Chapter 39: Unexpected Boons
"How are you?"
Kage suppressed the urge to look at the man with disdain and say, ’Since when did you care?’
"I’m fine. Second sister’s healing abilities are quite remarkable. I feel not even the slightest pain in my body."
’Why the hell are you so close to me?!’
The Patriarch, oblivious to his thoughts, nodded slightly, then asked:
"Why were you at the White Peak without your brother?"
Kage answered directly.
"I was waiting for him. I didn’t return to my quarters. After waiting for him at the Forge of Knowledge and not seeing him, I had to reach the White Peak immediately and traverse my way down to the Black Tower."
The Patriarch studied him for a beat too long—his expression blank.
"You traversed the mountain yourself?"
Kage answered without wasting breath.
"Yes."
The Patriarch suddenly burst out laughing. Standing directly in front of him, the sound grated against Kage’s ears. He would’ve liked to turn his head away in disgust, but that head would roll across the floor before it turned anywhere.
The Patriarch’s laughter died, and he looked at Kage with its remnants still dancing in his eyes.
"I am impressed. Your presence in the clan is stirring things, and it’s fascinating to watch. Because of your courage, I plan to reward you."
Kage’s eyes widened immediately, and he bowed.
"Father, please—there is no need for a reward. I did not act seeking reward. This was simply how I was raised."
The Patriarch smiled faintly.
"She did well, I see... but I insist. I want to give you something."
Kage’s expression paled.
’No, seriously—I said I don’t want anything. How is that so hard to grasp, old man?’
Kage’s eyes widened the next moment as the Patriarch’s hand settled on his shoulder.
Even Butler Guren’s eyes widened.
Kage wanted to jerk his head up the instant the hand touched him. A whirlwind of emotion thrashed against the walls of his heart—anger, hatred, seething rage.
He wanted to scream and sever that hand right then. But at the same time, it felt... warm... light. It made him want to crumble, strangely.
Why did it take destroying his clan, dying, and clawing back to life to feel the warmth of a father?
Kage immediately lashed at himself.
’Fool, it’s too late now. Don’t do that. If he cared, he wouldn’t have locked you away in some rotting fortress and surrounded you with impures!’
Kage steeled himself in that instant. It was difficult to become unfeeling with his father’s hand resting warmly on his shoulders.
But Kage didn’t care. The weight of the man’s sins was too heavy for one gentle touch to erase.
"You did well. The reward is to encourage you—and others who wish to be like you but are too afraid. The essence of Iron in the Storm is to give it strength, courage, and direction. It’s tragic that the clan’s heritage is dying in recent years, but it has not changed. You deserve to be rewarded."
He tapped Kage gently and stepped away.
"Guren, take the boy to the Deepvaults and let him select anything he wants."
Kage trembled slightly, his eyes widening again.
’What?’
Guren stared at the Patriarch. He didn’t move immediately, nor did he speak. He simply watched as the Patriarch walked toward the stairs.
The Patriarch stopped midway and glanced back at Guren.
"Did you not hear me?"
Guren lowered his head.
"Ah... yes, High Patriarch."
He turned and looked at Kage with no particular emotion in his eyes.
"Follow me."
Kage glanced at his father before hesitantly following Butler Guren.
’The Deepvaults? What? I never expected he would...’
As they stepped out of the Apex Tower, Butler Guren stopped and gazed at Kage over his shoulder.
"The Clan Patriarch... has never allowed any of your brothers and sisters into the Deepvaults."
Kage stared at the Butler, stunned.
Why would the Patriarch do such a thing? The Deepvaults showcased countless treasures—pure Armaments, artifacts stretching back through history. Some tied to the clan’s own legacy; others were spoils from impossible wars spanning the earliest to middle ages of the clan.
And he was being let into such a place?
Why?
Was the Patriarch being sentimental, or was he setting a trap?
’I’d wager the latter.’
This would make his brothers and sisters deeply wary of him. Twelve elder brothers and five elder sisters.
’The first five are likely too occupied to care about a little insect like me, and three of the ladies too... that leaves eight targets scheming to ruin me.’
Kage chuckled darkly as he walked behind Butler Guren.
’Aha... aha... what in the mortal sea?’
[The Wolf of the North looks at you sternly. He suspects you are scheming something again.]
[The Weaver of Sorrow has been silently crying since.]
As they walked on and fully left the vicinity of the Apex Tower, Butler Guren asked Kage:
"Would you like to retreat to your quarters, or do you prefer to go to the Deepvaults immediately?"
Kage gave him an incredulous expression.
’What is this man saying... which quarters?’
"My quarters... are the Deepvaults, Butler Guren. What are you talking about? Are you not showing me to my new quarters now?"
The Butler suppressed a laugh.
"Indeed, young lord."
’He’s a teenager at the end of the day...’
Guren sighed internally.
’What was I worried for?’
He led Kage to the Deepvaults.
Stormbreak Citadel was cradled by mountains. It was like an entire city—the capital of a single nation—built within the embrace of colossal stones. To the southern edge of the citadel stood the White Peak, where the Forge of Knowledge was located.
At the western edge lay the Celestial Hammer Ridge. This was where the Deepvaults resided. Guren took him through the Patriarch’s Descent—a pathway that only the Patriarch passes, beneath it was a floor opened with stairs that led them to a tunnel carved with black metal. After a while, they arrived at an enormous three-foot-thick silver door.
The door was structured with seven keyholes rotating around its surface. Kage gulped at its sheer immensity. But more important than that was what lay within.
As Guren approached the door, men in black bamboo hats and black eyebands slowly emerged from the darkness of the corners. Each was equipped with two katana-like swords at their hips, held ready as they advanced toward Guren.
"The Patriarch’s orders."
As soon as they heard Guren’s voice, they withdrew into the darkness, as if they had never existed.
Kage almost couldn’t believe there had been people nearby if not for having seen them. Their presence—before, during, and after—was perfectly erased.
’The security here is a nightmare.’
Butler Guren sighed and walked forward. He produced a round sigil and presented it to the door.
A different keyhole—aside from the seven rotating ones—revealed itself at the center. Guren fitted the sigil into the hole and turned it.
Immediately, the door let out a deep growl that shuddered through the underground, causing rust and metal flakes from the ceiling to fall like dust.
Guren’s voice reached Kage.
"Welcome to the Deepvaults, Young Lord Kage."