Lane stopped and looked at Sara, then asked:"What is this event? Honestly, I don't really understand it."
Sara smiled faintly, but there was something hidden in her gaze. Her voice was calm yet firm."You'll understand once it's over. Have a little patience."
That answer sent a strange shiver through Lane. He felt an uneasiness he couldn't quite explain. He slightly lowered his head and continued walking, his eyes fixed on the ground. Something was stirring inside him, but he couldn't name it.
He began muttering to himself:"I still can't figure out what these people are really doing. Anyway… I need to meet Morris. There are serious matters we need to discuss."
Lane took his dragon sword, left the cave, and headed toward the village.
A heavy silence had settled over the village. Everything was covered in dust, and there was no one around. Even the sound of dry soil being crushed beneath his feet felt unnaturally loud. Streets that were usually full of life stood empty; doors were shut, windows dark. The wind moved as if passing through an abandoned place, carrying dust from one corner to another. It was as if the village had stopped breathing.
Around noon, Lane arrived at Morris's teahouse. He stopped in front of the door, raised his hand, and knocked.
"Morris, are you there?"
There was no response from inside. Just as Lane was about to step away, the door slowly opened. The one who opened it was Morris's student. When the boy saw Lane, he immediately lowered his head respectfully.
Lane looked at him and asked:"Is Morris here, or is he busy?"
The student replied without hesitation:"Sir, he is waiting for you. You may come in."
Lane stepped inside. The sharp yet soothing scent of tea filled the entire place. The teahouse felt calm, almost timeless. With slow steps, Lane walked toward the room where he and Morris had shared many long conversations before.
Morris was sitting at the table. A cup of tea stood before him, which he was quietly sipping. Lane approached and spoke:"How are you, my friend?"
Morris stood up and turned around. When he saw Lane, a sincere smile appeared on his face. He stepped closer and embraced him."I'm well, my friend. How about you?"
Then his expression grew serious."You saved this village from a great disaster."
Lane nodded slightly."I did, yes. But this is only the beginning. We are entering a new era now."
He paused for a moment, then continued in a firm tone:"It's time to put my plans into action. You will be at the head of the political side. I already know who I'll entrust the economic side to, and I'll meet with that person separately. The general administration and the military structure will be under my control."
Morris frowned. He could feel the weight of those words. After thinking for a moment, he asked:"So… what do we do now? Start from the beginning and tell me."
Lane moved to the table. He refreshed Morris's tea, then poured himself a cup as well. He took a sip. As the warmth flowed down his throat, he began to speak:
"Our first priority is security. For that, choosing the right location is critical. I'm thinking of the coastline. The shore behind the elven forest… It's both strategic and close to the SkyDrane household."
Morris nodded."But that would require relocating the people. That would be a serious cost. We need a different approach."
Lane brought his hand to his chin and thought."You're right. Then what about the Cornelo Forest, located at the borders of the empires?"
Morris's eyes widened."That forest? It's extremely dangerous. It's crawling with monsters. All the empires stay away from that place."
Lane snapped his fingers."Exactly. Just like you said. The empires stay away. And it's close to the sea, at the edge of a bay. It suits our purposes perfectly."
He took another sip."What if I told you I know a way to clear that forest? Would you believe me?"
Morris grew excited, his eyes lighting up."How would you do it? Tell me."
Lane leaned in slightly and lowered his voice:"Ordinary creatures aren't like demonic beings. A living being fears two things: things it cannot comprehend visually, and sounds it cannot understand. We'll use that. We'll enter wearing strange garments and spread sounds. We'll fill the forest with acidic powder, turning it into smoke. That will reduce visibility and eliminate the creatures."
Morris asked suspiciously:"Won't that acid harm humans?"
Lane shook his head."No. Years ago, when I was with my master, we discovered a type of mushroom. It's harmless to humans but severely damages the skin of creatures, especially those with thin hides. Harpies from the Askelon Forest can't withstand it. There are also a few orcs, but we can deal with them using village soldiers. Three birds with one stone."
Morris thought for a moment."It's a two-day journey from here. It's doable."
Then he added decisively:"Let's do it."
Lane stood up."Then come to the cave with me. We'll make plans. There are people I need to introduce you to."
When they arrived at the cave, there was an unusual atmosphere inside. This silence was not born of emptiness, but of anticipation. No one spoke, no one moved at the entrance. The moment Lane stepped inside, everything became clear.
People were lined up on both sides. At the very beginning of the path stood a table. Three people were seated around it, all of their eyes fixed on Lane. The cave was dim, but the eyes watching him were bright. Everyone was waiting for him.
As Lane took another step forward, applause suddenly erupted. The sounds echoed against the stone walls of the cave. People were congratulating him. Some were shouting, others simply bowing their heads. Morris looked around, trying to understand what was happening; the confusion on his face was unmistakable.
Lane, however, stopped.
He smiled faintly to himself."So this is what it feels like to be respected…"
A familiar weight formed in his chest, one he hadn't felt in a long time."It's been a long time since I last felt this in this world."
But he didn't cling to that feeling. His eyes hardened."I haven't gotten what I want yet. There's still a long road ahead."
Edwick stood up from the table and extended a goblet toward Lane. Lane took it but did not raise it immediately. He looked at the people around him. There was hope on their faces, expectation, even fear. For several seconds, no one spoke.
Then Lane raised the goblet slightly, and his voice filled the cave:
"Today's victory is the result of yesterday's efforts."He paused briefly."Tomorrow's freedom, however, will only be possible thanks to today's victory."
He lifted the goblet higher."From this moment on, I hereby declare the official founding of the Saphfire Union."
For a brief moment, there was silence. Then the cave exploded.
"Long live the Saphfire Union!"
Voices overlapped. Goblets were raised. Wine was drunk. The stone walls trembled with echoes. This was not merely a celebration; it was the sealing of a decision.
After a while, Lane set his goblet down on the table. As the crowd slowly calmed, he turned to those seated at the table. His voice was lower now, but sharper.
"We will not stay here."
The crowd grew attentive.
"These forests are no longer safe. The chance of being discovered is too high. We must remain far from prying eyes."He paused briefly."For that reason, we will relocate. Our new center will be the Cornelo Forest."
Sara immediately frowned."The forest with the harpies and orcs?"
Lane answered without hesitation:"Yes. That one."
Sara placed her hand on her face and pressed her fingers against her forehead."I keep hoping that, just once, you'll act normally… but it seems I'm hoping in vain."
Lane ignored it.
He looked at those at the table and gestured toward Morris."This is Morris. From now on, he will be at the head of the political structure of the Saphfire Union."
Morris straightened slightly.
"Gorn," Lane continued, "you will support Morris in matters concerning the village and public order."
Then he turned to Edwick."The military structure will be under my command. Edwick, you will be one of its commanders. No more sitting idle."
He looked at Sara."For now, I'm entrusting the management of the economic structure to you."
Edwick interjected curiously:"Then who will be the head of the economic division?"
Lane paused briefly."You'll meet them when the time comes. They're a serious person. For now, that's all you need to know."
He looked around."Any questions?"
No one spoke. There were no questions. Because everyone now understood:
This was not just a union.This was a path with no turning back.
That night, wine was drunk and goblets were raised countless times. But no one believed it was an ordinary celebration. What truly mattered was not the wine being consumed, but the decisions that had been made.
The Saphfire Union ended its first night not with loud noise, but with solid foundations.