Re: Tales of the Rune-Tech Sage

Chapter 370: Hidden Title

CH370

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[A.N: Title at bottom of Chapter.]

When Alex returned to his Enclave dormitory, a sudden sense of restlessness washed over him.

He felt the urge to keep his hands busy, so he retrieved two notebooks — one containing the tales of the virgin expeditions into the Void undertaken by his different Fury forebears, and another blank one. Then, he began to read.

He went through each tale with slow, deliberate care, jotting down his notes with equal precision.

He hadn’t felt it before, but now an invisible weight pressed down on his shoulders.

Though he had comfortably led several military operations under the Fury Army banner, the thought of the upcoming Interplanar Expedition made him truly feel the burden of leadership for the first time.

Unlike his three previous commands — the Dankrot Culling Expedition, Exercitus Alexii Wildkin Raid, and the Northern Dankrot Fort Defence — this time felt different.

Those past missions had been ’work’. Even if he slipped up, there was always someone stronger, smarter, or better prepared waiting to clean up his mess.

But this time, he would be venturing into the unknown — the void f Interplanar travel— without any hope of rescue or reinforcement. Unless he managed to establish a stable gate, there would be no support from home to call upon.

And to make matters worse, his team this time wasn’t made up of random soldiers. Among those accompanying him were not only his newly recruited followers, but also his three fiancées.

The stakes were higher than ever. The thought alone caused a faint tremor of panic to ripple through him.

He felt a need to double-check everything, to make sure he had truly done all he possibly could — even though, deep down, he already knew he had.

Alex reread the stories of his predecessors, focusing on their mistakes and recorded warnings, ensuring his own countermeasures were solid and thorough.

He even had OmniRune pull up every shred of information related to Interplanar travel from the Arcane Libraries of the major powers — resources now accessible thanks to these powers setting up their Rune-Net servers with the ready aid of the Golden Palace’s support staff.

Although those powers hadn’t yet uploaded their private archives to the Rune-Net Servers, their public libraries still contained a wealth of valuable insights relevant to his search.

Alex wasn’t eager for the major powers’ hidden archives just yet. OmniRune was already running at peak capacity, processing the current data influx and refining its model ahead of the Interplanar expedition.

He’d only begin lusting after those secret archives after his rune AI assistant finished digesting its current buffet.

Alex worked deep into the night without realising it. His focus remained unbroken even as the hours slipped past into dawn.

He had gone through the record book given to him by his father — cover to cover — then began adding his own possible scenarios, many inspired –like always— by the web novels he’d read in his previous life.

He grasped at every conceivable idea, determined to make the most thorough preparations he could.

When fatigue finally set in, he didn’t sleep. Instead, he meditated for four hours through the Astral Training Method to recover his mind and mana, finishing just as the first rays of sunlight crept into his room.

He was just considering heading out to meet his followers and main party — to formally introduce everyone to each other — when a message arrived on his Beta Bracer.

It was from his father.

The Mad Earl instructed him to head over to Drakonveil Manor –the accommodation prepared for the Legend— just before noon, after making certain preparations.

Alex’s eyes gleamed as he read the message.

’So, it’s finally time,’ he mused to himself.

He immediately prompted OmniRune, opening a portal to his Sanctuary Pocket Space. Without hesitation, he made his way to the storage area, barely sparing a glance toward the Heartwood Tree as he passed.

There, he found a mid-sized jewellery box, which he retrieved it with care.

A faint smile crossed his lips as he opened the box and confirmed its contents.

Checking his pocket watch, he noted he still had some time before he was due at the manor. That meant he could make a few last-minute upgrades.

He carried the items to his nearby workbench, laid out his tools, and began to work.

They were only minor tweaks, but each one mattered — small adjustments that spoke of both his care and his nerves.

When he finally finished, he still had time to spare.

’It’s time to go,’ he thought, exhaling softly.

He waved goodbye to the Bonsai Tree then stepped out through the portal, the jewellery box held firmly under his arm.

After washing up, then ensuring everything in his dorm was in order, Alex dressed himself in a sleek three-piece suit and donned a hat. Then, he left for Drakonveil Manor.

---

Unbeknownst to most within the Enclave, an important — and entirely impromptu — event was unfolding that morning within one of the mage tower’s guest villas.

Several dignitaries had arrived quietly, slipping into the Enclave without ceremony or announcement.

On the surface, these figures had little in common. Their alliances, professions, and affiliations rarely overlapped. If anyone had spotted them entering the Enclave that day, they would never have imagined they were attending the same meeting.

Yet for those in the know, there was one name that tied them all together —

Alex Fury.

Each of the gathered guests shared a close relationship with the Mad Earl’s heir. They were, in one way or another, among his rare few friends.

