—Commander, allow me…
Kaito raised his hand.
—No.
Adelheid stopped.
Kaito walked toward the man.
—What's your name?
—Rathgar.
—Rathgar. Why did you swear loyalty if you don't respect me?
Rathgar let out a bitter laugh.
—Because I had no choice. Gorman swore the oath. And I… I just follow orders.
Kaito nodded.
—Honest. I appreciate that.
He turned to the others.
—All of you. You killed two men in a stupid fight.
He paused.
—Under the laws of Avernor, you'd be executed. All of you.
Silence.
—But this isn't Avernor.
He looked at Adelheid.
—What's your verdict, Commander?
Adelheid studied the accused.
—Proportional punishment. Forced labor rebuilding the fortifications. Six months.
She looked at Rathgar.
—And him… exile. If he cannot serve with loyalty, he should leave.
Kaito shook his head.
—No.
Adelheid blinked.
—No?
Kaito looked at Rathgar.
—I won't exile you. Because then you'll just go serve another lord. And you'll come back as an enemy.
He stepped closer.
—Instead, I'll give you a choice.
—What choice?
Kaito pointed toward the mountains.
—Work. Six months like the others. No privileges. No complaints.
He paused.
—And at the end of those six months… if you still think I'm just a brat playing king…
He smiled.
—I'll let you go. With provisions. No grudges.
Rathgar stared at him, surprised.
—Why?
Kaito shrugged.
—Because forced loyalty doesn't build kingdoms. It builds resentment.
He turned away.
—Your decision.
Rathgar remained silent for several seconds.
Then he slowly nodded.
—I accept.
Kaito made a signal.
The guards took the five prisoners away.
When they were gone, Adelheid spoke.
—Commander… that was risky.
Kaito nodded.
—I know. But I needed to show that my justice is different.
He looked toward where the prisoners had been taken.
—And maybe… just maybe… I'll earn his respect.
---
One Week Later — Elara's Arrival
A small convoy arrived from Dreisburg.
Kaito went out to greet them personally.
Elara stepped down from a wagon, smiling widely.
—Commander!
Kaito smiled.
—Elara. I'm glad to see you.
She bowed.
—I bring news. Good and… complicated.
—Speak.
Elara pulled out several documents.
—Dreisburg is prospering. The Adenites are generating steady wealth. Avernor is honoring the trade agreement without problems.
She paused.
—But there are rumors. Other kingdoms are asking about you. They want to know who the "Phoenix King" is.
Kaito frowned.
—What kind of kingdoms?
—Stahl. Vestria. Even the Kaltstein Empire in the east.
Elara looked at him.
—Commander… you're becoming famous. And I don't know if that's a good thing.
Kaito exhaled.
—Sooner or later, it was bound to happen.
He looked at Elara.
—Did you bring anything else?
Elara smiled.
—Yes. Thirty families. They've requested to join Neudämmerung permanently.
She pointed behind her.
—They're waiting for your approval.
Kaito looked at the convoy.
Families with children. Elderly. Craftsmen.
All of them watching him with hope.
—Approved. Welcome.
Joy erupted among them.
Elara stepped closer.
—Commander… I want to stay too.
Kaito looked at her.
—Are you sure? Dreisburg needs you.
Elara shook her head.
—Dreisburg is stable. But here… you're building something real.
She smiled.
—I want to be part of it.
Kaito nodded.
—Then welcome, Elara.
---
That Night — Campfire
Only three people were still awake.
Kaito. Adelheid. Lilith.
Sitting around the fire in silence.
Finally, Adelheid spoke.
—Commander… what's the final goal?
Kaito looked at her.
—What do you mean?
Adelheid gestured around them.
—We have a kingdom. Laws. Territory. How far will we go?
Kaito stared into the fire.
—I don't know.
Adelheid frowned.
—You don't know?
Kaito shook his head.
—When I started this… I just wanted to survive. Then I wanted dignity. Then… a home.
He paused.
—But now that I have it… I realize I can't stop.
He looked at Adelheid.
—Because if I stop… someone will come and take it away.
Lilith smiled faintly.
—Then we'll follow you to the end. Whatever that may be.
Kaito looked at both of them.
—Aren't you afraid? Don't you worry about where I might lead you?
Adelheid shook her head.
—No. Because I trust you.
Lilith added,
—And because we've both been in far darker places.
She leaned forward.
—The question isn't how far we'll go, my king.
Her eyes gleamed.
—The question is… how far are you willing to go before you lose yourself?
Kaito felt a chill.
—Sometimes… I'm afraid of that.
Adelheid touched his shoulder.
—That's why we're here.
Lilith nodded.
—We'll be your anchor. When you drift too far… we'll bring you back.
Kaito smiled tiredly.
—Thank you.
Silence returned.
But it was a comfortable silence.
---
The Next Day — Messenger
Kaito was overseeing construction when a guard ran toward him.
—Commander! Messenger!
Kaito turned.
An exhausted man, covered in dust, dropped to one knee.
—My lord… message from the Kingdom of Stahl.
Kaito frowned.
—Stahl?
The messenger nodded.
—They request an audience. Their envoys will arrive in three days.
He paused.
—They come with… a proposal.
Kaito exchanged a glance with Adelheid.
—A proposal or a threat?
The messenger swallowed.
—I don't know, my lord. They only said it was… urgent.
Kaito nodded.
—Understood. Get some rest.
When the messenger left, Adelheid spoke.
—Commander… this could be dangerous.
Kaito nodded.
—I know. But we can't ignore them.
He looked toward the mountains.
—Prepare the defenses. If they come with bad intentions…
—We'll be ready, —Adelheid finished.
Kaito smiled faintly.
—You always are.
He turned.
—Three days. Let's make Neudämmerung look impressive.