Chapter 92: Once again
The Darkan army’s search for the vanished Silver captives yielded nothing but frustration. With no trace of the prisoners or their guards, the Darkan Head, his body still wrapped in bandages from the war, ordered the camp to pack up.
The army returned to their city, a five-day march through lands buzzing with tales of their victory. The news had spread like wildfire, reaching even the most remote villages. Newspapers flooded the streets, their headlines screaming of the Darkans’ reclaimed draconic heritage and their triumph over the Silvers. Bards wove songs of fire and blood, and the people speculated eagerly: What would the Darkans do next? This win was too huge to ignore.
Upon their return, the city mourned. The fallen were buried with solemn reverence, their families summoned to the central plaza. Tears fell as the Darkan Head praised the bravery of the lost, bestowing generous compensation to ease their kin’s grief. According to imperial custom, a five-day silence followed, a time for reflection and remembrance.
Yet beneath the mourning, the family grappled with a pivotal question: what now? The restoration of their draconic bloodline marked a new era, but the path forward remained uncertain.
As the silence lifted, preparations began for a grand banquet to celebrate the victory.
Invitations were sent far and wide, to merchants, mercenary guilds, alchemists, clans, and even the Imperial family itself. This time, everyone was invited. The city buzzed with anticipation, its streets adorned with banners of crimson and black, the Darkan colors flying high.
But before the guests began arriving, a familiar figure requested an audience.
"Family Head, Sir Jin is here," a guard announced.
"Let him in," the Darkan Head replied, his voice heavy with resignation.
Baines—known to the world as Jin—strode into the study, his presence commanding yet unassuming. This wasn’t his first visit. Months ago, at a critical juncture, he had requested a holiday, a decision that had baffled the family. Now, he stood before the Darkan Head again, his expression unreadable.
Now, just guess why Baines was here?