Three days later, deep within the Forbidden Magic Stone Forest.
"Let me just—catch my breath, please!"
Duke's voice came from inside the tent, along with the rustling sound of clothing. But before he could step outside, a delicate, jade-like hand reached out, grabbed his ear, and yanked him right back in.
"Again!"
"You…"
Duke was pulled back into the tent once more. Fiora, the Sword Maiden who now knew the meaning of love, was as serious and earnest as ever.
They had stayed within the Forbidden Magic Stone Forest for three whole days without leaving. If not for the occasional communication with Lux through the tablet communicator, she probably would've barged in already.
Duke had used the excuse that he was studying the formation of the Forbidden Magic Stone Forest in detail.
Lux hadn't suspected anything—she knew Duke well enough. Whenever he found something that piqued his curiosity, he would never rest until he'd thoroughly dissected it.
By evening, Duke finally emerged from the forest with Fiora following closely behind. Her face glowed with an unnatural flush, her body brimming with vitality and spirit.
Duke, however, looked a little drained. After all, three days and nights—seventy-two consecutive hours—would exhaust anyone.
Even a man like him had his limits.
Still, the fatigue only showed faintly on his face, thanks to his extraordinary physique.
He stretched with a long sigh. Fiora, noticing the wrinkles on his clothes, stepped closer and carefully smoothed them out with her slender fingers.
"How do you plan to get back to the Capital?" Duke asked while she tidied his collar.
"I'll probably find a horse nearby and ride all the way back," Fiora said softly.
"That's too much trouble," Duke replied. "I'll handle that for you—and while I'm at it, I'll prepare a new set of armor and a dueling sword. You don't like exoskeletons, right?"
"Then I'll forge you the strongest armor and the sharpest blade."
Fiora looked up, noting the serious expression on his face. Her hand unconsciously tightened around his belt. Duke froze for a moment, cleared his throat, and muttered, "Alright, let's go—Lux is waiting for us."
Fiora shot him a sidelong, wistful glance but followed him nonetheless toward the stonemason's camp.
The aircraft cut swiftly through the sky, gliding smoothly. In less than half an hour, guided by Lux's coordinates, they descended near a hidden workshop nestled in the mountains.
Smoke billowed thickly from the workshop's chimney—the raw materials gathered from the forest were being refined, soon to undergo further complex processing.
"Master!"
Wrapped tightly from head to toe, Lux ran up as soon as the aircraft landed. Seeing her bundled up like that, Duke chuckled and ruffled her hair.
As a mage, she must've found these three days in the anti-magic zone unbearable. Surrounded by stones that nullified mana, she had to keep herself fully covered just to prevent her magic from being drained away.
"The magic stones are all counted," she said. "We're just waiting for you to collect them. When are we setting off?"
"Soon. I just have a few more things to take care of first."
"Alright!"
Duke gestured subtly toward Fiora, then whistled for his two familiars—Pride and Gluttony. Since he had allowed them to roam freely, no one really knew where they'd been off to.
Moments later, the roar of engines echoed as the two beasts arrived and stood before Duke.
"Father!" they greeted.
"I have a task for you," Duke said curtly. "Find me a suitable creature in the nearby forest—something that can serve as a mount."
Pride's eyes flickered as he glanced at Fiora. Understanding dawned, and he nodded before heading off to hunt.
Meanwhile, Duke entered the workshop and requested access to a restricted forge. Lighting the furnace, he began working on Fiora's new armor and weapon.
From his reserves, he selected several rare metals: Vibranium, Adamantium, Carbonadium Steel, and Beskar—all exceptionally durable materials, each with unique properties.
"If we're making something worthy of you, we'll combine them in pairs," he murmured, adjusting the ratios carefully before he began forging.
By dawn the next day, the armor and blade were finally complete. Duke removed his apron and called for Fiora.
