Chapter 72: Fire Beneath the Stone
Early Morning – Sairaorg's New Residence
What had once been a crumbling estate on the outskirts of devil society was now slowly transforming.
Volundr stood beside a team of contractors and enchanters, overseeing the final touches of construction. With his own wealth and influence, he had commissioned upgrades: a reinforced training yard with magic-resistant barriers, a specialized library with tomes on tactics and devil history, and a healing chamber laced with restorative magic runes.
The heart of the place, however, wasn't in its facilities—it was in the silent promise it held. A home for a lion once cast out.
"This place won't just be where he trains," Volundr murmured to himself. "It'll be where he becomes more."
Late Morning – Training Grounds
Sairaorg clashed fists with Caelum under the mid-morning sun. Sweat rolled down his face, but his stance remained solid. His blows were faster now—not reckless, but measured. Behind his fists was thought. Behind his movements was will.
Caelum, smiling even as he blocked and countered, tossed a glance at Volundr.
"He's learning. Fast."
Nearby, Seraphina practiced controlled bursts of light magic, while Kuroka lounged under a tree, watching Sairaorg with a subtle interest.
She flicked her tail once and muttered just loud enough for Volundr to hear.
"That Bael brat's eyes are dangerous… like he's hunting destiny."
Volundr's eyes followed Sairaorg as he reset into stance, focusing despite the heat, despite the bruises.
"He's not a brute," he thought. "He's becoming a commander."
Afternoon – Library Study
After training, Volundr led Sairaorg into the library. They sat on opposite sides of a long table, maps and historical scrolls spread before them. Volundr quizzed him on noble politics, military formations, Rating Game strategies. Sairaorg didn't have natural political cunning—but he studied. He remembered.
He wrote notes in neat, tight script. Asked questions. Challenged assumptions.
He didn't aim to become clever. He aimed to become wise.
Evening – Stone Platform Overlook
As the sun dipped behind the hills, Volundr and Sairaorg sat in silence atop a stone platform carved into the estate's upper ridge. From here, the land stretched endlessly, golden under the dying light.
The breeze was cool. The silence comfortable.
After a long pause, Sairaorg finally spoke.
"If I become King…"
Volundr cut him off gently, voice firm with certainty.
"No. When you become King."
Sairaorg turned to him, startled at first, then slowly, he nodded.
He didn't smile. He didn't thank him. He simply accepted the words—as truth.
A lion didn't need reassurance. Only direction.
End of Chapter 72