The vehicle didn't slow until the city vanished behind them.
What replaced it was distance.
And control.
The Military Commander's residence stretched across nearly a hundred acres, isolated from everything else. It wasn't just a home—it was a controlled zone, layered with security designed to eliminate uncertainty.
The first checkpoint appeared.
Armed personnel. Scanners. Silent coordination.
"Step out."
Kael did.
A full scan followed—metal detection, thermal sweep, biometric verification.
No weapons.
Not even the possibility of one.
Only after confirmation was he allowed forward, but not inside. A second vehicle waited ahead. Different team. Different protocol.
He was transferred without a word.
The second checkpoint came minutes later.
More thorough.
This time, even his clothing was checked piece by piece. Seams, fabric density, hidden compartments.
Nothing.
He passed again.
The third checkpoint stood at the entrance of the mansion itself.
Heavy doors. Reinforced structure. Internal guards positioned with precision.
Final scan.
Final confirmation.
Inside this place, there was only one rule.
No weapons.
None.
Except one.
The commander's pistol.
That alone defined the balance of power.
The doors opened.
Kael stepped in.
The interior was vast—marble floors, high ceilings, controlled lighting. It looked like luxury, but it felt like surveillance. Every angle was clean. Every space intentional.
Nothing here existed without purpose.
"Kael Verin."
The voice carried authority without effort.
Kael looked ahead.
A man stood at the center of the hall, posture straight, presence heavy enough to silence the room itself.
"I am Miller."
No rank needed to be spoken.
It was understood.
The Military Commander of Bastlo.
Kael gave a slight nod—respectful, measured.
Miller noticed.
"From today," Miller said, walking toward him with slow, deliberate steps, "you are under my command."
Each word carried weight.
"I've been briefed about you. Ten years inside Elfra's military network… and you return with valuable intelligence."
His eyes fixed on Kael.
"That doesn't happen by chance."
Kael remained silent.
Silence, here, was not weakness. It was control.
Miller stopped a few steps away.
"This residence," he gestured slightly, "has everything a man could need."
Comfort. Security. Isolation.
"You'll stay here. Rest. Use what you need."
Then his tone shifted—subtly colder.
"But understand this."
"You are my soldier now."
The meaning was clear.
No freedom without purpose.
"No missions yet," Miller continued, "but when they come… they won't be simple."
A brief pause.
"They'll be deadly."
Kael spoke calmly.
"That's expected."
Miller studied him for a moment, then gave a faint nod.
He turned, then stopped again.
"The information you brought from Elfra," he said, looking back. "I want to hear it directly."
A test.
Authority versus structure.
Kael answered without hesitation.
"I already submitted everything to Devil."
A pause.
"If you require it, you can request it from him."
Silence filled the space.
Refusing a Military Commander—directly—was not something people did.
Kael didn't adjust his stance. Didn't add anything.
He let the answer stand.
Miller watched him closely.
Seconds passed.
Then—
a faint smile appeared.
Not anger.
Interest.
"You follow protocol," Miller said quietly.
A slight pause.
"Or you understand value."
Either way, it made Kael more useful.
"Get him a room," Miller said, turning away.
"Top floor."
Kael was escorted through long corridors before a door opened.
His room.
Spacious. Controlled. Designed for comfort without distraction.
A king-sized bed.
A large screen across the wall.
A workspace.
The bathroom alone was massive—the bathtub large enough to resemble a small pool.
Everything was perfect.
Which meant everything was monitored.
Kael stepped inside.
The door closed behind him.
Silence settled in.
He moved slowly, observing without reacting.
Corners. Angles. Reflections.
Hidden cameras.
Possible blind spots.
Entry and exit timing.
All noted.
All stored.
He stopped near the window.
Outside, the massive estate stretched into darkness, isolated and secure.
Untouchable.
For now.
His reflection stared back at him.
Calm.
Unshaken.
Exactly what they expected to see.
A faint smile formed.
Getting into Bastlo was easy.
Getting here—
this close to power—
that was progress.
Phase two had begun.