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  The sound of metal was the first thing I heard.

  At the training grounds, a few rookie soldiers were practicing. Sitting at a distance was Hogan.

  He wasn’t wearing armor, just simple clothes, sleeves rolled up, his large hands occupied with something he cleaned in silence.

  The sword.

  He didn’t look up when he noticed me.

  “There you are. I thought you’d forgotten about me.”

  I shrugged.

  “No. I was actually really worried. I thought I’d lost your sword. Sorry.”

  The corner of his mouth lifted slightly, almost a smile.

  “It’s fine. You were under extreme pressure. It’s intact. The soldiers found it while searching for you and Serena.”

  I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding.

  “That’s a relief.”

  Hogan rested the sword on the bench and only then looked at me properly.

  There was no judgment in his gaze. No excessive curiosity either.

  “You know, this thing was a relic in my family for generations. As a relic, it had a special skill… but it doesn’t work anymore.” He glanced at the sword. “Now it’s just an empty shell.”

  I looked at it, curious.

  “That’s possible?”

  Hogan sighed.

  “Yes. My son was supposed to be the next one to wield it. But he died very soon after receiving it. So the sword’s purpose vanished, along with its will. The lineage ended as well.”

  “So that’s how it works… but what about the rest of your family?”

  “Hmm. There were three families. Only the main one could inherit the sword. Mine.” He scratched his head. “The lineage was already doomed with me, I was never really into their rules.”

  “Where are they now?”

  “Dead. But it wasn’t anyone’s fault. They accepted missions they couldn’t handle. At the time, I was far from home, so I survived as the last descendant.”

  He let out a rough chuckle.

  “Now I really am the last one. After I die… well, that’s it. That’s why—”

  He offered the sword to me.

  “I want you to keep this thing.”

  My eyes widened.

  “B-but—”

  “It’s better with you than with an old man like me. After all this mess, I’m officially retired. Sentil doesn’t need it either… well, but there’s another reason I’m giving it to you instead of him.”

  I took the sword, still in its scabbard, and examined it.

  “Sentil isn’t leaving Cirgo. After all, he’s a soldier, and one day, he’ll be king. I want this sword to be free for a while.”

  “Free?”

  “Yes. My son loved this thing. I did too, when I was younger. I think now that everything’s over, it can finally be used for something other than representing social status.”

  He looked up at the sky, now blue and clear, unlike the cold, gray sky from a few days earlier.

  “Take it out into the world. And if you have a dream, or a greater goal… I hope it helps you reach it. And when you feel the time is right, pass it on to someone you trust. Like… your son or daughter.”

  I choked on my saliva.

  “T-that’ll take a while…” I cleared my throat. “But alright. I’ll do what you asked. But what’s the sword’s name?”

  “The name is… that doesn’t matter anymore. Call it whatever you want.”

  I thought for a moment.

  “Then… I’ll call it Victoria.”

  The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.

  Hogan laughed.

  “That’s a strangely fitting name.”

  It was strange to see Hogan so reflective. But even if it was just an empty shell, one thing was certain.

  It’s a pretty cool sword.

  °??──────??°

  The path to their old street was partially blocked.

  Some houses had been reduced to rubble; others were covered with temporary structures made of wood and thick cloth. The smell of dust still lingered in the air, mixed with the constant sound of hammers and weary voices.

  Thom’s house, or rather, what was left of it, was only standing halfway. One of the side walls had been completely destroyed, and the roof was supported by temporary beams. Even so, people were already working early in the day.

  I took a deep breath and approached.

  “Victor?”

  The voice came from inside.

  Thom stepped out through the improvised doorway, his sleeves rolled up, his face covered in dust. For a moment, he stared at me as if he were seeing a ghost.

  Then he smiled.

  “You’re alive. What a relief.”

  “Yeah, but just barely.” I glanced at his house again. “I’m sorry about your place.”

  He let out a laugh.

  “It’s fine. What matters is that we’re alive.” He looked at the damage. “Some debris went flying and hit us.”

  “Wow… it’s a miracle no one got hurt.”

  I moved closer as he gestured for me to come in.

  “Well, a miracle did happen. A spirit appeared and protected us. She showed up again later to give us news about you.”

  I froze.

  “Really? Then you met Merlin. I’m sorry, she was with me the whole time, but I didn’t say anything because—”

  He tapped my shoulder.

  “It’s fine. She explained everything. Said you couldn’t come back sooner.”

  I wasn’t sure what he meant by that, but I decided to let it go.

  Eliza appeared next, carrying a few smaller planks. When she saw me, she dropped everything to the ground.

  “Victor!”

  She ran over and hugged me carefully, too carefully, as if I might break.

