Sanctuary: Safe Haven

The next steps for Canna's journey had been set, but before he could embark, there were matters that required immediate attention. He turned to Vorgrim, his most trusted commander.

"Vorgrim," Canna began, his voice firm and resolute, "I need you to return to Clan Varran. Take some of the sanctuary warriors with you. Inform them that I have urgent matters to attend to. When Dravos asks, explain everything that has happened here. The warriors will serve as my representatives, and you'll handle the rest."

Vorgrim nodded, lowering himself to one knee in a sign of deep respect. "It shall be done, my liege."

Canna acknowledged the gesture with a slight nod before Vorgrim rose to his feet. Without wasting a moment, Vorgrim left to gather the necessary warriors for the mission. His steps were purposeful, his mind already forming a strategy to approach Clan Varran with the news. Enjoy new adventures from empire

Once Vorgrim had departed, Canna turned his attention to Sygon, the minotaur, who immediately stood upright, awaiting his next command. "Sygon," Canna addressed him.

"Yes, oh great one?" Sygon replied, his tone filled with reverence.

Canna winced, feeling awkward at being called "great one." He waved his hand dismissively. "Enough with that 'great one' business, it's embarrassing. Just call me what they would usually call me here."

Sygon's eyes widened in surprise, but he quickly nodded in understanding. "Yes, Canna-sama."

"Good," Canna continued. "One of the dwarves from the sanctuary should be approaching you soon. They'll be crafting you an armor and weapon fit for battle. But before that, I need you to follow my first order—get your wounds treated and get some rest. We'll be moving out tomorrow."

Sygon's eyes shimmered with gratitude, and for a moment, it looked like he was on the verge of tears. He dropped to one knee, bowing in respect once more, but then hurriedly made his way back to his resting area as ordered. The healers immediately began their work, finally able to properly tend to him now that he was still.

Despite his towering size and strength, the minotaur had been concealing a vast number of injuries, both internal and external. It was a miracle he had been standing and talking in the first place.

Mortem, standing beside Canna, couldn't help but comment. "Master, the vitality of the minotaurs is truly something extraordinary. They're fiercely loyal, strong, and protective. Having them in our ranks would be a great boon to the sanctuary."

Canna nodded thoughtfully. "Yes, their strength would be a great asset. But at the end of the day, we don't need to keep them if they have their own home to return to. We don't want to force anyone to stay if they have a place where they truly belong."

His eyes drifted back to where Sygon lay, finally receiving the care he needed. The minotaur's plight weighed heavily on Canna's mind, but he knew that there was more to handle. Turning to Mortem, he asked, "So, what's this report you wanted to show me?"

Mortem grinned, the excitement clear in his eyes. "Follow me, Master. Flora will join us."

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Canna followed Mortem and Flora through the sanctuary until they arrived at a striking building known as "The Treasury." Unlike most treasuries Canna had seen in his travels, which were typically hidden away or heavily guarded, this one was out in the open, a testament to the sanctuary's unique way of life.

It was built to be admired by all who came to see it, with treasures visible through grand windows, a symbol of trust and security within the sanctuary.

When they reached the treasury's entrance, Canna let out a low whistle of appreciation. "Impressive," he remarked.

Mortem beamed with pride. "Master, not only did we rescue the people, but we also managed to ransack the entirety of the Black Thorn's treasury. Their vaults were filled with gold, gems, artifacts, and rare items. We won't be running out of resources anytime soon."

Flora stepped forward to add her part. "In addition to the gold and treasures, we also looted their weaponry, armory, and alchemy stores. All important documents related to crafting weapons, armor, and potions have been saved and added to our own network. Kael has already distributed the goods to the appropriate people for use."

Canna nodded, impressed by the efficiency of his team. The influx of gold and resources would be invaluable to the sanctuary, especially with the recent addition of so many new inhabitants. The weapons and potion recipes would also bolster their defenses, providing better equipment for both the sanctuary's warriors and the rescued people who might choose to stay.

"Good work," Canna said, his tone approving. "This will help tremendously as we move forward."

Mortem then summoned a scroll from his storage ring and handed it to Canna. "And there's one more thing, Master. I saved this for you."

Canna took the scroll, curious. As he unrolled it, his eyes scanned the parchment, and the title immediately caught his attention: "Demon Summoning."

The document was written in an ancient script, but Canna's knowledge allowed him to decipher it with ease. His brows furrowed as he read the contents. This was no ordinary document—it was a detailed guide to summoning and controlling demonic entities, a forbidden magic that was both dangerous and powerful.

"This…" Canna muttered under his breath, his thoughts racing. The Black Thorn had clearly been dabbling in dark forces, and now the sanctuary had their hands on one of the most dangerous secrets they had possessed.

Mortem watched Canna's reaction closely. "I thought it might interest you, Master. It seems the Black Thorn was planning something even more sinister than we initially believed."

Flora chimed in, her expression serious. "This kind of power is not to be taken lightly. If they had completed whatever ritual this scroll describes, it could have unleashed untold destruction. We need to be careful with it."

Canna rolled the scroll back up, his face unreadable. "You're right. This is something we'll have to keep under strict control. No one is to use it unless I give the order."

Mortem and Flora nodded in agreement.

With the scroll in hand and the wealth of the Black Thorn now secured, Canna knew that their victory was more significant than he had anticipated. But with that victory came new responsibilities, and the discovery of the demon summoning scroll only added another layer of complexity to the situation.

As they left the treasury, Canna's mind was already moving ahead, planning for the days to come. They had won the battle, but the war against the darkness that lurked in the kingdom was far from over. And now, with the knowledge of the Black Thorn's dealings in forbidden magic, Canna realized that their enemies might be more dangerous than they had ever imagined.

But Canna wasn't one to back down from a challenge. With his loyal allies by his side and the sanctuary's strength continuing to grow, he was ready for whatever came next.