Master… I tried to warn you," he whispered.
"I know, kid," Adrian said softly, helping him up. "You did more than enough."
By the time they returned, the entire village had gathered. The captured men stumbled in chains, heads bowed.
The chief emerged from his hut, cane thumping the ground. "What is this?"
Adrian's gaze didn't waver. "Traitors. They took Lukas. Tried to break what we're building."
A shocked murmur spread through the crowd.
The chief's face paled slightly. "That's… unfortunate. But surely we can forgive—"
"No," Adrian cut in, voice like thunder. "Forgiveness without consequence is permission. And I will not permit betrayal again."
He turned to the people. "From this day on, anyone who sabotages our work, who harms another for building a better future—will be cast out. No shelter. No food. No return."
The villagers fell silent. It wasn't cruelty they saw in him—it was resolve.
Then Elara stepped forward and said quietly, "Let it be known. We stand with the Builder."
Torren raised his hammer high. "With the Builder!"
The shout spread like fire until every voice joined, echoing into the trees.
Adrian stood among them, heart pounding. He hadn't come to lead. But the moment he'd chosen to protect what he built, leadership had chosen him.
He looked at the unfinished wall and whispered to himself, "One brick at a time… even if I have to build it from ashes."