Chapter 71: The Weight of an Oath

The first rays of sunlight pierced the shattered windows of Ironridge Fortress.

The once-forgotten stronghold had come alive again.

Black Dragons patrolled the walls.

Others repaired broken gates and watchtowers.

For the first time in decades...

Imperial soldiers once again stood watch over Ironridge.

Commander Aldric Vayne quietly watched from atop the eastern wall.

His weathered face remained unreadable.

Yet deep inside...

He could hardly believe what he was seeing.

"Twenty years..."

he murmured.

"I waited twenty years..."

"And the Empire finally returned."

Morning Briefing

Inside the fortress command hall...

An old map of Ironridge was spread across a stone table.

Its edges had yellowed with age.

Several sections had been redrawn by Aldric over the years.

Kael stood at the head of the table.

Darius, Walter, Leon, Iris, Grom, and the squad leaders gathered around.

Kael looked toward Aldric.

"You know this fortress better than anyone."

"Walk us through it."

The old commander nodded.

He pointed to the map.

"The upper fortress is divided into six districts."

"The barracks."

"The armory."

"The command hall."

"The granary."

"The western tower."

"And the underground archives."

His finger slowly moved lower.

Then stopped.

Beneath the fortress...

A large section had simply been marked with one word.

SEALED

Walter noticed it immediately.

"You don't even have a map?"

Aldric slowly shook his head.

"No."

"Why?"

"Because no one who built Ironridge recorded what lies beneath."

Silence settled over the room.

The Search Begins

Kael divided everyone into teams.

"Darius."

"Take ten men."

"Inspect the walls and defensive structures."

Darius nodded.

"As you command."

"Walter."

"The barracks and training grounds."

"If there's anything useful left..."

"Recover it."

Walter grinned.

"Hopefully a kitchen survived."

Leon sighed.

"You only think about food."

Walter smiled proudly.

"It's important."

A few soldiers laughed.

"Leon."

"Search the armory."

"Iris."

"The archives."

"Grom..."

Kael looked toward the old goblin.

"I want you with me."

Grom gave a respectful nod.

Forgotten History

Hours passed.

Dust filled abandoned rooms.

Old records were carefully gathered.

Broken weapons stacked together.

Armor inspected.

Most of it had become useless.

Time had claimed almost everything.

Then...

Iris hurried into the command hall carrying several scrolls.

"Your Highness."

"I found something."

She carefully unrolled one parchment.

Unlike the others...

It remained remarkably well preserved.

Across the top...

The Imperial Dragon seal.

Aldric's eyes widened.

"I haven't seen that document..."

"...in twenty years."

Kael began reading aloud.

Imperial Military Order

Ironridge Fortress shall remain operational regardless of political or economic conditions.

Under no circumstances shall the lower vaults be opened.

If communications with the capital cease...

The commanding officer shall maintain the seal until relieved by direct Imperial authority.

Failure to do so shall be considered high treason.

Everyone looked toward Aldric.

Walter slowly blinked.

"So..."

"You weren't abandoned."

Aldric smiled sadly.

"I was."

"But my orders never changed."

Kael understood immediately.

Someone...

Somewhere...

Had intentionally allowed Ironridge to disappear without ever revoking its mission.

A Soldier's Loyalty

Outside...

Several younger Black Dragons spoke quietly among themselves.

One looked toward Aldric standing on the wall.

"I don't understand."

Another shrugged.

"I would've left."

A third nodded.

"Most people would've."

Darius overheard them.

He walked over.

"You're right."

They immediately stood at attention.

"I probably would've left too."

The soldiers looked surprised.

Darius folded his arms.

"That's why men like Commander Aldric become legends."

He looked toward the old commander.

"Loyalty isn't tested when everything goes well."

"It's tested..."

"...when everyone else walks away."

The younger soldiers quietly reflected on those words.

Dragonspire Palace

Far across the Empire...

The emperor stood inside the royal garden.

Autumn leaves drifted gently across the stone paths.

Standing beside him was the First Prince.

Cassian.

Neither spoke for several moments.

They simply walked.

Finally...

The emperor broke the silence.

"Your campaign was successful."

Cassian nodded.

"The bandits have been eliminated."

"The civilians are safe."

"You made the correct decision."

Cassian looked at his father.

"You didn't summon me just to praise me."

A faint smile crossed the emperor's face.

"No."

He stopped beside a koi pond.

"Tell me."

"What is an emperor?"

Cassian answered without hesitation.

"The protector of the Empire."

The emperor nodded.

"A good answer."

"And what is the Empire?"

Cassian looked toward the capital beyond the palace walls.

"The people."

"The land."

"The law."

"The Crown."

The emperor remained silent.

After a long pause...

He finally spoke.

"Continue thinking about that answer."

Then he walked away.

Leaving Cassian standing alone beside the pond.

The First Prince frowned slightly.

For the first time...

He wasn't certain he'd answered correctly.

The Hidden Door

Back at Ironridge...

Leon entered the command hall carrying an old shield.

"Your Highness."

"I found something strange."

He placed the shield on the table.

Its back contained a strange locking mechanism.

Aldric's eyes widened.

"I remember this."

He carefully inserted the shield into a matching slot carved into the stone wall.

A loud click echoed.

CLUNK...

The wall trembled.

Dust rained from the ceiling.

Slowly...

A hidden passage opened.

Cold air rushed from the darkness below.

Walter groaned.

"I knew we'd end up underground."

Kael stepped toward the opening.

Torchlight revealed ancient stone stairs disappearing into the earth.

Unlike the fortress above...

These walls were untouched by time.

Smooth.

Perfectly carved.

As if they had been built yesterday.

The system suddenly appeared.

Hidden Location Discovered

Imperial Vault of Ironridge

Historical Importance:

Unknown

Exploration Progress:

0%

Warning:

This location predates the founding of the Empire.

Kael stared at the notification.

His heartbeat quickened.

The Empire itself...

Had been built on top of something older.

He looked at his companions.

"No one goes down today."

Walter looked relieved.

"Finally..."

"A smart decision."

Kael smiled faintly.

"We prepare."

"If something has remained sealed for centuries..."

"We're only getting one chance to do this right."

Every member of the Black Dragons nodded.

Tomorrow...

They would descend into history itself.