Chapter- 19 Vantara's Gate
9th March | Naga Forest | Late Afternoon
Ron led Vector's group through the forest toward Vantara Village, taking the shortest and safest route. The path had noticeably fewer beasts.
It looks like Vantara's warriors regularly cleaned the beasts here, that's why there were no beasts on this path.
'That's why they say even a mouse is a lion in its own den', Vector thought, silently admiring the strength and diligence of the Vantara warriors.
As they neared the village, Ron came to a halt upon encountering his hunting team. The team leader's expression shifted to caution as he eyed the strangers behind Ron.
Upon seeing Ron the team leader said, "Ron, who are these people? Why are you accompanying them?"
Ron saluted the team leader and said, "They came from Carnatic City and claim themselves as members of the Resistance."
He continued to explain, "They wish to have a talk with the Village Chief and inform him about critical Intelligence."
The Team Leader asked, "What kind of Intelligence?"
Rons said, "I also don't know, they insisted that they will speak directly with the Village Chief. That's why I am taking them to the Village."
The Team Leader turned his gaze towards the Vector's Group– about to ask what was the Intelligence?
Marcus interrupted him and said, "You'll hear it from your Chief," Marcus said curtly. "This is information best shared once, with everyone present. Let's not waste time here."
He emphasised again and said "Let's get going."
The Team Leader on hearing this looked quite worried but he also didn't dwell on this and tag along with the group.
As they advanced, the dense forest began to thin— evidence of cultivation and human activity.
Before long, scouts from the village spotted them.
Vector and the group were also aware that the scouts had spotted them. The scouts didn't approach, likely reassured as they saw the hunting team with them. Instead, they turned and moved ahead, presumably to report the group's arrival to the Village authoritative figures.
By the time the sun reached its peak and began to set westward, around 2 p.m., Vector's group had almost reached the gate of Vantara.
As the group was going to get a glimpse of the Ventara's Gate– they saw a group of people approaching.
Vector's eyes widened slightly in surprise. The villagers were clean and well-dressed, their appearance more like ordinary townsfolk than the wild, rugged forest-dwellers he had expected. He had his confusion when he met Ron– But after seeing the group of people ahead the image of wild, unkempt forest dwellers that his previous preconceptions were completely false and shattered.
These were people of culture and strength, simply rooted in the forest by tradition.
An elder stepped forward. His bearing was calm but authoritative.
"Greetings, travellers…" the elder said, his voice calm but firm. "I am Arthur Vanyar, the Village Chief of Vantara."
The people in the Village call themselves Vanyar and they all have the Vanyar as their surname, a clan identity. Ron, too, was fully named Ron Vanyar.
The Village Chief paused, his eyes studying them carefully, as if silently waiting for their introduction in return.
Vector stepped forward, his posture confident but respectful.
"Good Afternoon Chief Arthur. I am Vector Astrum," he said. "Heir to the Astrum Family… and also Leader of the Resistance in Carnatic City."
Vector showed them his resistance seal… so that they can know that he is a leader figure from the Resistance.
He glanced at the others briefly before meeting the chief's gaze again.
He had revealed his Real Identity as the Astrum and its heir because he didn't want to deceive them. They are going to his future subordinate if all things went well.
He also sensed from the Blood Energy radiated from the Chief Arthur that he is a 2nd Stage Body Refinement Expert and is on the peak of it too. He can possibly enter into the 3rd stage in 1-3 years, which shocked him.
But that wasn't not why he was shocked, there are other experts he perceived– three more people, who reached 2ns stage. Vector was shocked by his discovery that a small Village in the forest had such powerful experts as their protector.
Now Vector was sure that they surely must have heard about the Astrum Family. The Astrum Family is known only to powerful people. So, they must also know about his Family.
The Village Chief on the other hand was startled at the mention of 'Astrum', a name spoken only in whispers in powerful factions, rumored to be one of the shadow forces guiding the Novastra Liberation Front from behind the scenes. He had also heard about them when he was working in a powerful family. But he kept his expression composed, revealing nothing.
Yet, the villagers behind him showed no reaction. It was likely that even the other 2nd Stage warriors didn't know of the Astrum Family. Only Arthur did.
Vector and Sebastian also saw the subtle expression of the Chief Arthur on the mentioning of the word Astrum but not on other people from the Village.
