Dawn in Dreisburg arrived under a heavy silence.
It was not the silence of peace.
It was the silence of farewell.
In the central square, the townsfolk gathered in small groups. They spoke in hushed voices. Some packed their belongings. Others simply… waited.
Kaito watched from the entrance of his temporary barracks.
Adelheid stood to his right, arms crossed, her expression stern.
Lilith stood to his left, absentmindedly playing with one of her chains.
—Not everyone will come with us —Kaito said quietly.
Adelheid nodded.
—I know. Some have roots here. Family. Memories.
Lilith smiled faintly.
—And others simply don't trust following a "king without a kingdom."
Kaito did not argue.
She was right.
—We need a plan —he said at last—. We can't simply leave and abandon Dreisburg without leadership.
Adelheid turned to him.
—Are you suggesting we leave someone in charge?
—Exactly.
Kaito walked toward the map spread across a nearby table.
—If Dreisburg is left unattended, Avernor might change its mind. Or bandits could attack. Or it could simply… collapse.
He looked at both women.
—We need to leave a leader behind. Someone capable. Someone loyal.
Lilith tilted her head.
—And how do you plan to choose them?
Kaito looked at Adelheid.
—With your power.
Adelheid blinked.
—My… Iron Will?
—Yes.
Kaito stepped closer.
—Not to control them. To evaluate them.
Adelheid frowned.
—I don't understand.
Kaito exhaled.
—Your ability allows you to see people's conviction. Their will. Their capacity to lead.
He paused.
—Use it to find the one who truly has what it takes to lead Dreisburg. Someone incorruptible. Someone who genuinely cares about this place.
Adelheid was silent.
Then she nodded slowly.
—Understood, Commander.
---
One Hour Later — Central Square
The people of Dreisburg gathered.
Not all of them. Only those who had shown leadership during the crisis.
Master Kal, the blacksmith.
The Voss brothers, former sergeants.
An old merchant named Gregor.
A young woman, an improvised healer, named Elara.
And several others.
Kaito stood before them, Adelheid and Lilith flanking him.
—Thank you for coming —Kaito began—. I know you've heard the rumors. And they are true.
He paused.
—I am leaving Dreisburg.
Murmurs rippled through the group.
—But I am not abandoning you —he continued—. This town bought its freedom. And that freedom… needs protection.
He looked at each of them.
—That is why I need to leave someone in charge. Someone who can lead in my absence.
Gregor stepped forward.
—And how do you intend to choose that person, Commander?
Kaito gestured to Adelheid.
—She will.
All eyes turned to the silver-haired woman.
Adelheid stepped forward, hands clasped behind her back.
—I will evaluate each of you —she said clearly—. Not through combat. Not through words.
Her gray eyes gleamed.
—Through conviction.
She activated her power.
Not fully. Just enough.
An invisible pressure fell over the square.
The candidates stiffened.
—You will feel something strange —Adelheid explained—. As if someone were looking inside you.
She walked slowly in front of them.
—Do not resist. Just… be honest.
She stopped in front of Gregor.
She met his gaze.
The old merchant trembled, but did not look away.
Adelheid closed her eyes.
Ambition. A great deal of it. But… corruptible. Greedy at the core.
She moved on.
One of the Voss brothers.
Loyal. Disciplined. But… follows orders. Does not create them.
Next.
Master Kal.
Strong. Decisive. But too practical. Unable to see the bigger picture.
Next.
Elara, the young healer.
Adelheid stopped.
She frowned.
This is… different.
The pressure increased slightly.
Elara closed her eyes, breathing with difficulty.
But she did not retreat.
Adelheid looked within her.
Fear. Yes. But not fear of leading.
Fear of failing.
Fear of disappointing.
But beneath it…
Conviction. Pure. Incorruptible.
"I want this place to survive. Not for glory. But because it is my home."
Adelheid opened her eyes.
She stared at Elara for several seconds.
Then turned to Kaito.
—Her.
Kaito blinked.
—Elara?
Adelheid nodded.
