Chapter 311: Meeting the Chief
Heading downstairs, Caira stopped in front of a room and said, "They are inside." It was obvious she wasn’t permitted to enter.
Two guards stood watch outside, spears in hand and clad in plated metal armour. They clearly belonged to the Head Village and had been assigned to protect the Chief.
Luke stepped inside and his attention immediately settled on the man waiting within.
The man sat upright on a broad wooden bench, his posture flawless. Judging by the faint lines etched across his face, he appeared to be in his early forties.
He had a lean face framed by grey-black hair and broad shoulders that carried quiet strength. Even while seated, his torso was so tall that he nearly matched Luke’s height.
His build was slender rather than imposing, yet the calm, commanding aura surrounding him made him far more intimidating than any display of brute strength ever could.
When the man looked up, his pale green eyes met Luke’s.
Another person stood quietly in the corner of the room. He didn’t appear to be a guard, yet Luke spared him only a passing glance. His attention remained fixed on the mysterious man before him, whose magical presence he couldn’t sense in the slightest.
Silence settled over the room.
Then Agram broke it.
"Here he is, my Lord. The one I’ve been telling you about." Agram rose to his feet with a smile before gesturing toward the empty seat. "Please, take a seat, Luke."
Luke sat opposite the man, his gaze never leaving him.
The stranger returned the stare without so much as a blink, studying Luke with unwavering focus. After a long moment, he finally spoke.
"Do you know who I am?"
"The Head Chief," Luke replied evenly, making no effort to attach an honorific or grand title to the introduction.
"Hmm. My name is Regan," he said, introducing himself instead of confirming the title Luke had expected.
"I am Luke," Luke replied, sounding slightly awkward as he searched for the proper response.
A moment later, Regan continued, "You may not know this, but Gorrem once trained under me."
Luke’s muscles tensed.
Was this where the accusations began? Or was the Head Chief planning to restrain him for killing his former student?
"That changes nothing," Luke replied, his voice low and resolute.
His answer made the man standing in the corner shift uneasily, a faint frown creasing his brow. Luke, however, remained completely unmoved.
Even if Gorrem had been the Chief’s own son, Luke wouldn’t have hesitated for a second before putting him down.
"Hmm." Regan gave a slow nod. "I told you that so you would understand the kind of beast you hunted," he said calmly, making it clear he had no intention of condemning Luke.
Leaning back, Regan continued, "You have helped me twice now. First, you saved my son. Now, you have protected this village."
Luke had almost forgotten that Claw was Regan’s son.
Regardless.
"I was only protecting my family," Luke replied. Boasting had never been part of his nature, so he chose the simple truth.
"I know." Regan gave a faint nod. "For the sake of your family, you killed enough men to form an entire village security line. That alone speaks of your resolve and the lengths you’re willing to go."
Luke said nothing.
From everything he had seen so far, Regan struck him as a calm, rational man who judged actions before appearances.
"Luke," Regan called, his tone turning more serious. "Besides rewarding you, I came here to offer you an opportunity."
He paused just long enough for the words to settle.
"A chance to become my First Guard."
Agram and the man standing in the corner drew sharp breaths at the very same moment, unable to hide their astonishment.
Luke frowned in confusion before Agram explained, "First Guards are the select few who remain closest to the Lord. Their status surpasses that of a village chief. Along with immense wealth, you would be granted a residence in the Head Village and the authority to command the chiefs of smaller villages."
Luke let out a quiet hum of understanding.
So it was a position reserved for only the most exceptional individuals.
"May I ask why you chose me?" Luke asked. "You know my strength, but do you truly trust me?"
Someone entrusted to stand beside the Head Chief at all times needed more than power. Strength could be found in many people, but trust was irreplaceable. If anything, it held greater value than strength for a role like this.
"I trust my instincts," Regan replied without hesitation. "And they tell me that as long as I don’t cross your boundaries, you will serve me with unwavering loyalty."
There wasn’t the slightest trace of doubt in his voice.
Despite Luke’s youth, Regan had seen enough. Beneath the bloodshed and ruthless efficiency was a man driven by a single purpose: to give his family a safe place to live and a stable future. As long as that purpose remained intact, Regan believed Luke would never betray the hand that helped protect it.
He had come here to spend time with his family, not to chase greater opportunities, earn more toras, or seek recognition. That alone spoke volumes about the kind of man he was.
However...
"I refuse," Luke said.
"You...!"
The man in the corner took a step forward, his hand already drifting toward the hilt of his sword. Before he could draw it, Regan simply raised a hand.
The silent gesture was enough.
Though anger still burned in his eyes, the man reluctantly stepped back, his glare never leaving Luke.
Luke paid him no mind.
Instead, he looked at the Head Chief, who asked calmly, "May I know your reason?"
"It’s simple." Luke’s voice remained steady. "I prefer being my own master. Serving someone else has never sat well with me, no matter how much fortune comes with it."
Regan’s brows rose slightly.
"Are you certain? Setting aside your pride would secure a safe future for your family."
Luke slowly shook his head.
"It was never about pride." A faint smile appeared on his face. "I just can’t picture myself living under someone else’s command. That’s simply not who I am."
His expression softened as thoughts of his family crossed his mind.
"As for their future, I trust nothing more than my own strength when it comes to protecting them. I truly appreciate your offer, but I’m content with where I am."
Agram was left speechless.
He had already formed a rough impression of Luke’s character, but he had never imagined the man would refuse the Head Chief without the slightest hesitation.
There were countless warriors of remarkable strength who would consider themselves fortunate just to earn a glance from Regan. Yet the Head Chief had personally offered Luke a place by his side, and he had turned it down as though it were any ordinary proposal.
Truly, he was one of a kind.
Contrary to what anyone in the room had expected, Regan simply smiled and rose to his feet.
"It was a pleasure meeting you, Luke. I hope this won’t be the last time our paths cross."
With those parting words, he walked out of the room.
The man from the corner followed close behind before suddenly stopping in the doorway. Turning back, he looked at Luke.
"Please come with me."
"Where?" Luke asked, unable to hide a trace of caution. For all he knew, the man might be leading him somewhere to settle his wounded pride with a duel.
Instead, the man replied, "To receive the rewards my Lord has prepared for you."
Luke’s lips curled into a grin.
Now that’s more like it.