The city of Asterion buzzed with new life. Stone walls were rising higher each day, merchants had begun setting up their stalls near the square, and children ran barefoot, laughing, as if they had lived there forever. What was once barren land was slowly transforming into a living, breathing settlement.
Damian walked through the streets, his black cloak brushing against the dust as people bowed slightly when they saw him. Not because he demanded it—he never had—but because respect for the young Baron Asterion came naturally after everything he had done.
"Probability check: 87%," his AI voice whispered in his mind.
"At this rate, the city will achieve stable autonomy within three months. Growth pattern: exponential."
Damian gave a faint smile. Not bad.
But his peace was interrupted when a messenger from the royal capital arrived, bowing hastily.
"Lord Asterion, His Majesty requests your presence. A council gathering will be held in three days. It concerns movements in the western borders."
Damian's eyes narrowed. "Movements?"
The messenger hesitated. "Scouts report monsters gathering unnaturally… someone may be leading them."
The weight of those words was heavy. Damian clenched his fist around his cloak. If that rumor was true, then the capital might be in danger. He would have to leave Asterion—at least for a while.
That evening, he found Selena by the riverside, where the moonlight danced across the water. Her long white hair shimmered like silver threads, and her calm, elegant posture always made Damian feel as though she was from a different world entirely.
She turned when she heard his footsteps.
"You're leaving." It wasn't a question.
"…Yes." Damian's voice was low, almost reluctant. "The king has called. It may take days, maybe weeks. I don't like leaving the city yet, but—"
"I know." Selena's tone was soft, but there was a faint tremble in her voice. "You always carry the weight of others on your shoulders. But…" She hesitated, biting her lip, then looking directly at him.
"Damian, when you return…" she paused, gathering courage, "…there's something I want to tell you."
Damian blinked. For a moment, the usually stoic warrior looked caught off guard.
"…What is it?"
Selena shook her head, her pale hair swaying like silk. "Not now. It should be when you come back. So… promise me you'll return safely."
Her voice lingered with an unspoken emotion, delicate yet heavy.
Damian looked at her for a long time, then gave a rare, small smirk.
"Fine. I'll return. That's a promise."
She smiled faintly, almost relieved. But as he turned to leave, the moonlight reflected in her eyes, revealing a softness that could break hearts.
Easter Egg Seeds:
Damian's AI faintly whispered as he left: "Unusual fluctuation detected. Probability of unforeseen events during absence: 72%." (hinting at the coming tragedy).
A raven perched atop the city walls, watching silently before flying west (foreshadowing the enemy's spy).
And so Damian departed for the capital, unaware that the promise he had just made would be tested by fire and blood.
Selena stood by the river until he was gone, clutching her chest as though the words she hadn't spoken yet weighed too heavily inside her.