The outer territory of Caldryn was nothing like Ace expected.
There were no grand banners. No obvious war formations.
Only controlled silence.
From a distance, Ace and Amagi observed the main military camp hidden within a rocky valley. Guard rotations were precise. Supply routes were heavily protected. Workers—no, slaves—moved under watchful eyes, hauling crates, sharpening weapons, reinforcing structures.
"They're preparing," Ace whispered.
Amagi studied the pattern carefully. "We won't learn enough from outside."
Night fell slowly over the valley. Torches lit the perimeter, and patrols doubled.
Amagi's expression hardened. "If we want real information, we need to get inside."
Ace understood immediately.
"The slaves," he said quietly.
Amagi nodded.
Before dawn, they intercepted a supply convoy transporting captured laborers. Moving quickly and cleanly, they disabled the escort guards without raising an alarm and took their place among the chained prisoners.
They lowered their posture. Slowed their breathing. Hid their strength.
The gates of Caldryn's camp opened.
Ace kept his head down as they were pushed forward. The atmosphere inside was suffocating—orders barked sharply, metal clashing, boots striking dirt in perfect rhythm.
Despite wearing restraints, both Ace and Amagi walked with controlled calm.
They were warriors pretending to be broken.
Inside the camp, they were separated into work groups. Ace was assigned to transport weapon crates. Amagi to construction support near the central command tents.
Even while lifting heavy loads, Ace carefully suppressed his strength. He used only enough force to avoid suspicion.
But something felt… off.
Across the training grounds, a crowd of soldiers had gathered.
In the center stood a man unlike the others.
He was massive.
His frame towered above every soldier around him, muscles layered like forged armor. Each movement carried unnatural weight, as if the ground itself resisted him.
Two soldiers attempted to spar with him.
It ended in seconds.
They were thrown aside effortlessly—not brutally, but decisively.
Ace narrowed his eyes.
Amagi, from across the yard, had noticed him too.
The man's presence didn't just command attention—it dominated it.
But what unsettled Ace wasn't just his size.
It was his stillness afterward.
The way he stood. Watching. Calculating.
As if he already knew something was different about the two new "slaves."
For the first time since entering the camp—
Ace felt observed.
And whoever that giant was…
He was no ordinary soldier.