Chapter 13: The Next Step

 The village was flourishing again, slowly but with almost unnatural strength. Carefully cultivated fields stretched out, neat rows of vegetables, and fruit trees bent by the weight of their own abundance. People worked eagerly, as if driven by a blind, all-encompassing faith. It was not hunger that motivated them, nor money. It was worship.

From the upper floor of the central building, once the residence of the old chief, a lone figure gazed out the verdant expanse from the open window, letting the earthy aroma of the crops barely tickle the edge of the black mask that covered his face.

“Hmm...how wonderful.”

"This city-no, this kingdom-is becoming exactly what I wanted. Conquering it was a divine choice."

A discreet knock on the door distracted him from his thoughts. He turned with studied grace, letting the sunset light outline his lanky figure in the backlight.

“Come in.”

The door opened softly, revealing two young women. One had long hair the color of ripe wheat, the other wore it brown, shining like wet bark. Both bowed their heads respectfully.

“Sir, forgive the intrusion,” the one with blond hair began in a gentle voice. "We are preparing new dishes with vegetables gathered from the fields, according to your directives. It would do us great honor if you would taste them."

“Oh?” The masked man tilted his head slightly, amused. “How could I refuse such a thoughtful invitation, especially when my favorite damsels are asking me?”

A smile reflected in the eyes behind the mask, shimmering with smugness.

“We've prepared everything in the great hall,” the brown girl added. “That's a lot of dishes... it would be difficult to bring them here.”

“I see...” she nodded. Then, with a sweeping gesture, she rose from her chair. "In that case, guide me. Your lord is eager to see the fruits of your affection."

The girls exchanged a complicit glance and led the masked man down the palace's polished stone corridors. When they opened the large double-leaf door to the dining room, an intoxicating scent enveloped them like a warm caress.

In front of them, a long dark wooden table was covered with a symphony of colors and shapes: steaming dishes, fresh salads, elegantly arranged spices, and fragrant soups. Everything was decorated with flowers picked from the edges of the fields.

“W-wow...” he exclaimed, for a moment almost devoid of his usual composure. “You did all this... for me?”

“Yes, sir!” they replied in unison, their eyes bright with anticipation.

Suddenly, the man spread his arms wide and held them both in a theatrical, enveloping embrace, like an actor on a stage too small to contain his grandeur.

“You are wonderful!” he exclaimed, squeezing them tightly. “My heart overflows with joy!”

“Thank you, sir...” they murmured, barely blushing.

With elegant steps, she took a seat in the cushioned armchair at the head of the table, and began to taste the dishes, one after another. His hands, covered by black gloves, moved with almost ceremonial care. After each mouthful, he emitted a satisfied sigh, letting his shoulders fall back as if the food were a gift from the gods.

"Sublime... this soup is sweet but deep. And this bean cream... ahh, it melts on the tongue!"

His eyes sparkled like those of a child at a festival. “No doubt, these dishes will be an official part of my kingdom's cuisine!”

“We're glad you like them, sir!” replied the girls, bowing once again.

“Not only do I like them... they moved me!” he declared in a theatrical tone, bringing a hand to his chest. "That's why... I've decided: I'm going to raise your salaries. You deserve it all!"

“T-Thank you ladies!” they exclaimed, incredulous and beaming.

Having finished her meal, she leaned back with satisfaction against the backrest, her hands entwined behind her head. "Ahhh... what a feast! You have made me the luckiest man in this world."

Then he rose with a slow gesture. "Now, if you don't mind, I still have matters to settle. The kingdom does not govern itself, you know."

“Take care, sir!” they exclaimed in chorus, concerned.

“Don't fear for me.” as he walked toward the exit with silent steps. “This world... belongs to me now.”

And as the door closed behind him, the scent of the banquet continued to waft through the air, as sweet as the illusion in which the entire village was now immersed.

After leaving the dining hall, the masked man or the one whom everyone now called “The Cruel Avenger” slowly returned to his quarters. The door closed behind him with a soft click, and silence fell in the room, broken only by the faint sound of his footsteps on the wooden floor.

He let himself fall with a sigh onto the large dark velvet-covered chair, resting his elbows on the table and crossing his fingers. His eyes, hidden behind the mask, stared impatiently at the door. He was waiting for someone.

And indeed, a few minutes later, three discreet knocks came at the door. “Come in,” he murmured, without raising the tone of his voice.

The door opened slowly, and a young man with long golden hair that fell over his shoulders with natural elegance made his entrance. He wore simple but light clothes, and his ash-colored eyes rested respectfully on the man sitting at the desk.

"Adrian... You have arrived," said the Avenger, nodding with his chin to a chair in front of him. "Sit down. Tell me all about it."

Adrian nodded and took a seat, maintaining a stiff, almost military posture. His face, though young, was marked by weariness and determination.

“I followed the northern direction, as per your order,” he began, his voice firm. "And I found a village... Not only stable, but extraordinarily developed. It is large, more than twice the size of ours. All the forest surrounding it has been completely cleared, making the area safe from magical beasts. In its place... huge, neat, fertile farmlands. Wheat fields swaying in the wind, vegetable gardens that look like royal gardens."

He paused briefly, his eyes shining with a mixture of envy and admiration. "And it's not over. They built a huge facility dedicated exclusively to training warriors. Battle horses, custom-made, weapons, and a discipline that-I've honestly never seen in my life."

A slight silence fell in the room. The masked man drummed his fingers softly on the table.

“Interesting,” he then said in a low voice, as if reflecting aloud. "So there are still those who move, those who grow while we still trudge through the darkness. They have created a system that works."

“Yes, sir,” Adrian confirmed, bowing his head. “I think forming an alliance with them would benefit us greatly.”

A thin smile drew itself under the mask. "Good job, Adrian. The time has come for a breakthrough. Gather all our men. Warriors, archers, even peasants who can wield a stick. Let's increase our farmland, improve training, etc. I want everyone to be ready by next week."

His tone became more assertive. "We will leave and go to meet the chief of that village. We need to make that alliance."

“Yes, sir!”

Adrian was about to leave, but then hesitated. "Ah, one last thing... Their leader is an old man. But don't be fooled... It is said that in his youth he single-handedly defeated an entire platoon of mercenaries. He is considered one of the strongest warriors of his time."

A hush fell in the room, and the Avenger leaned back against the backrest, reflecting in silence.

“Old man or not, power should never be underestimated.”

"But fear not. I know well how to deal with even the most dangerous ones."

He stood up, his cape swaying lightly behind him, and turned toward the window. The sun was beginning to set, dyeing the sky a burning red.

"Now go, Adrian. Time is short, and our future... must be built with hands. Not with dreams."

“Yes, sir!”

Adrian left the room with a firm step, and with him the day also drew to a close. But in the heart of the Avenger, the flames of ambition were never extinguished.