Lane, after intimidating everyone, opened his bag and handed the books inside to Morris one by one. His movements were calm, but there was not the slightest softness in his eyes. It was as if he was not handing over those books, but directly placing the future of the village onto someone's shoulders.
Morris looked at the books in his hands for a short while. He examined their covers, thickness, and weight as if weighing them. Then he raised his head, looked at Lane, and asked:
"Are these the books you were talking about?"
Lane gave a slight nod.
"Yes. I want you to build the order here with these. Especially train the children well. Raise them in a way that they will not have their own thoughts outside of my command."
Those words caused a brief pause on Morris's face. Even so, he did not object. He lowered his head in approval. He now understood how serious Lane was. This child did not speak like someone his age. Every order he gave came out heavy, as if it had been thought through for a long time beforehand.
Just then, Lane leaned toward Morris's ear and whispered something in a low voice. What he said did not last more than a few seconds, but its effect immediately showed on his face. Morris's eyes widened, his expression hardened, and then clear discomfort appeared on his face.
"You can't be serious about this," he said. "Don't be so paranoid."
Lane hardened his face as he answered. There was not even the slightest hesitation in his eyes.
"I am very serious about this. Do what I said."
Morris had heard what Lane told him, but he did not want to believe it. Even so, he could see in Lane's eyes that this was not some delusion, but a direct precaution. He stayed silent. That silence showed that even though he did not want to accept it, he could not refuse the order.
Lane did not linger any longer. He slung his bag onto his back. The bag was empty now, but the weight on his shoulder did not seem any lighter. Then he turned around and began walking toward Sara.
At that very moment, before he had taken more than a few steps, the sound of fast footsteps came from behind. Edwick ran up to him and grabbed Lane's arm firmly.
"Where are you going, Lane!!"
Lane turned and looked at him. There was both shock and agitation on Edwick's face. Lane, however, looked calm.
"I have to set out on a journey now. I can't stay in the village any longer."
That answer silenced Edwick for a moment. It was as if he had not expected it, or even if he had, he did not want to hear it. Then he spoke immediately.
"Then let me come with you too…"
Lane shook his head from side to side. His answer did not come late.
"Edwick, I need you here. You're the only one who can train the soldiers."
Edwick's lips parted slightly. There were things he wanted to say, but they could not turn into words.
"But… but…"
Lane cut him off. His voice was harsh, but it was not an empty harshness. He was directly putting a final stop to it.
"If you come with me, everything we did will be for nothing. So stay here."
This time Edwick went silent. He knew Lane was right. Even if he wanted to object inside, it would not change the result. After a while, he thought there was no point in insisting. Lane had already made his decision.
Realizing that, Lane softened his tone a little.
"After you train the soldiers, you can come with me, alright?"
Edwick nodded. Then he placed his hand on Lane's shoulder. That gesture was as much friendly as it was a silent farewell.
"Take care of yourself, my friend."
Lane smiled faintly. It was a very small smile, but it was real nonetheless.
"You too, my friend."
Lane left Edwick's side and walked toward Sara. Sara was still sitting on the ground, thinking by herself. Her shoulders were slightly lowered. Her face carried the exhaustion of everything she had been through. When Lane stood in front of her, Sara remained silent for a few more seconds before lifting her head.
"Sara, our paths part here. I'm entrusting the village to you."
Sara lifted her head. There was both shock and sadness on her face. She had not expected that sentence. Her eyes widened at once.
"You're leaving? But why?!"
Lane looked at her calmly. He neither gave an unnecessary explanation nor prolonged his words.
"I already explained it to Morris. My duty here is over now. I want you to become stronger and help Morris with the leadership here."
His words were clear and direct. Sara could not answer for a few seconds. Lane took a deep breath. Then he spoke more directly this time.
"Will you do this for me?"
Sara's face turned red. She could not fully understand what she was feeling. A strange, complicated emotion was circling inside her. Sadness, shock, responsibility, and something else. But in the end, she lifted her head and spoke in a determined voice.
"ALRIGHT, I'll do it."
Sara was filled with a strange feeling. The fact that Lane was leaving made her chest tighten, but him giving her a duty, trusting her, left a different weight inside her as well.
Lane spoke briefly:
"Alright then. I'm leaving now."
Just as he was about to leave, Sara suddenly got up, pulled Lane toward herself, and hugged him tightly. That sudden movement seemed to stop everything for a moment. Sara's voice was filled with an emotion that was trying to be held back.
"Stay in touch with me often, alright, Lane?"
Lane hugged her back in response.
"Alright."
It was a short, simple, and direct answer. But even so, it was not rejecting.
Lane picked up his bag, then walked toward one of the soldiers' horses. When he reached the horse, many eyes were on him. The council members, Morris, and the others were silently watching that moment. Lane mounted the horse and took the reins, preparing to leave.
The council members and Morris were all seeing Lane off on his journey together. Sara, meanwhile, was looking at him with a sad face. She could not take her eyes off him. Then suddenly, as if she had remembered it at the last second, she quickly ran to Lane and held out the brooch in her hand.
"This is an heirloom from my family. Keep it with you."
Lane took the brooch and, after looking at it for a brief moment, pinned it to his collar. The brooch was made of platinum and had a crimson rose design. Around it were delicate engravings resembling wreaths. It was not plain, but it had not been made to look showy either. More than anything, it was an item made heavy by the meaning it carried.
Lane bent slightly toward Sara.
"I want you to become the strongest warrior in this organization."
Sara nodded.
"Alright."
This time her answer was calmer, but heavier. She was not just giving her word, she was accepting a goal.
After that, Lane truly set out on his journey. Whether he looked back or not was unclear. But as the horse moved forward, the village he had left behind, the people, and the weight of that moment slowly faded into the distance.
