Part 3
While Yamato watched the defeated group, he received a communication through his intercom.
"I understand… good work, Sera."
He walked toward them, with his usual calm.
"Alright. I have other matters to attend to, so I won't drag out our meeting any longer."
"General Montero… would you be interested in joining my army?"
The general slowly stood up. Thousands of questions swirled in his mind. He knew there was no one capable of standing against him… not right now.
It was like raising your gaze and coming face to face with death. Cold. Empty.
"What will happen if I refuse?"
"I already told you… nothing. You will leave the mist on your own."
"Damn cheating demon…"
"There's no way to escape with those beasts out there…"
Ulises thought at full speed, searching for a way out.
"Would it be possible for the… benevolent Yamato to allow me a few days to think it over…?"
Sei watched him in silence, understanding exactly what he was trying to do.
"Interesting… you want to escape using that as an excuse," Yamato replied. "Fine. You may return to Valheim and think about it."
A faint murmur spread through the room. Even Sei showed a hint of surprise.
Yamato raised two fingers and looked at him directly.
"You have exactly two weeks. Not a single day more."
"Thank you… Your Excellency," Ulises replied, bowing.
He didn't want to think about the cost of failing. Only about getting out alive… and getting the others out with him.
"Ah… and I almost forgot," Yamato added calmly. "Tell the king of Valheim this will not end like this."
"He will hear from me soon."
"You may leave."
Ulises took the two young ones and they were about to leave when, finally, Kaede said what she had been holding back.
"Kanzaki…" she shook her head. "Rei… Yamato."
Yamato, who was about to speak with Sei, shifted his gaze.
"What do you want, Minazuki?"
She stepped away from Ulises and approached. Then she knelt in front of him.
"I want to stay… and for you to accept me into your group."
Her companions were stunned by her words, while Yamato analyzed the situation.
"My lord, I don't think this is wise," Sei murmured at his side.
"Don't worry. Minazuki is not a threat… even if she were to leak information," he replied calmly.
Then he turned his attention back to her.
"Tell me… why should I accept you? How would your presence benefit me?"
"Well… I have control over the Light element. It's a rare element…"
"Good point," Yamato replied. "But I already have the best light mage that could exist in this world."
"I…" Kaede hesitated. She couldn't find anything to offer. Power… was something he had in excess.
"If that's all you can offer, then it's better if you leave."
But she shook her head.
"I came all the way here hoping to find you…"
"I didn't do anything that day! I just stayed quiet!"
"And now that I know you're alive… I don't want to leave!"
"I want to ask for your forgiveness for everything I did wrong… for ignoring you at school. I didn't want the others to hate me for being your friend…"
"So it's guilt what you feel… interesting," Yamato commented.
"Don't worry, Minazuki. I don't hate them. In fact… I'm grateful to all of you…"
"You made me open my eyes. See what humans are really like."
He paused, as if organizing his thoughts.
"Alright… you can stay. After all, Kamishiro could use some company."
A faint hope appeared on Kaede's face.
"But… if you decide to stay, no one will be at your disposal. My subordinates won't protect you if they don't want to."
"And if you want something… you'll have to give something in return. That's the rule of the void."
"Understood?"
She nodded.
Ulises tried to stop her, but he knew her determination wouldn't change.
"Good. If there's nothing else to say, Malyss will escort you out of the mist."
The large door opened again, and the maid appeared to guide Ulises and Riku out of Mist Valley.
Behind her, a younger and shorter maid followed.
"Synn, escort our guest to the technology lab with Kamishiro. Then assign her a room."
"Yes, Lord Yamato," the small one replied, guiding Kaede.
Yamato watched as they all left, while Sei approached, as solemn as ever.
"Are you sure about letting them go? Humans are not trustworthy."
"Don't worry about trivial matters. They are simple variables with no impact on my plans."
"Besides, I want Valheim to understand the weight of their mistake."
Then he shifted his gaze to Haruto's body, still split on the ground, blood spreading across the carpet.
"Another toy for Darwin."
"When Malyss returns with her group, clean this mess. I'll be in my office supervising what's happening in Mermur."
"When you're done with the bodies and recovering anything useful from the camps, come see me."
"I have a special mission for you, Sei."
"Yes, my lord," he replied with a bow.
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Once outside the mist, both of them tried to process what had happened.
In front of them, only the remains of what had once been a great military camp were left. Ten thousand soldiers… reduced to silent and abandoned tents.
Ulises fell to his knees, overcome by despair.
Riku collapsed beside him. He didn't understand everything at the level of his general… but he understood enough.
This wasn't a game.
He could die at any moment.
And now he understood why Nanami had remained locked away, consumed by fear.
"We don't stand a chance against that monster…" he murmured, staring at the mist.
Ulises lifted his gaze and forced himself to stand.
"Let's go."
"We must return to the capital… and inform the king."
"With luck… he will offer an apology."
"And maybe… just maybe, if fortune favors us…"
"Yamato will show mercy."
The young hero nodded.
Both of them left that desolate camp, marked by death, beginning their return to the capital of Valheim.