The afternoon slowly passed.
The paperwork was finally pushed aside.
For once...
Levi had something else to worry about.
His armor.
The dwarves had taken every damaged piece apart and laid them across a large table.
Torgrim stood over them, carefully examining each section.
The other dwarves worked around him.
Some inspected the metal.
Others measured the damaged plates.
One began sketching something onto a piece of parchment.
Levi stood nearby.
Watching.
"So..."
"When can I have it back?"
Torgrim didn't even look up.
"When it's finished."
Levi frowned.
"How long?"
"Depends."
"On what?"
"How badly you've managed to ruin my work."
Levi went silent.
"...Fair."
Torgrim picked up one of the damaged plates.
"This section needs reforging."
He pointed toward another.
"These runes are damaged."
"And this..."
He held up a scorched piece.
"...I'm surprised this didn't melt."
Levi raised an eyebrow.
"Is that good?"
"No."
"...Oh."
Torgrim sighed.
"You're lucky."
"I've seen warriors return with worse."
Levi smiled.
"Good."
Torgrim immediately shook his head.
"Don't sound so happy about that."
"I wasn't."
"You were."
"I wasn't."
The dwarf grunted.
"Whatever."
He placed the armor down.
"We'll repair it."
"But..."
Torgrim glanced toward the other dwarves.
"We're going to make some adjustments."
Levi's expression became curious.
"What kind?"
"That depends on you."
Torgrim finally looked at him.
"Your fighting style."
"Your mana."
"How you move."
"Everything."
Levi crossed his arms.
"So you're redesigning it?"
"Not completely."
Torgrim shook his head.
"Your armor was made to protect you."
"But if you're going to keep throwing yourself into danger..."
He sighed.
"...Then it needs to keep up with you."
Levi smiled.
"I like the sound of that."
Torgrim grinned.
"Good."
He turned toward the other dwarves.
"Get the forge ready."
The dwarves immediately began moving.
Tools were gathered.
Materials were brought out.
The damaged armor was carefully carried away.
The room slowly transformed from a quiet workshop into a place of preparation.
Levi watched them work.
For the first time...
He realized something.
Ravenholt wasn't just rebuilding its homes.
Its roads.
Its farms.
Its economy.
It was rebuilding him, too.
Piece by piece.
Just like the armor.
Levi looked toward Torgrim.
"Torgrim."
"Aye?"
"Thank you."
The dwarf paused.
Then smiled beneath his beard.
"Don't thank me yet."
He lifted one of the damaged plates.
"Wait until you see what we make."
The next day arrived quietly.
For once...
Levi's desk was empty.
Well...
Almost empty.
The mountain of letters that had covered it the day before had been sorted.
Approved requests had been stamped.
Trade agreements had been signed.
Offers of food, materials, craftsmen, and other supplies had been accepted.
And by morning...
Ravenholt's messengers had already begun carrying the letters toward the neighboring territories.
Levi stood by the castle window, watching them leave.
One carriage after another departed through the gates.
Some carried letters.
Others carried official documents.
All of them carried Ravenholt's requests.
Levi folded his arms.
"...That should be most of it."
A servant standing nearby nodded.
"Yes, my Lord."
"How many were sent?"
The servant glanced at his notes.
"Thirty-seven official letters."
Levi blinked.
"...Thirty-seven?"
"Yes, my Lord."
He stared at the road outside.
"...I really did sign all of those."
The servant smiled faintly.
"You did."
Levi sighed.
"Let's hope they don't all answer at once."
---
By afternoon...
The castle gates opened.
A long line of wagons slowly entered Ravenholt.
Levi had been expecting a few.
Maybe several.
He wasn't expecting this.
The first wagons were filled with sacks of grain.
Then came vegetables.
Barrels of preserved food.
Medicine.
Cloth.
Wood.
Stone.
Iron.
Construction materials.
Everything Ravenholt had been desperately lacking.
Behind them came craftsmen.
Carpenters.
Stoneworkers.
Masons.
Farmhands.
Blacksmiths.
Even a few engineers.
Levi stood near the castle gates, staring at the procession.
"...That's a lot."
Gaius stood beside him.
"Indeed."
Another wagon rolled through.
Then another.
Then another.
Levi looked at Gaius.
"Did they send this much because of my request?"
Gaius shook his head.
"Some of it."
"Some?"
"The rest was offered voluntarily."