One week later...
Solarin Empire, Kingdom of Edrith, City of Reyan...
Lane had arrived in the city of Reyan. This was the kingdom of the Solarin Empire that bordered demonic beings in the north. Because of its location, it was not only commercially important but strategically important as well. At the same time, it was the largest trade center in the empire after the capital, and the strongest guilds were also located here. In other words, this was not an ordinary city. It was a great center where money, power, information, and danger were gathered in one place.
As Lane entered the city, he carefully observed his surroundings. His eyes were not wandering aimlessly; he was evaluating every detail. Inside the city stood a large church of the Holy Empire, and at its top hung a bell. This bell had been placed there to warn the people in case of a monster attack. The city was truly enormous. It was surrounded by massive walls. Structurally, it looked strong. From the outside, it gave the impression of being a place that would not fall easily.
Lane muttered to himself:
"This city is built solidly... but what kind of carelessness is this? Why are there no soldiers guarding the walls?"
The walls were strong, the structures were proper, the entrances looked controlled, yet despite that, there was a noticeable gap in the outer defense. Lane's eyes noticed that immediately. To him, a structure being strong by itself meant nothing. If there was no will protecting it, then the strength of stone was limited as well.
Then he thought to himself:
"Let's head to the city center and see what new news there is."
He moved toward the city center. The crowd was growing denser and denser. Merchants, travelers, guild members, ordinary people, there was movement of every kind everywhere. Lane did not pay long attention to any of them. What interested him was information. His eyes eventually landed on the news bulletin.
He stopped in front of the bulletin for a short while and began reading what was written.
First news: Rosa Stormbringer, Sword Saintess of the Solarin Empire, has reached 7-star aura level.
Second news: Roney Macliffer has reached 7-star aura level through the Holy Empire's healing.
The moment Lane saw that news, he released an intense, bloodthirsty aura around him. His rage rose so suddenly that the killing intent inside him seemed to spill out of his body for a few seconds. His eyes darkened. The expression on his face hardened.
"You bastard son of a whore... one of the murderers who killed my father. Just wait for me..."
He said those words as if grinding them out from between his teeth. He had not raised his voice, but his anger had clearly seeped into his words. Even so, that outburst did not last long. Lane immediately pulled himself together. He knew drawing people's attention would be stupidity. This was not the right place to surrender to his emotions.
Then he calmed down right away. In order not to attract people's attention, he tore the news bulletin off the board and quickly left the area. The expression on his face had regained control, but the anger inside him had not disappeared, it had only been suppressed.
Then his eyes fell on the third piece of news.
Third news: The Saintess of the Holy Empire will arrive in the city of Reyan in three days.
Lane's eyes widened.
"The Saintess is coming to Reyan?"
This time, more than rage, he became alert. He immediately sank into thought.
"If the Saintess is coming here, then it means there's a problem. Why would she want to leave the church and come all the way here? I need to go to the church... something's wrong here."
To him, this did not look like an ordinary visit. Someone like that did not move around for no reason. Especially if she was coming directly to a border region like this, there had to be a reason behind it. Lane had sensed that, and he trusted his instincts.
Lane first went to one of the taverns.
Tavern - Rocks
Lane stopped in front of the tavern and lowered his head as he entered. From the very first step, the heaviness of the air inside could be felt. Inside, mostly muscular, rough-looking men were sitting around. Their gazes were crude, and there was an aggressive ease in the way they sat. All of them had red tiger tattoos on their arms. This was the sign of the Red Hunters Guild. The place did not look like an ordinary inn, but more like a place where causing trouble was considered normal.
Lane calmly walked to the reception desk without bothering anyone.
"I need a single room with a window."
The receptionist answered in an indifferent voice:
"One silver for a night."
Without losing his calm, Lane spoke:
"Isn't that too expensive? Are you giving me a room made of gold?"
The receptionist looked at him with dismissive eyes. There was a faint sneer on his face.
"I've got no empty rooms. If you're not staying, then get lost."
That attitude smelled less of money and more of disrespect. Lane clenched his fist, but he was aware that getting angry right now was unnecessary. Starting a pointless argument here would only waste his time.
"Fine then. Give me the room."
The receptionist took the key and headed upstairs. Lane followed him. The corridor was narrow, old, and poorly maintained. After walking a little, the man opened the door to an old, shabby room.
"This is your room."
Lane frowned. One look at the condition of the room was enough.
"You've got to be kidding me. What kind of room is this for one silver?"
The receptionist answered coldly:
"You already paid. Your money won't be refunded."
Those words exhausted Lane's patience. In an instant, he grabbed the receptionist by the collar. The movement was sudden and harsh.
"You're one step away from death, just so you know!"
Despite that, the receptionist was not afraid. On the contrary, he let out a devilish grin.
"If you kill me, the men downstairs will kill you too. You'll be the one who loses."
That threat was not empty. Lane could understand that. It was obvious what kind of men were sitting downstairs, and starting a fight alone in a place like this did not match his current purpose. Lane reluctantly let go of his collar. He thought to himself in anger:
"I must not get angry. This bastard's punishment will come when the time is right. For now, I need to focus on the real matter."
He snatched the key from the receptionist's hand harshly and shut the door close to his face.
The moment he entered the room, he threw his bag to the floor. Then he opened the window so the room could air out a little. The inside was filled with a heavy, stale, and unpleasant smell. He brushed the dust off the bed with his hand. The sheets were not clean, the room was not proper, but for that moment it was enough to rest. In the end, he threw himself onto the bed.
"I've been traveling for a week. I need to rest. Tomorrow I'll go register myself at the guild, then I'll head to the church. Something is wrong..."