CHAPTER 356: A TRUE LEADER

A day had passed.

Vance and Aurelia sat over a sparse breakfast of thin porridge, the events of the previous day hanging heavily between them. The weak morning light did little to warm the chilly dining room of their temporary residence.

Their tour of the western perimeter had been a sobering experience. The fence was less a defensive structure and more a collection of splintered wood and desperation.

The scale of the repairs needed was staggering, far beyond what the town’s exhausted, dwindling population could manage on its own. Without significant external support in materials and manpower, it was a hopeless task.

"Even if we redirect every able body, the materials alone..." Aurelia murmured, stirring her porridge without appetite. "We need timber, nails, tools... and someone who knows how to build a proper defensive wall, not just patch holes."

Vance nodded grimly. They had identified the problem, but the solution felt miles out of reach. The rules of the trial were a cage, and they were trapped inside with a problem too big to solve.

"EEK!"

Just then, the door to the dining room swung open abruptly.

"Come in!"

The elder bustled in, his usual anxiety replaced by a flustered, welcoming energy.

"Please, come in! This is an unexpected honor!" he effused, bowing slightly.

Vance and Aurelia looked up in unison. Standing in the doorway, dusted with light snow and looking entirely at ease, were three familiar figures: Vice Captain Elria, and following close behind her, the unmistakable couple from the Eclipse Keep — Lady Cassie and Sir Lumin.

Lady Cassie carried a large woven basket that smelled faintly of fresh bread, her expression one of pleasant, polite interest. Lumin stood slightly behind her, his healer’s bag slung over his shoulder, his gaze calmly taking in the room before settling on them. He offered a small, neutral nod of recognition.

I’m back, young friend.

The elder wrung his hands, beaming. "Miss Auera, Sir Vance! Look who has come to visit! The Vice Captain, and the esteemed people of the Keep! They’ve brought supplies for the infirmary and... and just to check on our humble town!"

Aurelia’s eyes widened, her mouth opening and closing as she processed the unexpected arrival. Surprise flickered across her features before finally settling into a genuine, relieved smile. "Sir Lumin, Lady Cassie... I didn’t expect to see you so soon."

Vance’s expression remained composed, though internally he felt a spark of surprise. Senior Lumin had hinted at returning soon yesterday, but he hadn’t expected it to be this fast. The man worked quickly when he decided something needed doing. He was really a person he could look up to.

"Good morning, Your Highness, Sir Vance," Cassandra said warmly, setting the basket down on a nearby table. "I hope we’re not interrupting your breakfast."

"Not at all," Aurelia replied, rising from her seat. She glanced between them, curiosity evident in her violet eyes. "But... may I ask why you’re here?"

"Princess, it was-" The elder opened his mouth to answer, clearly prepared with some elaborate explanation, but Lumin cut him off gently with a raised hand.

"I took the liberty of walking through the town yesterday," he said, his tone matter-of-fact. "I saw the situation firsthand, the state of the defenses, the infirmary, the general condition of things." He paused, meeting Aurelia’s gaze directly. "Then, with Vice Captain, I reported back everything to Baron Luthaire. So he sent us as support."

Elria stepped forward, her professional demeanor softening slightly. "The Baron wanted to make it clear that this support would have been sent regardless of your presence here, Your Highness. The town falls within his responsibility, and he has a duty to protect his people. The fact that you’re conducting your trial here doesn’t change that obligation."

Lumin nodded in agreement. "It probably won’t count as breaking the trial’s rules, since the Baron is simply fulfilling his duties as lord of this territory. Even if you weren’t here, support would still have been dispatched." He allowed a slight pause before adding, "Though we are a limited contingent. There are many villages and towns throughout the barony, and resources must be allocated accordingly."

Aurelia was quiet for a moment, processing this information. Then, to the mild surprise of those watching, she shook her head, a weight seeming to lift from her shoulders.

"I don’t care about the rules anymore," she said firmly, her voice carrying a conviction that hadn’t been there before. "Yesterday, walking through this town, seeing the fear in people’s eyes, the desperation... I realized that whatever political games are being played back in the capital, they matter far less than the lives at stake here." She looked at each of them in turn. "Thank you for coming. We really were lacking help."

A warm, approving smile spread across Cassandra’s face. "That’s the spirit," she said, her tone full of genuine praise. "A true ruler puts their people before politics. That’s the first and most important lesson." She didn’t forget to give her a thumbs-up.

Lumin gave a rare, full smile and his own thumbs-up. "She’s right. That’s how a real leader should act."

The couple’s identical validation brought a faint blush to Aurelia’s cheeks, but her resolve only seemed to strengthen.

"Now," Cassandra said, clapping her hands together softly. "Let’s not let this good food go to waste. We can eat and make our plans at the same time. A clear strategy on a full stomach is always best."

Everyone agreed, settling around the table as Cassandra and Elria began unpacking the basket. They added fresh, crusty bread, a wedge of hard cheese, and even a small jar of honey to the meager breakfast, transforming it into a proper meal.

For the next half hour, the room was filled with the quiet sounds of eating and the low hum of strategic discussion. Problems were laid out, resources were assessed, and ideas were exchanged. By the time the last crumbs were gone, a clear plan had been formed.

"Alright," Lumin said, standing up. "We have our tasks. Let’s meet back here by lunch to share what we’ve found."

The group split into three, each with a clear objective.

Group One: Resources & Morale

Princess Aurelia and Lady Cassandra would head to the town’s storage barns. Aurelia’s royal authority, softened by Cassandra’s merchant charm and the tangible aid they brought, would be used to take inventory and ensure a fair, transparent distribution of the new supplies, aiming to bolster the town’s crumbling morale.

Group Two: Defense & Logistics

Vice Captain Elria and the Town Elder would make for the western perimeter. Elria’s military eye would conduct a thorough assessment of the damaged fence, determining the exact materials and manpower needed for repairs, while the elder provided local knowledge.

Group Three: Health & Intelligence

Vance and Lumin would return to the infirmary. Lumin would continue his healing work and investigate the nature of the corrupted wounds more deeply, while Vance, observant and quiet, would listen to the patients and townsfolk, gathering any whispers or clues about the increased monster activity that might not have made it into official reports.

"Till lunch, then," Aurelia said, her voice firm with newfound purpose.

"Good luck," Cassandra added with an encouraging smile. "And please don’t strain yourself, dear."

"Alright, I’ll try my best."

With a final round of determined nods, the three groups departed, moving in different directions through the snowy streets of Oakhaven.

The trial was no longer a solitary burden. It had become a coordinated effort.