Chapter 66: The First Meeting
Year 0003, IV-VII Month: The Imperium
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An Unfamiliar Presence
The summer sun had grown increasingly oppressive as the days lengthened, prompting the villagers to begin construction of their seasonal retreat—a mountain lodging designed to offer respite from the sweltering heat that would soon blanket their valley home. The project had become a communal effort, with everyone contributing their skills to create a sanctuary where they could escape the harsh summer months ahead.
Not long after the construction began, August sensed something amiss. An unfamiliar presence lingered at the edges of his perception, watching them work from the shadows of the untamed forest. The feeling was distinctly different from the predatory gaze of wild beasts—something he would have recognized immediately given his extensive experience with the forest's dangerous inhabitants. This was something else entirely, something that set his instincts on high alert.
While the others remained absorbed in their construction tasks, hammering wooden planks and hauling materials, August began systematically scanning their surroundings. His years of survival had taught him to trust these subtle warnings. Moving with practiced stealth, he approached the tallest tree near their worksite and scaled it swiftly, his enhanced abilities allowing him to climb without disturbing so much as a branch.
From his elevated vantage point, August's keen eyes swept across the forest canopy until he spotted the source of his unease. Crouched in a carefully chosen position that provided both concealment and a clear view of their activities was another person—clearly human, though their exact identity remained unclear from this distance. The stranger had selected an elevated position among the rocks and thick foliage, making them nearly invisible to casual observation in this wild, overgrown terrain.
August paused, his mind racing. *Is that really a person? It couldn't be, could it?* The questions multiplied in his mind. *But why would someone be watching us from such a distance? What are their intentions?* Something felt fundamentally wrong about the situation, and his battle-honed instincts screamed warnings.
Moving with the fluid grace of a natural predator, August began traversing from tree to tree, using the dense canopy to mask his approach. He was careful not to alert the mysterious observer, maintaining complete silence as he closed the distance between them. As he drew nearer, the stranger's features became clearer, and August confirmed his initial assessment—it was indeed a man, middle-aged by appearance, with the weathered look of someone who had spent considerable time outdoors.
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The Stranger
When August finally revealed himself, dropping silently from the trees with his blade already drawn, the automatic activation of his passive skill [Fear the Beast] created an immediate and overwhelming atmosphere of menace. The ability, which he had learned to control but never fully suppress, radiated an aura of primal terror that affected most people on an instinctual level.
"Who are you, and what are you doing here?" August demanded, his voice carrying a deadly calm that somehow made the question more threatening than any shouted challenge could have been.
The older man immediately raised his hands in surrender, though August could see the cold sweat beading on his forehead and the way his body trembled slightly under the influence of August's intimidating presence. Despite his obvious fear, the stranger managed to find his voice.
Meanwhile, August had already activated the [Party Chat] feature, silently alerting the other villagers to his situation and advising them to prepare for potential combat. The mental link buzzed with acknowledgments as his companions received the warning and began moving toward his position.
"My name is Cornick Sandeval," the older man managed to say, his words punctuated by nervous pauses as he struggled against the supernatural fear that gripped him.
"I see," August replied curtly, maintaining his threatening posture while waiting for his allies to arrive.
Several tense minutes passed before the sound of approaching footsteps announced the arrival of the other villagers. They emerged from the forest in a defensive formation, weapons ready and expressions grim. However, the moment one of the newer additions to their community—a teenage girl who had joined them recently—laid eyes on the stranger, her reaction was immediate and visceral.
"Kyaaaaahhhhhhh!!!! It's him, it's him!!!" she screamed, her voice cracking with terror as she began shaking uncontrollably. "He's one of the slave traders who escorted us! I remember his face!"
The transformation in the group's demeanor was instantaneous and dramatic. Murderous intent replaced cautious suspicion as every face hardened with rage. Even August, who had been considering lowering his weapon, instead pressed the blade more firmly against the man's neck, drawing a thin line of blood that began to trickle down toward his collar. The revelation that this man had been involved in the slave trade—the very system that had brutalized most of the newer members of their community—ignited a fury in August that surprised him with its intensity.