Now Vector is confirmed that he can convince the group to Join the Astrum Family and can be taken under the Family's banner to build his foundation here.
The Chief concealed his surprise well, maintaining a neutral face, as if he didn't know about the Astrum Family, and said "Welcome, Vector Astrum."
The Village Chief added, "May I ask why the Resistance has come to Vantara? Is there something you need from us?"
Vector offered a respectful bow.
"We're not here to request or demand something from you. We've come to help you– to defend Vantara from imminent attack."
Chief Arthur was confused by the word– Defend? And Attack? And asked, "Attack? What do you mean?"
Vector looked at the Chief Arthure with serious expression, "We have intelligence that the Lionheart Empire plans to invade Vantara Village in six weeks. Your village is in a strategic location."
He continued his explanation, "They are going to establish their fort here and attack Ironfang Hill City from the rear."
After hearing the intelligence from Vector, the villagers were shocked and Chief Arthur and other elders' faces paled and worries could be seen on them. The villagers murmured anxiously behind them.
They began discussing– Can we defend the attack? whether to evacuate, whether to abandon the homes their ancestors had built.
They were also aware of the Lionheart Empire's invasion of their homeland, the Novastra Empire. But they didn't expect that Lionheart is also going to spread their feet here in Vantara Village.
Vector spoke again, which eased their worried expression a little bit, "I can help you resist against their invasion,"
Vector continued, and said firmly. "You don't have to face the Lionheart Empire alone."
He said, his tone stronger now, "But there is one condition."
Vector continued and introduced the condition, "If you want protection, then Vantara must come under the banner of the 'Astrum Family'. Stand with us, and we will turn this village into a stronghold, one that no army will ever overrun."
Chief Arthur on the side was shocked, 'take them under The Astrum banner'.
But confusion rippled through the Villagers present here.
"Astrum?" an elder, who is one of the 2nd grade warriors, asked looking puzzled, "Astrum? We've never heard of this Family."
Chief Arthur stopped the Elder from saying further, "Edward, don't be disrespectful."
Chief Arthur paused to observe the Vector expression, if he was offended by the words. But relieved seeing that it doesn't look like the case.
Chief Arthur then continued, and asked in confusion "Are you sure we can be under the Astrum Family?"
Vector nodded and smiled, "Yes."
He showed him the Astrum Family seal. Which represents the only Heir to the Family and their Young Master.
And said, "I am Astrum's heir. I have the authority to extend that offer."
He also cleared the Elder and Villagers' doubt about the Family, "That's expected that you didn't know about Astrums. The Astrum Family has always operated in the shadows, but we are one of the core powers behind the Novastra Liberation Front."
Chief Arthur was quite surprised that Vector revealed his family's information and worried too.
Vector paused, his voice steady and resolute.
"And I, Vector Astrum, have come to this land, not to conquer, but to defend it. To turn it into a fortress– one that will not only resist the invasion but strike back against it, only if it follows under my command."
A tense silence followed as Vector declared his intentions to the Villagers.
Then, the Village Chief sighed deeply. "We have no strength to resist the Empire on our own. If you truly offer protection, to take under the Astrum Family."
Chief Arthur emphasised Astrum, and said, "Then we will stand with you, and willing to come under Astrum Family."
Gasps and shock echoed from the villagers and elders alike. 'Why did the Chief submit so easily? they wondered. Does he know something about the Astrum Family that we don't?'
They thought, 'Did the Chief know about the Astrum that's why he proactively joined the Astrum banner.'
They didn't question the Village Chief but also actively supported him. They also want to save their home and they also believed in the Chief's Judgement.
Vector's eyes narrowed slightly.
He was shocked by the director's submission without any resistance or persuasion. Looks like Chief Arthur knows more about the Astrum Family. Using the family's name was really a good decision.
He had intended from the very beginning to bring the village under his banner. This wasn't just a place to establish his base; it was the foundation of his rule. He never intended to compromise on this– Looks like he didn't have to use force or any other method. It will make a good reputation for him and the family, towards the Villagers.
"Vantara will now stand under my family's banner. I intend to make this village the foundation of my territory to resist the invasion. In return, I offer defense, resources, and a future."
Arthur bowed deeply, and the other villagers followed suit.
Whether they swore to the Astrum Family or to Vector himself, it was all the same. He was the sole heir. His words were the family's will.
This was the first stone laid in the empire he would one day build.
[To be Continued…]