"Valtherion...you must see this!" Luther said as he beckoned him to enter the catacombs of Gadgeztan. Dain was following, with a Dark Elf in his arms. The elf was alive; however, his legs and hands had been broken, turning him into a rag doll.
Upon entering the catacombs, a blinding light of gold and silver hit Valtherion's face. Rows of golden bars were stacked, one after another. There were piles of silver bars as well. Chests, flowing with all kinds of jewellery and rare gems. It was an astounding amount just by looking at it; one could hardly see an end. In a different hall of the catacombs, there were armours as well as iron bars. To top it all, there were shelves of healing potions, mana crystals and cores, magical items and herbs with unknown effects. This place was a jackpot itself.
"Summon Alfred immediately. Count the resources here; I need an estimation...you, elf! Why is this place stacked? There is more gold than food in this city. Speak, or I will have my mage heal you and torture you until you lose your sanity!" Valtherion now turned towards the elf, as he was interested in knowing why this city was such a gold mine.
"S-slavery... We are also preparing for a large-scale invasion...An army of millions. Gadgeztan is a hub for hiding wealth..." The elf spoke, afraid of such a fate. Despite their habits of causing agony, they feared it themselves. There was a reason as to why Valtherion spared no one; there was simply no need to trade hostages. The goal was to cripple this whole region, conquer it and have it be a buffer zone.
"Tell me, where is the other hub?" Valtherion threatened as he grabbed him by the hair.
"Argh...I do not know...I was in charge of this one...We do not reveal their locations...even to each other...Please!" Valtherion heard his plea and crushed his neck in one swift motion. The gold was to be sent back to his county after it was counted. Everything was to be sent home immediately.
This was not just enough for a million army, it was large enough to fund 20 million large army. The scale of such operations was astounding; it said a lot about the level of warfare and population of this world.
"Mograine!" Brandon suddenly rushed in, tears in his eyes, "Your uncle! Your uncle Thomas is alive! We found him! Come!"
Valtherion was about to rush when Luther sprang forward. Dain was last to follow; this was going to be big news. They exited the catacombs, only to see Baron Linley push a wheelchair towards them. A skinny man with black hair was seated on it; his body was lanky, and he was malnourished and scarred in many places, yet he lived. All that was left was for someone to confirm if that truly was him.
Luther fell on his knees as he embraced the man, both of them crying. It had been so long since they had seen each other; after all, Thomas was deemed dead.
"Thomas...Thomas! Welcome back, my friend!" Luther wailed.
"Oh Luther...This is a blessing by the Goddess...Thank you, thank you everyone...I can finally go home..." Thomas's eyes seemed to sparkle with hope as his nightmare was over
"Wait, Thomas...Meet your nephew! Your brother Louis's only child! Now they are not the only Mograines left; look, your blood and flesh!" Luther pointed towards Valtherion, beckoning him to come forward.
Taking his helmet off, Valtherion took one knee and stood at the level of his uncle. He had heard that this was the greatest warrior their line had produced; the whole East recognised him as the most talented youth. Sadly, he was counted as dead, among the many millions of souls lost during the Great Fall.
"Uncle, it is an honour to meet you, finally! My name is Valtherion Mograine, your one and only nephew!" Valtherion introduced himself before he was embraced by the shaky hands of Thomas. He was breaking down even more, as he had thought his whole line had died and he was the only one remaining.
"You are so young, so handsome...Why are you here, nephew? Where is your father...?" Thomas asked; there was sorrow and anguish in his tone. To be sent to a war at such an age, it meant that the county had issues.
"My father, your brother, is further east, holding off an enemy. There was no one to lead, uncle. I had to return from the capital and hold off the invasion. Uncle, I will restore your body; I will send you home as soon as possible. If anything happens, one Mograine has to remain alive." Valtherion said as he held his uncle's weak hand, his silver energy seeping in and inspecting his body. He had been crippled, but it was nothing that would not be healed. After all, there was a whole vault that contained a massive wealth of minerals and magic potions.
"Alfred! Lead our most advanced mage and medic inside! Take out what can heal broken bones and re-awaken his Qi!" Valtherion gave a burst of commands. He would restore his uncle, no matter what. Even if he did not know him, he could feel it, their bloodlines were the same.
"Valtherion, turn back. No reason to remain here. Go to study in the capital; I will help with your father..." Thomas said. He was not willing to let the youngest Mograine die here. After all, he was close to forty, and Louis should be a man of age by now. The future of their blood stood right in front of them.
"I can't. Not possible, uncle. An army of 200,000 is marching towards the back of Julian Garcia. My orders are to stall them or annihilate them. Uncle...this is not a place to talk. Let us feast, let us heal you, let's return you to your former glory. There is too much catching up to do, we have just won another battle." Valtherion pushed the wheelchair as everyone made way for him. Luther followed by his side, along with Dain.
"Arrange for a bath! My uncle has returned. Tonight we have freed thousands of enslaved humans! Take care of them, let them feast! This city is ours, the water is ours!" Valtherion gave a speech in the way, resulting in cheers from both soldiers and freed humans.