—She has the strongest conviction. Not ambition, but genuine devotion to this place.
Elara opened her eyes, stunned.
—I… I'm not…
—You are exactly what Dreisburg needs —Adelheid interrupted.
She walked toward her.
—You are not corrupt. You do not seek power. You only want your home to survive.
She paused.
—That makes you more qualified than any noble I have ever met.
Elara swallowed hard.
Kaito stepped forward.
—Do you accept, Elara?
She looked at him.
Her eyes trembled.
—I… I don't know if I can…
Kaito smiled faintly.
—No one knows if they can until they try.
He extended his hand.
—I will leave you resources. Advisors. And when my kingdom is established… I will bring you with me, if you wish.
Elara looked at his outstretched hand.
Then, slowly, she took it.
—I accept.
The square erupted in murmurs.
Some approving.
Others… less so.
Gregor frowned.
—A healer? With no political experience?
Adelheid looked at him coldly.
—And you? With your barely restrained greed?
Gregor stepped back.
Adelheid turned to the group.
—Elara will lead. And you will support her.
It was not a suggestion.
It was an order.
The pressure of her Iron Will pulsed briefly.
The candidates nodded.
Some genuinely.
Others… because they had no choice.
---
That Night — Kaito's Quarters
Elara was summoned.
She entered nervously, hands clenched.
Kaito sat before a map. Adelheid reviewed documents. Lilith… simply observed from a corner, wearing an enigmatic smile.
—Sit —Kaito said, gesturing to a chair.
Elara obeyed.
Kaito looked at her.
—I know you're afraid.
Elara lowered her gaze.
—It's… it's too much. I'm just a healer. I know nothing about ruling.
—No one is born knowing how —Kaito replied—. I didn't know anything either when I arrived here.
He slid a document toward her.
—This is a summary of Dreisburg's resources. Population. Food. Adenites.
Elara read it with wide eyes.
—The Adenites are your bargaining chip —Kaito continued—. Avernor accepted the deal. They will keep buying them. That gives you time.
Adelheid added:
—We will also leave some soldiers behind. The most loyal ones. For protection.
Lilith approached, her voice soft.
—And I will leave… something special.
She produced a small glass vial.
Inside was a translucent liquid.
—If any noble from Avernor tries to intimidate you… one drop of this in their drink will make them forget why they came.
Elara stared at the vial in horror.
—I… I can't…
Lilith smiled.
—You don't have to use it. Just… have it. As insurance.
Kaito took the vial and put it away.
—Not now. Perhaps never.
He looked at Elara.
—But I want you to know something.
He leaned forward.
—You are not alone. Dreisburg is not alone. When my kingdom is established… I will return. And if you wish, I will take you with me.
Elara trembled.
—Why… why do you trust me?
Kaito smiled.
—Because Adelheid saw something in you that no one else has.
He paused.
—Honesty.
Tears welled in Elara's eyes.
—I won't disappoint you.
—I know.
---
Two Days Later — Departure
Kaito's group was ready.
Fifty people. The most loyal. The most capable.
Trained soldiers.
Essential artisans.
Families with no remaining ties.
Adelheid led the vanguard.
Lilith walked beside Kaito.
At the gates of Dreisburg, Elara stood to see them off.
—Thank you —she said simply.
Kaito nodded.
—Take care of this place. When I return… I want to see it thriving.
Elara smiled through tears.
—I will.
Kaito turned.
—Forward!
The group began to march.
Westward.
Toward the mountains.
Toward a new kingdom.
As they walked, Lilith spoke softly.
—Do you think she'll survive?
Kaito did not answer immediately.
—She has to.
From the front, Adelheid added:
—She will. Her conviction is genuine.
Lilith smiled.
—How sweet. The commander has hope.
Adelheid shot her a deadly glare.
Kaito ignored them both.
His eyes were fixed on the horizon.
A new kingdom.
A new beginning.
But first…
We must survive the journey.
And in the distance, hidden among the clouds…
The mountains were waiting.