Within the walls of the Fortress, the inner chambers resembled the grandeur of the mansion, offering the first tangible encounter for Lucas with the wealth and splendor of the aristocracy in this era. The building was expansive, their depths unknown, guarded by knights in armor stationed at each imposing gate. Groups of ladies-in-waiting, dressed in rich garments and adorned with intricate hairstyles, moved gracefully, taking measured steps as they passed by with demure gazes. Despite the harshness of winter, vibrant tapestries of greenery covered every corner, and towering trees displayed their flourishing foliage. Exotic flowers and plants vied for attention. A stream, its origin concealed within the fortress, meandered through the vast courtyards. The warmth emanating from the ground created a delicate mist, blurring the boundaries between the earthly fortress and a fantastical castle.
All of this extravagance was but the residence of a warlord.
Guided by Darya, Lucas followed through one ornately decorated doorway after another until they arrived at a secluded courtyard. The young girl grew somewhat apprehensive and cautioned Lucas, "You must refrain from speaking thoughtlessly now, do you understand? My father appreciates capable and loyal individuals." Lucas, meeting Darya's eyes and sensing genuine concern, found the situation peculiar. "Why are you so concerned about me?" Darya averted her gaze, "...Who's concerned about you? This predicament was caused by me, so naturally, I want to assist my father in resolving it. Hurry, go inside."
From Lucas's perspective, he could only see Darya's profile, gazing at her long eyelashes. Suddenly, he noticed that the tall girl's skin was as translucent and delicate as Murong Qiu's. Her waistline resembled a slender stem, complemented by her long legs, exuding a unique charm. Lucas scratched his head and suddenly said, "Hey girl, thank you for saving my life." After saying this, he felt a bit awkward himself and walked briskly into the small yard.
Darya followed behind him.
This small courtyard appeared simple and dignified, housing a small cabin. Without guards, the only sound was the gentle murmur of a small fountain. In contrast to the grandeur outside, it exuded a unique charm. Even the audacious Lucas took a deep breath at this moment. Seeing Darya, he quieted down, and she led him into the shrine.
The interior was sparsely furnished, a halberd hung on the wall. Apart from a table and some cases, the room contained only a massive map. The geographical features were vividly depicted on this map. Orhan was there, whispering to the person beside him with his head lowered. Next to Orhan stood a middle-aged man, weathered and robust, with a face bearing the marks of wind and frost. He shared Darya's slender eyes, but his gaze carried the commanding aura of a superior. The hand resting on the map was large, with sturdy knuckles, and he was missing a section of his little finger. When he saw Lucas approaching, he lifted his head slightly for a glance.
His gaze was sharp, akin to lightning.
Darya whispered softly, "Dad, Ariana's trusted aide, Lucas, has arrived."
Orhan looked up at Lucas, his gaze cold. He chuckled and said, "So, this is the loyal servant of the Persian princess, the one who fighted against Cyrus, shielded her from arrows and enemies... My Lord, this is a remarkable talent among the younger generation."
Feeling the hostility from Orhan, Lucas immediately sensed it. However, he wasn't in the mood to dwell on it. His full attention was on the gaze Mishe Ashina directed towards him. In the presence of this middle-aged man exuding an indescribable aura of dignity and dominance, Lucas observed the numerous scars on his face and body. It was at this moment that he finally understood the origins of the Ashina!
Why did Mishe want to meet him alone?
Mishe glanced at Lucas, then lowered his head to examine the massive map. Without lifting his head, he asked, "Roman?"
Lucas took another deep breath, trying to steady his composure. Shaking his head, he replied, "I don't know."
Mishe snorted, cutting him off, "You don't look like a Persian either, a capable man like you, why become a loyal servant for the Persian? I heard from Darya that you protected the Princess during her escape. Soloed against thousands of cavalrymen, dared to confront the fierce Cyrus. Your actions were decisive. Loyalty to your lord was commendable... I consider you a man, not many could escape from the hunting army' hands this far!"
He slammed the map forcefully, then lifted his head with an even more piercing gaze. "What did the Persian offer you that made you so devoted? We, Turkic people, survive by sticking together in this chaotic era of constant migration of northern tribes. I know you joined the Persian, maybe for survival. Join us, devote your life for the cause of us Turkic people, and your existence won't be in vain. Do you understand?"
Darya lifted her head and said, "Dad..." Mishe shot her a stern look, "What more do you want to say? These days, with urgent military matters, I didn't bring up your actions. Killing the Persian soldiers and even trying to snatch their Stardust Amulet is understandable. I've always wanted to get rid of these things! But when you dealt with the hunting army, why didn't you think about handling the aftermath cleanly? Letting Cyrus's madness pursue us continuously? Orhan is still protecting you. You should reflect on your mistakes! Originally, we could have quietly taken care of this Persian princess and obtained the Persian sacred treasure. Now, Cyrus's large army is pressing us, encroaching on the villages, docks, and fortresses near Javanshir Fortress. They have cut off our communication with Galarsan Fortress and Berdatev Fortress. Faced with such pressure, we have no choice but to hand over the Princess. But her father, Prince Farid, is a formidable hero, and now we've offended him! Think about it. Your impulsive and reckless actions have caused us a lot of trouble."
In front of her father, Darya dared not show any signs of defiance and could only lower her head. Orhan spoke in a low voice, "My Lord, let's not discuss Darya's matters now. Miss also had good intentions... Let's focus on dealing with the current issues. It seems we have no choice but to hand over the Princess. As for what happens with Prince Farid in the future, we'll deal with it when the time comes."
Mishe waved his hand dismissively, "She just needs some strict discipline! Causing such a big disaster!"
However, Lucas's heart turned icy. They had decided to hand over Ariana? Then why did they summon him here? The thought of their arduous struggles and the realization that their fate was always dictated by others fueled an uncontrollable anger within him. The palms of his hands began to burn again, and he abruptly shoved his right hand into the pocket of his pants.
"God, if you have the guts, just keep manipulating our destinies like this forever!"