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Fear in His Eyes
"Is that true?!" Jonathan's voice carried the full weight of paternal rage as he stepped forward, his fists clenched so tightly his knuckles had turned white. "Are you one of those bastards who escorted these people here like livestock?!"
As a father himself, Jonathan's imagination filled with horrific scenarios of his own daughter being treated as a commodity to be bought and sold. The thought alone was enough to make him see red, and only August's raised hand prevented him from immediately attacking the terrified stranger.
Upon recognizing that he stood before former slaves—people whose lives he had helped destroy—Sandeval seemed to physically collapse inward. What little color remained in his face drained away completely, and for a moment, it appeared as though his soul was leaving his body. The weight of his past actions, now confronted with their human consequences, seemed to crush him entirely.
He could only nod in response to Jonathan's furious question, unable to meet anyone's eyes. In that moment, Sandeval appeared to accept that death was not only possible but perhaps deserved. There was a resignation in his posture that spoke of a man who had been carrying tremendous guilt for far too long.
Despite his anger, August forced himself to maintain tactical thinking. Even with his rage threatening to overwhelm his judgment, he recognized the need for information before taking any irreversible action. This man's presence here could mean danger for their entire community, and August needed to understand the full scope of the threat they might be facing.
"Answer me this, Mr. Sandeval," August said, his voice deadly quiet, "Why are you here, and are you searching for the escaped slaves?"
Sandeval took a shuddering breath before responding. When he spoke, there was a quality of absolute honesty in his voice—the tone of a man who had nothing left to lose and no reason to lie.
"Let me answer both questions completely, because you deserve the truth," he began, his voice gaining strength as he continued. "Yes, I was the head captain of an escort group working for the Corvus Slave Trade Group, which operates as a branch of the larger Corvus Underworld Group. They handle trafficking of both human and non-human slaves across multiple territories."
He paused, seeming to gather his courage before continuing with his confession. "But this organization wasn't what I originally signed up for. Years ago, when I was young and naive, I applied to work as a guard for The Zargos Mercantile—what I believed was a legitimate trading company with a reputation for charitable works and fair dealing. It wasn't until much later that I discovered the horrible truth: the entire operation was merely a front for one of the largest criminal organizations on the continent."
The villagers exchanged shocked glances at this revelation. The Zargos Mercantile was known throughout the region for its apparent philanthropy and community support.
"To answer your second question," Sandeval continued, "I am absolutely not looking for the escaped slaves. As far as I'm concerned, I hope they remain free forever. That last escort job was supposed to be my final assignment before retirement, but fate had other plans. You see, I'm currently running for my life from the very people who used to employ me. They've marked me for death because of what they consider a catastrophic failure on my part."
His voice grew stronger, more defiant. "I want you to understand something—while I cannot deny my role as an accomplice in delivering those slaves, I never participated in the cruelty and abuse that others inflicted. But I know that doesn't absolve me of responsibility. I've prepared myself to die from the moment I fled from one of our Branch Managers Rommel in Kirka Village. Whatever punishment you decide I deserve, I'll accept it."
This revelation sent shockwaves through the assembled villagers. Not only had they learned that the seemingly benevolent Zargos Mercantile was actually a criminal front, but they now knew that their former acting lord, Rommel, was directly involved with these human traffickers.
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The Undecided Fate of Sandeval
Jonathan, his rage reaching a boiling point at the mention of Rommel's name, could no longer contain himself. His history with their former lord had been particularly bitter, and this new information was the final straw. Without warning, he delivered a powerful right hook that connected solidly with Sandeval's jaw, sending the older man crashing to the ground, unconscious.
"I knew that scummy bastard was the devil himself all along!" Jonathan roared, standing over the unconscious form while shaking his bruised knuckles. "I should have killed him that day! After what he did to my wife and daughter, and to countless other people—I bet those slaves he kept were all provided by this garbage organization!"
