Meeting Room — Aschenfall Fortress
Kaito leaned over an improvised table, studying maps and documents.
Beside him, Adelheid reviewed personnel lists with a serious expression.
Elara stood in front of them, her hands nervously clasped.
"So," Kaito said, looking up. "We need to decide who will govern Dreisburg in your absence."
Elara nodded.
"There are three main candidates."
She pulled out a list.
"Master Brennan. Veteran blacksmith. Respected by everyone."
"Widow Margit. Successful merchant. She knows how to deal with Avernor."
"And Joren. Former soldier. Retired. A good organizer."
Adelheid studied the names.
"Loyalty verified?"
"All three were evaluated," Elara replied. "None have ties to Avernor beyond necessary trade."
Kaito tapped his fingers on the table.
"Which one do you recommend?"
Elara hesitated.
"Margit. She has political experience. And she knows how to negotiate."
Adelheid nodded.
"I agree. In times of peace, we need diplomacy, not force."
Kaito made the decision.
"Then Margit it is. But with Joren as military advisor."
He looked at Elara.
"Does that work for you?"
Elara smiled.
"Yes, Commander."
Kaito signed the appointment document.
But then Elara spoke again, her voice more serious.
"There's something else you need to know."
Kaito looked up.
"What is it?"
Elara took a deep breath.
"The Adenitas mine… won't last forever."
Adelheid tensed.
"How soon?"
Elara pulled out another document with calculations.
"According to our estimates… one year. Maybe less."
Silence fell like a stone.
Kaito leaned back in his chair.
"One year?"
Elara nodded.
"We've been extracting aggressively to meet Avernor's demands. The veins are running out."
She paused.
"And when that happens… Avernor will have no reason to keep the deal."
Adelheid clenched her fists.
"Then they'll come for Dreisburg."
Elara lowered her gaze.
"Most likely."
Kaito stood up and walked to the window.
He looked out over the valley of Aschenfall.
"Then we have to bring them here."
Adelheid looked at him.
"All of them?"
Kaito nodded.
"All of them. Before the mines run out."
He turned.
"Gradual evacuation. Without alarming Avernor."
Elara frowned.
"That will be… complicated. We're talking about hundreds of people."
"I know," Kaito replied. "But it's the only way to protect them."
Adelheid stepped closer to the map.
"Then we'll need resources. A lot of them."
She pointed at Aschenfall.
"This valley is at zero. We have no agriculture established. No trade. No… anything."
Kaito nodded.
"That's why we need to explore."
He looked at Adelheid.
"Send out scouting teams. I want to know what resources we have nearby."
Adelheid nodded.
"Wood. Minerals. Water. Game."
She began taking notes.
"I'll organize teams immediately."
Kaito added,
"We also need to prioritize construction."
He looked at Elara.
"First, houses for the people. Then administrative buildings. Warehouses. Workshops."
He paused.
"And last… our castle."
Adelheid stopped.
"Last?"
Kaito nodded.
"Last. I don't need a castle while my people are sleeping in tents."
Adelheid frowned.
"Commander, that's… impractical."
Elara added timidly,
"It's also… undignified for a king."
Kaito looked at them.
"I don't care about dignity. I care about loyalty."
He gestured toward the camp.
"If I build a castle before their homes, what message does that send?"
He paused.
"That I'm like any other king. Me first, them later."
Adelheid opened her mouth to protest.
But the door opened.
Lilith entered, her chains dragging behind her.
"I heard voices. Am I interrupting?"
Kaito shook his head.
"No. In fact, I need your opinion."
He quickly explained the situation.
When he finished, Lilith frowned.
"I don't like it."
Kaito blinked.
"You too?"
Lilith stepped closer.
"Commander… I understand your logic. But a king without a castle is a king without a symbol."
Her golden eyes shone.
"Neighboring kingdoms will see that as weakness. As if we can't afford one."
Adelheid nodded vigorously.
"Exactly. We need to project strength."
Kaito sighed.
"Then what do you suggest?"
Lilith thought for a moment.
"A compromise. We rebuild the main fortress first. Not as a luxurious castle, but as a functional headquarters."
She pointed toward the ruins.
"Those walls already exist. They just need repairs. It's faster than building from scratch."
Adelheid added,
"And at the same time, we build the houses. Simultaneously."
Kaito considered the proposal.
"Do we have resources for both?"
Adelheid shook her head.
"Not yet. That's why we need those scouting teams."
She turned toward the door.
"With your permission, Commander, I'll organize them right now."
Kaito nodded.
"Go ahead."
Adelheid left quickly.
Lilith remained, studying Kaito.
"You're worried."
It wasn't a question.
Kaito exhaled.
"We have a year. Maybe less."
He sat down.
"A year to turn this valley into something strong enough to withstand Avernor."
Lilith stepped closer, leaning on the table.
"We'll manage."
"How can you be so sure?"
Lilith smiled.
"Because we have something Avernor doesn't."
"What?"
"True motivation."
Her eyes gleamed.
"They rule by tradition. We rule by survival."
She paused.
"And survival… always defeats arrogance."
Kaito smiled faintly.
"I hope you're right."
---
Two Hours Later — Training Yard
Adelheid had organized four scouting teams.
Ten people each.
Kaito stood nearby, watching the formation.
"Team Alpha," Adelheid announced. "North. Forests. Look for quality timber and game."
A veteran soldier saluted.
