Soulbound: Dual Cultivation

Chapter 344: War time 2

Lucas arrived at the designated hall beside the eastern mobilization grounds, his footsteps measured and calm despite the rising tension that hung in the air. The space was already occupied, voices low and serious, carrying the weight of decisions that would shape countless lives.

Henrietta stood near the center table, clad in light battle attire rather than her usual refined garments. The faint glow around her was restrained but unmistakable, her cultivation steady and controlled. Beside her stood Captain Varran, tall and broad shouldered, his armor polished and marked with the insignia of the royal vanguard. A few elders were present as well, seated or standing in quiet discussion, each one a pillar of authority within Valerion.

He stepped forward and inclined his head respectfully. "Your Majesty."

The king turned, his expression stern but focused. "Xavier. You are here promptly. Good."

Henrietta’s gaze shifted to him, relief flickering briefly across her face. "You finished stabilizing your cultivation just in time," she said softly. "The timing could not have been more precise."

Lucas nodded. "I was informed the armies have been mobilised. I came as soon as I was summoned."

Captain Varran placed a fist over his chest in greeting. "My lord. The troops are assembling as we speak. The eastern field is nearly full. Cavalry, infantry, auxiliary cultivators, all awaiting orders."

"Scouts have returned with updated intelligence. Enemy movements suggest they are consolidating forces near the Rus border, exactly as anticipated."

An elder spoke next, his voice edged with concern. "Their pace is faster than before. Either they are confident, or they believe we are unprepared."

Henrietta scoffed quietly. "They will soon learn how mistaken that belief is."

Lucas stepped closer to the table, placing his hands lightly on its surface. "Before we proceed further," he said evenly, "I would like clarity on one thing. Are we moving under the assumption that the empress may not be available immediately if the situation escalates?"

The king met his eyes squarely. "Yes. For now, command authority will be shared between myself, Henrietta, and the appointed generals. You will serve as a strategic variable."

Captain Varran frowned slightly. "A variable?"

Lucas smiled faintly. "Meaning I will be deployed where the situation demands flexibility rather than rigid command."

Henrietta nodded. "And where the enemy least expects."

Silence followed for a moment, heavy with unspoken understanding.

Lucas straightened. "Then I am ready. Whatever role you assign me, I will fulfill it."

The king studied him for a long moment, then gave a slow nod. "Good. Because once the banners are raised, there will be no turning back."

Outside, the distant sound of horns echoed across the capital, deep and resonant, signaling that the first phase of mobilization was complete.

Lucas felt it then.The shift from preparation to action.

The king’s gaze settled firmly on Lucas, his voice steady and deliberate as the murmurs in the hall gradually faded.

"Xavier," he said, "before we finalize the marching order, there is something I want you to do personally."

Lucas straightened at once. "Your Majesty, give the word."

The king gestured toward the open doors that led to the vast mobilization grounds beyond the palace walls. From where they stood, the distant hum of gathered cultivators could already be felt, waves of Qi rolling like a restless tide.

"Go to the cultivator divisions," the king said calmly. "Observe them with your own eyes. Speak to them if you wish. Then choose a squad for yourself."

Captain Varran raised his brows slightly. "A personal squad, Your Majesty?"

"Yes," the king replied without hesitation. "Xavier will not be bound to any single legion. His role will require mobility, precision, and trust. I want the men and women under his command to be those he chooses himself."

Henrietta turned toward Lucas, a faint smile touching her lips. "You heard him. No pressure at all."

Lucas exhaled softly, then gave a short nod. "Understood. How large should the squad be?"

The king considered this briefly. "Not too large. Enough to act independently without drawing attention. Strong enough to survive where others might fall."

"One squad," Captain Varran added thoughtfully, "usually means eight to twelve cultivators. Any more and coordination suffers. Any fewer and you lose resilience."

Lucas inclined his head. "That will be sufficient."

One of the elders spoke up, his tone cautious but respectful. "You will be choosing from seasoned cultivators, not recruits. Many of them have fought on the borders for years. They are proud people."

Lucas met the elder’s eyes evenly. "I am not looking for pride. I am looking for discipline, adaptability, and the will to follow orders even when the situation turns ugly."

Henrietta let out a quiet chuckle. "Then you may end up disappointing a few loud ones."

"That is acceptable," Lucas replied calmly.

The king stepped closer and placed a hand briefly on Lucas’s shoulder. "Take your time, but not too much of it. The army moves soon. Once you have chosen your squad, report back to Captain Varran. He will see to their assignment under your command."

Lucas bowed deeply. "I will not disappoint you."

As he turned to leave, Captain Varran called after him, his voice carrying a hint of respect. "Look for those whose Qi is steady, not flashy. In real battles, stability keeps you alive."

Lucas paused at the doorway and nodded. "Sound advice."

He stepped outside, and the full presence of the mobilized cultivator army washed over him at once. Rows upon rows of soldiers stood across the training fields, some meditating silently, others testing weapons or exchanging low conversations. Their auras varied wildly, some sharp and aggressive, others calm and tightly restrained.

Lucas took a slow breath.

This was not just about strength.This was about choosing people whose lives might soon be tied to his decisions.

Lucas moved deeper into the mobilization grounds, his presence drawing subtle attention even before anyone openly acknowledged him. The cultivators stationed here were not ordinary soldiers gathered out of obligation or fear, but veterans whose auras carried weight and experience, each breath they took steady and controlled. He could feel it clearly now that he stood among them, the weakest here already standing firmly at the Grandmaster realm, while several others radiated the unmistakable pressure of Ascendant cultivators, with one or two standing proudly at the terrifying third level of that realm.

A tall man clad in dark battle robes was the first to notice Lucas properly. His eyes narrowed slightly in recognition before he cupped his fist and bowed. "Lord Xavier," he said respectfully, his voice calm but firm. "We were told you might come."

Lucas nodded in return. "I was told I would find the most capable cultivators here."

Another cultivator stepped forward, a woman with silver-threaded hair tied neatly behind her head, her aura smooth and dense like a calm ocean hiding its depths. "You have," she said without arrogance. "We are the ones deployed when things cannot be allowed to fail."

Lucas allowed his gaze to pass over them slowly, not lingering too long on any one person. "Ranks do not impress me," he said evenly. "Control does. Awareness does. Loyalty does."

One of the Ascendant cultivators at the third level let out a quiet breath that almost sounded like a laugh. "That is good to hear. Too many commanders only look at brute force."

Lucas turned to him. "And too many cultivators believe brute force is enough."

The man’s eyes sharpened, then softened into approval. "Fair."