Levi blinked.
"...Seriously?"
Gaius smiled.
"It seems the nobles weren't merely being polite."
Levi looked toward the arriving workers.
Some carried tools.
Some carried crates.
Others immediately began unloading supplies.
A group of carpenters had already started discussing which buildings needed repairs.
Nearby, several blacksmiths examined the condition of Ravenholt's old equipment.
Farm workers were speaking with locals about the fields.
For the first time...
The castle courtyard felt crowded.
Not with nobles.
Not with soldiers.
But with people who had come to help.
Levi smiled.
"...This is actually happening."
Gaius nodded.
"It is."
Levi watched another wagon unload several enormous sacks of grain.
"Make sure everything gets distributed properly."
"Of course."
"Prioritize the villages."
"Already planned."
"Food first."
"Yes."
"Then construction materials."
Gaius nodded.
"And the craftsmen?"
Levi glanced toward them.
"Get them settled."
"Give them whatever workspace they need."
"If they need tools..."
"Provide them."
"If they need more materials..."
"Tell me."
Gaius smiled.
"You've thought this through."
Levi shrugged.
"I'm trying."
A loud metallic clang suddenly echoed from the courtyard.
Levi turned.
One of the newly arrived blacksmiths had accidentally dropped a large hammer.
The dwarf standing nearby laughed.
"Careful!"
The blacksmith grumbled.
"Mind your own forge."
Levi smiled.
Then he noticed something else.
A wagon carrying large wooden crates was being unloaded.
The label on the side read:
Ravenholt Agricultural Supplies.
Levi stared at it.
"...They even sent seeds."
Gaius nodded.
"Apparently."
Levi took a slow breath.
The territory outside the castle was still damaged.
There were still broken houses.
Empty fields.
Poor roads.
Families still struggling.
Ravenholt wasn't fixed.
Not even close.
But now...
They had help.
Levi looked toward the workers filling the courtyard.
"...Let's get started."
Gaius smiled.
"Yes, my Lord."
Levi stepped forward.
"Welcome to Ravenholt."
The craftsmen looked toward him.
Some bowed.
Others simply nodded.
Levi smiled.
"We have a lot of work to do."
And throughout the afternoon...
Ravenholt began to move.
Hammers rang.
Wheels turned.
Supplies were carried through the streets.
Old structures were inspected.
New plans were drawn.
The sound of construction slowly replaced the silence that had once settled over the territory.
Ravenholt was no longer waiting for change.
It had finally begun.
The work continued into the evening.
After the initial surveys were completed, Levi gathered the stonemasons, engineers, carpenters, and several other craftsmen inside the castle's meeting room.
A large map of Ravenholt was spread across the table.
Levi stood at its head.
Gaius remained nearby, listening.
Torgrim had also stayed behind, though he seemed far more interested in the structural plans than the political discussions.
Levi placed several markers along the map.
"Let's start with the walls."
The lead stonemason leaned closer.
Levi pointed toward the existing perimeter.
"I don't want them completely vertical."
The mason raised an eyebrow.
"Slanted?"
"Yes."
Levi traced the outer edge with his finger.
"Only slightly."
"Not enough to make the wall look strange, but enough to give it a broader foundation."
The mason nodded slowly.
"A battered wall."
"Exactly."
"It'll make the base considerably more stable."
"And harder to damage."
"Yes."
Levi nodded.
"Good."
He moved to another section of the map.
"Next."
"Watchtowers."
He placed a marker along the wall.
"One every forty meters."
The engineers immediately began calculating.
"That will give us a considerable number of towers."
"That's the point."
Levi looked around the table.
"I don't want blind spots."
"If something happens on one side of Ravenholt..."
"The guards should be able to see it."
One of the craftsmen pointed toward the tower designs.
"What height?"
"High enough to see beyond the outer fields."
The engineer nodded.
"That shouldn't be difficult."
Levi then added another mark to the top of each tower.
"And a bell."
The room became quiet for a moment.
"A bell, my Lord?"
Levi nodded.
"One on every tower."
He pointed toward the eastern wall.
"If guards spot an attack from this side..."
"The bell here rings."
He pointed toward the next tower.
"The guards here hear it."
Then another.
"And the next one."
"And the next."
Gaius's expression brightened slightly.
"A chain of warnings."
"Exactly."
Levi nodded.
"The alarm can travel around the walls much faster than a messenger."
