Chapter 396


    ‘I''ll need you to look after my ce.”


    “Of course.” Commander Kashann and Hamund bid farewell to vin and took to the skies. Both were gravely injured and needed to recuperate.


    Moreover, with the recent rebellion, the state of Cobalt Strike was in disarray.


    Just then, a loud call rang out at the edge of the wilderness, and a group waved in their direction


    Commander Kashann and Hamund frowned and looked towards themotion. It was three Elders from Cobalt Strike, followed by a throng of


    Protégés.


    “Commander, Hamund. We''ve found the Elder of the Botanic Haven. He''s gravely injured,” the Protégés eximed with relief upon seeing their


    Commander, d to find him alive.


    "Where?" Commander Kashann and Hamund strode through the forested hills.


    The Botanic Haven Elder, upon grasping the situation, sighed in relief and then fell back into unconsciousness, from which he hadn''t yet awakened


    The Protégés were gathered around him, tending to him with great care.Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org.


    vin also rushed from the city to the scene, and the Protégés respectfully cleared a path for him, showing a mix of reverence and awe. Whether


    outwardly or inwardly, no one dared to underestimate vin any longer.


    After Commander Kashann had examined the Botanic Haven Elder''s injuries, his brow furrowed. “We must return to Botanic Haven at once."


    vin asked, "Is there anything I can do to help?”


    "Hamund''s assistance is sufficient. You have many other tasks to address, and you are weary. You should return and rest well.”


    Commander Kashann and Hamund, with the Botanic Haven Elder in tow, left first. and the Protégés quickly followed, heading back to Cobalt Strike.


    Niks and others greeted vin, exchanged brief pleasantries, and joined the procession. They all left. except for Carlys, whe remained behind


    As dawn broke, the ancient city stirred with life, and its citizens held a grand celebration. The Lord''s Keep shared its limited food and drink supply,


    reveling in cheer. "From this day forth, no one will bully us. From this day forth, we are safe.”


    They gathered near the statue of the king. cheering and shouting vin''s name, celebrating the hard-won peace.


    vin made his rounds in and around the city, and by noon, he had discussed ns to rebuild the ancient city with Lucan, how to allocate the people,


    and how to ensure greater happiness and safety for all.


    Lucan was brimming with ambitious


    ns to createthergest city in the


    Nortnds. with the might of


    Stormcastand the protection of the


    eighteenvoya statues, they woul?


    surelyattract countless citizens: "A


    poption in the hundreds af”


    thotisands i is nothing," he boasted.


    "We can expand to amodate


    millions, for the current ancient city’s


    bounds are far too small." Content


    belongs to


    vin suggested maintaining Stormcast''s current size but building eight smaller towns around it, both to defend and to showcase Stormcast''s status.


    Stormcast would be the capital, home only to those who had followed the Mallister family for over twenty years, enjoying various privileges. As for


    neers, they would be settled in the eight surrounding towns


    Only those willing to contribute to Stormcast and possessing significant strength, be they individuals or organizations, would be eligible to earn the


    right to reside within Stormeast.


    vin''s idea was simple. To make the existing two hundred thousand people feel content, he had to let them know that the Mallister family would not


    forget them and would provide for them generation after generation if possible.


    Thus, the size of Stormcast must


    not change, with a cap of five


    hundred thodsand permanent


    residentssand even the transient =>


    poption should be controlled, The


    eight surrounding towns couldonly


    be half the size of Stormeast?with


    control ed poptions to prevent


    them from bing vartage points


    for other powers to monitor


    Stormcast.


    Of course, these were ns for the future. vin merely shared his vision, knowing he would not reside there long. He would leave to seek


    adventures far and wide.


    Returning to the city hall, vin


    found Godfred passionately


    recounting recent events, describing


    how A ayitrhad gritted his teeth too


    arelel the 8ighteen statues and the


    hardships he faced along the Way.


    The crowd was engrossed, Hanging


    anévery word, with Helna-and


    others among them asionally


    emitting sighs of amazement.


    “Look at him showing off.” Lucan muttered, unimpressed.


    vin just shook his head with a smile, not wanting to interrupt, and retreated to his room to copse into sleep. He was truly exhausted. All he


    wanted was to sleep soundly. without a care, without a question—just sleep... sleep...