Three nights had passed since Vann and Kaiden left Seth Arvahn's cabin.
Neither spoke of the old man's refusal.
Vann was anxious—
but not without hope.
He had seen it—
a flicker in Seth's eyes…
a spark that had not yet died.
On the fourth night, as Vann sat beside the fire in the forest,
a shadow approached—quiet and deliberate.
Vann looked up…
and there stood Seth Arvahn,
his tattered coat heavy with the scent of ash and ancient books.
Seth wasted no time:
> "You said you're Raighor's son.
I want the truth."
Vann answered without hesitation:
> "His illegitimate son—
heir to his will, not his crown."
Seth stepped closer and sat down.
> "When I was a boy,
I searched the palace library for a particular book—an old strategic manuscript.
Not just any book…
but a scroll written by the greatest military mind this continent ever knew:
Arkan Dominus.
It vanished thirty years ago.
I never found it again."
To his surprise, Vann replied:
> "I know where it is."
Seth's eyes widened.
Vann continued, slowly, recalling the memory:
> "As a child, I used to sneak through the palace halls.
One day, I found a small door behind the stone dragon statue in the lower wing.
I went down broken stairs into a hidden chamber…
and there it was—
a massive black-bound book,
marked with an ancient seal,
lit by a single candle."
Seth froze, his breath caught in his chest.
> "That's the one," he whispered.
He stood suddenly, facing Vann.
His voice turned sharp—unyielding:
> "I'll return."
A faint smile touched Vann's lips—
but Seth raised a finger:
> "On three conditions.
First: You give me that book the moment we retrieve it.
Second: When you rebuild your kingdom,
I become its Prime Minister—without opposition.
Third: I command the army. Supreme authority—no orders without my approval."
Kaiden stepped forward, his tone cautious:
> "Those are heavy terms, Seth."
Seth, eyes locked only on Vann, replied:
> "I'm not returning to be led by a boy.
I return to lead a nation."
Vann paused,
then spoke clearly:
> "Agreed."
Seth smiled—small, but real.
> "Then let's begin...
a war not fought by blades—
but by minds."