The engineer began writing rapidly.
"Different patterns could even indicate different situations."
Levi looked at him.
"Explain."
"One continuous ringing could mean an attack."
"Several short rings could mean a fire."
"And perhaps a specific sequence could signal that reinforcements are needed at a particular gate."
Levi smiled.
"Good."
He pointed at him.
"Write that down."
The engineer immediately did.
Torgrim leaned over the map.
"And the gates?"
Levi looked toward the entrances.
"Strengthen them."
"Reinforced doors."
"Better hinges."
"And enough room for guards to move around them."
Torgrim nodded approvingly.
"Now you're thinking like someone who's actually been attacked before."
Levi gave him a sideways glance.
"I've had experience."
"I noticed."
The room broke into quiet laughter.
Levi returned his attention to the map.
"And the towers..."
He paused.
"Give each one enough space for a small guard post."
"Supplies."
"Arrows."
"Signal equipment."
"And somewhere for the guards to rest."
The stonemason nodded.
"We'll make them practical."
"Not just impressive."
Levi smiled.
"Exactly."
He stepped back from the table.
The map now looked completely different.
Lines extended beyond the original walls.
New towers dotted the perimeter.
Roads connected the planned expansion to the old city.
Ravenholt was slowly becoming something far larger than it had been.
Gaius looked at the plans.
"This will take time."
Levi nodded.
"I know."
"And resources."
"I know."
"And a lot of workers."
Levi glanced toward the courtyard outside.
"Then we'll use all three."
He looked back at the craftsmen.
"Let's build something that can last."
The room remained focused on the plans.
Levi looked over the map again.
"Any other suggestions?"
For a moment, nobody spoke.
Then one of the older stonemasons slowly raised his hand.
"My Lord."
Levi looked toward him.
"Go ahead."
"If you're already widening the walls..."
He pointed toward the foundation.
"...I'd recommend burying the foundation deeper."
"Especially around the towers."
Levi nodded.
"How deep?"
"Deep enough to reach stable ground."
He tapped the map.
"It'll take longer."
"But it'll prevent the heavier towers from shifting over time."
Levi looked at the engineers.
"Can we do that?"
One of them nodded.
"Yes."
"Then add it."
The stonemason nodded.
Another craftsman spoke.
"If the walls are slightly slanted outward..."
He pointed toward the exterior.
"We could add a reinforced stone base along the bottom."
"Almost like a second layer."
Levi considered it.
"Would that interfere with the roads?"
"Not if we account for it during construction."
"Then do it."
A carpenter raised his hand.
"For the towers..."
Levi turned toward him.
"We could connect some of them with covered walkways."
"That would allow guards to move between towers without exposing themselves."
Levi nodded.
"That could be useful during an attack."
Gaius added,
"And during heavy rain."
The carpenter smiled.
"That too."
Levi gestured for him to include it.
Another engineer stepped forward.
"My Lord, I'd suggest drainage channels beneath the walls."
Levi raised an eyebrow.
"Drainage?"
"Water is one of the greatest threats to a wall's foundation."
"If rainwater collects beneath it, the ground can weaken."
The stonemason nodded.
"He's right."
Levi immediately pointed toward the map.
"Add drainage."
The engineer began marking the plans.
A younger mason spoke next.
"What about the towers themselves?"
Levi looked at him.
"We could give them narrow openings."
"For archers?"
"Yes."
"Small enough that someone outside can't easily enter through them."
Levi nodded.
"Good."
Another voice came from the other side of the table.
"And perhaps..."
The speaker hesitated.
"...an inner wall."
The room went quiet.
Levi looked at him.
"An inner wall?"
"If the outer wall is breached..."
"There would still be another defensive position."
Levi studied the map.
Then slowly nodded.
...
The engineers continued adding notes.
The map slowly filled with markings.
Deeper foundations.
Reinforced bases.
Drainage channels.
Guard towers.
Covered walkways.
Defensive openings.
An inner defensive section.
And enough space for future expansion.
Levi looked around the room.
"Good."
He placed both hands on the table.
"Then let's make sure Ravenholt's walls aren't just tall."
His eyes moved across the plans.
"Make them strong."
The craftsmen nodded.
The engineer pointed toward the existing walls.
"And perhaps... an inner wall."
Levi looked at the map.
"Implement the plans to the past walls if you're able to."
