News of Kael's victory spread like wildfire. Within days, all of Noctyra knew that the Demon King of the Neverdie Realm had defeated Maëldor in single combat, without killing him, and had retaken the Krell basin. Messengers ran. Kings calculated. Peoples murmured.
But Kael did not stop there.
Three days after the duel, he gathered his generals and officers in the war room. The kingdom's map was unfurled, lost territories marked in red.
"The Vorlath," he said.
"They're cowering," replied Drakk. "Their garrisons are retreating to their home lands."
"They think we'll stop at the basin."
"Yes."
"They're wrong."
Kael placed a finger on the map.
"I want all the ceded lands retaken. The roads, the outposts, the crossroads. Everything."
"That's a large-scale operation," said Thorgar.
"Yes. And you will lead it."
"Me?"
"You know the terrain. You held these borders for ten years. This is your hour."
Thorgar straightened.
"I will not fail."
"I know."
Kael turned to Drakk.
"You coordinate logistics. Supplies, weapons, reinforcements. I want every soldier to have what they need."
"It will be done."
"Kira."
"Yes?"
"You go with the scouts. I want precise intelligence on every enemy position."
"Understood."
"And you, my king?" asked Thorgar.
"I'll deal with the Vorlath. Not their army. Their house. Their name must disappear."
"You want to annihilate them?"
"No. I want to break them. House Vorlath must cease to exist as a power."
"And its members?"
"Those who surrender will live. Those who resist will fall."
Thorgar nodded.
"Then let's move."
---
The army of the Neverdie Realm marched the next day. Thorgar commanded the main force, advancing toward the lost lands with iron discipline. Drakk organized the convoys, field hospitals, weapons depots. Kira and his scouts preceded the movement, silent as shadows.
Kael, for his part, took command of a smaller column. He aimed for the Vorlath domain—an ancient fortified castle near the Krell hills.
The campaign was swift.
The Vorlath garrisons, already demoralized by Maëldor's defeat, surrendered for the most part without fighting. Those that resisted were overwhelmed. The roads fell one by one. The border posts became posts of the Neverdie Realm once more.
Within a week, the lost lands were retaken.
Thorgar sent a message to Kael.
"Everything is ours. The Vorlath have retreated to their castle. They ask to negotiate."
Kael replied.
"No negotiation. Surrender or ruin."
---
The Vorlath castle stood on a grey hill, surrounded by dark walls and square towers. It looked solid, but it trembled.
Kael presented himself before the gates with his column. He wore no armor. He had not drawn the blade of broken glass. He simply waited.
A delegation emerged. Elders, women, children. The Vorlath patriarch, an aged demon with a hollowed face, stepped forward.
"Demon King," he said in a cracked voice. "We beg for your mercy."
"You sent bandits against me. You profited from my absence. You served Maëldor."
"We survived."
"You betrayed."
The patriarch lowered his head.
"Yes."
"I will not execute you. Not if you submit."
"We submit."
"Then open the gates. Disarm your soldiers. And swear fealty to the Neverdie Realm."
"We swear it."
"Not just in words. By pact."
The patriarch paled.
"The pact of servitude?"
"No. The pact of loyalty. You will keep your lands. But you will no longer be a house. You will be vassals. And if you betray again, I will erase you."
"We accept."
Kael dismounted.
"Then do it."
The pact was sealed in the castle courtyard, before soldiers and servants. The Vorlath knelt. Kael placed his hand on the patriarch's head, and a black mark appeared—thin as a scar.
"If you break this pact, this mark will consume you."
"We will not break it."
"Good for you."
Kael mounted again.
"The castle remains standing. But House Vorlath no longer exists. You are the first vassals of the new kingdom."
"We are honored."
"No. You are bound. Honor will come later."
He turned his horse.
"Go home. And never give me reason to return."
---
The return was triumphant.
Soldiers sang. Villages cheered. The roads were free once more, the lands fertile again. The Neverdie Realm regained its shape, its pride, its light.
Kael met Kira at the edge of the capital.
"You moved fast," said Kira.
"The Vorlath were already dead with fear."
"You spared them."
"Yes. Out of pragmatism."
"You could have destroyed them."
"What good would that do? Ruins serve no one."
"You've changed."
"You've already told me that."
"I'm saying it again."
They entered the city. The crowd was dense, joyful, incredibly alive. Flowers flew. Children ran.
"And the trade with the Mirror Waters?" asked Kira.
"It's beginning. Selyna will receive our merchants. And we will receive hers."
"Do you trust her?"
"No. But trade doesn't need trust. It needs rules."
"And if she cheats?"
"Then she'll lose more than goods."
Kael dismounted in the palace courtyard. Drakk awaited him with a ledger.
"My king. The first caravans are ready."
"Good."
"There's also a message from Varka. He congratulates you on the victory."
"He took his time."
"He proposes a meeting."
"Why?"
"To drink and talk of hunting."
"Later."
"And Osskar sent a raven. Again."
"Still silent?"
"Yes."
"He's waiting."
"And Xelphar?"
"Nothing."
"Good."
Kael climbed the palace steps.
"Tomorrow, I want a complete report on the kingdom's state. Everything. Supplies, troops, roads, debts."
"It will be ready."
"And summon Serya."
"You think she'll come?"
"I think she's ready."
Kael entered the palace.
The kingdom was whole again.
And the Demon King did not intend to stop there.