Overwhelming Firepower

After the Tower Masters, it was the four Dukes’ turn to give their gifts. The first to step up was the Seraphina Aeromont, who was both a Duchess and a Tower Master.

She wore a scarlet gown tailored to perfection, accentuating every graceful curve. Seraphina drew the eyes of many, particularly the men.

Not only was she beautiful and powerful, but the Duchess Seraphina was also a widow. Countless nobles, powerful warriors, and wealthy merchants had tried to win her hand.

Of course, none of them caught her fancy. She wasn’t seeking anyone to begin with, so she rejected them all outright, but that didn’t stop persistent suitors from trying.

The alluring Duchess slowly walked towards the Third Prince. Each step was accompanied by a flare of flame that twisted into the shape of roses before vanishing into embers.

She was doing this on purpose since the other Tower Masters did so much theatrics as they gave their gifts.

When she arrived in front of the royal family, she smiled and spoke.

”I have two gifts to give you, young prince.”

Seraphina gestured at her daughter, who stepped forward while holding a heavy-looking book. Mireya, who had a composed grace similar to her mother, presented the book to the Third Prince, and a royal knight took hold of it for the prince like all the other gifts.

”That is a book that contains all the fairy tales that have ever been told in our kingdom. There are also some heroic stories in there about the heroes of old. I hope you will find reading those stories inspiring.”

Seraphina’s voice, though incredibly alluring like sweet honey, was also gentle and warm like a campfire.

”Now for my second gift.”

To the surprise of many, Seraphina produced an orb, despite her form-fitting dress, which offered no obvious place to conceal such a thing.

The orb in her hand was what mages called a blank orb. It was created from a rather rare ore called Arkenium, which was something that could absorb and store magic.

Seraphina started chanting in a whisper at the blank orb. Her mana surged outward like a blazing fire.

The temperature in the ballroom rose subtly as Seraphina whispered in an ancient tongue. Flames flickered around her fingertips before surging into the orb, which began to glow from within like a heart of molten fire.

”This blank orb now has a single five-circle flame spell. Use it if you are in trouble.”

The pulsing, fiery blank orb was taken by the royal guard and placed with the other gifts. The King thanked Seraphina for her gift, and as she stepped to the side, the next Duke took the stage.

The one who stepped forward was the Duke of Judgement, the one who upholds order above all else and who sings praises to the Goddess of Justice and Judgment Thalara.

He was none other than the Holy Knight of Thalara, Duke Elandor Judicar. Standing beside him was his only child, Evandar. The two were wearing sharp-looking garments with cloaks to their side.

Unfortunately, his wife, Alicia Judicar, was unable to attend due to her work in the Temple of Thalara.

Duke Elandor and his son Evandar moved with solemn grace. The two then appeared before the royal family, and unlike the Tower Masters or Seraphina, the father and son bowed their heads.

”Young Prince, these are the gifts my son and I prepared for you.”

Elandor signalled his son. Evandar knelt on the floor and opened the box. Inside was a beautiful necklace, simple yet refined, with a gleaming crystal pendant set in silver. The crystal shimmered faintly with a soft white glow, as if lit by inner moonlight.

”This is a necklace that bears the Blessing of Clarity,” Evandar said, his voice calm and unwavering. ”It will protect your mind from illusion, confusion, and the enchantments of falsehood. May it help you see truth, even when the world seeks to cloud your judgment.”

Once the first gift was given, since Seraphina gave a second gift, Elandor decided that he, too, was going to give a second gift.

”I will pray for a blessing.” Elandor then went into a kneeling posture with his hands clasped together.

Lucen, who was watching from behind, felt the same thing he usually feels when he asks for a blessing in a Temple. A deity was now watching them.

A silence fell over the ballroom.

The air grew still, not heavy, but reverent. A faint glow surrounded Duke Elandor, not from mana, but from divine presence. The sigil of Thalara, the goddess of Justice and Judgment, shimmered faintly on the floor beneath him in pale gold light.

Elandor’s voice rang out in a deep, clear tone, not loud, but resonant enough that every corner of the hall could hear it.

”Goddess Thalara, the very embodiment of justice, Judge of All Truths, look upon this child, a prince of our kingdom. May your gaze be just, and your blessing steady his path.”

When Lucen heard Elandor’s prayer, he frowned since he knew the original fate of Elion Viren.

