148. Walk with me

With the decision to journey to Sylvastra made, Kai set to work immediately. He moved swiftly through his remaining tasks, issuing detailed instructions to his retainers on how to manage Veralt in his absence. He didn’t want anyone to lack in any way, therefore, he knew he needed to be clearer on their goals. The first thing he did was to check Gorak and his team for their mana organs. He made them swear they won't ever go against his and Veralt's interest before doing so and the results were pleasant to say the least. Although Raven had no chance to become an Enforcer due to her being an elf, the other three actually had both the mana organs required to become an Enforcer. Gorak told him that he came from a long line of mercenaries, so Kai had expected him to have the organs, but for the twins, it seemed like luck had really favoured them. Though, from what he recalled from research on mana organs, twins mostly had an equal number of organs of each other. He had no idea why it was the case, but it helped bring the total strength of the mercenary group by a lot. He finished with their awakening soon before telling them to prepare for the journey ahead. For the retinue accompanying him to the elven territory, Kai opted for a lean group. The mercenary band trailing him sufficed for security, and he decided against involving Killian, trusting him to keep Veralt secure. Feroy, already managing Verdis, was also unavailable, so Kai turned to Gareth, the newest member of the Watchers. Gareth accepted the offer eagerly, his excitement visible at the prospect of traveling beyond the familiar and stepping foot in the legendary elf lands, everyone heard of; but didn’t get to see. The conversation with Knight Darian had also gone smoothly, though the tough man had one condition; Kai would need to meet Duke Blackwood before passing through his lands. The Duke, it seemed, had taken an interest in him. Kai had no objections; in fact, he’d planned such a meeting regardless. The discovery of the medallion had shifted his priorities, and after a lengthy discussion with Francis, even the cautious advisor had agreed on the importance of building rapport with powerful nobles—especially a Duke. The decision seemed to ease Francis somewhat, though his unease about Kai leaving the territory persisted. Truth be told, even Kai harbored doubts. He understood the risks—Lucian’s scheming, the beast wave’s aftermath, and the gradual growth of Veralt. He knew he needed to be here, to ensure that everything is safe and sound, especially when he knew a little hiccup could turn things upside down. Yet, the need to know about the prophecy and uncover his role in saving the world outweighed his reservations. Kai was no stranger to the weight of his responsibilities. He was juggling precariously, aware that any misstep could send everything tumbling. Especially in the form of a man named Lucian, the proverbial viper. He remained an ever-present threat, coiled and waiting to strike. Though, as to what exactly Lucian was planning, Kai had little idea. Ansel had already dispatched a team to monitor his enemy’s movements, but the reports had been frustratingly sparse. Lucian’s activities had gone eerily quiet, as if he’d vanished entirely. Not even a single public outing in the last month and no rumours came out of his estate. The silence gnawed at Kai’s nerves. It wasn’t the absence of a threat that unnerved him, but the certainty that something was brewing. Whatever it was, he was sure it would unfold before winter. From what Kai had gathered through his talks with Princess Amara about Queen Regina and with Malden and his second brother, Edrian about Lucian, both individuals shared a particular trait—impatience. Neither seemed the type to delay their plans when opportunity presented itself. If Lucian intended to strike, it would be before the snows arrived, when armies could still march and supplies flowed freely. Winter, with its frozen roads and stranded forces, was no season for conflict. This upcoming deadline gave Kai little time to accomplish his goals in Sylvastra. Yet, unlike before, he felt a rare sense of reassurance. Killian and Francis could manage Veralt in his absence, and he trusted them implicitly. His role now was to make the trip swift and productive. "Lord Arzan?" A rough yet familiar voice broke his train of thought. Kai looked up from the book he’d been poring over, a detailed text on Lancephil’s geography, to find Killian standing in the doorway. “Yeah?” Kai asked, his eyes fixed on the knight. Killian stepped into the room, his hands in front of him—a clear sign of the man’s usual posture. “Everything’s ready. Your luggage has been packed, and the retinue is assembled. I believe it would be best to leave now, while most of the city is still asleep.” Kai glanced toward the window, noting the faint light on the horizon. It was close to four in the morning, the hour caught between night and dawn. The streets would be silent and movements would be still—that would allow them to slip away unnoticed. He nodded, closing the book and rising to his feet. “Alright. Let’s walk,” he said and cleared his throat. He stepped towards the door and closed it slowly, the creak disappearing into thin air. He looked from the doorknob to the towering man and observed his eyes. “You’ve got something on your mind, don’t you? You wouldn’t have come to tell me this yourself otherwise.” Killian nodded at that. Kai felt his lips curling upwards at how close he had gotten to the knight to know his habits. Without another word, they made their way down the staircases of the castle. Killian kept his pace with Kai. "Like you instructed," Killian said, beginning to talk about what was bothering him. "New orders have been given to Verdis. We've started fortifying everything. More of the Watchers have been sent there as well. Feroy and Administrator Zorgar seem to be handling things