After Asterin's brief explanation, Adam stayed at the training ground a little longer, practicing lightly with the knights who had not gone with him to the demon forest.
After that, he left the field, bathed, and changed his clothes. He went down to have breakfast with his mother, who had been taking care of him during the two days he had been unconscious.
For the first time in a long while, the start of his day was... peaceful.
Too peaceful, even.
As he ate, Adam thought about the ten slaves he had purchased in Calic. He planned to see them that same day. He was particularly curious about the woman Arlene had mentioned, the one who supposedly had a talent for magic.
The problem was obvious.
The only wizard in his territory was also one of the main suspects of treason.
Alfred, the butler who had served his family for years.
Lucas, the knight in black armor. And Alaric, the wizard in the white robe... the person closest to his father in all of Arkam.
Adam wasn't sure if any of them was the traitor.
But he couldn't afford to let his guard down either.
Later, back in his room, he was reviewing some books when a maid knocked on the door. After receiving his permission, she entered with a slight bow.
"Young master, Lord Zephyr has sent for you."
Adam closed the book.
The time had come.
Without saying another word, he left the room, the maid walking a few steps behind him.
…
Minutes later, Adam found himself back in his father's office. Everything was the same: the shelves laden with documents, the solemn atmosphere... and Alfred, standing to one side of the desk.
Zephyr was engrossed in several reports when Adam spoke.
"Father, did you send for me?"
Zephyr looked up and watched him for a few seconds, with a smile that was difficult to interpret. Then he pointed to a chair in front of him.
Adam sat down. There was a jug of water on the small table; he calmly poured himself some and drank. His throat was dry.
"You seem to be feeling better."
Zephyr commented.
"After sleeping for two whole days."
Adam smiled softly.
"It's all thanks to my mother. She's been taking care of me all this time."
Zephyr nodded.
"My wife is a great mother; there's no doubt about that. But that's not what we're here to talk about right now."
He clasped his fingers together, and his expression hardened slightly.
"The knights informed me of what happened in the forest. There were casualties."
Adam lowered his gaze slightly.
"A Rank IV Graphene Bear attacked us. We survived because a higher-ranked monster drove it out of its territory. If that hadn't happened... I'd probably be in Omnimana's arms right now."
"You were lucky," Zephyr said. "Very lucky."
The harshness in his voice became more apparent.
"But it was irresponsible of you to send the wounded knights back alone."
Adam looked up.
"What if they had encountered another Rank III monster... or even a Rank IV one?"
The silence lingered for a few more seconds.
Adam was the first to break it.
"I know. It was a bad decision."
Zephyr narrowed his eyes, surprised by the response.
"That's it? 'I know'?"
Adam shook his head slowly.
"It was my mistake to assume that the greatest danger had already passed. I thought that the territorial chaos caused by the Graphene Bear would keep nearby monsters away... and I was wrong."
Alfred remained motionless, but his eyes narrowed slightly.
Adam clenched his fingers on his knees.
"I sent them back because they couldn't keep fighting or advance with the group. If they stayed, they would have been a liability in direct combat. If we faced another major monster... they would have died."
He looked up and held his father's gaze.
"But separating them was a different risk. One I took without weighing all the variables."
Zephyr exhaled slowly through his nose.
"You're not talking like a child. That's good."
Then his voice dropped, heavier.
"That doesn't change the fact that you could have lost them... or lost yourself."
Adam remained silent.
Zephyr placed both hands on the desk and leaned forward.
"Adam."
He pronounced his name with unusual gravity.
"You didn't become a leader when you entered the forest. You became responsible for lives."
His eyes hardened.
"Every decision you make carries weight. Even when there is no right choice."
Adam nodded slowly.
"I understood it there when I saw the wounded. When I saw the dead. I didn't think about the mission. I thought about how I was the one who had brought them to that point."
For a moment, Zephyr's severity wavered.
"Do you regret it?"
Adam shook his head.
"Not the objective. Some decisions, yes."
Zephyr leaned back in his chair, watching him closely.
"That's what worries me. Not that you'll make a mistake. But that you'll learn too quickly... and pay the price before you're ready."
His voice grew quieter, more personal.
"You're my son. Not a pawn. Not a tool. Not an acceptable sacrifice."
Adam felt a knot form in his chest.
"I don't plan on dying. Nor do I plan on letting others die in vain."
Zephyr closed his eyes for a second.
"Then listen carefully. From now on, no incursion of this level will be carried out without my direct approval."
Adam bowed his head.
"Understood."
His father watched him for a few more seconds, then spoke in a controlled, cold voice.
"You have shown courage. I don't dispute that. But courage without prudence is just another form of arrogance."
There was another silence.
Finally, Zephyr added:
"And don't ever do that to your mother again."
Adam closed his eyes for a moment.
"I won't."
Alfred stepped forward.
"If I may, my lord..."
Zephyr raised a hand.
"Not now, Alfred."
The butler stopped immediately.
Zephyr looked back at Adam.
"Rest. Recover your body. When you are ready, we will discuss the Mana Dragon Lotus..."
Adam stood up.
"Thank you, Father."
Zephyr didn't respond immediately. Only when Adam was about to leave did he speak one last time.
"I'm glad you've returned safely."
Adam smiled softly before leaving his father's room.
...
After his father's talk, Adam found himself in a clear area, and in front of him were the ten slaves he had purchased.
They were now well dressed; their faces were much brighter, but the thinness of malnutrition was still present, although that was not something that would disappear overnight.
He could see the nervous, expectant looks on each of their faces.
Adam smiled slightly. These were his male cousins.