Soulbound: Dual Cultivation

Lucas’s eyes moved across his squad briefly before settling on four men. "You, you, you... and you," he called, pointing them out without hesitation. "You’re coming with me."

There were no questions, no hesitation. They stepped forward immediately.

Lucas then turned to Bartho, his expression firm but trusting. "You’re in charge of the rest of the squad while I’m gone," he said. "Maintain formation, follow the king’s command, and don’t take unnecessary risks."

Bartho met his gaze and nodded once, understanding the weight of what was being handed to him. "You can count on me," he replied.

Lucas held his eyes for a moment longer, then gave a slight nod before moving on.

"Tom," he called.

Tom was already approaching before the words fully left his mouth. "I’m here," he said.

"And Patrick," Lucas added.

Patrick stepped forward as well, fully clad in Valerion armor, his presence calm but alert, his eyes sharp in a way that reflected his experience. Lucas studied him briefly, then spoke. "You’ll be leading scouting operations ahead of us," he said. "We move fast and quiet. I need your eyes before we take any step."

Patrick gave a faint, confident nod. "You’ll have them."

Lucas didn’t need more than that. He already knew Patrick’s capabilities, his stealth, his awareness, his ability to move unseen even in hostile territory. Having him along significantly increased their chances of navigating whatever lay ahead without being detected.

With that settled, Lucas turned his attention to the girls, who had been watching from a short distance, concern evident in their expressions despite their composure. He walked toward them, his tone softening slightly. "I’ll be heading out with a small unit," he said. "Recon mission. I won’t be gone long."

Selene stepped forward slightly. "You’re going alone into Valerion?" she asked, her voice steady but edged with concern.

"Not alone," Lucas replied calmly, gesturing slightly toward the men behind him. "But yes, we’ll be moving ahead."

Lira crossed her arms lightly, clearly not pleased but understanding the necessity. "Then don’t do anything reckless," she said.

Lucas gave a faint, almost amused breath. "That depends on what we find."

Nyx remained quiet, her gaze lingering on him, understanding more than the others what kind of risks he was walking into, but she said nothing, only giving a small nod.

Lucas’s expression shifted slightly as he remembered something. "The Ice Belle," he said.

Selene nodded. "She’s still in hibernation," she replied. "Her energy hasn’t stabilized yet after the battle."

"Good," Lucas said. "Keep her safe. Don’t disturb her unless it’s absolutely necessary. She’s vulnerable like this."

"We’ll take care of her," Selene assured him.

Lucas looked at each of them briefly, making sure they understood, then gave a small nod. "Stay sharp," he said.

With everything in place, he turned back toward his group, his expression returning to its focused calm as he stepped forward, signaling the start of their movement.

The seven men moved out swiftly, wasting no time as they broke away from the main army, their figures disappearing into the distance with purpose and precision, while behind them, the king rallied the remaining forces and began the march toward the Kingdom of Blackmare, their paths now divided but bound by the same looming objective.

The journey to Valerion stretched over days, long and demanding, but unlike before, there was no large army to slow them down, no injured to carry, only speed, caution, and silence guiding their movement. They traveled light, resting only when necessary, with Patrick always moving ahead or to the flanks, his sharp eyes scanning the terrain for any sign of danger or movement, while Lucas maintained a steady pace at the center, his awareness extended, his instincts constantly probing the unseen. The other men followed with discipline, understanding that this was not a mission for error or noise, but for precision and restraint.

As they drew closer to Valerion’s territory, the atmosphere began to shift subtly, not in a way that could be immediately seen, but felt, like an invisible pressure settling over the land, the kind that spoke of control, occupation, and quiet fear. Villages they passed were subdued, people keeping to themselves, movements cautious, conversations hushed, and even from a distance, it was clear that something had changed deeply within these lands.

Eventually, they reached the small town where the alchemists once gathered for their meetings, a place that had once held life, activity, and a certain quiet prestige, known only to those within that circle, but now, as they approached, it felt... hollow.

The streets were not entirely empty, but they were far from lively, only a few individuals moving about, their heads lowered, their presence subdued, as though even walking freely required caution. Shops that should have been open were either shut or barely operating, and the usual signs of trade and interaction were almost nonexistent. It was a town that still lived, but only just.

Lucas slowed slightly, his gaze sweeping across the surroundings, taking in every detail, every subtle sign of change, and it didn’t take long before Patrick, who had moved ahead slightly, returned to his side, his voice low. "There are soldiers," he said. "Patrolling. Not many, but enough."

Lucas’s eyes narrowed faintly. "Usurpers," he said calmly.

Patrick nodded. "From their armor and formation... it matches."

Lucas exhaled slowly, his gaze hardening as the pieces fell into place. "Then it’s already spread this far," he said. "This town is under their control too."

None of the others looked surprised.

It made sense.

If Valerion had truly fallen, then its surrounding territories would follow, either through force or fear, and this quiet, suppressed atmosphere was proof enough of that.

Lucas took a step forward, his mind already shifting, analyzing, adjusting to the new reality of the situation, but as he did, another thought surfaced, quieter, more personal, cutting through the strategic calculations.

Lady Cecilia.

And Sage Raph.

He wondered if they were still here.

Or if they had already been swallowed by whatever had taken Valerion.

Lucas didn’t give any immediate orders after Patrick’s report, but the slight shift in his posture was enough for the others to understand that they would not be entering the town directly. He raised a hand subtly, signaling for silence and tighter formation, then gestured toward a less exposed path that curved around the outskirts, avoiding the main roads where patrols were more frequent. Without a word, the group adjusted, moving with him as he led them in a wide arc around the settlement, their steps light, controlled, and deliberate, using broken walls, abandoned structures, and patches of overgrowth as natural cover.

Patrick moved slightly ahead again, his presence almost disappearing into the environment as he scouted each turn and corner, occasionally signaling back with minimal gestures, guiding their route through the safest path possible. The others followed with discipline, keeping low, their awareness heightened, every sound measured, every movement calculated to avoid drawing attention. Even the wind seemed too loud in such a tense quiet, and the distant presence of patrolling soldiers only made it worse.

Lucas kept his focus steady, his mind mapping the town from memory, recalling the layout, the positioning of key locations, and more importantly, the route to Lady Cecilia’s residence. He adjusted their path accordingly, choosing angles that would give them visibility without exposure, always thinking several steps ahead, because one mistake here could expose them completely.

After several minutes of careful maneuvering, they reached a vantage point overlooking the residence from a safe distance, partially concealed by a collapsed structure that gave them both cover and a clear line of sight. Lucas raised a hand again, bringing the group to a halt, then slowly leaned forward, his eyes locking onto the building.

He didn’t need to be told.

He could already see it.

The difference was immediate and unmistakable.

Where there had once been a quiet, dignified residence, there was now movement, structure, and control that did not belong. Armed soldiers stood at key positions, their patrol routes precise and deliberate, their presence not casual but enforced. The entrances were guarded, the surroundings monitored, and even from a distance, it was clear that this was no longer a private residence.

It had been taken.

Converted.

Occupied.

Lucas’s eyes narrowed slightly as he observed the pattern of movement, the placement of guards, the subtle signs of a temporary command post being established. "She’s not here," he said quietly, his voice low but certain.

Patrick, crouched nearby, nodded once. "No sign of civilians entering or leaving," he added. "Only soldiers."

Lucas’s gaze remained fixed on the building for a moment longer, his thoughts moving quickly beneath the surface, but the conclusion was already clear.

"This place has been turned into a station," he said calmly. "They’ve taken it over completely."

There was no hesitation in his tone.

Only confirmation.