well, but…" He hesitated. Kai turned to look back briefly and noticed the alertness. "I take it that if Duke Lucian is going to do something, he’ll take our preparations into account. It would still be hard to shake him off if he tries." Kai nodded, but there was an edge to his thoughts. "It's like that," he said slowly. "But sometimes I almost want him to try something... Give me a reason to end this once and for all." His voice held a quiet intensity that briefly held Killian back in his tracks. He raised an eyebrow, his skepticism clear. "Are we preparing for an all-out war, Lord Arzan? ‘Cause I always took it as us retaliating, not being the aggressors." He met Kai's gaze, as if demanding him to explain his shift in mindset. Kai’s expression remained unwavering. "It’s still that. We’ll retaliate when the time comes. But as I told you before, with the medallion, things are changing. I would need more power. We’ll strike back at Lucian, but once we do, we won’t just stop there. After we retaliate successfully, we’ll take it a step further—we’ll become the aggressors. I’ve got too many enemies already, with Queen Regina after me as well. And if I get the chance to finish one of them off... I’ll take it." Killian fell silent and Kai felt him absorbing his words. He could already tell the wheels of his knight’s sharp mind was processing, strategizing his words. Then, after a long moment and a lot of descending steps later, he spoke. "Then... Lord Arzan, are you going to contest for the throne?" Kai’s gaze flickered to him, and his expression tightened slightly. "I told you I don’t know yet." He paused, thinking it over. "It’s certainly something I’m considering, but it’s not a decision I can make alone. Moreover, I don’t have the medallion yet." His gaze shifted forward, eyes narrowing as his thoughts sharpened. "But for now, the best course of action is to gain more allies and power—both physical and political. When we have that, I’ll be in a better position to make a move." Killian nodded in acknowledgment, accepting the answer without further questioning. It was obvious that he had been in the game long enough to understand that Kai’s decisions were never rushed. He had made a few of them early on, but was now past the point to barge in recklessly. Moreover, the path to power often had its own layers of complexity. As they reached the first floor, Kai’s mind was already shifting to the next task. He turned to Killian, his voice firm but matter-of-fact. "I need to be somewhere before we head down to the ground. Follow me." Killian gave a sharp nod. "Understood, my lord." With that, Kai moved purposefully toward one of the rooms at the far end of the floor. He slowed as he reached the door, giving it a gentle push open. Inside, the soft glow of candlelight enhanced a figure sleeping on the bed. It was Amyra. Kai stood silently at the threshold of her room, his eyes fixed on her thin form resting on the bed. She looked peaceful, though her complexion was still slightly pale, a complete difference to the soft, natural glow she usually carried. He couldn’t help but notice the faint improvement in her appearance since the last time he’d seen her—her features no longer as pale as they had been during her treatments after the beast wave, the faintest hints of color returning to her skin. Her white hair lay scattered across the pillow. But her chest rose and fell steadily with each breath, and that was enough to reassure him, for now. He wished she would open her golden eyes and look at them, but well, he had no idea when she would wake up—hopefully, it would be soon. His fingers brushed lightly over the door frame as he stepped inside. Killian, still standing behind him, became silent—almost too silent that he might as well become a wall in this stilled room. Kai stood next to Amyra’s laid form and looked at Killian. The knight was looking at her, and there was a certain depth to his eyes. Guilt, regret—he knew it in eyes too well to miss. "Do you still blame yourself?" Kai asked softly, not wanting to trouble whatever deep sleep Amyra was in. Killian’s shoulders stiffened slightly before he responded, his words quiet but filled with the intensity of self-doubt. "I should have been stronger. Amyra used her... powers to help me, to save my life that day. But it should have been the other way around. That’s what being a knight is, isn’t it?" He ran a hand through his hair, his gaze never leaving her. "Now she’s paying the price." Kai's gaze softened, though his own heart ached with the weight of his retainer’s words. "She’s alive." "Yeah, but she's sleeping," Killian said, his voice heavy with emotion. It was unusual to see Killian speaking with emotions. The man was built like a hulk, usually driven with logic and moving with purpose. But now, this was a whole another sight, even his eyes that usually were emotionless, were showing regret. "I don’t know when she’ll wake up." "Hopefully soon," he replied. "I don’t see anything wrong with her. She’s been in a coma. It’s a dangerous state to be in, but I don’t think she’ll stay asleep for long." He knew regret or guilt isn’t something that he could help with at the moment, but his words; he hoped that they would help Killian, at least a little. Because carrying that sort of baggage wasn’t as easy as it seemed. Kai knew that well. Killian nodded, though there was a quiet uncertainty still in his eyes. He looked up towards Kai and let out a breath through his nose. "I hope she wakes up before you come back." Kai stepped closer, looking down at Amyra once more. "That would be for the best," he murmured, his voice quieter now. "I believe Amyra might be a major key for us moving forward. If I need to make her an ally, I’ll need to know exactly what she is." Killian didn’t say anything more, his face a mask of understanding. They shared a moment of quietness before they turned and left the room. The door clicked softly behind