Absolute Sovereignty-Chapter 32: A Deal with The a Devil

The road from Alderanth wound its way through a dense forest, where ancient trees made long, skeletal shadows that flickered in the torchlight.

The air smelled of pine and damp earth—a scent that clung to the throat. A chill wind whispered through the branches, carrying the rustle of leaves and the snap of twigs.

In the darkness, the path was little more than a narrow, hidden ribbon winding through the undergrowth.

In the middle of that road stood Kaelen—a lone silhouette against a starry sky, as if he were a monument to the fate ahead.

Unarmed, with his hands clasped behind his back, he looked relaxed yet exuded a quiet menace. He had waited for hours, patient as a spider anticipating prey.

He knew they were coming; the steady pulse of the earth beneath his feet matched the approaching rhythm of horse hooves.

Earthsense was active.

Soon, the Crimson Hand riders emerged from the shadows.

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Their torches threw erratic pools of light on grim, weathered faces. Clad in mismatched, worn armor and armed with a hodgepodge of swords, axes, and daggers, they moved with the confidence of men who had seen too much.

At their head rode a figure shrouded in darkness beneath a wide-brimmed hat. This was Red—the elusive leader who had long evaded capture, a phantom whose very name stirred nightmares.

The riders halted as they spotted Kaelen standing in their path. Red reined in his horse and fixed his gaze on the solitary figure.

"Well, well," Red drawled, his voice smooth and cultured despite his rough appearance. "If it isn't the Ash Prince gracing us with his presence. To what do we owe this unexpected visit?"

Kaelen's lips curved into a slow, predatory smile.

"A business proposition, Red," he replied evenly, his calm tone belying the surge of darkness simmering beneath his skin.

"Business?" Red scoffed. "I wasn't aware that the crown dabbled in our sort of affairs."

"Times change," Kaelen said steadily. "And so do opportunities." His mind churned with whispers and memories, piecing together the chance he'd been waiting for.

"Let's not beat around the bush, prince. What exactly do you want?"

"I want the Crimson Hand," Kaelen stated flatly. "Your men. Your resources. Your expertise."

Red's eyes narrowed. "You think you can just take what you want?"

Stepping forward, Kaelen lowered his voice almost to a whisper. "I don't think—I know I can. You have something I need, and I have something you lack."

"And what might that be?" Red asked, amusement tinging his tone as he regarded the prince with new interest. It was unexpected—the so-called drunkard prince acting so boldly and clearly.

"Vision," Kaelen said, his gaze unwavering. "Purpose—a reason to exist."

Red laughed harshly. "You think you can offer us purpose? We already have ours. We take what we want, when we want. We answer to no one."

"You're mistaken," Kaelen countered calmly.

"You're nothing more than scavengers, picking at the scraps left by those in power. You hide in the shadows instead of stepping into the light. You have strength, but you lack direction—a north star to guide you out of darkness. You're wasting your potential, and you know it."

The amusement drained from Red's voice, replaced by a note of caution.

"Our numbers are overwhelming, prince. A fight against the Crimson Hand isn't one the crown can win right now—especially with your current troubles with Xarnis. Are you really willing to risk everything by targeting me now? What is a drunkard prince against a legion of killers?"

"Numbers can be deceiving," Kaelen said, his tone smooth yet edged with steel. "True strength isn't about brute force—it comes from unity of purpose." He paused, letting his words hang in the cold air. "I'm not here to fight you. I'm here to offer a partnership."

Kaelen laid out his proposal—a carefully crafted bargain meant to appeal to Red's ambition and pragmatism.

He offered the Crimson Hand legitimacy, a chance to step out of the shadows and become a recognized force within Caldris. In return, they would pledge their loyalty to him, adding their strength to his growing army.

Red listened in silence, his expression unreadable. Every word was as much a threat as it was an offer—a dangerous game where one wrong move could mean the end of them all.

Finally, Kaelen finished. A tense silence settled over the forest road, broken only by rustling leaves and the soft snorts of horses.

"I'll return for your decision, Red," Kaelen said quietly. "Until then, I've left you a parting gift at your usual tavern—a token of my good faith." With that, he turned and melted into the darkness, leaving Red and his men to mull over his proposal, their faces carved with apprehension.

For Kaelen, the whispers in his mind grew louder, repeating a single word: "consume." They begged him to slaughter them all, but instead, he had walked away.

After a long pause, one of Red's men asked, "Should we just let him go?"

Red narrowed his eyes. "Of course. Can't you see... that boy is dangerous?"