Chapter 1556: A Quiet Kindness ( 1556 )

Vane nodded slowly, his gaze still fixed on the distant horizon. His voice remained low and calm.

"Make sure no one knows about this. Only the messenger we sent, myself, and the trusted ones. Even though I know the hidden base is safe, and no one knows about it other than me and the Amazarak people who serve under me in secret... please make sure our illusionists maintain the barrier surrounding the area at all times. No gaps. No lapses. No exceptions."

The chief’s hands paused for a brief moment before resuming their steady rhythm.

"Understood, Sir Vane."

Vane’s eyes drifted toward the sea, visible in the distance beyond the base walls. The morning light glinted off the water, calm and serene.

"What about our food stockpiles?"

The chief shifted his hands, switching to his elbows as he pressed deeper into the tension knots along Vane’s shoulders. His voice remained quiet, measured, and steady.

"Thanks to you, Sir Vane, our stockpiles are well maintained. The food we managed to secure from the secret merchant, along with what we’ve been able to farm quietly behind the mountain, is more than enough for our people and our soldiers."

His voice trembled slightly, thick with emotion.

"We are grateful, Sir Vane. Truly. The Amazarak people have suffered for so long under the coalition. Beaten. Starved. Worked to death. Treated like animals. But since you took over... everything changed. You treat us like people. You give us hope. You give us a reason to keep living."

Vane was silent for a moment, letting the words settle. He took a slow sip of his coffee before his voice came out calm and measured.

"I don’t need your gratitude. I need your loyalty, not your thanks. I need your readiness. When the time comes, when the invasion begins, I need every single one of you to be ready to move."

He glanced over his shoulder at the chief, his eyes cold and steady.

"You all knew the risk when you swore your pledges to serve under me in secret. You knew what would happen if we were discovered. If Julius finds out about this before everything is ready... he’ll slaughter every last one of you. Every man, woman, and child. He won’t hesitate. He won’t show mercy. He’ll make an example of you to remind everyone else what happens to those who betray the coalition."

The chief’s hands remained steady on Vane’s shoulders.

"We know, Sir Vane. We have always known. Every Amazarak who swore the pledge did so with open eyes. We are not afraid to die. We are afraid of dying without purpose. Without hope. You gave us that hope. You gave us a reason to fight. So do not worry about us. We are ready. Whatever happens, we are ready."

Vane took another slow sip of his coffee, his gaze returning to the horizon.

"Good. Don’t worry about your people. While I’m still here, I’ll make sure they don’t starve. I’ll make sure they get enough rest. I’ll treat them the same as everyone else. That’s my promise to you."

He paused, his voice dropping into something quieter, more serious.

"Just make sure our secret stays safe from prying eyes. Until everything is ready. Until the moment is right. That is all I ask."

The chief bowed his head, his hands never leaving Vane’s shoulders.

"Understood, Sir Vane. We will not fail you."

Vane took a slow sip of his coffee before speaking again, his voice calm but carrying a quiet authority.

"Reward the messenger. Whatever they need, whatever they ask for, give it to them. They’ve earned it. And tonight, let the hidden base have a feast. Let our people eat their fill, as much as they want, as much as they can. They’ve worked hard. They deserve a moment of comfort."

The chief’s hands paused on his shoulders, his voice trembling slightly.

"Sir Vane... thank you. Truly. This means more than you know."

Vane nodded, his eyes still fixed on the horizon.

"Make sure to secretly distribute extra food to the other slaves in the bases. The ones who serve under the coalition soldiers. They suffer the most. They deserve a quiet kindness they’ll never be thanked for. But make sure no one drinks too much. No one gets drunk. And no one gets loud. We cannot afford to draw attention. One slip, one loose tongue, and everything we’ve built will collapse."

The chief bowed his head, his voice firm with gratitude.

"Understood, Sir Vane. I will see to it personally. Thank you, Sir Vane. For everything."

Vane raised his hand slightly and gestured toward the stairs, a simple, dismissive motion.

"You can go now."

The chief stepped back and bowed one final time before turning and descending the stairs. His footsteps faded into the early morning silence.

Vane’s gaze drifted back toward the horizon, the soft glow of the rising sun reflecting in his eyes.

I wonder what Fayna is doing right now.

A soft smile touched his lips. He stood slowly, moving toward the edge of the rooftop. He slipped one hand into his pocket while the other cradled the warm mug against his chest. The breeze stirred his hair as he looked out over the vast expanse of land and sea.

I hope you’re safe out there, Fayna.

I miss you so much.

But it was for the best.

So you’d be safe from Julius’s reach. So you’d be safe if Julius ever found out about my plan to betray the summoned heroes.

I’m sorry, Fayna.

I had to send you away. It was the only way to keep you safe.

He closed his eyes for a moment, letting the breeze wash over him.

Trust me, once this settles, I’ll come for you. When this is all over. When Julius is dead and the coalition is in ruins. I’ll find you. Wherever you are. And I’ll never let you out of my sight again.

Meanwhile.

Armand Nation.

Gaze City.

Armand Healing Facility.

Fayna stirred. Her body felt heavy.

Her eyelids fluttered open, and the world came into view in hazy, unfocused shapes. A white ceiling. Soft lights. The faint, rhythmic beeping somewhere nearby.

W... where am I?

Am I dead?

She turned her head slowly, her neck stiff and sore, her eyes still blurry. The room around her was clean and white, filled with soft beeping sounds and the faint hum of magical equipment she didn’t recognize. She tried to lift her arm, but it barely moved.

A voice came from a distance. Warm. Calm. Carrying a hint of relief.

"Ah... finally awake~"

( End Of Chapter )