As uncertainty continued to spread, Blaze reached a conclusion.

  Containment would no longer be selective.

  After consulting with the allied kings, Blaze proposed sealing villages located nearest to forests. His reasoning was supported by recent experiments: domesticated animals within those villages had begun mutating, while the forests themselves showed concentrated anomalies.

  The kings agreed.

  An announcement followed.

  Villages bordering forests were to be sealed immediately. Limited transactions would be permitted under supervision.

  The decision felt less like protection—and more like abandonment.

  A second decree followed swiftly.

  All villages were required to comply. Resistance would be met with strict punishment. Examples would be made if necessary.

  At the same time, explorers were ordered to register all movements. Their routes, contracts, and bases were to be logged.

  For explorers—people who valued freedom above territory—this felt like a chain.

  But the order carried Blaze’s seal.

  Compliance followed.

  Guilds were audited next.

  Autonomy was revoked. Guilds were ordered to operate under capital oversight. Officials were granted unrestricted access.

  Seals were lifted.

  Authority entered.

  In Ruby Village, pressure intensified.

  Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.

  Ragnar was summoned repeatedly and questioned about Roy’s disappearance. Those who had worked with Roy were interrogated. Healers in nearby camps were warned directly:

  “If you wish to remain under capital protection, follow the priority lists. Independent action will not be tolerated.”

  Merchants were questioned about altered trade routes. Meetings were monitored. Suspicion became routine.

  A month later, a team arrived in Ruby.

  Their presence alone suffocated the air.

  They marched straight to the Explorer Guild.

  Inside Ragnar’s office, three upper commanders confronted him.

  “So,” one said coldly, “Iron Fist. You’ve been ignoring Lord Blaze’s orders?”

  Another stepped forward, voice heavy with threat.

  “We believe you’re hiding Roy’s location. If proven, your execution will be public. Why spill blood unnecessarily? Tell us where he is.”

  The third smiled.

  “Or perhaps you want a reward? A position in the capital. We answer only to the kings. Choose wisely.”

  Ragnar remained calm.

  “Distinguished guests,” he replied evenly, “we have searched as well. Roy vanished without a trace.”

  He paused, then continued.

  “When I searched his room privately, I found a half-burnt map. The southern deep forests were circled—areas known for ferocious beasts and lesser dragons.”

  He retrieved the map from his drawer.

  It had been prepared long before.

  The commanders fell silent.

  They left without another word.

  Ragnar exhaled slowly.

  He had kept his promise.

  Outside, the commanders did not stop working.

  They questioned those who had traveled with Roy. Some cooperated in exchange for protection.

  One explorer did not.

  “You want to chain him and call it a job,” the man said. “Roy would never serve you or your so-called heroes. If I see him, I’ll warn him.”

  The response was immediate.

  A single strike.

  The body fell.

  No report was filed.

  Back in the capital, Blaze sat with Marcella over scattered documents.

  “If this continues,” Blaze said quietly, “we’ll lose authority over the kings. We’ll fail the gods’ mission—and face their wrath.”

  Marcella met his gaze.

  “Then stop forcing obedience. Use incentive.”

  Blaze frowned.

  “Explain.”

  “We seal a prosperous village,” she said calmly. “Not a poor one. Claim high darkness concentration. With system support—or Alister’s confirmation—the kings will agree.”

  “And then?”

  “Then we lift the seal in exchange for compliance. Others will learn.”

  Blaze said nothing.

  The chamber doors opened.

  Alister entered, carrying two swords.

  One shone with holy light.

  The other pulsed with abyssal hue.

  “Finished,” he said simply.

  Blaze’s eyes lit up.

  “Can they be used together?”

  Alister shook his head.

  “No. The burden would fracture the mind. Use separately—or not at all.”

  He left for rest without another word.

  Blaze watched Marcella depart to brief the kings.

  He remained behind, staring at the weapons.

  The day ended without resolution.

  But the line had been crossed.