Red, ever the pragmatist, stepped forward to address the immediate tactical concerns. "So what exactly are we going to do with him now?" he asked, his calm voice cutting through the emotional tension. "Even if everything he told us is true, we can't simply take him back to the village, can we? What if he was lying about his intentions? What if there are others like him already in the forest? What if he's been followed here?"
August considered uncle Red's questions carefully. Each point raised valid concerns about the security of their community. "We should take him to the lodging before he regains consciousness," he decided. "At least there we can secure him properly while we figure out our next move."
The group fell into thoughtful silence as they processed the implications of their situation. For the immediate future, they bound the unconscious man's hands and feet and constructed a makeshift stretcher to transport him to their construction site.
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Inside the Unfinished Lodging
"To ensure our safety, I'm going to ask my master to scout the entire vicinity around our village," August announced once they had secured their prisoner inside the partially completed cave dwelling. "We need to know immediately if he was being followed or if there are other hostile forces in our area. Everyone needs to stay vigilant."
As a precautionary measure, they decided to send the most vulnerable members of their group—including Aunt Theresa, Andy, Adarna, Hiraya, Adam, and Isabel—back to the main village for the night. The traumatized girls who had identified Sandeval were still visibly shaking when they departed, and August knew they needed time to recover in familiar, secure surroundings.
Meanwhile, August and the remaining adults would maintain their position at the lodging site to scout the surrounding area, secure their new facility, and decide what to do with their captive while keeping him under constant guard.
August reached out through his telepathic connection to Aetherwing, his master and Guardian Beast. Within minutes, the response came as the massive beast's distinctive silhouette appeared overhead. The giant creature's powerful wings created violent air currents as he descended, finally perching gracefully on one of the sturdier tree branches near their position.
"Master, you're here. May I request your assistance with this difficult situation we've found ourselves in?" August asked through their mental link.
Aetherwing's telepathic response conveyed immediate agreement to help his ward. Without further delay, the magnificent creature spread his wings wide and launched himself into the sky, disappearing quickly as he began his aerial reconnaissance of the surrounding territory.
While they waited for Aetherwing's report, the remaining villagers worked with renewed urgency to complete the exterior wall of their mountain retreat. Since the structure was built into a natural cave system, they only needed to construct a front wall, but they also realized they would need to create a separate, secure room for their lone prisoner.
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The First Night
As darkness settled over the forest floor, Aetherwing returned from his extensive patrol. His telepathic report was both reassuring and cautionary.
"Child, I have scouted approximately five hundred kilometers in all directions and detected no human movement apart from your group," the great beast communicated. "However, I must warn you that there's always the possibility that individuals with exceptional stealth skills could have evaded my detection. I want you to remain alert for the foreseeable future. I will maintain watch over the surrounding area throughout the night."
August expressed his gratitude for Aetherwing's assistance before returning to coordinate with his human allies. They had already established a rotation system where at least three people would remain at the mountain site at all times, with shifts changing every few hours and complete crew changes occurring daily.
For the first night watch, August volunteered alongside Jonathan and Bren. They had prepared for various contingencies and maintained constant communication through their party chat system. August had an additional purpose for taking the first watch—he planned to conduct his own ground-level reconnaissance of the surrounding forest under cover of darkness.
His mind kept returning to the memory of their village's massacre, when enemies had struck while everyone slept peacefully, believing themselves safe in the cover of the forest. That tragedy had taught him never to assume security without constant vigilance.
As the night deepened, August moved through the forest canopy like a silent owl, perched high above the ground while his enhanced senses monitored every shadow and sound for signs of movement or danger. Below, Bren and Jonathan took turns guarding their unconscious prisoner, ensuring that Sandeval remained secure while remaining ready to respond to any external threats.
The mountain air carried the sounds of nocturnal creatures going about their business, but August's trained ear filtered these natural sounds from anything that might indicate human presence. Tonight would be the first of many long nights as they worked to determine whether Cornick Sandeval represented a new found companion or would doom for their hard-won peace.