Building An Empire Starting From The Labor Camp In Exile-Chapter 284: Return

"Not something I want right now. It’s like you are swallowing others’ ambition in the tide of your own," she said. "I just want to stay alone for a while and continue to administer the town."

Of all the things that she could have said, that wasn’t what Atrox was ever thinking could come out of her mouth. Overwhelming? He was something like that?

He didn’t know what to say. ’...I swallowed others’ ambition in mine? That... I don’t even know...’

He was silent for a long time before he finally sighed. "Alright, if that’s what you want. But your spot will always be open in my court. You can come for that at any time."

She nodded and bid him a good night.

Atrox stayed there a long time after she was gone and just thought about what she said. The more he thought about it, the more it began to make some twisted kind of sense that he didn’t want to explore.

He lay there and enjoyed the peace because somehow he knew it wouldn’t last.

☆☆☆ 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

The next day, Atrox officially made the declaration that all the forces are disbanded and everyone should return to their stations.

He named Lieutenant Patel Commander of the eastern army and gave her the right to demand all the resources that would help her on her way to becoming a Master Knight. He also gave her Thrain’s armor, the artifact.

The next few days that followed were a blur, as everyone was busy moving back. The soldiers that were scattered in different outposts were once again brought together to make the move, while the outposts were turned back to towns and cities with their resources returned to them.

Within two weeks, everything had gained a semblance of normality, and Atrox himself had returned to the capital, Kazekiri.

The capital was thrown into a fit of jubilation. Not because they liked Atrox and were happy that he was the one who became the Clan Leader, but because they might be getting stability back.

Especially the rich and the wealthy, the real tycoons that even transport to other Clans in the Hinterlands. The rapid change of Clan Leaders and the war had made them lose lots of money. Not to talk of the subtle loss of safety that everyone was feeling.

So when they heard that Thrain was dead, and now the last son and the last true family had taken over and had disbanded the war, they couldn’t help but celebrate because finally, stability was coming.

Atrox did not especially care about all that, but he soon realized that being a Clan Leader isn’t just about giving orders. He had to navigate between his rich people as well because they are the force behind their economy.

So, a few days after he returned to the palace, he hosted a party where he invited the rich and the very influential of the Soryu Clan. This was to bring them together and assure them that they could continue with their businesses without problems.

He gave speeches and all that, then they ate and drank late into the night. Coincidentally, the party also marked the transition into a new year.

Atrox would be turning nineteen.

"I don’t believe it," Eryndor grumbled.

Since Atrox wasn’t a Master Knight, Eryndor had been appointed to be his permanent guard, and even Atrox couldn’t refute it because none of the Master Knights would leave him the chance.

It was midnight after they had finished the party and they were back in Atrox’s room. It was the biggest room that Atrox had ever seen, with a bed big enough to hold eight people comfortably.

A whole wing of the palace was his space, and the security there was so tight that not even a fly could pass through.

"I’m saying the truth!" Slya shouted. Her face was flushed from all the wine she had been drinking all night. "When we met him, he wasn’t even a Squire! And now look, he’s already an Errant Knight! He’s a one-in-a-billion genius for sure!"

"It has not even been a year," Tiber added. He’d made an exception and drank a little that night, and so he was feeling a bit tipsy as well. "We don’t know if we’ll ever be able to catch up."

Eryndor’s eyes shone as he watched them, his eyes flickering to Atrox. "You are indeed a genius. And from your aura... you are powerful. I almost want to fight you."

Atrox flashed a smile. "One day I’ll fight you too. It’s not often that I get to fight a Master Knight that’s not trying to kill me."

Eryndor inclined his head. "I thought I was already impressive. But at the rate you are going, if you make Master Knight within three years, then you’ll beat me by miles. Indeed, the Soryu Clan is blessed."

"No!" Slya shouted. "Atrox is the only blessed one there. You don’t know how strong he is. Check what he did in the Borderland! You’ll be shocked witless."

Atrox grimaced. "That’s it, Slya. Technically, you know you are still my guard, right? Why are you even drinking? Tiber, don’t encourage her. You two should go and sleep. We’ll have a busy day tomorrow."

Actually, they’d been having busy weeks since he returned. There were tons of things that needed the Clan Leader’s attention. Ultimately, the Clan would function just fine if the Clan Leader was absent for some time because through the years, the different policies made by different Clan Leaders were strong and good enough to still be in use.

But they do need the Clan Leader to approve things, and for the biggest thing of all, to provide money and resources. If the Elders hadn’t run to who knows where, then they could have shared from Atrox’s authority to approve some things after checking.

Atrox sighed when the door closed. His two subordinates also had rooms in the wing, same as Eryndor.

"You sure are interesting, my lord. Why do you make Knights rank your personal guards?"

Atrox grunted as he went to his bed and threw himself on it. "They’ve been guarding me before I became anything."