Chapter 152
Kane's POV
Smoke rose from the hastily constructed wooden huts, curling into the air.
The scene before me left me momentarily dazed—those who had escaped early through Frank's secret passage were now rebuilding their homes on what had once been a site of bloody massacre.
Some repaired collapsed huts, the sound of hammers echoing across the clearing. Others lit fires to cook, while children chased each other in play, their laughter crisp and real. A mother sat cradling her infant by a doorway, humming a lullaby softly.
All of this was real.
"Kane." Grim's voice came from behind me. "Steven wants to invite you to his home."
I turned to see Grim's face wearing a smile. The cathartic cry before the Wall of Sighs had completely released his emotions—his mental state was far better than it had been in the mines.
"Lead the way," I said.
Grim walked ahead while I followed. We passed several huts before arriving at a house that looked freshly repaired. Steven stood at the door and immediately came forward when he saw me.
"Young master!" His voice couldn't hide his joy. "You're finally here. Please, come in, come in."
I entered the hut. A warm fire danced in the hearth. A gentle she-wolf was preparing dinner, and when she saw me enter, she immediately bowed respectfully.
"This is my mate, Leah," Steven introduced.
Leah smiled at me, then turned toward the kitchen.
"And my son." Steven reached behind Leah and lifted a small boy into his arms.
The child was about five years old, hiding shyly against his father while stealing glances at me with admiring eyes. His eyes were large and clear, like an unpolluted lake.
"This is Young Master Kane," Steven said solemnly to his son. "He saved all of us."
The little boy blinked, then said in a childish voice, "Thank you, Uncle Kane!"
I froze for a moment, then broke into a smile. In that instant, I seemed to glimpse what the "future" could look like—not revenge and slaughter, but ordinary, happy lives. Children growing up with their parents, not having to fear being captured as slaves or spilling blood and sweat in mines.
This was what I wanted to protect.
"You're welcome." I crouched down to meet the boy's eyes. "What's your name?"
"My name is Toby," the boy said, his timidity fading slightly.
"Toby." I repeated the name, then stood. "Grow up well, Toby."
Leah brought out bowls of hot soup, and we sat around the simple wooden table. Steven kept serving me food, his eyes full of gratitude. Watching this family of three, complex emotions surged within me.
This hard-won happiness made what I had to say next unbearably heavy.
After lunch, Steven walked me to the door.
I made my way to the cliff edge at the ruins' boundary. The sky was clear and blue.
I closed my eyes and spoke with Blaze in my mental space.
"Am I really going to destroy all of this?" I asked in anguish. "They just escaped hell, they're finally able to smile..."
"You're asking the wrong question," Blaze's voice was steady. "What you should ask isn't 'should I destroy this,' but 'how can I truly protect it.'"
"But what if my choice is wrong?"
"Follow your heart," Blaze paused. "As long as your intentions are good, the outcome won't be too bad. Besides—you already have your answer, don't you?"
I opened my eyes, my gaze shifting from confusion to determination. Blaze was right. I wasn't "destroying happiness"—I was taking responsibility for a more distant future.
The Blood River Pack wouldn't let us go. Draven's death would only make them more vicious. Staying here was just waiting to die.
I turned and walked back, stopping at Steven's doorway. Through the window, I could see Leah coaxing Toby to sleep while Steven sat beside them, his face wearing a tender smile.
I took a deep breath and knocked on the door.
"Young master?" Steven opened the door, somewhat surprised. "Why have you come back?"
"I need your opinion," I said directly. "I'm planning to... take everyone and leave here, heading to the Stone Ridge Pack."
The teacup in Steven's hand nearly fell.
"What?!" His eyes widened. "To Stone Ridge? But we just—"
He instinctively glanced toward the bedroom, from which came Toby's steady breathing.
"I know," I said. "But you also know the Blood River Pack won't let us go. Draven is dead—greater revenge is definitely coming."
Steven fell silent. Struggle showed on his face. His lips moved several times, but no words came out.
"The journey is far—how will the elderly, weak, women, and children travel?" he finally spoke. "Will the Stone Ridge Pack even accept us? They've been isolated for so long..."
"The Blood River Pack might not come immediately, maybe we still have time..." His voice grew smaller and smaller.
I didn't refute him, just looked at him calmly, waiting for him to figure it out himself.
As he spoke, Steven stopped himself. He looked toward the bedroom, glimpsing his sleeping wife and child through the crack in the door, and suddenly gave a bitter smile.
"Who am I kidding..." he said quietly. "How could the Blood River Pack possibly let us go? Draven is dead—greater revenge is definitely on its way..."
"I want peace too, young master." He turned to look at me, his eyes full of helplessness. "I dream of holding my son to sleep every day, watching him grow up... but that kind of peace can't last, can it?"
I nodded.
Steven took a deep breath, his expression shifting from struggle to determination.
"I'll follow you," he said. "Not just out of loyalty, but because only by following you does my son have a future."
His words warmed my heart. This wasn't blind obedience, but a father's rational choice for his child's sake.
"Thank you, Steven," I said.
"No." He shook his head. "I'm the one who should say thank you."
I left Steven's home, my heart somewhat lighter. At least I wasn't making this decision alone.
In the evening, I saw Frank sitting alone on a large boulder, gazing at the distant mountains.
I walked to his side and stood silently for a moment.
"Grandpa," I broke the silence. "I... I'm not sure if I'm doing the right thing."
Frank turned his head, a flash of clarity passing through those clouded eyes.
"You're worried the clan will hate you?"
"They finally have a home, and I'm making them take to the road again..." I said. "What if when we reach Stone Ridge, they won't take us in? What if more people die on the way?"
Frank stood and patted my shoulder.
"To insist on peace through peace is to lose peace; to fight for peace through struggle is to preserve peace."
His words struck my soul like thunder.
I stared at him, momentarily speechless.
"Your father faced the same choice once," Frank continued. "He chose to fight. Though in the end... at least he had no regrets. Kane, true peace has never been begged for—it's won through battle."
Finally, I understood.
Escape wasn't the answer. Only by actively seizing our destiny could we protect what we cherished.
"I understand," I nodded firmly, the hesitation in my eyes completely vanishing, replaced by burning determination.
Frank looked at me, his eyes full of approval. He patted my shoulder, said nothing more, and turned to leave.
I stood on the boulder, looking at the rugged mountains in the distance.
I knew the road ahead wouldn't be smooth, but at least I was ready.
For Toby, for all the children, for those who had just regained their freedom—I would lead them out of these ruins to find a true home.