  “You disappeared! We heard so many things… monsters, explosions—”

  “Yeah, a lot happened. Sorry for worrying you. I got involved too, but it’s all over now. I’m just glad you’re okay.”

  Lília appeared last, coming out from behind a pile of debris. She ran up and held my hand, but didn’t say anything. She seemed speechless, she must have been really scared by all the chaos.

  I gently patted her head.

  “There you are.”

  Merlin arrived, floating.

  “Merlin, you came,” Thom said, looking at her.

  “Of course. I’ll help make this place a little better. Since it wasn’t completely destroyed, we don’t need to start from scratch, unlike the situation many people are facing in the third district.”

  Eliza walked over and placed a hand on Merlin’s shoulder.

  “Your help is very welcome. You’ve already done so much for us.”

  Merlin smiled softly.

  “It was nothing.” She glanced at Lília. “But it seems someone here is still feeling a bit down.”

  She floated to my side and gently lifted Lília by the torso. Tilting backward slightly, she began to rise, holding her securely in her arms.

  “Let’s fly a little. Merlin will be your vehicle. Where would you like to go?”

  Lília looked away and spoke softly.

  “To the sky.” She said, in a low, cold voice.

  Merlin nodded.

  “Mhm. Then that’s where we’re going. But it has to be quick. Once your house is finished, I’ll take you out again, alright?”

  And then they flew off into the sky.

  “Merlin is very affectionate,” Eliza said.

  “Yes. It’s rare for a spirit to be so… close. But I think Merlin is a special case,” Thom concluded.

  I smiled and clapped my hands together.

  “Alright. Let’s get started. What do we need to do? I’m pretty strong, so I’ll carry whatever you need.”

  Thom and Eliza exchanged a glance.

  Then we began the reconstruction.

  But I couldn't help but feel a slight concern for Lília. I hope she recovers soon; seeing her so quiet was strange.

  °??──────??°

  The ground shook before the sound arrived.

  It wasn’t an explosion. Nor a collapse.

  It was… constant.

  A deep, rhythmic, metallic rumble coming from beyond the kingdom’s walls. People began to stop what they were doing. Hammers fell silent. Conversations died mid-sentence.

  From the gate, something advanced.

  It was a massive vehicle, as wide as three wagons side by side, with white metal plates interspersed with black stripes. No wheels were visible; it moved on thick tracks, unlike anything I had ever seen. With each advance, it crushed the uneven ground, and behind it, the terrain reorganized itself.

  Literally.

  Stones aligned. Cracks sealed. A smooth, solid road formed as it moved forward, as if the ground itself were being reshaped.

  “This is…” I murmured.

  “Valorian technology,” Thom replied beside me, genuine curiosity in his voice. “A mix of advanced engineering, runes… and large-scale mana manipulation. Valoria really is on another level. I wish I had a vehicle like that…”

  Behind the main vehicle, trucks emerged, following the newly formed road. Some were driven by their own mechanisms; others were guided by people.

  Dwarves. Humans. Elves.

  An entire caravan.

  The vehicle stopped at a safe distance from the gate. With a sharp, precise sound, side panels opened, revealing an elevated platform.

  An elf stepped onto it.

  He wore the same uniform as the others, predominantly white, with sharply defined black details. Clean, functional cuts. No long cloaks or unnecessary adornments. His silver hair was tied simply, and his eyes were alert.

  He placed a hand over his chest, and his voice echoed, amplified by some kind of artifact around his neck.

  “Inhabitants of the Kingdom of Cirgo.”

  Silence fell completely.

  “In the name of Valoria, we have come to provide humanitarian and structural aid following the recent events that struck this territory.”

  Some people exchanged nervous glances. Others seemed far too tired to react.

  “Our initial team will conduct a complete assessment of the losses: homes, infrastructure, resources, and indirect victims. Based on that, we will request the necessary materials for full reconstruction.”

  He paused briefly.

  “More teams are on the way. Engineers, healers, and artisans.”

  The elf then opened his hands slightly, in an almost reassuring gesture.

  “Please do not panic. Those who have safe shelter should remain where they are. Those who have lost their homes or have nowhere to stay… seek out any member of our team.”

  Behind him, several dwarves were already disembarking, carrying heavy crates as if they weighed nothing.

  “An advanced camp will be established outside the kingdom’s walls. It will include defensive barriers, security mechanisms, and basic supplies for everyone until restoration is complete.”

  He inclined his head slightly.

  “You can count on us.”

  A murmur spread through the crowd, not of fear,

  but of relief.

  I observed everything in silence.

  The machines. The organization. The ease with which different species worked together, I hadn’t expected anything like this.

  Then they began moving toward the remaining districts, likely to deliver the same message.

  That was my first impression of the kingdom I was about to visit.

  It seemed quite… exciting.

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