"Understood, Commander."
"Team Beta. East. Mountains. Minerals. Especially iron or copper."
Another nodded.
"Team Gamma. South. Low valleys. Arable land. Rivers."
"Team Delta. West. General exploration. Potential threats. Trade routes."
Adelheid looked at all of them.
"You have three days. Report everything. Every tree, every stone, every animal."
She paused.
"This valley is our home. We need to know it better than anyone."
The teams saluted in unison.
"Yes, Commander!"
They dispersed.
Kaito approached Adelheid.
"Good work."
Adelheid nodded.
"Now all we can do is wait."
Kaito looked toward the mountains.
"And prepare for Stahl's envoys."
Adelheid frowned.
"They arrive tomorrow."
"I know."
Kaito turned.
"We need Aschenfall to look… presentable."
Adelheid smiled slightly.
"I've already taken care of it. We cleaned the main fortress. Prepared an audience hall."
She paused.
"It won't be impressive. But it will be dignified."
Kaito nodded.
"Perfect."
---
That Night — Main Hall
Kaito, Adelheid, and Lilith inspected the audience hall.
They had cleaned the main chamber of the fortress.
The stone walls were now free of moss.
They had placed a long table with simple chairs.
Torches lit the space.
It wasn't luxurious.
But it was functional.
Lilith walked around, evaluating.
"Austere. But honest."
Adelheid added,
"It sends exactly the right message. We're new, but serious."
Kaito sat in the main chair.
"Do you think Stahl will take us seriously?"
Lilith shrugged.
"That depends on what they want."
She leaned against the wall.
"If they came to conquer, it won't matter how we look."
Adelheid nodded.
"And if they came to negotiate… we'll need something to offer."
Kaito frowned.
"We don't have much."
Lilith smiled.
"We have Adenitas. For now."
"And we have a strategic position," Adelheid added. "We control the mountain passes."
Kaito nodded slowly.
"Then that's what we offer. Access. Limited trade."
He looked at both of them.
"But nothing that binds us militarily."
Adelheid frowned.
"And if they insist?"
Kaito stood.
"Then we refuse. And prepare for the consequences."
He walked to the window.
"I won't build this kingdom by selling our freedom."
Lilith smiled.
"Those are the words of a true king."
Adelheid nodded.
"Then tomorrow… we'll see what Stahl wants."
Kaito looked toward the horizon.
Where the sun was setting behind the mountains.
"Yes. Tomorrow we'll find out."
---
The Next Day — Arrival of the Envoys
The convoy appeared at midday.
Twenty soldiers in gray and black armor.
Two ornate carriages.
At the front, a woman riding a white horse.
Kaito watched from the wall.
"That must be the ambassador."
Adelheid stood beside him with a spyglass.
"Lady Serafina von Eisenhardt. I recognize the emblem."
She lowered the spyglass.
"High-ranking noble. Known strategist."
Lilith appeared behind them.
"Is she leading alone?"
Adelheid nodded.
"Seems so."
Lilith smiled.
"Interesting. Either she trusts her men greatly… or she fears nothing."
Kaito climbed down from the wall.
"Let's receive them formally."
The three walked to the main gate.
When the convoy arrived, Kaito was waiting.
Adelheid to his right.
Lilith to his left.
Behind them, an honor guard of twenty soldiers.
The woman dismounted gracefully.
She was tall. Brown hair tied in an elegant bun. Sharp green eyes. A formal black dress with silver details.
She looked about forty, but moved with the confidence of someone who had seen a thousand battles.
She walked toward Kaito without hesitation.
"Lord Kaito, I presume."
Kaito nodded.
"Lady Serafina."
She smiled slightly.
"So the rumors are true. A young king."
She glanced at Adelheid and Lilith.
"And with… interesting company."
Kaito didn't take the bait.
"Welcome to Neudämmerung. I hope the journey wasn't difficult."
Serafina shook her head.
"Nothing my men couldn't handle."
She looked around.
"This place is… rustic."
Kaito smiled.
"We're building. Rome wasn't built in a day."
Serafina laughed.
"True. Very true."
She gestured lightly.
"May we speak in private?"
Kaito nodded.
"Of course. Follow me."
---
Audience Hall
Serafina sat with elegance.
Kaito across from her.
Adelheid and Lilith standing behind him.
Two of Serafina's guards by the door.
Serafina looked around the room.
"Modest. But functional."
She looked at Kaito.
"I like it. It shows you don't waste resources on vanity."
Kaito leaned back.
"Let's get to the point, Lady Serafina. What does Stahl want from Neudämmerung?"
Serafina smiled.
"Direct. I like that too."
She pulled out a document.
"Stahl proposes an alliance."
Kaito looked at her without expression.
"What kind of alliance?"
Serafina unfolded the document.
"Military. Against Avernor."
The air tightened.
"We know Avernor expelled you. We know you control valuable resources. And we know…"
Her eyes gleamed.
"…that you possess unusual power."
She looked at Adelheid and Lilith.
"We've studied the old legends. We know what they are."
Adelheid tensed.
Lilith smiled faintly.
Kaito remained calm.
"Go on."
Serafina nodded.
"Stahl offers military support. Supplies. International recognition."
She paused.
"In exchange… we want a trade monopoly over your Adenitas."
"And?"
Serafina hesitated.
"And… we request the 'loan' of Commander Adelheid. Six months. As a military advisor."
Absolute silence.