The convoy moved slowly along the mountain road.
One hundred souls.
Fifty soldiers.
Thirty families.
Twenty artisans.
And at the front, three figures who had already become legendary.
Kaito walked with a map in hand, studying the terrain.
Adelheid marched at his right, overseeing the formation with a hawk's gaze.
Lilith walked to his left, barefoot as always, her chains dragging across the rocks.
They had been traveling for three days since leaving Raven Pass.
The land rose higher with every hour.
The air grew colder.
But also cleaner.
Freer.
—Commander —Adelheid called—. Look.
Kaito raised his gaze.
And stopped.
Before them opened a valley.
It wasn't enormous. But it was perfect.
Surrounded by mountains on three sides, with a single entrance easy to defend. A river ran through the center, descending from the heights with crystal-clear water. There were scattered trees, fertile land, and at the northern end… the ruins of what had once been an ancient fortress.
Gray stone walls covered in moss. Collapsed towers. But the basic structure… still solid.
Kaito felt something tighten in his chest.
As if he had been searching for this place his entire life without knowing it.
—Here —he said.
Adelheid looked at him.
—Commander?
Kaito pointed to the valley.
—Here we'll plant our banner.
Adelheid studied the terrain with a soldier's eye.
—Excellent defensive position. Abundant water. Space for agriculture and construction.
She nodded.
—It's perfect.
Lilith walked to the edge of the cliff, looking down.
—There's more.
Kaito approached her.
—What?
Lilith pointed toward the ruins.
—That fortress… I recognize it.
Kaito frowned.
—You recognize it?
Lilith nodded.
—In my time, it was called Burg Aschenfall. Fortress of Ashes.
She looked at Kaito.
—It was built by a queen who tried to rebel against the gods.
She paused.
—She was defeated. But the fortress remained. As a warning.
Kaito smiled slowly.
—Then it's doubly perfect.
He looked at both of them.
—A kingdom born from ashes. Led by those who were cast aside.
He turned toward the convoy.
—Everyone, listen!
The caravan stopped.
All eyes turned to Kaito.
He raised his voice.
—This will be our home! Here we will build our kingdom!
Some cheered.
Others only watched, exhausted but hopeful.
Kaito continued.
—We will work together! We will rebuild these ruins! And when we're done…!
He paused.
—The world will remember that we exist!
This time, more voices joined in.
Adelheid drew her sword and raised it.
—For the Commander! For Neudämmerung!
The cry spread.
—For Neudämmerung!
Kaito felt a chill.
It's really happening.
I have a kingdom.
---
Two Weeks Later — Founding Ceremony
The valley had changed.
The ruins no longer looked dead.
The walls had been reinforced. The towers stabilized. Tents and temporary structures filled the valley.
And at the center, before the restored fortress…
A plaza.
Hundreds of people gathered.
Original inhabitants. Soldiers from the fortresses. Refugees who had arrived in recent weeks.
Kaito stood on an elevated platform.
He wore a new black coat, more formal. No excessive adornments. Simple. But imposing.
To his right, Adelheid in a flawless military uniform.
To his left, Lilith in a ceremonial black-and-gold dress.
Both standing as pillars.
Gorman stepped forward, unrolling a scroll.
—By right of conquest, by the will of the people, and by the mandate of those who have sworn loyalty…
His voice rang out clearly.
—We declare the founding of the Kingdom of Neudämmerung.
He paused.
—Kingdom of the New Dawn.
Kaito stepped forward.
—Today, a kingdom of blood is not born. A kingdom of second chances is.
He looked over the crowd.
—All of you were cast aside. Forgotten. Abandoned by those who were meant to protect you.
His voice hardened.
—But no longer. Here, your worth is not determined by your birth, but by your effort.
He gestured to Adelheid.
—Adelheid will serve as Supreme Commander. Leader of all military forces.
Adelheid bowed her head.
Then he turned to Lilith.
—Lilith will be Grand Counselor. Responsible for civil justice and internal affairs.
Lilith gave an elegant bow.
Kaito continued.
—And I… will be your king. Not by divine right. But because you allow me to be.
He paused.
—And the day you no longer do… that day I will cease to be king.
Silence.
Then applause.
Slow at first.
Then louder.
Until the entire plaza roared.
Gorman raised a banner.
Black. With a silver phoenix embroidered at its center.
Rebirth from the ashes.
The banner was raised atop the highest tower of the fortress.
Waving against the wind.
The Kingdom of Neudämmerung had officially been born.
---
That Afternoon — Council Chamber
Kaito, Adelheid, Lilith, Gorman, and the fortress leaders gathered.
A map of the kingdom lay spread across the table.
—We need clear organization —Kaito said—. We can't rule through chaos.
Adelheid pointed to the map.
—I propose a simple territorial division.
She drew lines.
—Dreisburg remains the commercial capital. It controls the Adenite mines.
—The Three Fortresses handle military defense. They control the mountain passes.
—And this valley… Aschenfall… will be the administrative capital. Where you rule.
Kaito nodded.
—I like it. Clear. Functional.
Lilith added,
—We also need laws.
She looked at Kaito.
—We can't govern through improvisation alone.
Kaito agreed.
—Then let's establish basic principles.
He began dictating as Lilith wrote.
—One: No executions without trial. Every accused has the right to a defense.
—Two: Progressive taxation. Those who have more contribute more.
—Three: Freedom of movement. No one is a slave or a serf.
—Four: Divided justice. Military crimes under Adelheid. Civil crimes under Lilith.
Gorman raised a hand.
—And crimes that cross that line?
Kaito looked at him.
—Then I judge them personally.
Everyone nodded.
—There's more —Kaito added—. Meritocracy.
He looked around.
—I don't care if you were born noble or peasant. If you serve well, you rise. If you fail, you fall.
He paused.
—That's the contrast with Avernor. They rule by birth. We rule by merit.
Adelheid smiled faintly.
—That… I like.
The meeting continued for hours.
Discussing details. Routes. Construction. Defenses.
By the time it ended, night had fallen.
---
Three Days Later — First Crisis
The news came suddenly.
A fight in an improvised tavern.
Two dead.
Several wounded.
Kaito arrived at the scene with Adelheid.
The tavern was wrecked. Broken tables. Blood on the floor.
Outside, a group of soldiers guarded five men in chains.
Three were soldiers loyal to Kaito from Dreisburg.
Two were former men of Vargun.
—What happened? —Kaito asked.
One of the witnesses, an elderly woman, spoke.
—They started arguing. About who was the better soldier. Then…
She lowered her gaze.
—One of Vargun's men said you weren't a real king. That you were just a lucky brat.
She paused.
—The others defended you. And… it escalated.
Kaito looked at the accused.
All of them lowered their eyes.
Except one of the former men of Vargun.
A bulky man with a scar on his cheek.
—Is it true what you said? —Kaito asked.
The man looked at him with contempt.
—Yes. I said it. And I stand by it.
He spat.
—You're just a brat playing king. Vargun was a real leader.
Adelheid drew her sword.