Knowing this, it became immediately clear why they had all been invited to the Mad Earl’s temporary residence within the Enclave.

When Alex arrived at Drakonveil Manor, he was taken aback by the small crowd awaiting him.

Haggleworth, Pinchcoin, Agrut, Mordor, Professor Gremog Skullhammer — the orcish scholar who had once saved him from Marcus Herterian’s gang, Prince Ceasar, Archilles Maximillian, the Ironhost family of three, his followers, and — most surprisingly — Grand Mage Taman.

Alex was still greeting the guests when the air subtly shifted.

Two new arrivals entered.

The Mad Earl, Earl Drake Fury, and the DragonSlayer, Merlin Pendragon.

Their mere presence changed the atmosphere. Conversations died down, and a quiet reverence settled over the hall.

The pair exchanged a few quiet words with Prince Ceasar, who nodded solemnly before stepping aside. Then Drake’s gaze turned toward his son.

”Did you bring what I asked for?” he asked.

”Yes, Father,” Alex replied, holding the jewellery box close.

”Good. Then let’s get this over with.”

The Mad Earl stepped forward, instantly commanding the attention of everyone in the room.

”I thank you all for accepting my invitation on such short notice,” he began, his deep voice carrying easily through the hall. ”I know many of you have pressing duties, yet chose to honour my invitation, so I won’t waste your time. Let’s begin.”

He paused, then raised his hand.

”Bring in the brides.”

From the grand staircase above, three breathtaking figures descended in unison — Udara, Zora, and Eleanor.

The sight froze the room.

Eleanor and Zora’s beauty was expected. Dressed in their distinct gowns — elegant, refined, and unmistakably noble — they carried the same grace that had turned heads at the recent Golden Palace Auction.

But the greatest surprise came from Udara.

As Alex’s shadow guard, she rarely drew attention to herself. She was often invisible, blending into the background as a protector. Yet now, dressed in a stunning black-purple combat-style gown with golden accents, she was impossible to ignore.

The gown was a perfect blend of elegance and practicality — beautiful enough for ceremony, yet flexible enough for battle.

Even if in the unlikelihood that danger struck mid-ceremony, she could still move freely to respond to the situation.

Zora and Eleanor, meanwhile, wore more traditional gowns, their designs reminiscent of the attire they had worn to the auction — regal, intricate, and undeniably radiant.

As the three descended the stairs, Udara, Zora, and Eleanor were met respectively by Drake, Merlin, and Ceasar, who each offered an arm and escorted them toward the front of the hall, where Alex stood waiting on a prepared podium.

Upon reaching the stage, the men released their partners, allowing the three women to ascend the final steps on their own. They came to stand opposite Alex, the air thick with solemn anticipation.

Drake gave a slight nod, signalling them forward.

Together, the four — Alex and the three women — lowered themselves to their knees, facing one another across the ceremonial mat.

Alex’s gaze drifted across each of them in turn.

He looked as though he wished to speak, yet words betrayed him.

Finally, he exhaled softly and smiled.

”As you all know,” he began gently, ”I like to plan things ahead — to have every word and step thought out in advance.” His tone carried a faint laugh of self-mockery. ”But this... this is one thing I just can’t seem to plan for.”

He chuckled, then sighed. ”I’ve tried to put my feelings into words, but they refuse to fit neatly into the lines I prepared. So, I’ll just speak from the heart. Is that alright?”

The three women nodded in quiet unison.

Alex took a breath, his expression softening.

”For all the bravado... all the brilliance I may try to show the world, the truth is, I am a fallible man — flawed in more ways than I’d like to admit. No matter how well I pretend, I have my limits, my weaknesses.”

He paused, his voice steady, though touched with raw honesty.

”For that reason, I won’t promise perfection. I won’t promise forever, because even I can’t guarantee what fate may bring. But what I can promise — what I will promise — is this: I choose you.”

He placed a hand over his chest.

”No matter what life, fate, or others may throw at us — again and again — I choose you.”

His gaze lifted, meeting each of theirs.

”You three have become my home. My calm in the storm, and the sparks that keep me moving forward. When the world grows cold or the path turns dark... it’ll be your hands that light the way for me.”

A soft smile warmed his face.

”I vow to listen. To stay. To love you in every way I can, for every sunrise I’m lucky enough to share with you.”

He exhaled slowly. ”They might not be grand words — just the words of a fallible man — but they’re mine. And I’ll keep this promise with all my heart... if you’ll have me.”

The three women exchanged a glance, then turned back to him, eyes shimmering with affection.

”We accept your vow,” they said together.

A hush lingered for a heartbeat, then a ripple of soft applause spread through the gathered witnesses — a quiet, heartfelt cheer that filled the hall without breaking its sacred calm.

Title: CH370 Marriage

**(20/70)**