotted Aldric, dressed formally.
Is there an event today?
"Give my regards to Bramir — he's done well,"
"Also… is something happening today? I just got back from a hellish trip."
Today was the meeting.
"Shit. I need to inform my lord first!"
He vanished like whirlwind.
Eldrin frowned. He stroked his chin, then caught a group of workers slacking off nearby.
"Ungrateful bastards! Wasting my lord's money and my time! I've got to go now..."
Aldric walked nearby at a leisurely pace. A gust of wind kicked up dust.
"Who the hell—! Faelan! You trying to exercise yourself into the afterlife?!"
"Sorry! No time — I need to see my lord! Catch you later!"
"Hey! Are your legs faster than a horse?! Take a carriage, idiot!"
"Shit — my head! Thanks! Bye!"
---
In the castle, Arvind tore off a piece of bread, deep in thought about the upcoming meeting.
Maybe it's time to push further into magical applications...
A commotion outside.
Moments later, Anika entered — followed by Faelan.
He looked half-dead — skin pale, eyes sunken.
Without a word, he slumped into a seat and drank greedily.
Arvind raised an eyebrow.
"Calm down, Faelan. What happened? Shouldn't your caravan still be outside? You look like it's been decades."
Faelan wiped his mouth.
"It's bad, my lord. Grim — for our trade security. Look at me! This is what those damned bandits did. Surrounded us like leeches. But through sacrifice and effort… we made it out."
Arvind's hand clenched into a fist. His expression darkened.
Anika returned, slightly breathless.
"My lord — the meeting is about to begin."
"I know. Wait outside."
He turned back to Faelan, eyes narrowed.
No... there must be a way...
Seeing Faelan still standing there, Arvind spoke firmly:
"I know what you want. But I don't have time right now. We'll discuss it with the department heads. Mobilizing soldiers will shift Ravengarde's entire balance. Give me a little time."
He quickly ordered Anika to bring blood-replenishment potions — and others for the knights.
Once everything was ready, he said:
"Calm the knights and the craftsmen. Tell them Ravengarde will honor its promises. The bandits will be dealt with."
He left, with Anika trailing behind — giving Faelan one last concerned glance.
Faelan nodded slowly and smiled faintly.
---
In the meeting hall, excitement buzzed.
"Gentlemen!" Shankar said, beaming. "The loan policy has shown results that will shock you. Please, take your seats! Allow me to show how Ravengarde's economy has bloomed!"
Eldrin clapped with childish glee — only to receive a sharp glare from Aldric.
Is my lord dissatisfied...? Eldrin wondered. Arvind's face looked distracted.
From Bramir, the steward and minister of agriculture, to Eldrin, every department head appeared pleased.
Except Aldric, who grew increasingly impatient.
Eldrin spotted him flicking his fingers.
Jen, Faelan's apprentice, too wore a tight expression.
What are they planning? Was Faelan siding with the military?
"The loan policy spurred rapid growth. Villages now trade instead of relying solely on farming. Ravengarde thrives."
"I admit, I doubted my lord's plan at first. But now... I'm fully convinced."
He turned, eyes sincere.
"You have brought light to the kingdom, my lord. May the ancestors and the Flamebearer be with you."
Others echoed the sentiment.
Arvind stirred from his thoughts.
He clenched his fist.
The bandit crisis loomed over everything—his plans, his promises, his authority.
The loan policy had proven Ravengarde's potential, but growth meant nothing if survival couldn't be guaranteed.
Across the room, Aldric's sharp glare cut like a blade.
Hesitation was weakness.
The knights were watching.
Shankar finished and took his seat.
Arvind glanced at Aldric—who now glared daggers at Eldrin. Before Eldrin could rise, Aldric slammed the table, startling everyone.
"Damn it! Is this a joke, or are we hosting a circus? Don't any of you feel shame? All this bragging about Ravengarde's progress, while ignoring a threat festering right outside our walls?! If we wait, we'll regret it — and you'll all come crying to my lord, blaming outside forces."
Eldrin's eyes flared with fury, but Bramir gently held him back.
"My lord," Bramir said, "may I ask for ten minutes for Jen to explain the situation in my place?"
"Granted."
Jen stood, tense but composed. He described the ambush, the losses, and the danger the bandits still posed to Ravengarde's stability.
The room fell silent. Even the ticking of the wall clock faded beneath the weight of the story. Arvind scanned the faces around the table: even the usually detached bureaucrats leaned in, visibly unsettled.
Aldric smirked.
He rose confidently.
"My lord, everyone sees now that the bandits must be eliminated. I request permission to deploy our soldiers — and ensure these pests don't live another day. And one more thing: we need to increase the military budget. Our knights and guards deserve proper resources. We protect the future of Ravengarde."
Eldrin shot to his feet.
"What?! My lord, don't allow this! He wants to slash our department's budget for one skirmish?! Does he think money grows on trees?! Has my department or Shankar's gotten budget boosts for our successes?"
"That logic is flawed — only an orc would spout nonsense like this!"
He glared at Aldric, breathing heavily. The tension in the room tightened like a noose.
Arvind cursed silently. Managing these subordinates wasn't simple. He'd assumed everyone shared the same vision for Ravengarde — but human nature had its own politics.
The seat you sit in defines your stand...
And what about him? Could he risk draining resources for a bandit hunt with no guarantee of success? What if they scattered? What if this sparked a larger complications?
The room erupted again. Eldrin and Aldric shouted over each other, their voices rising.
Arvind's gaze shifted to Shankar. The butler sat still, offering no guidance.
For a brief moment, Arvind felt alone. But then he understood.
This is my moment. A noble can't always lean on his butler.
There must be another way. Must bloodshed always be the answer?
SLAM!
