Chapter 22- Unknown Seal
9th March | Evening | Vantara Village
Twilight hours were slowly giving way to the darkness of night as Vector, Chief Arthur, and the three commanders moved towards the underground dungeon.
Arthur led the group with determined steps, guiding them to the prison where the suspected traitor had been locked away under Sebastian's watch.
As they walked, Vector turned to Marcus and Tristan, his tone calm but edged with steel.
"Deploy scouts throughout the forest perimeter," he ordered. "If anyone approaches— be it traveler, merchant, or spy, I want to know instantly. No exceptions."
His voice hardened, with emphasis, said "From the outside, the village must appear to be normal. We will work in the shadows now. If more people or spies arrive, let them move freely, but they'll find nothing. All real preparation must remain hidden– silent and out of sight."
He continued, gaze sweeping across his commanders and Arthur. "From tomorrow, start receiving our arriving members discreetly. Brief them thoroughly of the current events and precautions they have to take. Every villager must act as if nothing unusual is happening."
Then his eyes settled on Arthur.
"Inform the villagers. Keep them calm. They must go about their lives as usual. Our strength lies in secrecy and the element of surprise."
Vector's voice dropped lower, yet held firm authority.
"No one, absolutely no one, outside Vantara must suspect we've uncovered the Lionheart Empire's plan. Let them think they're still hidden. That will be our greatest advantage."
He issued a series of quiet, deliberate orders, each one meant to keep their preparations hidden beneath the surface. Nothing could be allowed to destroy the foundation he was laying.
Arthur and the commanders nodded grimly, fully understanding the weight of his intent.
He reminded them again to keep the village appearing normal as he gave his final instructions, "Outsiders may visit under the guise of trade, travel, or curiosity, but in this forest, it was far more likely they were spies."
"The Lionheart Empire wouldn't strike blindly, they'd probe first, test the waters. The spy they caught was proof enough of that."
"Act normal," Vector said. "And if any new visitors arrive, observe, don't confront. Let them see only what we want them to see."
He gave his final instructions as they reached their destination.
Before them stood a two-story stone building, cold and utilitarian. Its walls were damp with age, wrapped in vines and thick with the scent of moss and old metal. Two armed guards stood watch at the entrance, their expressions rigid. At the sight of Arthur and Vector, they saluted without hesitation.
Vector and others entered the building, and were led by Arthur. The first floor held the regular holding cells for petty criminals. But what lay beneath, the underground dungeon, was for the heinous and habitual criminals.
The group descended through a narrow stairwell; the atmosphere around it felt ominous, full of fear and dread. Two guards stood beside the iron-reinforced door. They gave a sharp salute and pulled the lever to unlock the entrance of the dungeon gate, the sound of iron gears groaning in the silence.
Inside, a dim hallway led to a series of reinforced cells. The stench of blood and sweat clung to the walls. A guard was already waiting for them to take them to the traitor's cell where he was being held.
"Commander Sebastian is already inside, interrogating the prisoner," he reported.
The guard led them to the cell, where the traitor had been imprisoned. As they entered, they saw Sebastian standing before a bound man— his posture relaxed, but his eyes cold.
Vector approached. "Any progress?" he asked, gaze shifting to the prisoner.
Sebastian replied, "His name is Seran and he hasn't spilled any valuable information, but don't worry young master by the latest of tomorrow morning or afternoon he will spill everything he knows."
"But.." Sebastian still has some clue as he said, "I had gotten a seal from him, which is of unknown origin…" Sebastian handed Vector the seal, and added, "and the seal of Ironfang Hill City. He is most probably from the Ironfang Hill city."
Sebastian responded, giving a nod to Vector. "His name is Seran. So far, he hasn't revealed anything useful. But don't worry, Young Master. By tomorrow— at the latest, he'll spill all the facts."
He then added, "However, I found something interesting on him."
Sebastian handed Vector a small metallic object a seal, carved with unknown images and symbols. And he handed one more seal which is known to everyone.
"And this—" Sebastian continued, "—is a seal from Ironfang Hill City. It's likely Seran was stationed there."
Vector began to examine the seal with narrowed eyes… A strange familiarity tugged at the back of his mind. He was sure that he had seen this seal somewhere. His brain started racing…His enhanced intelligence, boosted by the Void Physique and Chaos Energy, kicked in.
A flash of memory came to his mind—the traitor in Carnatic City. He remembered, The traitor who had swallowed poison and died before revealing anything. That man had the exact same seal. It was now confirmed that he was related to the Lionheart Empire.
"This…" Vector muttered, "this was on the traitor I caught in Carnatic City. He killed himself with poison before I could question him."
Sebastian nodded grimly. "Seran tried the same trick. He had a poison capsule hidden in his pendant. But I stopped him before he could use it."
Vector's expression darkened.
Vector on confirmation from Sebastian said, "That confirms it,"
He continued after a brief pause, "They're from the same organization. Embedded deep inside the Resistance—and working for the Lionheart Empire."
His voice dropped into a quiet fury.
"They're leeches. Smiling in our faces while they feed information to our enemy. We must uncover this group and eradicate them from within."
Bound and gagged, Seran's eyes widened, a flicker of fear crossing his face. So… they had already eliminated his fellow operative in Carnatic City.
But he steeled himself. No matter what they did, he wouldn't speak. His loyalty to the hidden organization was fanatical. He'd die before betraying them.
Vector turned back to Sebastian. "I want everything. Who he reports to. What their mission is. Who else is embedded inside the Resistance."
"Traitors lurking in the Resistance is the main reason why we had to face losses sometime."
Sebastian gave a sharp nod. "I'll get it out of him, Young Master. One way or another."
Vector folded his arms, calm and cold. "Good. But if he doesn't speak by tomorrow... I have other ways."
A dark grin played across his face. A devilish one.
Sebastian and the others blinked in shock. 'Does Young Master know how to torture?', but they didn't express their feelings.
Rhea, never one to keep her thoughts to herself, tilted her head. "Young Master… do you know how to torture someone? That smile... kinda terrifying."
Vector coughed, slightly embarrassed. "Ahem. Who said I was smiling? Stop accusing a civilized man."
Vector smirked, brushing off the remark with theatrical nonchalance. "Of course not. I merely read about it in the Astrum Family's ancient library."
"Really?" Rhea grinned. "Then I want to see how you apply this 'book knowledge.'"
He added, "Okay, let's go, Sebastian will take care of here."
Then, turning serious again, he said to Tristan, "Stay here. Learn from Sebastian. We might need more than one expert interrogator."
Tristan gave a curt nod. "Understood."
He, along with Arthur and the others, left the dungeon.
Vector turned toward the exit. "Let's go. Sebastian has everything under control."
As they exited the dungeon, Arthur turned to Vector. "Young Master, it's nearly time for dinner. Please, allow me to host you at my home."
Vector nodded. "Of course. Also, make sure the scholars, craftsmen, and guards who arrived with us are properly taken care of."
Arthur smiled. "Already arranged, Young Master. Their accommodations and meals are prepared."
Vector was satisfied with the thoughtful consideration of Arthur.
Vector nodded, pleased. "Good. Also, begin preparing for the others who will arrive tomorrow and in the coming days. Assign quarters, and begin a proper demographic survey of the village."
He paused, his voice calm but firm.
"I want a full report by tomorrow evening. Men, women, children, elderly— skills they are versed in, everything. Who is capable of joining the army, or who are craftsmen and scholars? This place is no longer just a village. It's the foundation of our future."
[To be Continued…]