Chapter 020: Aldor
Aldor greeted Alwyn with a gray sky and biting cold air. This fortress city stood with unfinished construction, yet the atmosphere within was far from peaceful. The people moved hurriedly, their faces filled with caution. The soldiers stationed at the gates gave stiff salutes, reflecting the tension that had deeply rooted itself in this place.
In the main hall of Aldor's castle, a middle-aged man in an overly lavish ceremonial robe for a regional lord stood, his expression uneasy. Edric Valmond, the lord of Aldor, was an aristocratic-looking man marked with lines of fatigue. His eyes were sharp, but there was an anxiety that he couldn't conceal in his gaze. He was not the type of leader accustomed to the battlefield; his courage had been tested more in feasts than at the front lines.
"Welcome to Aldor, Sir Gusev," Edric said, his voice sounding haughty yet tinged with unease. "I didn't expect you to come here in person. We had already sent a written report to the center."
Alwyn stared at him blankly, then stepped into the hall, followed by Marcel Devereux and Wilham Kessner. Both maintained neutral expressions, but Marcel's sharp gaze quickly swept the room, noticing every small detail.
"And that report isn't enough," Alwyn replied calmly, but with a firmness that made the atmosphere in the room even heavier. "I need to see Aldor and Ironvale firsthand. The situation here cannot be handled just through correspondence."
Edric smiled thinly, trying to hide his unease. "Of course, I understand. However, things here are quite under control. There have been a few... minor disturbances from the locals, but nothing too alarming."
Marcel raised an eyebrow slightly, while Wilham let out a quiet snort. Edric's statement contradicted the reports they had received from their intelligence network. The native people in Ironvale were growing restless, and there were indications that outside forces might be targeting the mining resources. If Edric was underestimating the situation, there were two possibilities—either he was incompetent, or he had personal interests he wanted to protect.
Alwyn stepped closer, staring directly into Edric's eyes. "I hope you don't consider my visit a disruption, Sir Valmond. I'm here to ensure Aldor remains strong. If there is something I need to know, you should tell me now."
Edric swallowed, his expression briefly showing fear. However, he quickly straightened his back, trying to maintain his dignity. "Of course, Sir Gusev. I will arrange a meeting with the mining supervisors and the Aldor military administration. I'm sure they can provide a more detailed report."
Alwyn nodded. "Good. I want to see all the documents related to Aldor and Ironvale. I also want to speak with the local commanders and some of the locals. Make sure no information is being withheld."
Edric smiled stiffly, then turned to a man standing beside him—Garrick Mornay, his right-hand man who mostly handled administrative matters. Garrick was a slender man with cunning eyes that always observed things carefully. Compared to Edric, Garrick appeared more alert and calculating.
"Set everything up immediately," Edric commanded Garrick.
"Of course, Sir," Garrick replied in a flat tone, his voice suggesting someone who always had his own agenda.
Alwyn glanced at Marcel and Wilham, giving them a subtle signal. They understood—they had to remain cautious. There was something in Aldor that had yet to be uncovered, and their arrival here might just be the beginning of a larger conflict.
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Meeting in Aldor
Upon arriving in the simple yet power-laden office, Alwyn sat in front of a large desk filled with untouched documents. Edric Valmond, who had just received Alwyn, stood by the window, gazing at the calm view of Aldor, even though the atmosphere in the room was anything but calm.
"Sir Gusev," Edric began, his voice filled with an unspoken tension. "We've received the latest reports about the situation in Ironvale... but I'm afraid the information is still unclear."
Alwyn watched Edric closely. This young lord seemed unsure of where to begin. His haughty demeanor was evident, but there was an unspoken anxiety behind his expression.
"So, you think the situation isn't clear?" Alwyn asked, his tone calm but carrying a pressure. "Is that because the reports you received are vague, or is there something being intentionally concealed?"
Edric turned to Alwyn, his face slightly flushed. He diverted his gaze before speaking hesitantly. "There's rising tension among the local population, and we've also received reports of incidents that we haven't been able to clarify properly... As well as activity in the Ironvale mines, which is sometimes too difficult to monitor."
Before Alwyn could respond, a knock came at the door. A middle-aged man entered without waiting for permission. His gaze was sharp, and his steps exuded confidence, as though the room belonged to him.
Edric immediately straightened up, though there was a fleeting hesitation in his eyes. "Sir Calen," he said in a tone attempting to sound authoritative, though not entirely successfully.
Calen glanced briefly at Edric, then shifted his attention to Alwyn. "Sir Gusev, I am Sir Edric's trusted man," he said in a low, firm voice, but without the usual respectful tone given to superiors.
Alwyn looked at him sharply. Behind Calen's professional demeanor, Alwyn sensed something deeper. Edric may have officially been the lord of Aldor, but this room spoke differently—Calen had entered uninvited, spoken without waiting for approval, and hadn't even waited for Edric to introduce him.
"You?" Alwyn asked, his voice laced with doubt. "What do you know about this situation that Sir Valmond hasn't told me?"
Calen gave a thin smile, but it wasn't a friendly one. "There's much happening outside of our control, Sir Gusev. However, perhaps you'd be better off hearing the story directly from those who understand the situation on the ground."
Marcel and Wilham, who had been silent until now, exchanged a brief look. Marcel stepped forward and added, "We will conduct further observations on the ground, Lord. Perhaps reports from those more involved can give you a clearer picture."
Alwyn nodded, realizing that the situation was far more complicated than he had been told. "Continue your investigation," Alwyn said to Marcel and Wilham, "Stay alert for any possibilities. We need to know more."
Edric remained standing, as if he wanted to say something but hesitated. Calen, on the other hand, seemed more relaxed, as though he were the one truly in control of the meeting.
As they exited the room, Alwyn couldn't shake the feeling that Aldor might have two rulers—one who held the title, and one who truly held the reins.
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Alwyn stepped out of the meeting room, his mind filled with possibilities. Calen's words echoed in his mind. How could a head of guards speak as if he held full authority? And what was even stranger, Edric showed no resistance at all.
In the long corridor, lit by candlelight, Wilham walked beside him. "Sir, what do you think? Who truly controls Aldor?" he asked in a low voice, as if worried the walls might overhear.
"Calen," Alwyn replied without hesitation. "Valmond may hold the official title, but it's Calen who pulls the strings behind the scenes. That's obvious."
Wilham nodded slightly, as if he had suspected as much. "I'm uncomfortable with the way he treats Valmond. If a leader loses his authority in front of his subordinates, how can he be expected to lead?"
They passed a few soldiers who gave short salutes before continuing with their duties. Ironvale was always filled with tension, but Aldor had a different atmosphere—more subtle, more dangerous.
Upon reaching the castle courtyard, Marcel was already waiting. "We've gathered some information," he said immediately, without preamble. "There are those dissatisfied with the situation in Aldor, including some minor nobles who feel neglected. But what's most interesting is that most of the key decisions don't seem to come from Edric Valmond."
"Then from whom?" Alwyn asked, though he already knew the answer.
Marcel glanced toward the lit window of Edric's office. "I think we know who," he said seriously.
Alwyn took a deep breath. He needed to ensure that whoever truly wielded power in Aldor would not become a threat to his mission in Ironvale. But how could he confront someone who wasn't even sitting in the seat of power, yet held full control over it?
The night grew later, and that question lingered in the air, waiting for an answer that was yet unclear.
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