Eldoria was different.
You could feel it before you even saw it.
The roads were cleaner.
The villages—orderly.
The people—
Unafraid.
No smoke on the horizon.
No distant echoes of war.
Just stability.
"…I don't trust it," Rian muttered as the wagon rolled past a group of merchants laughing loudly.
"…Too peaceful."
Adam didn't respond immediately.
His eyes scanned everything.
Guards at intervals.
Structured patrols.
Consistent trade flow.
"…It's controlled," he said.
"…Not peaceful."
Rian grinned.
"…That's worse."
The capital of the eastern region came into view by midday.
Tall walls.
White stone.
Banners untouched by fire.
And above them—
A sigil.
A silver hawk.
"…That's him," Liora said quietly.
Adam glanced at her.
"…Your uncle."
She nodded.
"…Count Alric Vael."
The gates opened without resistance.
Not for them.
But for her.
The guards froze the moment they saw her.
Then—
Immediate respect.
"…Lady Liora."
Adam noticed.
Recognition. Authority. Influence.
Inside—
The difference became even clearer.
Markets full.
Nobles walking freely.
No tension.
No fear.
"…If Arvant touches this place…" Rian muttered.
"…He's going to have a problem."
Adam didn't answer.
But he was thinking the same thing.
They were escorted directly to the inner estate.
Not questioned.
Not delayed.
Power.
The estate itself—
Was massive.
Stone walls.
Clean lines.
Order.
Everything—
Precise.
"…Stay sharp," Adam said quietly.
"…Always am," Rian replied.
They entered the main hall.
And immediately—
The atmosphere changed.
At the far end—
A man stood.
Tall.
Straight.
Eyes sharp as a blade.
Count Alric Vael.
He didn't move forward.
Didn't smile.
Just—
Watched.
"…You're late," he said.
Liora didn't react.
"…We were under siege."
"…I'm aware."
A pause.
His eyes shifted—
To Adam.
"…And this is the one."
Silence.
Adam stepped forward slightly.
"…Adam."
No title.
No bow.
The room tightened slightly.
Alric's gaze sharpened.
"…You lack manners."
Adam didn't flinch.
"…I lack reason to pretend."
Silence.
Rian whispered under his breath—
"…Oh this is going to go badly."
Then—
Alric smiled.
Just slightly.
"…Good."
A pause.
"…I dislike liars."
He stepped forward now.
Slow.
Measured.
"…You led a force."
"…Built power."
"…And lost everything."
Each word precise.
"…Yes," Adam replied.
A pause.
"…And now you stand here."
Their eyes met.
"…Why?" Alric asked.
Silence.
Then—
"…To rebuild," Adam said.
A beat.
"…Better."
Alric studied him.
Long.
Carefully.
"…Ambitious."
A pause.
"…Dangerous."
Liora stepped in.
"…He's necessary."
Alric didn't look at her.
"…We'll see."
"…That's enough."
A new voice.
Soft.
Calm.
They turned.
And she stepped forward.
Liora's mother.
Elegant.
Composed.
Eyes sharp—but warm.
"…Mother," Liora whispered.
For the first time—
Her composure broke slightly.
They embraced.
Quiet.
Real.
Adam watched.
Not interrupting.
Then—
Her gaze shifted.
To him.
"…So you're Adam."
Her voice—
Gentle.
But—
Observing everything.
"…Yes."
A small smile.
"…You've caused quite a storm."
Adam didn't respond.
"…And survived it," she added.
A pause.
"…That matters more."
Alric scoffed lightly.
"…Survival isn't victory."
She glanced at him.
"…It is when others don't."
Silence.
Then—
Her attention returned to Adam.
"…What do you want?"
A direct question.
Adam didn't hesitate.
"…Freedom to act."
A pause.
"…And time."
Her eyes softened slightly.
"…For what?"
Adam's voice lowered.
"…To build something that won't break."
Silence.
Alric stepped forward again.
"…And what exactly do you plan to build?"
This time—
Adam didn't hold back.
"…A force."
A pause.
"…Not soldiers."
"…Not nobles."
"…Mercenaries."
The word landed.
Rian grinned slowly.
"…Now we're talking."
Alric's eyes narrowed.
"…Uncontrolled power."
Adam shook his head.
"…Controlled."
A step forward.
"…By me."
Silence deepened.
"…No weak links," Adam continued.
"…No wasted numbers."
His voice hardened.
"…Only those who can survive."
A pause.
"…And fight."
Liora watched him carefully.
Different.
This wasn't the same Adam.
Not desperate.
Not reactive.
Focused.
Cold.
But not empty.
Alric studied him.
Then—
"…And why would I allow this?"
Adam met his gaze.
"…Because you'll need it."
Silence.
"…War is coming," Adam said.
"…Not here yet."
A pause.
"…But it will."
The room held its breath.
Then—
Liora's mother spoke.
"…He's right."
Alric didn't respond immediately.
Then—
A faint exhale.
"…You'll operate quietly."
A pause.
"…No interference with my authority."
Adam nodded.
"…Agreed."
"…And if you fail," Alric added.
His gaze sharpened.
"…You disappear."
Adam didn't hesitate.
"…Understood."
That night—
The plan began.
Not loudly.
Not openly.
Quiet.
Precise.
"…Where do we start?" Rian asked.
Adam looked out over the city.
"…The bottom."
A pause.
"…Fighters."
"…Not desperate ones."
"…Experienced."
"…Broken."
Rian grinned.
"…My kind of people."
Liora stood beside them.
"…And funding?"
Adam glanced at her.
"…Korona."
A faint smirk.
"…Same currency across kingdoms."
"…Makes things easier."
Rian laughed.
"…Finally, something in this world makes sense."
Adam's eyes hardened slightly.
"…We build small."
"…Then expand."
"…No mistakes this time."
Silence.
Then—
"…What do we call it?" Rian asked.
A pause.
Adam didn't answer immediately.
His gaze steady.
"…Not yet."
Because this time—
Names would come after power.
Not before.
Far away—
In a distant throne room—
Duke Arvant stood in silence.
"…Eldoria," he murmured.
A faint smile.
"…So that's where you ran."
His eyes darkened.
"…Good."
A pause.
"…Now the hunt begins again."
The board had reset.
But the players—
Had only grown stronger.
And this time—
Adam wasn't just surviving.
He was building something far more dangerous.