The next morning, before sunrise, Lane went down to the council hall.He was tired, but there was a determined glimmer in his eyes."Today," he murmured to himself, "the waiting era is over."
Edwick, Sara, and Gorn were already gathered.Lane raised his hand and ordered the guards:"Gather all the children. I will speak to them."
The wide hall of the underground cave began to fill up.Dozens of children lined up against the walls with their mothers.Adults whispered among themselves, their faces filled with worry.
Lane stepped in front of the crowd, leaning on the hilt of his sword.Edwick, Sara, and Gorn stood beside him.His voice echoed like a wave:
"The reason we are gathered here today is simple:The church is corrupted.It enslaves people in the name of faith.We will break these chains — but for that, everyone must do their part."
The crowd was silent. Lane continued:
"Starting today, all children under the age of twelve will work in the marketplace.They will observe the holy soldiers.Edwick and Gorn will explain the details."
At that moment, angry voices rose from the crowd.
"You're going to put our children to work?""What nonsense is this, they're still so young!"
The objections grew louder, turning from murmurs into shouts.Edwick stepped forward, yelling, "Calm down!" but no one listened.
Lane walked up from behind him and raised his hand."Step aside, Edwick," he said sharply.
Then he took one step forward and pressed his fingers together.Suddenly a thunderous crack echoed through the hall.A blue lightning bolt struck the ground, shattering the stones.Light illuminated the faces; everyone flinched.
Silence fell.
Lane held his head high, scanning the crowd with his eyes."Your voices are a bit too loud," he said."You sit here hiding, doing nothing.I freed you, yet it seems you're afraid of freedom.You blame the church, but you still live by its rules.We give you bread for free — and who do you think pays for that bread?"
No one in the hall could speak.
Lane's voice echoed:
"Everything has a price.The bread that comes free to you today is baked with someone else's blood.You say, 'My child should not work'… then why should I struggle for you?Either you do as I say,or this cave becomes your grave."
His voice was so powerful that even the walls echoed.The crowd sank into silence — fear and admiration blending together.
Lane spoke one last time:
"We either fight… or we disappear. The choice is yours."
Then he turned around and walked out of the hall.Edwick ran after him.Gorn and Sara stared at Lane's fading silhouette.
Sara whispered:"That child… what was that speech?"
Gorn shrugged. "I don't know. But something changed.Nobody objected. They all looked as if they finally understood."
Then he shouted loudly, "Everyone to your positions! The plan begins!"
Edwick caught up to Lane in the corridor."Lane! Wait a moment!"
Lane kept walking."What is it?" he asked.
Edwick breathed heavily. "Why are you so angry?"
Lane turned to him, answering with an emotionless tone:"I'm not angry. I simply told the truth."
"I think you were a bit harsh," Edwick said."People were scared. They couldn't even react."
Lane adjusted the sword on his shoulder."If I hadn't said it, one day the enemy would show them the same truth with a blade.I merely said it earlier. This fear is the first step toward awakening."
Edwick stayed silent.It feels like I'm speaking not to a child, but to the ghost of a king, he thought.
Lane entered his room. He took his sword, placed it on the table, and began sharpening it.Each strike was heavy as stone.
Finally the sword spoke:"Hey kid, what are you doing? I've lost my shape already!"
Lane stopped, snapped out of his thoughts."I just spoke to the people," he said."I want them to work, they don't. Though why am I even surprised?People are always like this. When their comfort is shaken, they rebel.They never understand that this so-called comfort is temporary."
The sword was silent for a moment, then spoke sarcastically:"I've seen very few who think like you. But remember, not everyone can handle the truth.People live on lies.If someone speaks the truth, the whole society unites to destroy him."
Lane smiled. "True. But I was born outside society anyway."
The sword said nothing.
Lane stood up. "Alright then, let's go outside. Let's see how things are going."
When he stepped into the village square, the sight was completely different.Men were teaching children observation techniques, and women were sewing beggar clothes.The first phase had begun successfully.
Lane said, "Good. This is nice.Phase one is complete. Now begins the information gathering."
In front of the council room, he saw Sara and Edwick."Where is Gorn?" he asked.
Edwick replied, "He's directing the people. Placing the scouts."
Lane nodded. "Good. For three days, we gather information.Then we act. The men should help the blacksmiths and make weapons.Whatever they find, whatever can be useful — we'll use all of it."
"Understood," Edwick said.
And three days passed.
By the end of the three days, the marketplace had revived again.Children constantly carried information back and forth, and Lane analyzed every report.He now had a clear picture in his mind.
Uneasiness was growing inside the village — but the church had not been idle either.
That same day, furious shouts rang within the high priest's chamber in the holy district.
"That little bastard destroyed the church!He released the souls we gathered, the formation collapsed!"The priest slammed his fist onto the table."And you useless paladins still haven't found him?"
The paladin commander bowed his head. "Sir, we are searching, but cannot find him.However, we noticed something. The marketplace has been extremely active lately.People… seem strangely happy."
The high priest frowned."Happy? The marketplace was dead for three days.And now suddenly it's alive?"
He leaned toward the commander. "Go and investigate.Find out what is happening in that marketplace."
"As you command."
The paladin commander left, taking his ten holy soldiers with him.The sound of armor echoed through the stone corridors.
At that moment, Lane was on the balcony of a house overlooking the marketplace.He held a cup of tea, watching the crowd below.His gaze was calm but calculating.He measured every movement and every conversation with his eyes.
Then the holy soldiers appeared.With their golden armor, they cut through the crowd.People fell silent.
One soldier stopped in front of a fruit stall."What's the price of this apple?" he said mockingly.Then added: "And where are the donations you're hiding for the church?"
The fruit seller replied without fear:"The apple costs three silver. And I do not believe in your faith.I believe in the god of justice.I have no donations for you."
The holy soldier froze for a moment, then clenched his teeth."What did you just say? The god of justice? Who is that, huh?"
He drew his sword, eyes blazing with anger."For heretics like you, the punishment is the same!"
And he swung his blade.
Lane watched from above.His eyes darkened instantly.
"So, the game has begun," he whispered."Now we show them what justice really looks like."