The craftsmen exchanged glances.
Levi continued.
"If it's too time-consuming, let it be."
"I don't want the reconstruction of the old walls delaying the expansion."
He looked across the table.
"Do your best."
The craftsmen nodded.
"Yes, my Lord."
Levi straightened.
"Meeting dismissed."
Chairs scraped against the floor.
The stonemasons gathered their drawings, while the engineers collected the maps and measurements. The craftsmen began discussing the plans among themselves as they filed out of the meeting room.
Soon...
Only Levi and Gaius remained.
Gaius glanced toward the door.
"That went well."
Levi leaned against the table.
"Better than I expected."
"You gave them quite a lot to work with."
"I'd rather give them too much than too little."
Gaius nodded.
Before either could continue
Knock. Knock.
Levi looked toward the door.
"Come in."
The door opened.
Several men entered.
At the front were the commanders responsible for Ravenholt's guards.
Behind them stood several lieutenants.
Their armor was clean, their expressions serious.
The senior commander stepped forward and bowed.
"My Lord."
Levi nodded.
"Commander."
Gaius moved to the opposite side of the table.
Levi gestured toward the map still spread across it.
"Take a seat."
The commanders sat.
Levi remained standing.
"We've just finished discussing the walls."
The commander glanced at the plans.
"I heard, my Lord."
"Good."
Levi pointed toward the marked towers.
"Now I want to discuss the men who'll be stationed on them."
The commanders immediately focused.
Gaius folded his arms.
Levi's expression became more serious.
"Ravenholt is growing."
"More people are coming in."
"More workers."
"More families."
"And soon..."
He tapped the map.
"More territory to protect."
The senior commander nodded.
"Understood."
Levi looked across the table.
"So let's talk about our defenses."
Levi pulled out a chair and sat down.
"First, the towers."
He pointed toward the marked positions on the map.
"Every forty meters."
"Each one needs a permanent guard post once construction is complete."
The senior commander nodded.
"How many men per tower?"
"That depends on the tower."
Levi looked toward the lieutenants.
"I want you to assess the surrounding terrain."
"Fields."
"Roads."
"Villages."
"Anything that could obstruct visibility."
One of the lieutenants leaned over the map.
"We could assign more men to towers overlooking the main roads."
Levi nodded.
"Exactly."
Another lieutenant pointed toward the western side.
"This area has a hill."
"From there, the tower would have a clear view of anyone approaching from the west."
"Then make that tower a priority."
The commander began writing.
Levi continued.
"And the bells."
The commander looked up.
"Every tower gets one."
"Yes."
"Make sure they're loud enough to be heard by the neighboring towers."
"We'll test them."
"And establish a signal."
Levi pointed at the map.
"One tower rings when they spot danger."
"The neighboring towers repeat it."
"That way, the entire wall knows where the threat is."
The commander nodded.
"We can establish a system for that."
"Do it."
Levi moved to the gates.
"Now the gates."
"The main gate should always have a proper guard rotation."
"No empty posts."
"Even at night."
"Understood."
Gaius spoke from beside him.
"And the smaller entrances?"
Levi looked at him.
"How many do we have?"
"Four."
"Reduce unnecessary access."
"Keep only the entrances that are actually needed."
The commander nodded.
"We can have the others secured."
"Do that."
Levi paused.
"But don't shut them permanently."
The commander looked confused.
"Why not?"
"If we expand the city..."
Levi pointed toward the new section of the map.
"We'll need them."
The commander nodded.
"Understood."
Levi then looked toward the lieutenants.
"Patrols."
One lieutenant straightened.
"Yes, my Lord?"
"I want regular patrols outside the walls."
"Not just along the roads."
"Check the surrounding fields and forests."
"Especially the areas where someone could approach without being seen."
The lieutenant nodded.
"How far out?"
Levi glanced toward Gaius.
Gaius answered.
"Far enough that anyone approaching Ravenholt can't simply walk up to the walls unnoticed."
Levi nodded.
"Exactly."
He looked back at the commander.
"And rotate them."
"Don't make their routes predictable."
The commander wrote that down.
Levi's eyes then moved across the room.
"There's one more thing."
Everyone waited.
"Training."
The commander raised an eyebrow.
"Our guards already train regularly."
"I know."
"But I want them trained for more than ordinary bandits."
The room became quieter.
Levi continued.
"Organized attacks."
