Chapter 120

Chapter 120
Castian's decision was met with a mixture of relief and uncertainty. Many there had expected him to take power for himself, but hearing his words made it clear that his purpose had always been greater than simply swapping rulers. Still, assuming the role of protector of the lands until the council was established was no light task.

The warriors began to disperse to organize the next steps. Mei gathered a small group to catalog the remaining supplies in the fortress and ensure the villages received aid. Xia Lin, on the other hand, assembled the best fighters to patrol the surroundings. If there was one thing she knew well, it was that even with Kaien defeated, there would always be enemies ready to take advantage of the chaos.

Castian remained in the hall for a few more moments, feeling the weight of his newly assumed responsibility. The fortress, even in ruins, still stood as a reminder of what had been. He walked over to a large stone table in the center of the room and ran his fingertips over its rough surface.

The silence was broken by the sound of light footsteps.

"Still getting used to the idea?" asked Mei, her voice soft but full of understanding.

He let out a slight sigh before answering.

"I always knew the struggle wouldn't end with the fall of Feng and Kaien. But even so, there's something unsettling about this. Power always has a way of creeping into people's hearts."

Mei tilted her head, crossing her arms.

"That's why we need to ensure the council is strong enough to resist any personal ambition. And that starts with choosing the right people to compose it."

Castian rubbed his face, feeling the weariness settling into his bones. He hadn't slept since the battle. The weight of everything to come was overwhelming.

"We have to bring representatives from every village and town that suffered under Feng's rule. Leaders who genuinely care about their people, not the power it might give them."

Mei pursed her lips, reflecting for a moment before speaking.

"You know it won't be that simple, right? Many of those leaders were already corrupted, even without Feng in power. Others will try to take advantage of the situation."

Castian nodded, his eyes still fixed on the horizon visible through the destroyed windows.

"I know. But we have no choice."

Mei took a step closer.

"You don't have to carry this burden alone, Castian. We all fought for this. We'll make sure this transition happens the right way."

He finally looked at her and smiled wearily but sincerely.

"Thank you, Mei."

Before they could continue the conversation, Xia Lin appeared at the hall door, her expression serious.

"We have a problem."

The tone of her voice made Castian straighten up immediately.

"What happened?"

Xia Lin took a deep breath before answering.

"Our scouts returned with information. There's a group of mercenaries gathering to the south. From what we've learned, they want to claim these lands now that Feng and Kaien have fallen."

Castian's expression hardened. He knew the struggle for the future wouldn't end so soon.

"How many are there?"

"We don't have an exact number yet, but they seem well-organized. They're marching towards one of the nearest villages."

Mei exchanged a worried look with Castian.

"If they attack before we can intervene, it will be a massacre."

Castian closed his eyes for a moment, gathering his thoughts. He had promised to protect these lands. And that promise started now.

"Then we can't wait. Gather the warriors. We're going there to stop this before it's too late."

Xia Lin nodded and quickly left to prepare the group. Mei looked at Castian, her expression a mix of concern and respect.

"Are you sure you don't want to rest a bit first?"

He shook his head.

"There's no time. If we wait, more lives will be lost."

Mei sighed and nodded.

"Then let's go."

Castian walked to the exit of the hall, his mind already focused on the battle to come. For a brief moment, he had thought the fight for freedom would end with Kaien's fall. But the truth was, this was only the first step.

Xia Lin led the scouts ahead, while Mei organized the remaining fighters to move in defensive formations. Castian rode in the center of the group, his gaze fixed on the horizon. Each step of the horses on the dry earth made his heart heavy. He knew they couldn't fail.

After a few hours of riding, thick smoke began to rise into the sky, a dark column looming in the distance. Castian's heart raced.

"They're attacking!" Xia Lin shouted from the front, pulling on her horse's reins.

Castian didn't need to hear it twice.

"Quickly!" he ordered, drawing his sword.

The group sped up, and as they approached, screams began to reach their ears. The village was in flames. Women and children ran for cover as mercenaries looted the houses, tearing down everything in their path. Some villagers tried to resist but were easily overpowered by the armed brutes.

Mei cursed under her breath.

"If only we had arrived a few minutes earlier…"

Castian didn't hesitate.

"We can't change what's already happened, but we can end this now!"

He raised his sword and charged straight into the battle. His warriors followed, shouting in unison. The clash between the two groups was brutal. The sound of steel against steel, war cries, and the smell of blood filled the air.

Castian attacked without hesitation, cutting down a mercenary who was trying to set a house on fire. The man fell to the ground, and another took his place. The mercenaries weren't well-trained, but there were many of them.

Xia Lin took down three at once, spinning her blade in a perfect arc. Mei, with her twin daggers, slid between the enemies with deadly precision, taking them down one by one.

Amidst the chaos, Castian spotted a more imposing man, mounted on a black horse. His armor was different from the others—more refined, more durable. He held a long, thick sword, and his eyes fixed on Castian with a cruel smile.

"So you're the great Castian!" the man shouted over the noise of the battle. "I've been looking forward to meeting you."

Castian didn't respond. He just tightened his grip on his sword and charged.

The mercenary leaped from his horse, landing easily on the dusty ground. He spun his blade and charged at Castian with surprising speed.

The first blow was brutal, and Castian barely had time to block it. The impact shot through his arm like thunder, and he took a step back.

"Strong." The mercenary laughed. "But is it enough?"

Castian didn't wait for more taunts. He attacked, and the two engaged in a fierce duel in the middle of the battlefield.

The warriors continued to fight around them, but at that moment, only the two of them existed.

And only one would leave there alive.