Veilbreaker! Oops I Bleed Again
Chapter 41: Akhabara

Chapter 41: Akhabara

As they continued through the forest, the villagers noticed something strange.

Eatherblooms.

A lot of them.

The glowing flowers covered everything, forcing them to carefully step around them just to move forward.

"This is insane," Draven muttered, glancing at the thick patches of blossoms.

"There’s no end to them."

Naisha, still keeping her distance from him, frowned.

"How come they grow here in such numbers?"

Draven stole a glance at her.

’Tch. I thought she already forgave me.’

"We’re here." Mother Venice’s voice cut through the air.

As they emerged from the dense trees, the forest gave way to something unexpected.

A vast plain stretched before them.

And at its center...

A massive structure stood.

A fortified settlement, enclosed by towering wooden walls reinforced with four corner fortresses.

It looked sturdy.

Secure.

And, most importantly, it looked lived in.

Naisha’s eyes narrowed.

"How did a settlement get built here?"

Toby, one of the villagers, stepped forward.

"Wait... are people actually living inside?"

The other villagers gasped, some in shock, others in awe.

A place like this shouldn’t exist out here.

Yet somehow, it did.

Settlements are common in other areas.

But the Grimwood forest, specifically Layer 3 Riftwater?

It’s not.

Draven’s gaze swept over the land.

The thick fields of Etherealblooms stretched far, even past the settlement’s walls.

’It’s actually possible to build a place like this.’

A true safe haven, hidden deep within Riftwater Forest.

But who built it?

Suddenly, hooves echoed across the plain.

From the settlement’s gates, a group of five riders approached, wearing thin brown armor over their bodies.

Their expressions were unreadable as they rode straight toward Mother Venice and Draven.

As they dismounted, the atmosphere tensed.

The villagers froze, gripping their weapons instinctively.

But then, the armored warriors dropped to one knee before Draven.

Their voices rang out in unison.

"Chosen One, welcome to Akhabara Village!"

Draven’s confused.

’How come they know me?’

The warriors then turned and bowed deeply to Mother Venice.

"Welcome back, Mother Venice. Master Kiba has been waiting for you for a long time."

That froze everyone.

Naisha’s eyes widened.

Gil, Felix, Toby, and even the villagers who had known Mother Venice their entire lives stared in shock.

"Welcome... back?"

Draven’s brows furrowed.

’She’s been here before?’

But before anyone could press further, one of the riders stepped forward.

An old man, his face marked with deep lines of age, but his posture still strong.

His eyes softened as he looked at Mother Venice.

Then, with a small smile, he nodded.

"It has been a long time."

Mother Venice exhaled slowly.

"It truly has, old friend."

Mother Venice’s expression softened.

"How is he?"

One of the warriors lowered his gaze.

"He is bedridden."

Mother Venice nodded grimly.

Without further delay, the riders turned their horses and motioned for the group to follow.

—

As they entered Akhabara Village, Draven took in the sight before him.

The village was simple yet alive.

People lived in small huts and tents, their homes blending with nature.

The center of the village held open communal spaces, where children ran, and laughter filled the air.

It’s a big difference from what they always do in small, safe zones.

Yet the people smiled when they saw them.

They whispered among themselves, their eyes filled with recognition and joy.

One of the warriors gestured ahead.

A three-story wooden structure stood before them, designed in the style of a large nipa hut.

"Master Kiba is inside. Let me lead the way."

Draven, still processing everything, leaned toward Mother Venice.

His voice was low, almost accusing.

"Madam, what is the meaning of this?"

She only chuckled softly.

"You’ll know when we get there."

As they reached the large wooden house, one of the riders turned to the villagers.

"We will guide you to an open space where you can set up your tents."

Draven barely paid attention.

His focus was on Mother Venice, Naisha, and Gil, who followed her old friend inside.

They were led to a small room, where an elderly man lay in bed.

His breathing was slow, his body thin and weak.

But his presence still held weight.

The old rider stepped forward.

"Master Kiba, your daughter is here."

The man stirred.

Slowly, with effort, he turned his head.

And the moment his eyes landed on Mother Venice, his lips trembled.

"H-How a-are you, my d-daughter...?"

Mother Venice couldn’t contain it anymore.

She rushed forward. Her knees hit the floor beside his bed.

Tears fell freely as she clutched his frail hands.

"Father, I missed you so much."

Her voice broke.

Naisha and Draven watched silently.

They didn’t fully understand the situation.

But seeing Mother Venice cry...

Even Naisha felt touched.

Draven, arms crossed, simply observed.

’So this is her father.’

---

After nearly an hour, Mother Venice had told a lot of stories from their journey to his father.

Exhausted, Kiba eventually fell asleep.

A long wooden table stood at the center, its surface worn with age.

Seated around it were Draven, Naisha, Gil, Deka, Mother Venice, and four men from Akhabara. Among them was Anos, the old rider who had led them inside.

Draven’s eyes landed on a birdcage near the window.

Inside, a small bird flapped its wings before settling on its perch.

Something about it felt familiar.

"That bird... I’ve seen it before."

"That’s the bird I released when we first started our journey. I sent a message to them that we were coming."

Draven’s brow furrowed.

"So they knew it all along?"

Mother Venice let out a soft sigh.

"I kept everything secret so there would be no leaks about Akhabara. Sorry."

Draven didn’t press further.

But as the conversation continued, Mother Venice began to reveal her past.

---

She had left Akhabara at 21, against her father’s wishes, with the goal of gathering all Verdants to bring them here.

Kiba tried to stop her but she was determined.

The journey led her into the Verdant Expanse with only a book and weapon she brought.

But she quickly realized the forest was a maze.

Trees seemed almost the same, and there were few ponds, making it nearly impossible to navigate.

She wandered for weeks, surviving on instinct, until she met people.

Verdants seeking protection.

Over time, her strength and leadership attracted more as she saved them.

Her only goal was to save the Verdants.

She studied everything she needed to learn.

The forest, possible dangers, and each territory.

She met other village chiefs and formed a large group ready to fight for the Verdants in her forties.

However, they were ultimately defeated by the Burman Clan, the third most famous clan at present.

When they were raided, they were powerless, even though they had prepared.

As they fled, they became separated again, but they remained in contact through messenger birds.

However, everyone began to lose hope, realizing it was nearly impossible to fight against other I.D. holders.

Eventually, they lived in hiding, their will to fight slowly fading.

Until Mother Venice once again found hope for the Verdant people when Draven arrived.

After Mother Venice finished telling her story, a flutter of wings caught everyone’s attention.

A small bird landed on the windowsill.

Then another.

Then another.

Until four birds perched there, each carrying a letter.

Draven blinked.

"Oh, it’s just like your bird, Madam."

Mother Venice smirked.

"That is not mine."

She stepped forward, her fingers carefully untying each letter.

As she read them, a smile formed on her lips.

"Another group of Verdant villagers is near. They’re coming."

A wave of relief settled over the room.

The Verdants were finding safety.

But safety wasn’t enough.

There were still forces out there who would never let them live in peace.

Mother Venice’s smile faded.

She turned to Draven, her gaze serious.

Then, before everyone, she lowered her head, bowing deeply.

"Please lead us into a new era. Become the king of the Kingdom of Akhibara."

And then there was silence.

The weight of her words crashed over the room.

Everyone’s eyes widened.

This wasn’t just a village.

It was a kingdom!

A tense pressure settled in the air.

Hands clenched into tight fists.

Draven remained motionless.

Suddenly, he grinned.

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