them as they walked down the hall in silence. On the way, they didn’t talk much about the future—both of them were too preoccupied with their own thoughts, though Kai had more pressing matters on his mind He briefly asked about the construction of the Sorcerer's Tower which was going well, and Jacks and Klan who had agreed to be their spies in Archine Tower. They'd already left on their way and would soon be contacting them through the Watchers that had been dispatched in the capital. Although it was dangerous, Kai trusted them to pull it off since he didn't need them to get any information that might risk their lives. “...We’re still waiting for a breakthrough, but it’s slow,” Killian said. Kai nodded. "Having information on Magus Veridia and the Archine Tower will go a long way in the long run. It’s a slow game, but it’s a necessary one." They reached the stairs leading down to the ground floor, the dim light from the torches flickering softly around them. He crossed the castle grounds, all the while, Killian trailing behind him. Soon, they walked past the water fountain and outside the gates. The chill of the early morning air brushed against his face, sharp and crisp. The scene before him was far busier than he'd anticipated—dozens of carriages lined up, their drivers waiting, their horses stamping the cold ground. The usual bustle of city life had yet to pick up, but the procession already gave a sense of purpose to the moment. It was at that moment, however, that his eyes landed on a pair of figures he hadn’t expected to see—Amara and Ragnar, alongside Brugnar. Kai’s brow furrowed slightly at the sight, but his posture remained calm as he turned toward Ragnar. The tall figure of the tribesman met his gaze, a deep bow accompanying his words. "Lord Arzan, I was hoping we could accompany the procession," Ragnar said, voice steady but with an undertone of something more—a polite respectful tone. "I’ve been planning to leave for my tribe soon, either way." Kai considered this for a moment. The situation was already complicated enough, but there was no reason to deny Ragnar's request. "Okay," Kai said simply, his voice giving no indication of hesitation. "That won’t be a problem." Ragnar and Brugnar exchanged a brief look, something unspoken passing between them. They both seemed to have more to say, but in the end, they only nodded and made their way to one of the carriages, settling in without further comment. Kai watched them for a moment, his mind already turning over the implications of their presence, before turning toward Amara. Her gaze was steady, but there was a hint of concern in her eyes. "I didn’t expect you to wake up so soon, Princess," Kai said, giving in to his curiosity. Amara, standing a little straighter, met his gaze. "I read the letter you gave Anya of you being away," she said, voice soft but firm. "But I wanted to see you off. But is it really necessary for you to take a sudden trip? And I don’t even know where you’re going." Her words were gentle but held a subtle edge of impatience, as if she were looking for some kind of reassurance. Kai’s expression softened, but the flicker of conflict in his chest was still present. "It is necessary, Princess," he said, his voice steady. "I’m sorry, but I can’t tell you where I’m going right now. Once I return, maybe I will." Amara frowned at that, the edges of her lips curving downward in quiet frustration. It looked like she wanted more, but she knew better than to press further. "Sure," she said, nodding reluctantly. "You did say you’d be back soon." Kai gave her a reassuring smile. "It shouldn’t take more than two, maybe three weeks." Her expression softened at that. "Then... can I come with you?" she asked, a hopeful note in her voice. Kai sighed, his lips tightening. The answer to that question was obvious. He wasn’t taking a trip of adventure or sight seeing, this was something that should be done with utmost care and that included things such as; who he was bringing, and how much attention he was willing to bring into that from the outside world. Moreover, Amara wasn’t in the state to travel, and it would cause extra trouble if something were to happen to her. "No, Princess. You should stay here at Veralt and recover. Even if your heart is healed now, it’s better not to travel. Your body still needs rest." She opened her mouth as though to argue but paused, taking in his words. Finally, she sighed and nodded in acceptance, though the look in her eyes held a quiet disappointment. "Take care of yourself, Lord Arzan," she said softly. "I will," Kai replied, his voice steady despite the storm of thoughts swirling in his mind. Just as the moment seemed to linger in the quiet air, a shout came from the direction of the carriages. "Lord Arzan! We’re ready to move!" Gareth’s voice carried across the distance, and Kai turned to face the group, the time to depart fast approaching. "It looks like it’s time to move," Kai said, glancing back at Amara one last time. She gave him a small nod, and he turned toward the carriages, his mind racing with the uncertainty of the journey ahead. As he stretched his limbs, the weight of the upcoming trip settled on his shoulders. He muttered under his breath, more to himself than anyone else, "I hope this trip is worth it. It’s too much of a gamble." With one last glance at the darkened sky, Kai moved toward the carriages, his heart heavy with the knowledge that whatever awaited him in Sylvastra, it would change everything. *** S~eaʀᴄh the NôᴠeFire.ηet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. A/N - You can read 30 chapters (15 Magus Reborn and 15 Dao of money) on my patreon. - hi guys, I'm tc. i'd appreciate a follow if you're enjoying magus reborn so far. if u want, u can read advanced chapters in our patreon and join the discord server to have a chat with us, I'll drop the links down below :) Patreon for 15 chaps: /extra26 Discord: invite/nc3hVSCP2n