CHAPTER 228: CHAPTER 227: OATHS AND BONDS

When the last of them returned to line, the group dropped to one knee, fists pressed to the ground in unison. Their voices rumbled together like thunder.

"We swear our loyalty to Lord Lumberling. From this day forth, our lives are yours."

Lumberling let the silence that followed stretch, their oath lingering in the air. Then he gave a single nod.

"Good. Then hear my command. Soon, I’ll be taking you with me to the human cities. We’ll fight side by side. Until then, train harder than ever. The days ahead won’t be easy."

His gaze shifted to Karnark, who stood taller than the rest.

"Karnark. You’ve done well training them, holding this place together. But it’s time for you to focus on your growth too. You’ll come with me as well."

Karnark’s chest swelled with eagerness.

"Yes, my Lord!" he said, bowing again. The thought of fighting alongside the other vice-captains once more sent fire through his veins.

Lumberling looked over them all, Kaeldron, Karnark, and the rest, feeling the weight of their loyalty. Another unit to add to his army was beginning to take shape.

......

At noon, Lumberling made his way to Uncle Drake and Aunt Celine’s home. The warmth of the place always reminded him of something he had almost forgotten peace.

Celine spotted him first, her lips curling into a knowing smile.

"I saw the new girl you brought yesterday," she teased, crossing her arms. "She’s beautiful."

Lumberling chuckled.

"She is," he admitted without hesitation.

Both Drake and Celine blinked at him, caught off guard by how easily he said it.

"I heard she was a Viscount," Uncle Drake added with a grin. "Your luck with women is something else, Lumberling."

"It’s not like that," Lumberling laughed. "But... maybe we’ll get there."

The light mood settled between them for a moment. He leaned forward, turning his head.

"Uncle Drake, would you like to come with me?"

Drake tilted his head. "Come with you? You mean, to the war?"

"Yes," Lumberling said firmly. "If you come, I’ll help you advance faster."

Uncle Drake was growing old, better to help him now than risk facing unexpected troubles later. Advancement meant more than strength, it meant years added to his life.

The room grew quiet. Drake’s breath hitched faintly, he understood exactly what Lumberling meant by helping him.

For a long moment, Drake just stared at him. Then, slowly, his stern features softened. His eyes warmed, and a small smile tugged at his lips.

Drake leaned back in his chair, shaking his head with a rough smile. "Don’t bother with me, Lumberling. You’ve got plenty of men to look after. Better spend your time on them than wasting it on an old warhorse like me."

Lumberling’s lips curved faintly. Typical of Uncle Drake, always putting others before himself. "Don’t worry about them. They’ll get their chance when the time comes. I wouldn’t have offered if I wasn’t certain, Uncle."

Drake let out a low chuckle, though his eyes betrayed the weariness beneath. "I appreciate the thought. But the last thing I want is to weigh you down. You’re carrying enough already."

"You’re not a burden," Lumberling replied firmly, his tone leaving no room for doubt. "Besides, this war isn’t short on opportunities. If you want, you can capture enemies for yourself... and I’ll help you ’consume’ them."

The room fell into silence. Drake’s breath caught, his eyes fixed on Lumberling. For a moment, he looked ready to protest, the words on the edge of his tongue.

But then it faltered. Deep down, the fire he once carried still smoldered, the dream of becoming a True Knight, buried with age, flickered back to life in his chest.

Finally, he let out a long breath. "...Alright. Then that’s what I’ll do. But I won’t accept a single thing unless I’ve earned it myself."

Lumberling’s grin widened, soft but steady. "Good. That’s the Uncle Drake I know. Welcome back to the war, just like the old days."

Memories stirred in his chest, their first desperate battles together, scraping by when every fight could have been their last. Back then they had been survivors, nothing more. Now... now they were no longer crawling. They were standing tall, thriving.

Turning, Lumberling looked toward Celine. "Aunt Celine," he said gently, "if you’d like... I can help you walk the path of a Knight too."

Her eyes widened in surprise. For a heartbeat she could only stare at him, then she let out a soft laugh. "Me? Don’t be ridiculous., I’m far past the age for chasing dreams like that. Still..." She gave him a fond smile. "I’m grateful for the thought."

But Lumberling didn’t look away. His gaze stayed steady, serious. "I mean it, Aunt Celine. If you truly wish it, I can help you."

Celine’s laughter faltered. Before she could speak, Drake reached out and took her hand, his voice firm.

"He’s not lying," Drake said quietly. "He can help you."

Celine’s eyes widened. "Wha–what? How?"

Drake glanced at Lumberling, waiting for his approval. Lumberling gave a small nod.

"He’s the one who helped me break past my wall," Drake explained softly. "Because of him, I advanced."

Celine’s lips parted, but no words came out. Her gaze shifted to Lumberling, disbelief and wonder flickering in her eyes. For a brief moment, a thought struck her, ’could I become a Knight too?’ Her heart quickened at the possibility.

The thought of becoming stronger, of standing beside Drake as an equal rather than someone always waiting sparked something deep inside her. A whisper of what if? brushed against her heart. She could almost see herself wielding strength, no longer on the sidelines of war.

But then, as if catching herself, she exhaled slowly and calmed down. Her eyes moved to the creek where Evelyn lay sleeping peacefully.

"I really appreciate your offer, Lumberling," she said at last, her voice gentler now. "And I can’t thank you enough. But... Evelyn needs me. I can’t think about myself right now." She dipped her head in a respectful bow.

Lumberling smiled warmly. "I know. And it doesn’t have to be now. There’ll be plenty of chances in the future. After all, Aunt Celine is still young."

"Hoho... so that’s how you charm women? A sharp tongue and a calm smile?"

Drake shook his head, chuckling under his breath, while Celine’s giggle lightened the air. "Still... thank you, really," she added, sincerity glimmering in her eyes.

"Mm." Lumberling straightened. "Alright then, I’ll leave you two to talk things through. Uncle Drake will be coming with me after a few weeks."

With that, Lumberling turned and walked out, the soft crunch of grass fading as he disappeared, leaving Drake and Celine by the creek.

Celine exhaled, her eyes lingering on the door. "He carries too much on his shoulders for one so young," she murmured, voice heavy with something between pride and worry.

Drake’s gaze softened, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Don’t worry," he said quietly. "He’s grown into a man. I believe in him."