Chapter 324: Leaving Quietly (Part 1)

Chapter 324: Chapter 324: Leaving Quietly (Part 1)?

Chapter 324: Leaving Quietly (Part 1)

A day later, the sky above the Great Wall was a deep, bruised purple just before dawn.

The massive steel gates of Bastion Seven sat silent below them. Draven stood on the high ramparts. The freezing wind whipped at his long black coat. Below the wall, the purified fields stretched green beneath the humming blue light of the Miasma Clearing Towers. Far beyond them, the heavy red fog of the Wildlands still rolled across the dead earth like a toxic ocean.

Helion Goldmane stood ten paces away. The towering man radiated a faint, lingering heat. His golden eyes were fixed on the dark horizon.

Draven walked over to him. He did not bother with pleasantries or formal salutes.

"I am leaving the Bastion," Draven said plainly.

Helion did not flinch. He slowly turned his head.

"Where are you going?" Helion asked. His voice was a low, blunt rumble.

"The northern mountains," Draven answered. "There is a tomb hidden deep inside the rock. It holds a Warlord Legacy, untouched since the Fall of Humanity. I am going to claim it."

Helion processed the staggering revelation in silence. He did not ask how Draven knew about ancient tombs. He did not demand to see a map or a heavily stamped Vanguard requisition form. He simply looked into the boy’s pitch-black eyes.

"You are going alone," Helion noted.

"Yes," Draven confirmed. "The tomb is designed for a single key. A squad would only be a liability inside those specific walls."

"The Capital Hawks are wounded, but they are not dead," Helion stated bluntly. "Senator Vast will be looking for any weakness in our perimeter. If the Senate discovers our best fighter has vanished into the Wildlands, they will send assassins."

Draven met the golden gaze without wavering.

"Estella is covering my absence," Draven explained quietly. "She will handle the squad. As far as the Academy is concerned, I am on classified reconnaissance along the southern border. The Vanguard roster will not reflect my departure."

Helion crossed his massive, heavily scarred arms over his chest.

He was the ruler of a besieged city. Every military doctrine dictated that he should forbid a vital asset from wandering into the red fog alone. But Helion understood the grim reality of their survival better than anyone. They were fighting a war against gods, and conventional Vanguard rules would only guarantee their extinction.

"I will hold the wall," Helion declared. His voice carried the immense, crushing weight of his duty. "I will manage the Capital spies. I will ensure your secret remains a secret."

"Thank you, Helion," Draven said.

"I have exactly one condition, Draven," Helion added. His tone was completely devoid of its usual dry humor. It was a direct, unbreakable command.

"Name it," Draven offered.

"Do not die quietly in the dark," Helion ordered flatly. "I will hold this city for as long as it takes. But you will come back. Do not leave me to explain to a grieving squad why their leader never returned from a ghost story."

"I will come back," Draven promised.

Helion gave a single, firm nod. He turned his attention back to the treacherous red fog. The conversation was over.

The morning sun poured through the large glass windows of the Rank One Apex Villa.

The squad sat around the expansive wooden table in the dining room. A massive spread of roasted meat, fresh fruit, and warm bread covered the surface. The atmosphere was usually loud and chaotic, but today a distinct, uncomfortable tension hung over the room.

Aegon set his fork down. He looked at the empty chair at the head of the table.

"Where is Draven?" Aegon asked loudly. His crimson eyes scanned the room.

Estella took a very slow sip of her orange juice. She set the glass down with exaggerated care.

"He is on assignment," Estella said. She kept her violet eyes fixed on a piece of bread. "He is performing classified reconnaissance near the southern border."

Aegon frowned deeply. He picked up his Blood Fire Spear and rested it against his shoulder.

"That makes no sense," Aegon argued bluntly. "He promised us. He looked right at me and said he would lead us to our Legacies one by one. Why would he take a solo scouting mission now?"

"Orders are orders, Aegon," Estella tried to sound authoritative. She was a terrible liar.

Lucien leaned back in his chair. He casually spun a clean silver fork between his fingers. His silver eyes gleamed with dry amusement.

"Fascinating," Lucien drawled elegantly. "A highly classified mission. Conducted entirely alone. And he only informed our esteemed Star Mage."

Nyx sat in the shadows near the window. She rolled her dark eyes.

"She is lying, Aegon," Nyx stated flatly. "Her heart rate spiked the moment you asked the question. He went north, did he not?"

"I am not lying!" Estella protested, her cheeks flushing a bright, embarrassed pink.

"You are currently blushing," Lucien pointed out smoothly. "It ruins the deception."

Breakfast ended quickly. The squad dispersed to prepare for their daily training regimens.

Estella gathered the empty plates, letting out a long, frustrated sigh. Lying to a room full of highly perceptive killers was infinitely harder than fighting monsters.

Heavy footsteps approached from the hallway.

Reina walked into the kitchen. The towering girl carried her heavy double-headed ice axe casually over her shoulder. Her eyes were sharp and entirely serious. She stopped near the sink, blocking Estella’s path.

"Reina, I already told you," Estella started defensively.

"Stop," Reina interrupted smoothly. "I do not need the cover story. I know he did not go south."

Estella gripped the ceramic plates tightly. She waited for the interrogation. She expected Reina to demand the exact coordinates or threaten to march into the Wildlands to find him.

Instead, Reina simply leaned against the counter.

"He promised us Legacies, one by one," Reina noted quietly. "He left alone because this one is his. I understand how the math works."

Reina looked directly into Estella’s violet eyes.