Chapter 21- The Traitor Lurking in Vantara
9th March | Evening | Vantara Village
The sudden action of Chief Arthur stunned Vector and his group. Even the villagers were taken aback. The Villagers also didn't understand what was happening. Why did the Village Chief abruptly swore a blood oath?
But as Arthur kneeled upon the altar as he performed the oath, blood dripped from his palm. They also understood what the Chief was trying to do.
Arthur after completing the oath, he stood at the Altar, his eyes staring at the Villagers present– commanding them to also show their loyalty. His eyes radiated with conviction, as if saying, Venyar is united and they will never betray the person who stood in their hard time.
The Villager also understood, a heartbeat later—
"Studd!!"
"Studd!!"
"Studd!!"
Suddenly all the Villagers, whether Elders, guards, hunters, craftsmen, old, young— one by one, dropped to one knee, bowing their heads in solemn respect. To show support that they were in support of the Village Chief and also pledge an oath that they will be fully loyal to Astrum family.
"We, the Vanyar, pledge our loyalty to the Astrum Family. In times of rise or ruin, we stand as one beneath their banner."
It was more than just a gesture. It was a pledge of loyalty, not only to their chief but to the Astrum Family as well.
The chief had done this deliberately, to show Vector that the village was united and loyal. It was a silent appeal, a gesture meant to earn his trust and favor. By pledging themselves so completely, they weren't just seeking protection, they were asking to be accepted as his own.
The Villagers had placed their full trust in Chief Arthur Vanyar, his instincts had protected them through many past hardships their Village faced. And if he believed this alliance was right, then they would follow without hesitation. For them, this wasn't just obedience, it was faith in the man who had led them in their difficulties.
Standing beside Arthur on the altar, Vector watched in silent awe. He hadn't expected this level of devotion— this depth of trust and unity.
But he understood what the village chief was doing, this wasn't just an oath; it was like giving their hope to the Astrum Family. A way of showing him that they trusted him completely, and in return, they hoped he would not see them as outsiders, but as his own people.
Vector felt, standing at the Altar, that he had gained a formidable force for himself. He perceived unwavering cohesion and deep loyalty of the Venyars towards him. Indeed, he understood that the very foundation of any organization or force rested upon the faith and loyalty of its people.
He stepped forward, his gaze sweeping the kneeling crowd.
Vector declared to them showing his trust, his voice calm, "From now on you are my own people… We are the Astrum family…We are one family."
"I promise you this… I will lead you to a life you never imagined possible. I will show you that even in this forgotten corner of the forest."
Vector continued as he looked at the sky, which is now filled with the fading hue of twilight, "I will show you a fairyland can be made… even here in Vantara."
- - -
But amidst these events, one man in the crowd looked abnormal, filled with worry. His eyes flicked left and right, jaw clenched, sweat beading on his brow, not from emotion, but from fear. Not because Vantara might be attacked or had pledged loyalty to an unknown force, but because the plan might have been leaked.
His name was Seran.
He wasn't a Vanyar.
He wasn't even a true craftsman.
Seran had come from Ironfang Hill City, posing as a curious artisan seeking to learn from the village. In truth, he was from the Resistance, but acted as spy of the Lionheart Empire. His job was simple: observe, report, and ensure the Empire knew every move the Resistance made. He had come to enquire about the Vantara, if there's any anomaly present then report it. So, that plan can be made accordingly.
And he was not alone but the force behind him has also joined the Lionheart Empire. In light his force supports the Resistance and in dark they are with the Lionheart Empire.
Now, watching the events unfold before him, his blood ran cold.
"So... the Resistance knows about the invasion," he thought nervously, watching Vector with narrowed eyes. "If I don't report this back... everything will fall apart. The plan to destroy the Novastra Empire… to acquire access to that land."
"And the most important Astrum family has also begun to interfere in the Resistance… that also needs to be reported."
He murmured something mysterious, "The organization works to help the Lionheart Empire… all will be in nought. If the attack on Vantara didn't succeed."
He clenched his fists, waiting.
"I need to slip away once the villagers begin to disperse."
He was thinking about slipping away when all the people began to disperse. In the chaos of dispersion and at that point evening will be getting dark, a perfect time to seize the opportunity to leave the Village.
As the gathering came to end— murmurs filled the air again, Seran slowly began backing away, blending into the crowd. Soon, people started leaving— some talking about the Lionheart's boldness, others about the oath they had just sworn and that the Lionheart will pay a hefty price this time and they will make sure of it. The tension turned into determination.
It was the perfect moment.
Under the guise of slipping away to his hut, Seran quietly made his way toward the village's southern perimeter. He thought their vigilance would now be lax and they would not notice his movement. But they will surely increase their vigilance after the news of the Lionheart attack and also will not let anybody go outside from today onward so that nobody finds out that— they know that Lionheart is going to attack.
What he didn't know was that Vector had anticipated this exact scenario. And had informed Tristan and Arthur to send their scouts to observe the village's boundary.
"If anyone attempts to leave the village tonight," he'd said, "capture them. No exceptions."
These scouts are not the only ones that observe if anyone is trying to move out of the Village.
One of the biggest reliance of Vector is Sebastian, a 3rd stage expert. Vector had also said to Sebastian to remain vigilant and to find anomalies— if there were spies lurking in the Village from the Lionheart to enquire about the Vantara.
Sebastian also agreed with Vector's caution and also to take precautions beforehand.
Acting on Vector's orders, Sebastian had became vigilant of traitors if any and the scouts were already patrolling the forest edge.
- - -
Earlier, during the gathering, Sebastian had caught sight of Seran's unusual behaviour and expression. His keen instincts, honed through countless battles and years of experience, had noticed Seran's tension and gleam of fear and panic in his eyes.
That's why Sebastian has been watching the Seran's movement after the gathering ended and people began to disperse. Now, as Seran tried to sneak out of the village, Sebastian silently followed.
Seran is also quite relieved that no one followed him and finds out that he is leaving the village. No one followed. No one noticed, he thought. Perfect.
But in that instant—
A shadow fell behind him.
"You're not going anywhere."
Sebastian appeared out of thin air, moving like a phantom. His movement was so fast that leaves and trees around him began shaking intensely.
Seran also didn't feel that someone had appeared beside him until he heard Sebastian's voice; he knew that he had been found out.
Panic surged through Seran. He reached for the small poison locket around his neck, a final measure in case someone found him.
But to a 3rd stage expert, his movements were laughingly slow. Sebastian also saw that he was trying to commit suicide.
With a flash of motion, Sebastian snatched the locket and threw it away. Seran struggled, but Sebastian had already immobilized him— arms twisted behind his back, spine locked with perfect technique.
"Let's find out what information you hold." Sebastian said coldly, dragging him back toward the village.
- - -
Back in the village square, Vector had just received a word from the scout.
"A man attempted to flee the village," the scout reported. "He also tried to ingest a poison capsule hidden in a pendant."
"He has been escorted to the underground dungeon." the scout added the last word and left after giving a salute.
Vector's expression hardened.
Just like in Carnatic City… the traitor also commited suicide by eating the poison and it's same for this one. He was also most likely related to the Lionheart Empire.
He turned to Chief Arthur and his three commanders. "Let's go," he said simply.
Together, they headed toward the underground dungeon, where prisoners were typically held.
[To be Continued…]