Bound To The Dead: The Deceptive Class-E Farmer-Chapter 64: Mikaela’s Arrival

The sky turned soft orange as the sun finally broke through the thick clouds.

Smoke still rose from some parts of the fields. Ash drifted in the wind, light and slow, but the fires were dying.

What was once gray and lifeless now had patches of color. The light finally touched the blackened soil.

For the first time in several months, the fields were bathed in sunlight.

People began to gather at the edge of the farmland. Farmers, villagers, even some children came out from the nearby villages. They moved slowly at first, almost afraid to believe it was real.

A woman beside him made the sign of a prayer, whispering words only she could hear.

Children ran forward, laughing. They rolled in the soft grass that had survived near the edge.

Others simply stood still and stared at the sunlight, as if it was something holy.

Isaac stood nearby with his arms crossed.

He said nothing.

He watched the sunlight spread across the land. His face looked calm, but his jaw was tight.

His eyes looked troubled. Memories, or maybe he was thinking about things he didn’t want to say out loud.

The wind pulled at his coat. It carried the smell of smoke—and something else. Maybe grass. Maybe something new growing.

He stepped forward and pushed the toe of his boot into the dirt.

Isaac closed his eyes for a moment and let out a slow breath.

A boy walked up to him. His hands were rough, and dirt covered his sleeves. He looked nervous, but there was hope in his eyes.

"Mister," the boy said, shifting from foot to foot. "What should we plant now? It’s been so long... we don’t know what to do."

Isaac gave a small smile. He didn’t expect someone to ask him that.

He knelt down and touched the ground. The soil was cool and a little wet from the mist. He scooped some into his hand and let it fall through his fingers.

"The moisture is good," he said. "The soil’s soft. That means you don’t need to water too much at first. But don’t overdo it either, it still needs air."

He stood up and faced the group gathering around him.

"For now, start with beans. They’ll help fix nitrogen in the soil and prepare it for stronger crops next season. Mix in root vegetables like carrots and turnips, those grow fast, and you’ll have something to eat within a few weeks."

The young boy nodded quickly. "Thank you."

A few older farmers nearby had been listening. One of them stepped forward and gave a firm nod.

"He knows what he’s saying," Gido said. "Same method worked for us after the frost back in the old days."

Nai chuckled. "Farmer by blood, warlord by fate. That’s what he is."

Isaac stepped forward, facing the crowd. People gathered around him, farmers, children, and elders.

"This land," Isaac said, voice steady, "was taken by mist and monsters. But we fought to take it back. Not just for today, but for tomorrow."

He paused, letting his words sink in.

"This mission came from Princess Aiah herself. She learned what happened here and gave the order to reclaim it. She wanted to come with us, but her coronation is tomorrow. She’ll be crowned the new ruler of Bulcan."

The people broke into cheers.

"Long live Princess Aiah!"

"Bless her heart!"

Some clapped, others raised their hands high. A few farmers brought out food, still warm bread, and baskets of fresh fruit. It wasn’t much, but it was what they had.

One old woman handed Isaac a thick slice of bread. He took it quietly, giving her a small nod.

As he bit into it, something in his eyes shifted. For just a moment, he saw a memory,his mother, pulling bread from the fire oven, smiling as she called him over.

After the meal, Isaac and Corpuz decided to patrol the nearby villages, checking for any remaining threats.

The mist was gone, but its effects still lingered.

They moved quickly and carefully, speaking little, making sure the nearby villages were safe before heading back.

—----

Meanwhile, inside the Bulcan Palace, the grand gates opened to welcome a royal delegation.

Princess Mikaela of Carreon had arrived.

Her carriage stopped in front of the marble steps. The palace guards moved quickly, saluting in perfect formation.

Behind Mikaela, Sheena, her knights and officials followed, dressed in blue and silver. Everything about their arrival screamed wealth, grace, and power.

An officer from Bulcan stepped forward and bowed low. "Welcome, Princess Mikaela. Her Highness, Princess Aiah, is waiting."

The delegation was led through the main hall and into the throne room. The double doors creaked open.

"Announcing Princess Mikaela of Carreon and her court!"

Inside, nobles stood in neat rows. The throne remained empty. Aiah stood in front of it, wearing a simple white dress and a thin silver tiara. No guards flanked her. No crown weighed her down. But she held the room.

Mikaela stepped forward, smiling softly. "Congratulations Princess Aiah," she said. "I bring gifts from Carreon. Silk from the Eastern Isles, and a golden dagger once owned by my great-grandmother."

Behind her, a servant lifted the velvet-covered tray and a small chest.

Aiah gave a short nod. "Bulcan accepts these gifts. May they reflect peace between us."

Their eyes met for a beat longer than necessary.

The nobles whispered behind fans and sleeves. Mikaela’s beauty stirred murmurs through the crowd.

Even Aiah, unreadable as ever, tilted her head slightly, as if studying something more than just a rival kingdom’s heir.

Neither woman bowed too deeply.

Neither looked away first.

Then the moment passed.

"Prepare chambers for our guests," Aiah said.

A steward stepped in, leading Mikaela’s group out of the hall. As the doors closed, Aiah turned toward the empty throne, but didn’t sit.

—-----

Later that evening, Isaac returned to the palace. freewёbn૦νeɭ.com

His coat was still dusty from the road, but he didn’t stop to change. His focus was on the report.

Miss Wesson walked beside him, carrying her findings in a sealed scroll. Corpuz trailed close behind.

As they entered, a palace attendant bowed low.

"Tell the princess we’re here," Corpuz said.

The attendant nodded and hurried off.

They waited in the corridor.

After a moment the attendant returned.

"General," he said, bowing, "the princess requests your presence in the meeting room."

Corpuz gave a short nod.

As they walked down the corridor, Isaac slowed. His nose twitched.

There it was.

A scent in the air.

Fresh jasmine. Clean. Soft. But underneath, something earthy, like rain on dry soil.

It hit him hard.

He stopped walking. His brow tightened. That scent... it pulled something from the back of his memory.

He didn’t know why, but his heart beat faster.

Down the hall, around the corner, footsteps echoing.

Mikaela walking. Sheena followed just behind her.

The lights above gave off a steady, soft glow. The air was quiet.

Her heart suddenly beat faster.

She stopped and placed a hand on her chest.

There was no threat. No noise. Nothing out of place.

Still... something was close.

She couldn’t explain it, but her body reacted before her mind caught up.

She glanced ahead.

A hallway stretched forward, ending at a corner. Just around that turn.

One wall separated her from whatever it was.

Her steps slowed.

"What’s wrong?" Sheena asked, keeping her voice low.

Mikaela didn’t answer.

Her eyes stayed locked on the corner.

One wall stood between her and whatever this was.

One more step.

One more breath.