Chapter 24 : Chapter 24
Chapter 24: Planning
He no longer paid attention to the girl he'd just renamed, turning instead to call the three wolf cubs playing and tumbling in the corner.
The largest one quickly understood, wagging its tail and trotting eagerly over to Caesar.
Anna watched this scene curiously. Fluffy creatures held enormous appeal for young women, and she felt the urge to reach out and pet it, but was too intimidated by Caesar's authority to approach.
Caesar paid no mind to Anna's behavior.
He tore off the last relatively clean corner of fabric from his clothing and spread it across his knee.
Then he glanced at his scar-covered fingers, hesitated briefly, and finally raised them to his mouth, biting down hard.
Crimson blood beads seeped out.
Using his finger as a brush and blood as ink, he began writing rapidly on that scrap of cloth.
“Roland:”
“One, change of plans. Select twenty of the most reliable brothers who have families in the Rat's Nest. Lead them personally, carry three hundred gold coins, and immediately return secretly to Grayrock Town.”
His pen moved swiftly, his thoughts crystal clear.
Twenty men—this was the optimal number he'd calculated.
Too few, and they couldn't protect themselves if they encountered danger on the road; too many, and they'd easily attract the attention of Grayrock Town's garrison.
Three hundred gold coins were enough as initial startup capital to buy loyalty and purchase necessities.
“Two, use every means available—money, food, promises—to persuade all our brothers' families, as well as other refugees willing to follow us, to migrate to my territory.”
“Tell them there's no exploitation or starvation here, only work, land, and meat soup that can fill their bellies.”
He paused here.
He knew that for those people living in despair in the Rat's Nest, those two words—“fill their bellies”—possessed magical power comparable to a divine oracle.
“Three, I need their loyalty, but even more I need their hands. Blacksmiths, carpenters, stonemasons, tailors… anyone with a trade skill, recruit them first, with preferential treatment.”
“Tell them that here, skill can earn dignity.”
“I need women to mend, cook, and bear offspring; I need elders to pass on experience and watch children; I even need children… because children represent the future.”
His handwriting was steady and forceful. A blueprint for a future territory was gradually unfolding beneath his pen.
“Four, this matter is top priority. Must be completed within seven days.”
“Operations must be covert. Break into small groups, evacuate in batches, absolutely cannot alert anyone in Grayrock Town.”
“Remember, we are rescuing them, not kidnapping them.”
“Five, camp construction and new recruit training continue as usual.”
“Before I return, you are my sole representative. You are authorized to use any necessary means to handle any emergencies.”
This was maximum delegation of authority, and also complete trust in Roland without reservation.
After writing the final word, Caesar let out a long breath.
The scent of blood lingered at his nose, yet he felt an unprecedented excitement.
The game had begun, and he had personally played his first trump card.
He carefully folded this weighty blood letter and tied it securely to the wolf cub's leg with thin hemp rope.
After finishing this, he pulled out a large chunk of leftover dried meat from his breast and stuffed it into the little one's mouth.
The wolf cub whimpered, affectionately nuzzling his fingers.
He patted the little one's head and set it on the ground.
“Go.”
“Find Roland, and bring him my will.”
The gray shadow didn't hesitate for a moment, transforming into an arrow released from its bowstring, instantly charging out of the cave entrance and disappearing into the boundless night.
The cave fell silent once more.
Caesar stood up, walked to the cave entrance, and gazed at the thick darkness outside, silent for a long time.
His figure was stretched long by the campfire, cast onto the rock wall like a statue of a contemplating king.
Anna curled up in the corner, silently watching all of this.
From the moment this youth saved her, to coldly informing her of her companions' deaths, to giving her a new identity…
Everything had happened too quickly, too earth-shatteringly.
She felt like an ant that had stumbled into a giants' card game, unable to even see clearly what cards were on the table.
This youth named Caesar—his composure, his intelligence, his coldness, and the commanding presence on him completely at odds with his age—all made her feel a tremor emanating from the depths of her soul.
He was definitely not an ordinary “unfortunate soul.”
Exiled by his family? Perhaps that was true.
But he more resembled a young dragon lurking in shallow waters, merely temporarily retracting its claws and fangs for now.
And this barren Wailing Wastes was the first nest he'd chosen.
The campfire gradually weakened, and the light inside the cave grew dim.
Caesar turned around, walked back to the fire, and sat down again.
He didn't spare Anna another glance, as if she were merely an insignificant piece of luggage.
He closed his eyes and began meditating, recovering the physical and mental strength consumed in battle.