As the excitement from the fight between Lilith and Abyss slowly dissipated, Adrian turned to Medea, who stood beside him with her usual composed expression. "It's time to meet with the village council," Adrian said quietly, his mind already shifting from the earlier chaos to the more pressing matters at hand.

Medea gave a brief nod of agreement, her sharp gaze scanning the square where the villagers were still murmuring about the spectacle they had just witnessed.

Despite the tension that remained between the goddesses, Adrian knew that the village needed reassurance and leadership now more than ever.

The two of them made their way through the narrow streets of Brenden, toward the modest hall where the village council gathered. As they approached, the atmosphere grew quieter, more solemn.

The village council's hall was small but well-kept, a simple stone structure with wooden beams. Inside, a group of men and women sat around a long table, their faces etched with fatigue and uncertainty.

Adrian recognized some of them he had seen around one time or another—villagers who had looked in fear when they came in and was welcomed by the now dead village head.

But there were others too, older and more worn, their eyes reflecting the heavy burden of leadership in the face of such danger.

As Adrian and Medea entered, the council members rose to their feet, greeting them with gratitude and respect. One of the men, a stout figure with graying hair, stepped forward to address them.

"Lord Adrian, Lady Medea," he said in a steady voice. "On behalf of the village council, we thank you for what you've done. Without your intervention, Brenden would still be under the Shadow Court's control."

Adrian inclined his head slightly. "You don't need to thank me," he replied firmly. "I did what had to be done. The Shadow Court is a threat to all of us, and Brenden is no different. You fought for your village, and I was honored to fight alongside you."

The council members exchanged glances, clearly relieved by his words.

The stout man continued, his expression darkening as he glanced toward the empty chair at the head of the table. "Our former village head, Calder, was killed when he refused to join the Shadow Court. They executed him in front of the entire village as a warning."

Adrian's eyes hardened. He had suspected as much—he knew the Shadow Court will not tolerate disobedience and defiance. Calder's death was yet another example of their brutal methods.

Brenden would have been destroyed but it's obvious they neede the village for whatever twisted plan they had going on.

"When Calder refused," the man went on, "the Shadow Court forced on us a military leader. They made it clear that anyone who didn't fall in line would face the same fate." He glanced at the other council members, who nodded in solemn agreement. "They stripped us of our ability to govern ourselves."

Adrian frowned, his mind racing. The Shadow Court was not just trying to control Brenden—they were systematically dismantling the village's leadership and replacing it with their own puppets.

It was a calculated move, one designed to break the spirit of the villagers and ensure total domination.

"They wanted complete control," Medea said quietly.

The council members nodded grimly, and the stout man sighed. "We understand that now. But thanks to you, we've been given a second chance. Brenden is free from the Shadow Court… for now." His gaze shifted to Adrian, a hint of hesitation in his eyes. "We owe you a great debt, Lord Adrian. Tell us—what do you want in return for saving us?"

Adrian shook his head immediately. "I don't want anything in return," he said firmly, his voice carrying an air of finality. "Brenden's freedom is all that matters. What you need to focus on now is rebuilding, strengthening your defenses, and making sure the Shadow Court can never take root here again."

The council members exchanged surprised glances. It was clear that they had expected him to ask for something in exchange—land, resources, loyalty—but Adrian's refusal caught them off guard.

"Then what should we do now?" a woman from the council asked.. "With Calder gone, we're leaderless. And the Shadow Court is still out there, lurking in the shadows. We will need someone to lead us."

Adrian crossed his arms, his brow furrowing in thought. "You need to appoint a new village head, someone the people trust and respect, someone who can guide them through this and restore their confidence."

The stout man nodded slowly. "We've been discussing that, but no one's sure who would be best to lead us. Calder was… well, he was irreplaceable."

"No one is irreplaceable," Medea interjected. "Leadership isn't about being the strongest or the most charismatic. It's about serving the people, understanding their needs, and making decisions that protect the whole village."

The council members murmured in agreement. One of them, a middle-aged man with a lined face, spoke up. "We've been discussing Calder's son, Roran. He's young, but he's shown promise. He's been organizing the defenses and keeping morale up since his father's death."

Adrian considered this for a moment before nodding. "Roran could be a good choice. But it's a heavy responsibility, especially at a time like this. You need to be sure he's ready for it."

The stout man nodded. "Roran is brave, but he's inexperienced. We're not sure if he can bear the weight of leading Brenden through this crisis."

The older woman, her gaze still fixed on Adrian, spoke again. "That's why we were hoping you would consider leading us, Lord Adrian. The people trust you. You've fought for us, defended us, and shown what true leadership looks like."

A murmur of agreement rippled through the room. The council members looked to Adrian, their eyes filled with hope and expectation. They wanted him to take the reins, to guide Brenden through the uncertainty that lay ahead.

Adrian was momentarily taken aback.

He hadn't expected this, and he wasn't sure how to respond.

Leadership of a village wasn't what he had come for, and the idea of staying in one place, bound to its people, felt constricting. His mission was far greater than just Brenden, but he couldn't deny the tug of responsibility he felt for these people.

Medea's eyes flicked to Adrian, sensing his hesitation. "They're not wrong," she said quietly. "You've led armies. A village like Brenden would be lucky to have you."

Adrian met Medea's gaze, then turned back to the council. "I appreciate your confidence," he began. "But I'm not the leader Brenden needs. My path doesn't allow me to stay in one place for long. But I will help you find someone who can lead you—not just through this crisis, but for years to come."

The disappointment in the room was clear as they all let out a sigh, but Adrian continued before it could settle. "Roran may be young, but youth isn't a disadvantage. If he's willing to step up and take responsibility, he should be given the chance. But he'll need guidance—someone who can mentor him."

The older woman nodded thoughtfully. "You're right, Lord Adrian. Roran has the heart of a leader, but he'll need support. Will you at least stay long enough to help us organize? To prepare for what's coming?"

Adrian sighed softly, knowing that he couldn't turn his back on them. "I'll stay long enough to ensure Brenden is fortified and prepared. We'll work together to rebuild your defenses, and I'll help Roran take his place as your leader. But after that, I'll need to move on. There are greater dangers out there, and the Shadow Court is only one of them."

The council members exchanged looks of relief and gratitude.

"Thank you, Lord Adrian," the stout man said in a sincere voice. "We'll do whatever it takes to make sure Brenden stands strong. And we'll make sure Roran is ready to lead."

As the meeting concluded, the older woman approached Adrian, her expression softening. "You may not want to lead us, but you've given us hope. That's something we haven't had in a long time. For that, we'll always be in your debt."

Adrian offered her a faint smile. "No debts," he said gently. "Just make sure Brenden survives."

With that, Adrian and Medea left the hall, stepping back into the bright sunlight of the village square. The weight of leadership had been offered to him, but Adrian knew his path lay beyond Brenden.

Still, for now, he would do what he could to ensure its survival.

Medea glanced at him, her expression thoughtful. "You could have led them."

Adrian shrugged. "Leadership isn't about titles. It's about responsibility. They'll find their way."

As they walked through the village, Brenden's anxious feelings started to fade. The villagers were rebuilding, slowly but surely, and with Adrian's help, they would find their strength again.

But as the sun began to set, casting a golden glow over the horizon, Adrian couldn't shake the feeling that the Shadow Court's return was inevitable—and when they did, it would be far more dangerous than before.

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