The night inside the fortress was calm.
Within the open grounds, the tribes stood beneath the sky, watching the stars. For years, none of them had seen such a sight. Night had belonged to vigilance and survival. Every darkness carried the possibility of death. Today, for the first time, guards were lowered.
They looked upward like people who had forgotten what freedom felt like.
Kiaria observed them.
He concealed himself through the Shadow Ghost technique and moved silently across the grounds until he reached Geng and Mimi among the Miru tribe. Only then did he withdraw the Ghost Body.
The Miru tribe reacted immediately.
"Greetings, Lord."
They knelt without delay.
"Meeting Lord Master."
Geng and Mimi bowed together.
"Rise," Kiaria commanded.
They stood.
"Mimi. Geng. Arrange a massive dinner platform. Tonight, you celebrate your freedom. Celebrate it with all tribes and with the Association. We will join. Prepare it."
There was no further explanation.
He vanished.
–
