Half an hour passed since the dismemberment of the Alpha Bear. Its corpse lay still on the floor, the chapel still covered by the blue geometric energy of Bastion's shield.
Regius walked back to his gathered squad. Milo and Vera were treating the wounded while Olin was stationed on the roof of the building, finishing off any stragglers left behind.
He flicked his wrist again, cleaning the blood from his blade in one motion before sheathing it. He took a slow breath, suppressing the adrenaline—and the darker, colder instinct hidden deep inside.
"Status?" Regius asked.
"Chapel is clear," Kael echoed in the quiet hall. "Olin is mopping up the stragglers outside."
"Casualties?"
"Ten in total. Dozens are wounded. But..." Kael smiled at the huddled families, terrified but alive. "The rest made it."
The sound of footsteps approached. Chief Felix limped forward, one hand clutching a health potion, the other holding a crutch. He looked from the massive corpse of the bear to the young man adjusting his glove.
"You killed them all," Felix whispered. "You saved us."
Regius lowered his hood. The dim chapel light caught the natural features of his face. His jet-black hair shone under the light. His violet eyes reflected back the chief's. He looked out of place among the gore, dust, and rubble.
Felix froze. His eyes dropped to the young man's collar.
The tunic was high-quality fabric, embroidered with intricate white and gold thread. But it was the crest pinned on his collar that drained the color from the chief's face. A vertical silver sword pointing upward on a field of midnight blue. Above the tip of the sword sat a single, eight-pointed golden star.
The Zenith Blade.
"T-that crest..." Felix stammered. "Lord Aethel? My deepest apologies, my Lord, I-I didn't know..."
The villagers went rigid. The noble of their land? Here? In the mud?
Regius stepped forward. He gently held Felix's shoulder, stopping the injured man from bowing.
"Here, I am just a Hunter, Chief," Regius said. His voice was calm, but there was an edge to it.
"And these are the Iron Swords. Treat us as such."
Felix looked into the young man's eyes. He saw the noble lineage, yes, but beneath it, he saw the cold, hard pragmatism of a hunter.
"Understood, Hunter," Felix nodded. "We are in your debt."
———
The celebration that night was relieving.
Bonfires roared in the village square, roasting the meat of the monsters. Music played from collected functioning loudspeakers, a lively tune that warred with the crackle of the flames.
Alcohol and liquor flowed freely, a gift from the chief's private stock, and the villagers danced with the manic energy of people who had looked death in the face and blinked.
Regius sat on a grassy hill overlooking the square. He rested his back against a large tree, far enough to be alone, close enough to watch the village.
"Too good for cheap alcohol, Leader?"
Regius didn't turn. "Just getting some fresh air."
Kael sat down beside him, groaning as he stretched his legs. He handed Regius a wooden mug filled to the brim.
"Milo is down there telling the baker's daughter that he single-handedly saved dozens of lives," Kael said, gesturing with his chin toward the fire. "Vera is eating an entire boar leg. You're missing the fun."
"I'll come back later." Regius took the mug, a faint smile touching his lips. "The villagers can be... energetic."
"Well, they adore you," Kael chuckled, clinking his mug against Regius's. He watched the fire for a moment, his expression turning reflective.
"You know... when the High Lord first assigned us to you, we thought it was a punishment."
"Is that so?" Regius glanced over.
"Oh, absolutely," Kael laughed. "Lord Magnus pulled us from active duty and said his son needed a 'protection detail' for his training. We mocked you behind your back for weeks. Called you all sorts of nicknames fitting for a brat born with a silver spoon. We thought we were just there to wipe your nose and keep you from getting scratched by a goblin."
Regius took a sip of ale. "I imagine I didn't make a good first impression."
"Don't take it to heart," Kael grinned. "You shut our asses up real quick. That first expedition? You took down most of the monsters yourself. I still remember the look on Milo's face."
Regius shook his head. "Damn, I should have taken a picture."
Kael stood up, dusting off his pants. "Don't stay up too long, Boss. Take it easy on yourself, will you?"
He walked back toward the bonfire. Regius watched him go, the warmth of the camaraderie battling the cold reality of his secret.
He is right, you know.
The voice resonated directly in his mind—warm, maternal, and determined.
Regius didn't flinch.
"Libra."
There was a shift in the air beside him. No flash of light, no tearing of reality. Instead, a sudden, comforting weight settled on his left shoulder, as if an invisible hand had come to rest there.
Under his glove, the searing heat of the Mark cooled instantly. The constant mild burn of the Soul Sear lessened, replaced by a soothing chill that spread down his arm.