"Enough!"
The room froze.
"What's going on with all of you? You're the department heads of Ravengarde — leaders. If this chaos leaks outside, what will happen to City Hall's image?"
He turned to Aldric.
"Control yourself. I know you care about security, but Ravengarde is undergoing a delicate transformation. Every decision must be made with caution."
Then to Eldrin:
"Calm down. This isn't about favoring one department over another. Your work has been critical to our development — I see that. Be patient."
Eldrin pursed his lips. Aldric's fists tightened, his jaw clenched.
"As for the deployment of knights... we will consider it carefully."
---
Hoo...
Finally, the meeting was over.
Arvind stepped outside, letting the cool air hit his burning face. It felt like breathing again.
Not long after, he met with members of Faelan's caravan. Then Faelan himself arrived — his complexion slightly improved.
Arvind snapped.
"What the hell happened to you? Do you think your life's long enough to throw away?! Don't you think about your father? Your family? About me — I trusted you! Damn it, I want you to live a long life with me, not like some short-lived species!"
He sighed, the heat in his voice softening.
"Alright, alright… I know you're reliable. I know Ravengarde needs you. But you need to be here to make any of that matter."
Faelan gave a sheepish nod.
Arvind praised the knight captain as well, promising more resources for the knight order. In a world where Aetheric training required intense conditioning, potions, and rest — resources were worth more than gold.
"Captain, from now on, Aldric will handle your duties," Arvind said firmly.
"You focus on recovery."
"But—"
"No but."
The memory of fallen knights still haunted him. He'd lost too many already.
Later, his eyes settled on the craftsmen's families. Children clung to their mothers' clean but threadbare clothes. From Earth's standards, they looked poor — but here, they stood with dignity.
He stepped forward and spoke gently.
"May the Almighty Dues be with you. Your arrangements have been made. These two craftsmen will guide you."
Two designated craftsmen approached, apprentices following behind. The families looked tense. Children gripped their mothers' hands, eyes wide.
But the craftsmen — appointed by the lord himself — treated them with kindness and respect.
And slowly, the women's faces began to soften. Hope, cautious but real, flickered in their eyes.
Before departed, the entire group knelt before Arvind in gratitude.
From despair to hope — from no clean water, no safe shelter — to now, a future.
Faelan observed in silence.
Is my lord naive? Or just… too kind?
Arvind's mind wandered.
He remembered the smiles of civilians hugging their loved ones.
Then — the screams. Magical beasts tearing lives apart.
Is morality still worth it?
His father's cold, indifferent gaze flickered in his memory.
His fists clenched.
I'm still too weak. Morality is for those who are already tigers.
---
Suddenly, a commotion.
He snapped back to the present.
A dozen civilians approached, led by a limping middle-aged man. Behind him, both old and young followed — eyes burning with indignant fire.
The knights moved quickly, forming a protective barrier.
"My lord," said the leader, bowing, "is it true the bandits plan to invade? We stand with you. Those bastards deserve to die — kill them all!"
Others echoed him, fists raised high.
The unrest spread like wildfire — from City Hall to the surrounding streets.
From the crowd came whispers:
"The beast… is it coming again?"
"Will we be cannon fodder?..."
Arvind heard it all.
Fear twisted into something uglier.
One voice rose. Then another.
Until the chant swallowed the streets:
"KILL THEM ALL! RAVENGARDE WILL NOT BE MOCKED!"
Rage spread like wildfire — consuming hesitation as it burned.
---
Later, Aldric returned to the military camp. His face was stone, his presence heavy — radiating so much pressure that knights and officers instinctively looked away.
Like a tiger stalking through the barracks.
Aldric's gaze flicked over a knight. His heart pounded.
"You almost died just now," his friend whispered.
Inside the main tent, a captain — pale and uneasy — saluted and handed Aldric a sealed letter bearing the lord's insignia.
Aldric read it in silence. His expression shifted.
Then, with no warning, he turned and barked:
"Logistics — increase resources to the knights under him to Level Two. And restrain your hand. You know what I'll do if you don't."
"Yes, sir!" The officer saluted and rushed off with two knights.
He turned to a junior-ranked knight.
"You. You'll replace the caravan captain."
The knight swallowed and saluted.
"Yes, sir!"
As the pair exited, they whispered in relief.
"Why's he so terrifying today...?"
The tent fell quiet.
BAM!
Aldric's fist smashed through the table, splintering it to pieces.
Everyone flinched. No one spoke. Sweat dripped.
Only when Aldric stormed out did the others slump down, gasping for breath.
Outside, the commander muttered:
"Showing off to me? Fucking weaklings. If it were me — I'd kill their eight generations."
"Damn those goblins, shouting for justice when they don't even understand the cost."
---
As the sun dipped beyond the horizon, a storm brewed silently over Ravengarde.
Arvind tore open the letter. Shankar's words echoed in his mind:
"A noble must balance all voices—but don't forget, the voice of a knight carries weight. Aldric wasn't wrong."
The letter confirmed it.
At dinner, Anika hummed as she stirred fruit paste—a small distraction.
But Arvind barely heard her.
BAM!
He shot up and ran, his plate forgotten.
Anika blinked. "What happened...?"
---
Before dawn, the next day.
An urgent order arrived at Aldric's estate.
He read it once — and his eyes lit up.
He leapt from bed and summoned the knights.
"You've been tasked with locating the bandit hideout," he growled.
"Search every inch of forest. I want results — or don't return at all."
"YES, SIR!"
Aldric nodded, satisfied. It's just a search. If they fail... I'll have every reason to replace them.
He kicked a pebble, smirking.
"Shrinking already? Hah. Bandits — nothing but rats."
He walked away, whistling — cold amusement trailing behind him.