The Wrath of the Unchained-Chapter 99 - Foundations in the Sand

The next morning, Khisa walked along the bustling port, the salty breeze brushing against his skin as he watched the workers hauling crates, loading ships, and shouting in half a dozen languages. Despite the chaos, there was a strange beauty to it all — different people, different tribes, banding together to build something greater than themselves.

For the first time in days, Khisa allowed himself a small smile.

I have to do well, he thought, his hands curling into determined fists.

[You need to take a break, Khisa. You’re pushing yourself too hard. All this is too much for one person to handle,]

Ayaan’s calm, mechanical voice chimed in his mind, tinged with a rare note of concern.

"I know that, Ayaan," Khisa sighed aloud. "But what choice do we have? I’m aware of my shortcomings. Even if I wanted to, I can’t save everyone... but I can at least give them a chance to survive."

[It is unfortunate you were reborn in this era. Perhaps in another time, you would have had more fun.]

Khisa chuckled, a low sound from deep in his chest.

"If I had a choice, I would have picked a world full of science fiction... or magic," he said wistfully. "I definitely miss the convenience of electronics. But... the friends and family I have now? They’re irreplaceable. Because of them, I want to build a better future."

[Would I be a better system if I could grant you skills and magic?] Ayaan asked, her voice unusually soft.

Khisa smiled warmly. "No, you’re exactly what I needed. The information you give me is invaluable. You were my first companion in this world, Ayaan. You’re the best."

[Thank you, Prince Khisa.]

As he walked, Princess Azenet spotted him and hurried to catch up, her crimson robes billowing behind her.

"Prince Khisa! Taking a stroll?" she teased, falling into step beside him.

"Yes, Princess. Apparently, it’s important to rest once in a while," he said, giving her a sidelong look. "I’ve been told I’m pushing myself too hard."

"That much is obvious," she said, a playful glint in her eye. "Although the situation is dire, a leader who doesn’t rest creates unrest among his people."

"You’re right," Khisa admitted. He paused and turned to her more seriously. "Actually, Princess, I need your help with something. Come with me."

Curious, she followed him to the command tent.

Inside, Khisa pulled out a rough map of the port and its surrounding areas. "With the influx of refugees and rescued slaves, we’re facing a new challenge. Right now, hatred of pirates and slavers binds them together. But that won’t last. We need someone who can manage the internal affairs, someone who can bridge the gap between all these tribes, all these languages."

"You want my help... for that?" she asked, blinking in surprise.

"Yes," Khisa said firmly. "I’m stretched too thin. If we neglect this, we won’t have a kingdom to save. We have to think past the war — we need something that endures."

Azenet hesitated, her fingers tracing the map. "To think, you’ve thought that far ahead... Are you sure I can handle it? I’ve never been given something so important before." ƒгeewebnovёl.com

Khisa stepped closer, their shoulders nearly touching. His voice dropped into something soft, almost intimate.

"I believe in you, Azenet. You said you wanted a chance to lead — here it is. I’ve been watching you. You listen better than most commanders bark orders. Diplomacy flows in your veins. You were born for this."

Her cheeks colored faintly. "What about my brother?" she asked, masking her fluster with a frown.

"He still needs molding," Khisa said. His expression turned grim. "The battle shook him. He needed to see the reality. I won’t sugarcoat anything for him — or for you. We are both future kings of our nations. Our alliance must last for generations. I need Abyssinia to produce leaders who won’t compromise their principles. I want to see our children being carefree, playing games, with no fear from slavers or wars. Its our duty as adults to give that kind of future don’t you think?"

Azenet chuckled softly, stepping even closer. "You’re really something else, Khisa. Are you sure you’re only nineteen?"

He laughed awkwardly, scratching the back of his neck. "I’m definitely sure about that."

"You talk about building a better future... for our children, hmm?" she teased, a sly sparkle in her eyes.

Khisa flushed bright red. "T-That’s not what I meant!"

Her laughter, bright and clear, lifted the tension between them. For a moment, the world outside the tent — the war, the fear — melted away.

