Anastasis 15 – Anastasis 20, Imperial Year 1644
The Northern Road, Mercia – Toward the Dwarven Mountains
The class had been on the road for three days since leaving Whitecliff. Corvin was stronger now, walking on his own, though he tired easily. Celia stayed close, and Hikari monitored his recovery.
The terrain had changed from coastal plains to rolling foothills. The air was cooler, and the mountains loomed in the distance, grey and white with snow.
"Torvin Copperkettle lives in a dwarven hold called Ironfast," Reinhard said, consulting the map. "Not the slave mine – a different one. It's a proper dwarf settlement. They brew the best ale in the region."
"Sounds like my kind of place," Roderick said.
"You don't drink."
"I might start."
They stopped at a crossroads inn called the Stone Mug. The common room was crowded with travelers, and the air smelled of roasting meat and woodsmoke.
Anastasis 16, Imperial Year 1644
The Stone Mug – Evening
The class took a corner table. Corvin sat between Celia and Hikari, still quiet, still watching.
A merchant at the next table was holding court.
"…Edric has arrested thirty nobles so far," he said. "Thirty. All of them corrupt. He's putting them on trial in public. No more secret pardons."
"And the Black Knights?" another traveler asked.
"They've been quiet. But people say Zero is still out there. Waiting. Watching."
"My cousin in Velathri heard that Zero is building an army. Recruiting from the Free Cities."
"An army for what?"
"No one knows."
Corvin listened, his brow furrowed. When the merchant finished, he turned to Elara.
"Who are they talking about? Zero? Black Knights?"
Elara exchanged a glance with Reinhard. "It's… a long story."
"I have time."
"We don't," Roderick said. "We need to keep moving."
Corvin's jaw tightened. "I spent years alone on an island, not knowing anything. Now I'm with you, and you're keeping secrets." His voice was low but firm. "I'm not asking for much. Just tell me who these people are."
The table went quiet.
Elara sighed. "Fine. But not here."
Anastasis 17, Imperial Year 1644
The Road – Morning
They camped in a grove of pines, the fire small. Corvin sat across from Elara, waiting.
"Zero is a masked man," Elara began. "He leads a group called the Black Knights. They hunt corrupt nobles, slavers, cultists – anyone they deem a monster."
"And the kings allow this?"
"The kings can't stop him." Roderick's voice was flat. "He has weapons that don't belong in this world. Thunder weapons. He killed a duke in his own throne room. He executed a merchant for selling organs."
Corvin's eyes widened. "He's a vigilante."
"He's worse," Reinhard said. "He's a symbol. The people cheer for him. The nobles fear him. And no one knows who he really is."
"But you've seen him?"
"Twice," Elara said. "He helped us kill a dragon. He recruited a healer we were trying to find. He gave a speech at the gates of the capital supporting Prince Edric."
"And you don't know his face?"
"No. He wears a mask. Anubis. Black and gold."
Corvin was silent for a long moment. Then he said, "You think he's a reincarnator."
The word hung in the air.
"We think so," Kaito said. "The name Zero. The Black Knights. The theatrics. It's all from our world."
"Then why doesn't he just tell you?"
"That's the question," Daiki said. "Maybe he doesn't trust us. Maybe he's waiting for something."
"Or maybe he's just a man with a mask and a god complex," Roderick said.
Corvin looked at the fire. "I want to meet him."
"You might," Elara said. "But not today. Today, we find a dwarf."
Anastasis 20, Imperial Year 1644
The Mountains – The Road to Ironfast
The class climbed higher. The air grew thin, and the snow deepened. In the distance, they could see the gates of Ironfast – a dwarven hold carved into the mountainside.
"Torvin Copperkettle is a brewer," Reinhard said. "He's not a fighter. He may not want to leave."
"Then we don't ask him to leave," Elara said. "We ask him to help from where he is."
Corvin walked at the front now, his steps steady. He had been quiet since the talk about Zero.
"You're thinking about him," Celia said.
"I'm thinking about what he represents." Corvin looked at the mountain. "A man who decided that the law wasn't enough. That someone had to act."
"Do you agree with him?"
"I don't know. But I understand."
They walked on, toward the gates.
End of Chapter Fifty‑Nine