Chapter 416: LORD AZIR’S DUTY

The towering black cliffs of Thazir rose like massive obsidian blades against the late afternoon sky as Zaira slithered into the western canyon passage.

High above the gorge, lookouts on the iron watchtowers spotted the colossal serpent surging through the narrow stone corridors.

A deep bronze horn echoed between the sheer rock walls, announcing the return of the Supreme Chief to the western capital.

The heavy iron portcullis of the outer gate groaned as massive chains lifted the barrier, allowing Zaira to glide smoothly into the inner fortress.

Citizens and newly settled Tatani clansmen lined the stone terraces, bowing with deep respect as Sagiri rode past on the titan serpent’s brow.

The city was tense with whispered rumors about the forty thousand southern warriors who had broken camp and begun their grand march north.

Sagiri leaped down from Zaira in the central plaza, his black cloak whipping in the canyon breeze as Nokai hummed quietly at his back.

"Guard the square, Zaira," Sagiri instructed softly, patting the serpent’s snout before marching toward the Grand Council Hall.

The heavy bronze doors of the council chamber swung open with a resounding boom, cutting through the heated arguments echoing inside.

A dozen senior council elders and wealthy merchant lords stood gathered around the central stone table, shouting over open ledgers and maps.

At the head of the platform stood fifteen-year-old City Lord Azir in his ceremonial gold-trimmed tunic, his young face tight with anger.

Beside him stood Kun Seya of the Tatani clan, her hand resting firmly on the hilt of her curved saber as she glared at the arguing elders.

"We must lock the public granaries immediately!" one portly elder demanded, slamming his fist onto a stack of tax scrolls.

"The army has marched north, leaving our city vulnerable," another merchant argued loudly. "We must quadruple water tariffs to fund our private guards."

"Silence!" Sagiri’s voice cut through the grand hall like a crack of thunder, instantly freezing every man in his place.

The temperature inside the vast chamber dropped in a single heartbeat as Nokai’s cold, heavy aura flooded the room.

The arguing elders turned pale, their voices dying in their throats as they turned to see their Supreme Chief standing in the doorway.

"Supreme Chief!" the elders gasped in unison, dropping heavily to their knees upon the cold marble floor.

Sagiri strode down the central aisle with slow, deliberate steps, his crimson eyes scanning the trembling men before him.

He reached the table, picked up the new taxation ledger, and glanced at the outrageous tariffs written across the parchment.

"Forty thousand of our brave sons have marched to the frontier to defend this land," Sagiri said, his voice deadly calm.

"And while they prepare to shed blood, you cowards sit in luxury, plotting to starve their families and profit from their absence," he added.

Sagiri flicked his wrist, and a thin streak of dark energy from Nokai sliced the fraudulent ledgers cleanly in half, scattering ash across the floor.

"Any man who hoards food, inflates water prices, or exploits this war will be executed for high treason on the spot," Sagiri declared.

The corrupt elders bowed their foreheads against the marble, trembling in absolute terror under the weight of his killing intent.

Sagiri turned his back on them and looked up at the platform, where young Azir was staring at him with wide, shining eyes.

"Big Brother!" Azir cried out with pure joy, completely breaking the formal dignity of the council hall.

The young City Lord rushed down the steps and threw his arms around Sagiri, burying his face in his older brother’s cloak.

Sagiri smiled softly and placed a warm, reassuring hand on the boy’s shoulder. "You held your ground well, Azir."

Kun Seya stepped forward with a respectful nod. "They tried to bully the boy the moment General Zafaru’s troops crossed the border."

"Their authority over the treasury and resources ends today," Sagiri said, loud enough for every official in the room to hear.

Sagiri turned to face the entire assembly, his dual-colored eyes burning with unquestioned sovereign authority.

"By my decree as Supreme Chief, I establish the Mandate of N’Faya," Sagiri proclaimed, his voice echoing through the vaulted ceiling.

"From this day forth, City Lord Azir is granted full administrative and military command over the entire southern homeland," Sagiri declared.

"He will oversee the public granaries, safeguard the desert waterlines, and manage the supply caravans for our marching army," he ordered.

The elders looked up in shock, but none dared utter a single word of protest under Sagiri’s piercing gaze.

Kun Seya drew her curved saber and pressed her fist to her chest. "Five thousand Tatani warriors pledge their blades to Lord Azir."

"Take these greedy men away and seize their warehouses for the war effort," Sagiri commanded the city guards standing at the doors.

The armored guards moved forward swiftly, dragging the weeping elders out of the hall as order was fully restored to Thazir.

A few moments later, Sagiri and Azir walked out onto the high palace balcony overlooking the vast canyon city.

The setting sun painted the black stone terraces in brilliant shades of amber and gold as cool evening wind swept through the gorge.

"Big Brother... are you sure about giving me this mandate?" Azir asked quietly, looking down at his hands with a trace of worry.

"I am only fifteen. What if I fail? What if I cannot protect our people while you and General Zafaru are away in the North?" he asked.

Sagiri leaned against the carved stone railing, looking warmly at the young City Lord beside him.

"True leadership does not come from age or brute force, Azir," Sagiri answered gently. "It comes from the desire to protect the weak."

"When my squad was chained to the execution block months ago, you were willing to die to save us," Sagiri reminded him.

"You have a pure heart and iron courage," Sagiri continued. "The people of Thazir do not need a tyrant. They need someone who loves them."

Azir wiped a stray tear from his cheek and stood tall, his jaw setting with newfound determination.

"I understand, Big Brother," Azir said, his voice steady and proud. "I will not let a single family starve, and I will keep the South safe."

"Keep the supply lines open to the northern highway," Sagiri instructed. "Sixty thousand frost monsters from Glacial Lanka have invaded our lands."

"We are fighting to save the entire continent, Azir. If the North falls, there will be no future for any of us," Sagiri explained.

"We will send grain, medicine, and fresh weapons every three days," Azir promised firmly. "You can fight without looking back."

Sagiri nodded with satisfaction, but as he turned to leave, a sudden, burning pain stabbed through his chest.

He gripped the stone railing tightly, his breath catching in his throat as dark energy flared violently along his collarbone.

Azir stepped forward in alarm, reaching out to support him. "Big Brother! What is wrong? Are you hurt?"

"It is nothing," Sagiri said, forcing his breathing to steady as he suppressed the internal storm of relic power tearing at his veins.

"The power inside me needs to be stabilized," Sagiri whispered, looking toward the distant northern mountains. "I must reach Galka soon."

Sagiri patted Azir’s shoulder one last time before turning toward the palace courtyard where Zaira was waiting.

"Stay strong, Lord Azir," Sagiri said with a confident smile. "The next time we feast together, the war will be won."

"I will be waiting for your victory, Big Brother!" Azir called out, saluting with his right fist over his heart.

Sagiri leaped smoothly onto Zaira’s broad neck, gripping the reins of her armored harness as the titan serpent uncoiled her massive body.

"North, Zaira," Sagiri commanded. "To Galka War Academy.

Zaira let out a powerful, rumbling hiss that echoed through the canyon before surging through the fortress gates at blinding speed.