They spent a little more time together, reviewing plans and exchanging easy banter, before parting for their duties.

Later that afternoon, Khisa found Prince Tadesse curled up behind a stack of supplies, avoiding everyone.

"Why are you doing this to me?" Tadesse wailed when Khisa approached.

Khisa regarded him with pity — and a little disdain.

"You are a prince, Tadesse. You scream about becoming emperor, yet when the opportunity comes, you cower like a child. Do you think power comes easily?"

Tadesse looked away, shame coloring his face.

"This must be hard for you. But it’s ten times harder for the people you wish to rule. Have you seen the children dead from this war? The women robbed of their dignity? The men broken by chains?" Khisa’s voice grew harder with each word. "You dream of luxury — but that’s not possible. Not now."

He knelt so he was eye-level with the prince.

"Your people need a leader who bleeds beside them. Who fights with them. Who endures with them. If you’re willing to cast aside your pride, I will teach you everything I know."

Tadesse’s lips quivered. "Do I really have to step onto the battlefield?"

"Yes," Khisa said without hesitation. "You must stand with your people. Lead them. Fight for them. Survive with them."

The young prince swallowed hard. "Help me?" he whispered.

Khisa’s eyes softened. "That’s what I was waiting for."

He reached down and pulled Tadesse to his feet.

"You’ll learn from your sister, too. She’s a natural diplomat. I’ll teach you how to command. How to lead with strength and wisdom. You’ll join us in every raid, every battle. Only then will you earn their loyalty — and your own crown."

That night, Khisa sat inside the command tent, reviewing the endless scrolls of reports when Tesfaye entered, arms laden with documents.

"I’ve fleshed out the plan for freeing the slaves," Tesfaye said, spreading out maps across the table. "We’ve identified seven possible checkpoints — abandoned ruins, farms, swamps. Perfect for smuggling operations."

Khisa studied them intently. "We should use all of them. We’ll be spread thin, but we can’t afford to lose anyone. We’ll establish code words, signals."

Tesfaye nodded. "The Shadows alone won’t be enough, though. We’ll need some of the Abyssinian soldiers too."

"It’s risky," Khisa admitted. "But it’s worth it. As for the Emperor... he’s busy raiding enemy camps. We can’t rely on reinforcements."

He leaned back, exhausted. "Besides, the influx of freed slaves will strengthen us."

"But there’s a problem," Tesfaye said grimly. "The money we stole from pirates and Ottomans is running low. If we buy these slaves, we won’t have enough to pay workers or even feed them."

Khisa closed his eyes briefly. "I know. I’m working on a solution."

He leaned forward again, his eyes burning with renewed energy.

"Slavers have the most coin now — but soon, we will too. We start selling. Palm oil. Minerals — like salt, copper, even obsidian from the nearby coastlines. We grow our own food, and we start building real trade routes. We can begin trade with Nuri as well, the route I used to get here is free from slavers and hostile bandits, Abyssinia will benefit greatly from trade with Nuri. More than food, we need resources, metals, lumber things like that. The journey will be long but I am sure the Nuri officials will know exactly how to move."

He pointed at the map.

"Massawa. Zeila. Assab. Set up hidden posts in all of them. Between towns and villages within the kingdom and other ports. And for communication — we hire runners. Street children, orphans from the various towns. None will know the full message chain, only their part. Fast, discreet, and near impossible to intercept. The messages will be written in code, something only we know. Us and the leaders of the communication posts."

Tesfaye’s jaw dropped slightly. "That’s... genius, Prince Khisa."

Khisa gave a tired grin. "It’s necessary. Draft the training immediately. Pick only those you trust fully, our communication network will be the most important part of this war. We also need to scout the checkpoints and find a way to blend in. Remember absolute secrecy. We deploy them in a month."

Tesfaye bowed and left, leaving Khisa alone.

Khisa leaned back in his chair, staring at the ceiling of the tent.

"So much work to do," he muttered, rubbing his temples. "But no one else will build this world for us."