As Fiora and Lux entered, their eyes were immediately drawn to the exquisite set of light, form-fitting armor on the stand. A faintly glowing Hex crystal gleamed on the breastplate, and glowing energy conduits ran across its surface.
"This armor," Duke explained, "is forged from Vibranium and Beskar. The former absorbs impact from any attack, while the latter resists even the harshest of conditions.
It's also lined with energy channels to enhance your physical capabilities. You can toggle that on and off as needed."
He then drew the slender sword resting beside it—a circular guard, a blade so polished it shimmered with lethal light.
"The sword's body is Adamantium—indestructible, eternally sharp. The edge is Carbonadium steel, which carries a special biological toxin. If this blade draws blood, the wound will never close naturally."
"This weapon is dangerous. Handle it carefully, and never let it nick you," Duke warned, handing her the sheathed sword.
He then pointed at a device attached to the armor. "I've added a bio-recognition system. Only you can use this armor and blade—if anyone else tries, they'll be electrocuted instantly."
"I understand," Fiora replied. Drawing her new sword, she effortlessly spun a few dazzling arcs through the air, a smile forming on her lips. "I love it."
"That's all that matters," Duke said, extinguishing the forge and packing up his tools.
Lux, however, couldn't help darting suspicious glances between the two of them.
Something about their relationship… was off.
"By the way," Duke asked, "did Pride bring back what I asked for?"
"He did," Lux said with a sigh. "But it's a headache. He caught a—drakebird."
"What?" Duke raised an eyebrow. "A drakebird? Aren't those usually found around Ervindale?"
"This one seems to be a wild one," Lux explained. "There are domesticated breeds, but also wild ones—and they can't be restrained easily. Quinn and the nearby drake riders have come here because of it."
"I see. Let me take a look."
Outside the workshop, a chorus of loud screeches filled the air. A large, crystal-reinforced cage held a fully grown drakebird, thrashing violently against its confines.
Several workers gathered to watch, while Quinn stood nearby, looking troubled as she spoke to a few riders.
"What's going on?" Duke asked as he approached.
Seeing him, Quinn immediately saluted. "Duke, sir!"
"What's the problem?"
"It's about the drakebird," she said, glancing toward the cage. One of the riders stepped forward, bowing deeply before speaking: "My lord, I beg you to release it.
If a wild drakebird isn't trained or bonded from birth, it will never accept servitude once it reaches adulthood. Keeping it caged will only drive it to crash itself to death—or starve in defiance."
Their voices carried genuine concern. To drake riders, these creatures were more than mounts—they were family.
"I understand," Duke said. "But I'm confident I can tame it."
He waved them off before they could protest. He'd specifically asked for a creature to serve as Fiora's mount—and Pride had done well. A drakebird would be perfect.
As for taming it? That was the easy part.
He approached the cage, meeting the drakebird's fierce, untamed gaze—wild, proud, defiant.
"Good spirit," Duke murmured.
He extended his hand. Quinn's face paled. "Wait—don't!"
The drakebird lunged immediately, jaws wide and fangs bared.
But in the same instant, Duke's hand shot forward like a vice, clamping around its head. His grip was unyielding, his aura bursting outward as he carved a magical sigil directly into the creature's mind.
When the imprint took hold, the beast's defiance wavered. The fire in its eyes softened—still proud, but now warm and obedient toward Duke.
He released it, and the drakebird pressed its head against his palm, purring like a great, feathered cat.
The watching riders were speechless. "That… that's impossible," one muttered.
"But I just did it," Duke said with a grin, beckoning to Fiora. "Come. Let him get used to you—he's yours now."
Without hesitation, Fiora approached the cage and reached out to stroke the creature's crest. With Duke's assurance, she felt no fear—only calm.
The drakebird cooed softly under her touch, and Fiora smiled.
Duke exhaled quietly. Everything was in order now.
He'd made sure Fiora had everything she needed. As for the rest—well, that could wait for another day.
End of chapter....
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