The Legendary Mage (Alavin)

"I'll need you to look after my place."

"Of course." Commander Kashann and Hamund bid farewell to Alavin and took to the skies. Both were gravely injured and needed to recuperate. Moreover, with the recent rebellion, the state of Cobalt Strike was in disarray.

Just then, a loud call rang out at the edge of the wilderness, and a group waved in their direction.

Commander Kashann and Hamund frowned and looked towards the commotion. It was three Elders from Cobalt Strike, followed by a throng of Protégés.

"Commander, Hamund. We've found the Elder of the Botanic Haven. He's gravely injured," the Protégés exclaimed with relief upon seeing their Commander, glad to find him alive.

"Where?" Commander Kashann and Hamund strode through the forested hills.

The Botanic Haven Elder, upon grasping the situation, sighed in relief and then fell back into unconsciousness, from which he hadn't yet awakened. The Protégés were gathered around him, tending to him with great care.

Alavin also rushed from the city to the scene, and the Protégés respectfully cleared a path for him, showing a mix of reverence and awe. Whether outwardly or inwardly, no one dared to underestimate Alavin any longer.

After Commander Kashann had examined the Botanic Haven Elder's injuries, his brow furrowed. "We must return to Botanic Haven at once." Alavin asked, "Is there anything I can do to help?"

"Hamund's assistance is sufficient. You have many other tasks to address, and you are weary. You should return and rest well."

Commander Kashann and Hamund, with the Botanic Haven Elder in tow, left first, and the Protégés quickly followed, heading back to Cobalt Strike. Nikulas and others greeted Alavin, exchanged brief pleasantries, and joined the procession. They all left, except for Carlys, who remained behind.

As dawn broke, the ancient city stirred with life, and its citizens held a grand celebration. The Lord's Keep shared its limited food and drink supply, reveling in cheer. "From this day forth, no one will bully us. From this day forth, we are safe."

They gathered near the statue of the king, cheering and shouting Alavin's name, celebrating the hard-won peace.

Alavin made his rounds in and around the city, and by noon, he had discussed plans to rebuild the ancient city with Lucan, how to allocate the people, and how to ensure greater happiness and safety for all.

Lucan was brimming with ambitious

plans to create the largest city in the Northlands, With the might of Stormcast and the protection of the eighteen royal statues, they would surely attract countless citizens. "A population in the hundreds of thousands is nothing," he boasted. "We can expand to accommodate millions, for the current ancient city's bounds are far too small."

Alavin suggested maintaining Stormcast's current size but building eight smaller towns around it, both to defend and to showcase Stormcast's status.

Stormcast would be the capital, home only to those who had followed the Mallister family for over twenty years, enjoying various privileges. As for newcomers, they would be settled in the eight surrounding towns.

Only those willing to contribute to Stormcast and possessing significant strength, be they individuals or organizations, would be eligible to earn the right to reside within Stormcast.

Alavin's idea was simple. To make the existing two hundred thousand people feel content, he had to let them know that the Mallister family would not forget them and would provide for them generation after generation if possible.

Thus, the size of Stormcast must

not change, with a cap of five hundred thousand permanent residents, and even the transient population should be controlled. The eight surrounding towns could only be half the size of Stormcast with controlled populations to prevent them from becoming vantage points for other powers to monitor

Stormcast.

Of course, these were plans for the future. Alavin merely shared his vision, knowing he would not reside there long. He would leave to seek adventures far and wide.

Returning to the city hall, Alavin

found Godfred passionately recounting recent events, describing how Alayin had gritted his teeth haul the eighteen statues and the

hardships he faced along the one

way.

The crowd was engrossed, hanging on every word, with Helna and others among them occasionally emitting sighs of amazement.

"Look at him showing off," Lucan muttered, unimpressed.

Alavin just shook his head with a smile, not wanting to interrupt, and retreated to his room to collapse into sleep. He was truly exhausted. All he wanted was to sleep soundly, without a care, without a question -just sleep... sleep...