Chapter 69: The Guardian of Ironridge

The gates of Ironridge Fortress groaned behind them.

CREAK...

The sound echoed throughout the abandoned stronghold.

Every Black Dragon instinctively turned.

Nothing.

The gates remained open.

Walter scratched his head.

"...I hate places like this."

Leon glanced at him.

"You hate every place that isn't a tavern."

A few soldiers chuckled.

Walter grinned.

"Exactly."

The tension eased.

Only slightly.

Kael knelt beside the footprints in the courtyard.

Fresh.

One person.

Not running.

Walking calmly.

Almost...

As if they wanted to be followed.

The system appeared.

Investigation

Fresh Human Tracks

Estimated Weight:

Approximately 190 lbs.

Equipment:

Heavy armor.

Direction:

Inner Keep.

Kael stood.

"We follow."

Darius immediately began issuing orders.

"Shield wall."

"Archers, second line."

"Scouts, rooftops."

The Black Dragons moved with practiced precision.

The Forgotten Fortress

As they advanced deeper into Ironridge...

Signs of its former glory became apparent.

Rows of abandoned barracks.

A blacksmith's forge.

Training yards.

An armory.

A chapel.

Even an academy for young recruits.

Walter whistled.

"This wasn't just a fortress."

"No."

Darius answered.

"This was a military city."

Kael imagined thousands of soldiers training here.

Children dreaming of becoming Imperial Knights.

Families living within these walls.

Now...

Only silence remained.

The Chapel

The footprints suddenly turned.

Leading toward a small stone chapel.

Unlike everything else...

The building remained untouched.

No vines.

No collapsed roof.

No broken windows.

It looked...

Maintained.

Walter frowned.

"Someone's been here."

Kael slowly pushed open the wooden doors.

They creaked softly.

Inside...

Dust covered everything.

Except...

One altar.

Fresh flowers rested upon it.

Iris emerged from the shadows.

"I checked."

"No one inside."

Leon examined the flowers.

"They were picked yesterday."

Someone was living here.

Or...

Visiting regularly.

The Journal

Near the altar...

Kael spotted a leather-bound notebook.

The cover had nearly rotted away.

He carefully opened it.

Most pages had become unreadable.

Only the last entries survived.

Day 713...

Supplies nearly gone.

Still no orders from the capital.

Another page.

Day 719...

Half the men deserted.

I do not blame them.

Another.

Day 726...

We heard screams in the eastern woods again.

Whatever lives there...

It isn't natural.

The final page.

Day 731...

If anyone finds this...

Do not descend beneath Ironridge.

Seal it forever.

Forgive me.

I have failed the Empire.

Signed...

Commander Aldric Vayne

Silence filled the chapel.

Walter slowly closed the journal.

"Seven hundred days..."

"He waited seven hundred days for orders?"

Darius lowered his head.

"A true commander."

Back in the Capital

Meanwhile...

Prince Cassian's campaign had begun.

His army moved through the western mountain pass with remarkable discipline.

Scouts reported every movement.

Supply wagons remained protected.

No unnecessary risks were taken.

One of his generals rode beside him.

"Your Highness."

"We've located the bandits."

Cassian nodded.

"How many?"

"Approximately six hundred."

"And civilians?"

"Three hundred miners held hostage."

Cassian looked toward the cliffs.

"They'll expect us from the valley."

The general nodded.

"They will."

Cassian pointed toward the mountain peaks.

"We climb."

The general blinked.

"The cliffs?"

"Our soldiers can't—"

"They can."

Cassian interrupted calmly.

"We trained for this."

The officers immediately began reorganizing the assault.

Far away...

The emperor received the report.

A faint smile crossed his face.

"He chose the difficult path."

Chancellor Magnus nodded.

"Because it saves lives."

The Emperor wrote another note in his journal.

First Prince

Excellent adaptability.

Never underestimate an enemy.

Weakness:

Accepts too much responsibility himself.

He closed the journal.

Back to Ironridge

A loud clang echoed through the fortress.

CLANG...

Once.

Twice.

Three times.

The sound came from the Inner Keep.

Walter slowly drew his sword.

"...Someone's hitting metal."

Kael nodded.

"They want us to hear."

The group advanced cautiously.

The footprints ended before enormous iron doors.

One door stood slightly open.

Inside...

A forge still burned.

Fresh coals glowed orange.

A hammer rested on an anvil.

Armor lay neatly arranged around the room.

Not rusty.

Not abandoned.

Maintained.

Standing before the forge...

With his back turned...

It was the same armored soldier from the tower.

Ancient Imperial armor.

Dark steel.

A crimson cape faded with age.

He struck the glowing metal one final time.

CLANG!

Then slowly set the hammer down.

Without turning around...

He spoke.

His voice was old.

Steady.

Filled with dignity.

"I wondered..."

"...how long it would take..."

"...before an Asterion remembered Ironridge."

Every Black Dragon raised their weapons.

The old knight finally turned.

His beard was white.

His face was lined with age.

But his eyes...

We're as sharp as a drawn blade.

He looked directly at Kael.

Then...

Without warning...

He dropped to one knee.

Placed a fist over his heart.

And bowed.

"Commander Aldric Vayne..."

"Former Warden of Ironridge Fortress..."

"Greets the Tenth Prince of the Empire."

The entire room froze.

Walter's mouth hung open.

Leon blinked in disbelief.

Darius took one stunned step forward.

"...Commander Vayne?"

"You..."

"...you're supposed to be dead."

The old knight gave a weary smile.

"I've had many years to wonder the same thing."