’I guess this event never happened in the original flow of fate. This party was something that happened because of the Arquebus and the movements I made. Fate truly can be changed, but is it flowing to a better future or one of even more despair?’ Lucen thought to himself.

As Elandor finished, a faint chime echoed in the air, soft, like glass touched by wind. The golden glow around him pulsed once and then faded, leaving behind a gentle warmth that lingered for just a moment longer.

When Elandor stood, his expression remained unchanged, but a quiet murmur spread through the gathered nobles.

A divine blessing wasn’t something that could be bought or forged. It had to be earned... Or given freely by favor of the deities.

The King offered a respectful nod. ”Your piety honors us, Duke Judicar.”

With their offerings complete, Elandor and Evandar bowed once more and returned to their place without flourish or spectacle, leaving behind a weighty stillness. After such a spectacle, the others wanted to see what the third Duke would do.

The one who stepped forward was the strongest swordmaster in the Kingdom. Dressed in loose-fitting clothes, he moved with what seemed like lazy, careless strides, yet not a single opening could be found.

It was the gait of a man utterly confident in his invincibility. This was Kaelvar Runescar.

Kaelvar strode forward without hesitation, his beloved daughter Elyra following closely behind.

His wife, Medea Runescar, also wanted to come with them, but unfortunately, due to Kaalvar’s style of governance, there were a lot of things that needed to be done, and one of them had to stay home. Of course, the one who stayed behind was the one who actually understood what they were doing, which was Medea.

As he passed, a few knights shifted instinctively, a subconscious response to being near a predator cloaked in the guise of a man.

”Sorry, kid, I ain’t got no fancy gifts like those before me. All ever have are swords, so that’s what I’m giving ya.”

The second Kaelvar uttered those words, many nobles reacted differently. It was no secret that the Sword Duke’s personality was like this, very straightforward, and he did not care for formalities.

Some found that a Duke, the highest ranking noble, acting like this was wrong. Others think that this informal way of speaking in front of royalty just reinforces how powerful the Dukes were.

Elandor, who had already expected Kaelvar to act like this was gritting his teeth, he wanted to punch the fool in the head.

Lucen sighed when he heard this. He already had a guess based on what the other people gave, now his Father and the Sword Duke would give the same gift. As if he were able to read Lucen’s mind, Vardon spoke.

”Do not worry, my son, I have already anticipated that this would happen and prepared a different gift.”

Hearing what Vardon said, Lucen nodded his head. It didn’t really matter much if they and the Sword Duke had the same gift, but Lucen would feel something was wrong.

Elyra handed over a sword without much adornment. It was a simple-looking short sword, but the aura it was emitting made one feel cold.

”This is a short sword I acquired after defeating a wandering swordsman, who challenged me to a duel. He called the sword Napur, which is biting cold in the old language. It’s a pretty good sword.”

After handing over the sword, Kaelvar was now deep in thought.

”Is there a problem, Duke Runescar?” The king asked.

”It’s not really a problem, but the others gave two gifts. It doesn’t feel right if I don’t hand over another one.”

Kaelvar eyed the Third Prince, then grinned like a wolf who’d found prey. He’d thought of a second gift after all.

”I got it, the second gift I will teach you one of my sword techniques.”

The very moment Kaelvar said those words, many nobles, especially the knights, were stunned and then became extremely envious. Among all the swordsmen in Norvaegard, Kaelvar was closest to the Seventh Mantle, which is a qualitative leap from the first to sixth mantles.

Being taught a technique from someone like him was not only an incredible honor, but it was a chance to become stronger.

’All this… just because he’s royalty.’ Were the thoughts of many present, but they continued to show smiling faces, while directing such malice to a seven-year-old.

”That would be truly an honor, my son has not deserved. Thank you for your gifts, Duke Kaelvar.”

’Giving Elion so much, knowing his future personality, this might become bad later...’

Lucen, watching Elion receive gift after gift, knew that the future had changed, but he was sure that this wouldn’t be able to change Elion’s future personality. As long as Elion felt envy towards the protagonist Alexander, his ending would never change.

While Lucen was thinking about those things, now, the last to step forward was Lucen’s father, the Iron Duke, Vardon Thornehart.

Unlike the others, he didn’t bring awe through flame or divinity. His presence was a quiet, unshakable pressure. The Ever-sturdy shield of Norvaegard.