You have earned their respect. Libra's voice echoed, clear as a bell in his thoughts. But they notice the increasing tension. You are pushing yourself too hard.
"I have to protect them," Regius whispered to the empty air.
You are doing that. Libra said. But a blade that is always drawn will eventually dull. Rest is a weapon, Little One. Use it.
Regius leaned his head back against the tree bark. He could feel her presence hovering beside him—a guardian spirit standing vigil in the dark. By keeping her form invisible, she spared him the physical toll of a full manifestation, allowing him to breathe without the constant searing pain on his Summoner Mark, only prickles of the skin present.
"If I slip, they die," Regius said.
Then don't, her tone shifted, becoming the ruthless instructor. Focus on your intent. But tonight... tonight you can enjoy the breeze.
The weight on his shoulder squeezed gently, then lifted. The invisible presence faded, retreating back into the deep recesses of his Soul Palace.
Regius exhaled, the tension in his neck loosening. He finished his drink in silence, watching the smoke rise into the night sky.
———
The next morning brought the reality of the world back in.
Flying transport shuttles marked with the Aethel Civil Service logo touched down on the outskirts of the village. Soldiers in polished silver-and-blue armor stepped out, securing the perimeter with practiced efficiency. Police guards and medical teams headed towards the village, taking testimonies and healing the injured.
Alongside them came the facilitators—bureaucrats in grey uniforms tasked with logistics, cleanup, and processing.
Regius stood by the Iron Swords' gear, watching the transaction. Olin was arguing with a facilitator over a holographic ledger.
"That's a lowball offer, and you know it," Olin snapped, pointing at the headless carcass of the bear. "The carcasses are pristine! They are worth twice as much as this!"
"Market saturation," the facilitator sniffed, adjusting his glasses without looking up. "Too many expeditions lately. The warehouses are backlogged. Best I can do is the standard rate minus the processing fee."
Regius stepped forward.
The facilitator looked up, annoyed. He opened his mouth to dismiss another greedy hunter, but the words died in his throat. His eyes landed on the crest on Regius's collar, then moved up to the violet eyes staring down at him with a bored intensity.
The bureaucrat's posture straightened instantly.
"My Lord!—"
"What price did you give him?" Regius asked.
"3,000 gold coins... e-excluding the high-grade loot," the Facilitator gulped, sweat beading on his upper lip.
"Hmm." Regius looked at the carcass. "Make it 5,000."
"But, sir. If I do that—"
"Take it," Regius said. "Or maybe I should call a rep from the Aurum Union to come down here? I'm sure they offer very competitive rates."
The facilitator went pale. If the Aurum Union stepped in, the Crown would lose the resources entirely, and he would be fired before lunch.
"That... that won't be necessary, sir!" he stammered, tapping furiously on his tablet. "5,000 gold coins. Approved."
Regius nodded. "Good. Transfer all of it to the village's ledger. We'll be taking the Alpha Core and the high-grade materials ourselves."
"What?!"
The shout came from two directions: Milo, who looked like he was having a stroke, and Chief Felix, whose jaw hit the floor.
"Young L—I mean, Hunter," Felix stepped forward. "We cannot accept that. It's your squad's earnings..."
"It isn't charity, Chief," Regius said, turning to face him. "You'll need it for the rebuilding process. If this wall isn't fortified and upgraded, the next tide will wipe you out. I don't like doing the same job twice. Consider it an investment in the domain's security."
"But, sir—"
"Take the gold, Felix," Regius ordered. "Rebuild your home and make it stronger. That's an order."
Felix looked at the young man, so young yet speaking with the strategic foresight of a general. Tears welled in the old man's eyes. He bowed low.
"Thank you... my lord."
Regius turned to his squad. Vera was grinning like a shark. Kael was shaking his head, looking proud. Even Milo, after doing the mental math on the Alpha carcass they were keeping, looked relieved.
"Mount up," Regius said. "We're burning daylight."
Olin stepped forward. He reached into his cloak and pulled out a small, metallic cube the size of a fist. He tossed it onto the dirt road.
Click-whir.
The cube expanded rapidly. Plates of metal alloys unfolded. In seconds, it transformed into a sleek mana cycle, hovering a foot off the ground and humming with contained power.
The rest of the squad deployed their own mana cycles.
Regius mounted his cycle. The engine purred as it synced with his mana signature. He looked back at Oakhaven one last time. Soldiers and guards bowed. The villagers were waving, safe behind their broken walls.
"Let's go," Regius ordered.
The engines roared, kicking up dust. The Iron Swords sped away from the village, riding toward the horizon. For a moment, Regius let himself forget the assassin's dagger waiting in the dark and just enjoyed the ride with his pack.