Chapter 18 Battle in Poor Land Part 1

The sky looked bright that morning, but the atmosphere inside the orphanage did not reflect the warmth that should have come with the sunlight. Tension hung in the air, filling every corner of the room like a fog that refused to dissipate.

Ar sat at a long wooden table in the dining room with Mother Laila, Clau, and the other orphans. A bowl of hot porridge was slowly steaming in front of them, but none of them touched the food. In fact, there was no sound of spoons hitting bowls, just a tense silence.

Thomas, the curly-haired boy sitting across from Ar, lowered his head. His fingers gripped the spoon tightly, but he still did not put any food into his mouth. After a while he finally dared to speak.

"Brother... are you sure our trap is enough to deal with the channelers?" his voice was almost a whisper, full of concern that was hard to hide.

Ar lifted his eyes from the bowl. His red eyes, usually glowing with his typical enthusiasm, now looked darker, but still radiated unshakable confidence.

"We have no choice, Thomas," he replied calmly. "If we don't fight back now, they will really destroy everything. Take this district and run wild."

Clau, who was sitting next to Ar, finally spoke, his voice sounding calmer than his true feelings.

"I checked all the traps last night. If they enter the back alleys, we have a chance. But if they attack directly with high-level Channelers and charge through the main streets..."

He didn't finish his sentence. His eyes stared blankly into his bowl of porridge, as if searching for an answer in the slowly dissipating steam. But everyone at the table knew what he was trying to say. If they failed to lead the enemy into the trap, then only defeat awaited them.

Ar recognized the concern. There was no perfect strategy, no plan without loopholes. But giving up? That was not an option. They had come too far to retreat now.

The tension became suffocating, the air in the room heavy.

And then.

Knock, knock, knock!

A loud knock on the front door made everyone jump. Their heads turned in unison towards the source of the sound. Elize and Lili, the two youngest children in the orphanage, grabbed the edge of the table.

Clau reflexively rose from his seat, but before he could take a step, Ar raised his hand, signaling that he would be the one to open the door. With controlled breathing he went forward.

When the door opened, Uncle Clemente was standing in the doorway. His breathing was labored, his face wet with sweat.

"They... they have come," he said, his voice shaking. "Baron Bartemus has arrived in the district of Floressia. Their forces... are far greater than we expected. He even brought Channelers from the Guild with him."

There was silence for a moment. Ar's expression did not change. He just stared straight into Uncle Clemente's eyes, making sure the information had sunk in. Then, calmly, he turned his head and looked at Mother Laila and Clau, who were now standing tensely near the table.

"Thank you, Uncle." Ar nodded. "We will get ready."

Uncle Clemente was still standing in the doorway, as if reluctant to leave. His hands fidgeted with his shabby hat before he finally spoke again, his voice softer, almost a whisper.

"The children... make sure they stay safe. No matter what happens."

Ar stared at him silently, then nodded. His eyes remained calm as always, without a hint of hesitation. That was enough for Uncle Clemente to finally leave. As soon as the door closed, Ar turned his body to face Clau, Mother Laila and the children of the orphanage, who still stood where they were. The tension in the room was still thick. There was no sound except for their breaths.

"Clau, take the children to a safe place. Make sure they stay where they are and don't come out until you or I give the signal," Ar ordered in a firm tone.

Clau nodded, but there was doubt in her eyes. "What about you, brother?" she asked, her voice filled with worry.

Ar grabbed his black cloak that was draped over the wall and pulled it over his body. His gaze remained sharp as he replied, "I'll be on the roof. Once you make sure the children are safe, you should be there in two hours."

Clau clenched her fists, but she didn't argue. She knew this was not the time to ask more questions.

Mother Laila stepped closer, her gentle expression filled with fear. Her trembling hands gripped Ar's arms as if to keep him from leaving.

"Be careful, son," she said quietly. "You know they won't hesitate to kill."

Ar stared at her for a moment before nodding. No words could really convince Mother Laila at this point. He knew the risks.

***

On the balcony of a three-story building, Ar stood still, his eyes scanning the center of Floressia District, which was now filled with tension. The air felt heavier, as if the entire district was holding its breath, waiting to see what would happen next.

The traps they had set last night were scattered around the corners of the alleys and side streets. But Ar knew that this would only slow down the enemy, not stop them completely.

His red-eyed gaze caught sight of a procession of horse-drawn carriages entering the district. The hoofbeats of the horses echoed between the old buildings. The silver-plated carriages sped down the main street, flanked by armed troops. Channelers from Valden, as well as assistants from Kaelith, walked in the front and back rows with confident strides.

Inside the carriage, Baron Bartemus sat arrogantly. Even though he was behind a glass window, his large frame was still clearly visible. His posture seemed to convey the message that he was no longer just a baron, but that he intended to seize the pinnacle of power among the Kaelith.

At Ar's side, Clau drew in a deep breath, his tone betraying an undeniable fear.

"He's brought more troops than we expected. This is absolutely insane... They didn't just come to threaten, they came to take control of the Floressia District."