The Duke sat tall on his throne, his presence commanding, cloaked in deep crimson embroidered with gold. His sharp eyes locked immediately on the two of them as they strode forward across the carpet.
Tessa bowed deeply, producing the velvet-wrapped bundle. Her voice rang clear, steady, and proud:
"My lord Duke, as commanded, we have retrieved the heirloom ring."
Gasps echoed from courtiers as she unwrapped the artifact. The ring's magic pulsed in the air, a faint glow humming against the stone walls.
Arlo scratched the back of his neck. "Oh, and, uh—by the way—we also kinda... killed the dragon."
The hall erupted in murmurs. The Duke raised one hand, silencing them. His gaze sharpened on the young intern, voice cold but measured. "You slew the beast?"
Tessa stepped forward quickly. "Yes, my lord. The dragon is no more. Its lair remains filled with untouched spoils—equipment, relics, and the dragon's corpse itself. The scales alone could arm a regiment. If you command it, your men may harvest it all."
Arlo nodded eagerly. "Yeah, seriously, it's like a wholesale shop of priceless loot down there. We couldn't carry half of it even after using a tent as a coin purse."
A faint smile tugged at the Duke's lips. "I see. Efficient, if unorthodox."
The Duke rose from his throne, descending the dais with the air of a man measuring the weight of legends. His hand hovered briefly over the ring before he turned his gaze back to them.
"You have returned what was lost. Even without the carcass and the treasure trove, this ring alone is priceless. But your deed... slaying a dragon..."
He let the words hang in the hall. Courtiers whispered furiously, eyes wide with awe and disbelief.
The Duke's voice thundered, carrying to every corner of the chamber:
"For valor beyond measure, I name you both Dragon Slayers."
Arlo blinked. "That's... capitalized, isn't it? That sounds capitalized."
The Duke's eyes glinted with amusement. "Indeed. It is a title worthy of nobility. Henceforth, you hold rank equal to barons. And—" his tone dropped heavier, more final, "—your debts are cleared. You owe me nothing."
The weight of those words nearly knocked Arlo over. He stared, slack-jawed. "Wait. Like... zero? None? As in, no 'Arlo, fetch water before the Duke's men break our kneecaps'?"
"Correct," the Duke said coolly.
Tessa, ever the composed one, bowed low once more, though the faint tremble in her voice betrayed her emotion. "We are... deeply honored, my lord."
Arlo followed suit, fumbling his bow with a grin that wouldn't leave his face. "Yeah, honored and, uh... incredibly relieved."
The Duke raised his hand, and attendants hurried off with orders to send retrieval parties to the dragon's lair. He dismissed them with a wave, though his gaze lingered on the pair.
"Rest. Enjoy your reward. But remember—Dragon Slayers are not without responsibility. Nobility has its burdens, and this land will look to you as its shield."
As they left the hall, the doors closing behind them, Arlo exhaled a long, shaky breath.
"Tessa," he muttered, eyes wide, "we're Dragon Slayers. The same as barons... actual barons. Like, with titles. Do we... do we need fancy hats now? Or do we automatically get one mailed to us?"
Tessa pinched the bridge of her nose, but her lips curved upward despite herself. "Just... try not to embarrass us before we even collect our first tax."
Arlo grinned. "No promises, Dragon Slayer Tessa."
Her cheeks flushed as she shoved past him toward the courtyard. "S-shut up, Dragon Slayer Idiot."
For the first time in weeks, the heavy chain of debt was gone. Ahead stretched a road paved not only with gold but with possibility.
They were Dragon Slayers now.
And life would never be the same.