"Sieges."
"Fires."
"Night assaults."
"Protecting civilians."
"Fighting while the city is crowded."
He leaned forward.
"I don't want our soldiers to simply know how to fight."
"I want them to know how to protect Ravenholt."
The commander slowly nodded.
"Understood, my Lord."
Gaius smiled faintly.
"You've been thinking about this for a while."
Levi looked at the map.
"After everything that happened..."
He paused.
"I don't want to be caught unprepared."
The commander stood.
"We'll begin reorganizing the guard immediately."
Levi nodded.
"Good."
He looked at the lieutenants.
"And make sure the men understand something."
They waited.
"These walls aren't being built because I expect war."
Levi's gaze shifted toward the window.
"They're being built because I want Ravenholt to be ready if war ever comes."
The commanders nodded.
"Yes, my Lord."
Levi leaned back.
"Then get started."
The officers stood together.
"Yes, Lord Ravenholt."
They bowed and left the room.
The door closed behind them.
Gaius remained beside Levi.
For several moments...
Neither spoke.
Then Gaius looked at the enormous map.
"...You've certainly given everyone enough work."
Levi sighed.
"I know."
Gaius smiled.
"And you're still planning more."
Levi looked at him.
"...Maybe."
Gaius laughed.
"Of course."
---
Levi watched the blacksmiths work for another moment.
Then his attention shifted toward the racks of weapons along the wall.
Swords.
Spears.
Shields.
Pieces of old armor.
Most were functional.
But many had clearly seen better days.
Levi turned toward Torgrim.
"Torgrim."
"Hm?"
"Can I ask you for something?"
Torgrim raised an eyebrow.
"Go on."
Levi gestured toward the weapons.
"The guards."
"I want their equipment improved."
Torgrim glanced toward the racks.
"How improved?"
Levi thought for a moment.
"Good."
Torgrim waited.
"Really good."
A few of the blacksmiths nearby looked over.
Levi continued.
"But there's a condition."
Torgrim crossed his arms.
"Of course there is."
"It needs to be mass-produced."
Torgrim's expression became thoughtful.
"Ah."
Levi stepped closer.
"I don't want a handful of exceptional weapons."
"I want every guard to have equipment they can rely on."
"Armor that actually protects them."
"Weapons that won't fail them."
"And shields strong enough to withstand serious combat."
One of the blacksmiths quietly murmured,
"That would require considerable resources."
Levi nodded.
"I know."
He looked at Torgrim.
"That's why I'm asking you."
Torgrim stroked his beard.
"You want quality without making every piece individually."
"Exactly."
Torgrim looked toward the other blacksmiths.
"What do you think?"
One of the older smiths stepped forward.
"If we standardize the designs..."
"We could make molds and templates for certain components."
Another nodded.
"Keep the complicated forging limited to the parts that actually need it."
Torgrim nodded.
"Exactly."
He picked up one of the old guard swords.
"This is serviceable."
He turned it in his hand.
"But there's nothing special about it."
He looked at Levi.
"We could improve the steel."
"Strengthen the spine."
"Improve the grip."
"And standardize the dimensions."
He then picked up a damaged piece of armor.
"For armor..."
"Layered plates."
"Simple construction."
"Easy to repair."
"And interchangeable pieces."
Levi nodded.
"So if one guard damages a shoulder plate..."
"He doesn't need a completely new suit."
Torgrim smiled.
"Exactly."
Another blacksmith added,
"We could also make the armor adjustable."
"Different sizes without needing completely different designs."
Levi looked impressed.
"Do it."
Torgrim laughed.
"You're giving orders before we even test it."
Levi smiled.
"Because I trust you."
The workshop became quiet for a moment.
Torgrim stared at him.
Then his grin returned.
"...That's a dangerous thing to say to a dwarf."
Levi laughed.
"Just don't bankrupt me."
"No promises."
Torgrim turned toward the blacksmiths.
"You heard him."
"Get the designs ready."
"Test the materials."
"Find the simplest method that doesn't sacrifice quality."
The blacksmiths immediately moved.
Parchments were pulled out.
Measurements began.
Metal samples were examined.
Levi watched as the workshop quickly became organized around the new project.
One of the noble-sent blacksmiths looked toward Torgrim with genuine excitement.
"Master..."
Torgrim glanced at him.
"What?"
"We're really going to be designing equipment for an entire territory under you?"
