Chapter 11 – The First step to Empire- I
Chapter 11 – The First step to Empire- I
The sun hung directly overhead, casting harsh golden beams across the estate courtyard. The stone pathways shimmered in the heat, and not even the wind dared to stir the silence that fell across the estate.
Vector, working in the garden, wiped his forehead with the back of his hand, though he wasn't sweating from the heat. His mind raced with strategy.
He had six weeks before Vantara Village would fall, and the Lionheart Empire would strike Ironfang Hill City from the shadows.
"No... I can't let that happen. If they take Ironfang, Redfield falls next, and with it, any chance to rebuild Novastra."
His gaze drifted Northward, beyond the estate walls, to where the vast green wall of the Naga Forest loomed in the distance. That forest stretched like a serpent around the Ironfang Mountain Range, half a circle of tangled roots and ancient canopies.
If Lionheart advanced through the North-eastern curve of the forest, they'd strike Ironfang from behind, without warning.
"But what if Vantara wasn't their foothold…"
Vector's gaze hardened as he stared into the sun-drenched horizon.
"What if it became my foundation... my beginning in this world?"
A slow breath escaped his lips as the possibilities unfolded in his mind like a well-laid blueprint.
"Not yet… First, I have to shield it, and fortify the village before their boots ever touch its soil."
His fists clenched.
"If I can hold them off… then maybe, just maybe, Vantara won't just survive, It'll rise."
He turned swiftly, his steps quick and silent.
"It's time to move."
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The afternoon sun cast long shadows across the courtyard as Vector approached the estate's side hall, where the senior staff handled daily affairs. His steps were measured, his expression calm, as if just another day, another routine conversation.
The butler, an older man in a crisp dark coat, noticed him immediately.
"Gardener Vector? Something the matter?" he asked, setting down the ledger in his hand.
Vector gave a polite bow and nodded, his eyes slightly downcast as if weighed by fatigue, his voice tinged with weariness.
"Yes. I've come to resign. I've been unwell for a few days now. Nothing serious, but I'm not in the condition to continue working properly."
The butler's brow furrowed slightly. "That is unfortunate. You've been consistent and quiet in your duties."
Vector gave a faint smile. "Thank you, I've appreciated the opportunity. But I thought it would be best to step down before my absence became an issue."
The butler folded his hands behind his back, considering, "We understand. These things happen."
"I can recommend someone to take my place," Vector offered quickly, his voice steady. "A quiet worker, and dependable. I trained with him in gardening before, he won't cause any trouble."
The butler considered it for a moment before giving a short nod. "Very well. These are trivial matters, and if you can recommend someone reliable, we'll consider him. Otherwise, you'll have to continue until a replacement is arranged."
"Thank you, sir. I understand." Vector bowed slightly. "I'll pass along his name before I leave and he will surely come to work tomorrow."
"Good… Gardner Vector, get some rest." the butler said, returning to his ledger, "Health always comes first."
Vector bowed slightly, turned, and walked away.
He knew that without a replacement, he wouldn't have been allowed to walk away. But now, not only could he leave, he could insert a spy in his place. One of his own.
With each step, the air felt lighter. The estate gates closed behind him, and he didn't look back.
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After leaving the estate, Vector moved swiftly toward his next destination, planning for the upcoming war couldn't wait.
His first stop was Leon Restaurant, a tasteful two-story building with whitewashed stone walls and arched windows. To the public, it was a fine dining establishment renowned for its food and decor.
But to a select few, it was far more than that.
It was one of the Astrum family's concealed strongholds, hidden in plain sight.
Inside, soft music drifted through the air, blending with the low murmur of quiet conversations. Candles flickered gently on every table, and the warm scent of roasted meats and herbs filled the room.
A waiter seeing him goes directly to the kitchen to prepare his usual meal.
Vector took his usual window-side seat. A discreet server approached almost immediately, saying nothing. Within minutes, a plate appeared before him, roasted lamb, seasoned rice, and spiced flatbread, exactly how he liked it.
Between slow, deliberate bites, Vector's sharp eyes flicked toward the shadowed corner booth. Two men sat there, inconspicuous to the average guest, but not to him.
They were family operatives, embedded deep within the city.
One of them, Tomas, a wiry man with hawk-like eyes, noticed the signal Vector subtly gave and rose without hesitation.
"Send word to Marcus, Tristan, and Rhea," Vector said, not looking up. "We'll gather this evening. And also…"
He paused, his fingers tapping the edge of the plate.
"…notify Sebastian."
Tomas blinked. "Sinclair?"
Vector gave a slow nod, "Tell him I've stepped down from the gardener post. I've left the estate."
There was a brief moment of surprise in Tomas' expression, but he masked it quickly, gave a respectful bow, and disappeared into the kitchen without question.
No questions, no hesitation.
Sebastian Sinclair, once the commander of the Astrum family's elite guard, now operating in the shadows, was Vector's most trusted protector. He had guarded Vector during his youth in Avalon, and though he had long vanished from public view, those within the Astrum family knew he had never truly disappeared.
Sinclair had followed Vector to Carnatic City, remaining stationed at the resistance hideout in Carnatic City. As far as the public, or even the resistance, was concerned, he was a ghost.
He hadn't reacted to Vector's near-death experience because no one would have thought that there was a traitor and tried to assassinate their Young Master. If the traitor didn't have decided on the moment then he really would not have suffered the near death experience.
But due to this the fate has presented a path to fuse both the vector's souls.
His disguise as gardener had been confidential and no one other than the Resistance member of carnatic city know about it. And the Carnatic resistance network was under the Astrum family's absolute control. There was no reason to expect betrayal.
But this is only true for the Carnatic City.
Traitor is not from the Carnatic… and that's what made it dangerous. After finding Vector's working as Gardner in Colonel's estate he acted without a second thought to clear him from the path for the succesful completion of the Operation Break the Fang.
With his meal finished, Vector rose, handling a few minor errands while the city shifted beneath the golden hour. Shadows lengthened across the cobbled streets. His eyes traced the skyline, already thinking of the meeting to come.
[To be continued...]
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