His thoughts returned to the underground prison.
Three days had passed since Dolan had been locked away.
No visitors had been allowed to see him.
No one had been permitted to communicate with him, and throughout those three days, he had received neither food nor water.
The order had been deliberately severe, necessary to convince anyone watching that Javier had truly accepted Dolan’s confession.
By the time Javier returned, the underground prison had become almost completely silent.
His footsteps echoed through the corridor.
Tap.
Tap.
Tap.
Inside one of the cells, Dolan lay motionless against the cold stone.
Three days without food or water had left his body frighteningly weak.
His lips were dry and cracked, his skin had lost much of its color, and every breath seemed to require more strength than the last.
Javier stopped outside the cell.
His Mana Detection reached through the darkness.
Thump…
Faint.
But alive.
“Dolan.”
The man barely reacted.
Javier entered and knelt beside him, placing one hand against his shoulder.
“Dolan… wake up.”
Something about the gentle voice seemed to reach him.
For one brief moment, Dolan’s exhausted mind returned to a distant childhood memory, to a time when his father had called his name in much the same way.
His eyelids slowly opened.
“Thank goodness you’re still alive.”
“Your… Highness…”
Dolan’s voice was barely more than a breath.
“Will I… continue to live?”
“Yes, Dolan.”
Javier kept one hand against his shoulder.
“You followed my orders. You endured until the end.”
He gave Dolan’s shoulder a light pat.
“Thank you for surviving.”
A faint smile appeared on Dolan’s exhausted face.
It was nothing like the small, knowing smile he had worn when he first entered the prison.
There was no strategy behind it now, no attempt to hide what he understood. This chapter is updated first at novelping.com.
Only relief.
The memory faded.
“Thank goodness.” Alaric released a long breath.
“Dolan survived all three days?”
“Yes.”
Javier nodded.
“He endured exactly as I expected.”
A faint smile appeared on Alaric’s face.
“Then I’m glad.”
Javier remained silent for a moment before another thought entered his mind, one that had been forming since he began considering how Srivi could recover from the damage it had suffered.
“Alaric.”
“Yes, Your Highness?”
“Do you know about Uranus?”
“Of course.” Alaric adjusted himself slightly against the pillows.
“Uranus is an extremely rare and valuable mineral. Its durability and quality make it particularly valuable for forging high-level swords and armor.”
“Exactly.”
Javier turned slightly toward him.
“Then you understand what I’m thinking.”
Alaric’s expression changed almost immediately.
“Your Highness… that’s dangerous.”
“Indeed.”
“Uranus can only be found deep within Verkes Forest.”
Alaric immediately shook his head.
“But Your Highness, we’re already short on soldiers. The people of Srivi are terrified of Verkes Forest, and even experienced adventurers hesitate to enter too deeply. With our current forces, sending an expedition there would be extremely dangerous.”
“I know.”
“Then—”
“I’ll go with Hans.”
Alaric stared at him.
“And a group of adventurers,” Javier continued before he could object.
“I’ll pay them well for their services. We don’t need an army. We need a small group of people capable enough to survive the journey and protect the expedition.”
Alaric remained silent.
The concern on his face did not disappear.
“Your Highness, if something happens to you inside that forest…”
“I know the risk.”
Javier turned his face toward the window again.
“But remaining here won’t solve everything either. Srivi needs resources. We need money to rebuild damaged homes, strengthen the city’s defenses, treat the wounded and restore what was lost.” His voice became quieter.
Alaric watched him for several seconds before releasing a tired sigh.
“You’ve already made up your mind, haven’t you?”
A faint smile touched Javier’s face.
“Yes.”
Alaric shook his head helplessly.
“Then I suppose there’s little point trying to stop you.”
“I already have a plan.”
Alaric looked toward him.
“What plan?”
“First, we’ll contact the Adventurers’ Guild and find adventurers willing to enter Verkes Forest. The true objective of the expedition will remain confidential. They’ll only be told that we’re searching for rare minerals to support Srivi’s reconstruction.”
Alaric considered the idea before slowly nodding.
“That should prevent unnecessary attention.”
“Exactly.”
Javier rose from his chair.
“And Alaric…”
“Yes, Your Highness?”
“While I’m away, take care of Srivi.”
Alaric’s expression immediately became serious.
“Understood, Your Highness.”
“Oversee the reconstruction. Make sure the wounded receive treatment and that supplies reach the people who actually need them.” Javier paused near the door.
“Keep the city under control until I return.”
Alaric placed one hand over his chest.
“I will.”
Javier gave a small nod.
“Good. Then rest. You can worry about Srivi after you’re capable of leaving that bed.”
Alaric looked as though he wanted to object, but after a moment, he lowered his head.
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Javier opened the door and stepped into the corridor.
Behind him, Alaric slowly lowered himself back against the bed.
His body was still weak, and every movement reminded him of the injuries Framon had inflicted, but his thoughts had already moved elsewhere.
Verkes Forest.
Even experienced adventurers feared venturing too deeply into those ancient woods.
Stories of people entering and never returning had circulated throughout Srivi for years, and now Javier intended to enter it with Hans and only a small expedition.
Alaric stared toward the closed door.
Neither of them knew what awaited Javier beyond the edge of those ancient trees.
But the path toward Verkes had already begun.