Torgrim smirked.
"Apparently."
The blacksmith smiled.
"...What an honor."
Levi looked around the workshop.
The forge burned brighter.
Hammers rang against steel.
Plans were being drawn.
Ravenholt's soldiers would soon have equipment worthy of the territory they were protecting.
Levi nodded.
"Make it good."
Torgrim looked back at him.
"We'll make it better than good."
"We'll make it dependable."
Levi smiled.
"That's exactly what I want."
---
Levi waited until the other blacksmiths had returned to their work.
Then he stepped closer to Torgrim and lowered his voice.
"I've got another idea."
Torgrim raised an eyebrow.
"Another?"
Levi nodded and quietly explained the concept he had in mind.
"For the spear..."
Torgrim listened.
Levi continued.
"Something like a trident."
"Three blades instead of one."
"But I'd like each prong to have smaller protrusions along its design."
"Something that makes the weapon more distinctive and difficult to defend against."
Torgrim's expression became increasingly thoughtful.
"And the sword?"
Levi pointed toward one of the blades.
"Something similar."
"Small secondary edges branching from the sides of the main blade."
"Not enough to make it unwieldy."
"Just enough to give it a more unusual profile."
Torgrim shook his head.
"That would make the weapons unnecessarily complicated."
Levi paused.
"...Fair."
Torgrim tapped the spear resting nearby.
"If we're improving these for the guards, I'd rather make them better at stopping an opponent than making injuries worse."
Levi nodded.
"So what would you change?"
Torgrim picked up the spear.
"Balance."
He demonstrated the grip.
"Better weight distribution. Stronger shaft. A reinforced head."
He pointed toward the blade.
"And a design that can catch or deflect another weapon without compromising its strength."
Levi considered it.
"Defensive."
"Exactly."
Torgrim then picked up one of the swords.
"For these, we'll focus on edge retention, durability, balance, and a stronger guard."
He glanced at Levi.
"Give a soldier a weapon that stays reliable through an entire fight."
"That's more valuable than making it nastier."
Levi smiled slightly.
"You're right."
Torgrim grinned.
"Of course I am."
Levi folded his arms.
"Then make them exceptional."
Torgrim turned toward the other smiths.
"You heard him."
"Let's see how far we can improve them without making them impossible to mass-produce."
The hammers began ringing again.
And another set of designs began taking shape.
The night had finally settled over Ravenholt.
The castle had grown quiet.
The constant ringing of hammers from the smithing room had faded hours ago.
Even the footsteps of servants had become less frequent.
Inside his office...
Levi sat alone.
His back rested against the chair.
His arms hung loosely at his sides.
For once...
There was no document in his hands.
No meeting.
No orders.
No one asking him for anything.
Levi slowly exhaled.
"...Finally."
He closed his eyes for a moment.
He was exhausted.
The past few days had been nothing but work.
The banquet.
The Black Cathedral.
The return to Ravenholt.
The children.
The construction plans.
The guards.
The craftsmen.
Torgrim.
And now...
An entire territory that seemed determined to keep him awake.
Levi sighed again.
He turned his head toward the window.
Outside...
The night sky stretched endlessly above Ravenholt.
The moon hung quietly between the clouds.
Stars shimmered faintly in the distance.
Below them, small lights dotted the city.
Lanterns.
Homes.
Workshops.
The occasional patrol moving along the streets.
Levi stared at it all.
For a moment...
He said nothing.
Then a faint smile appeared.
"...It's changing."
The streets weren't as empty as they once were.
More homes had lights in their windows.
More people walked through the city.
More workers had arrived.
And beyond the castle walls...
The first stages of Ravenholt's expansion were already being planned.
Levi rested his cheek against his hand.
"...All this happened so quickly."
His eyes slowly drifted toward the horizon.
Somewhere beyond those mountains...
The capital remained awake.
Somewhere beyond it...
The Black Cathedral was moving again.
Levi's smile faded.
The memory of the ritual returned.
The crimson robes.
The blood.
The black-robed figure.
He is the Vessel.
Levi stared at the moon.
"...What are you planning?"
No answer came.
Only the quiet wind outside.
Levi leaned back in his chair again.
His eyes became heavier.
"...Tomorrow."
He sighed.
"I'll deal with it tomorrow."
For tonight...
He simply watched the stars.
And allowed himself...
For just a little while...
To rest.