Loud banging filled his ears, instantly rousing Colahn from his sleep. He rose from his arms, groggily glancing at the countless letters, left unfolded, scattered on the desk. Rubbing the skin between his brows, he recalled falling asleep while reading Lady and Lord Fraunces' letters, as well as several from Erthyl. Dried ink stains filled his palms while he wrote a few responses.
However, it would be difficult to have these letters sent back to Helios with all the commotion happening throughout the week.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
"Sir Colahn! Are you awake? Forgive , but you must get up. It is extrely urgent."
Groaning, Colahn glanced at the windows, realizing it was already midmorning. He pald his face in frustration.
In the next minute, he opened the door, startling his persistent subordinate with his dark expression. "What?"
The mage turned ek, blinking with a stutter in his words. "T-The chief mage r-requested your presence. It's about the Mother Crystal..."
Colahn's eyes widened. He imdiately forgot his fury, urging the mage to lead the way.
It had been a week since Lady Calanthe, the most renowned sorceress, had visited the Mage Wing and comnced a sudden assembly. Accompanied by Silver Scepter guards, she exuded a noble aura despite wearing a kind smile on her face. It made her look soft yet strict, like one of those extrely harsh academy teachers. Both junior and senior mages instinctively felt as though their worth was being assessed.
Just as nervousness swept into their guts at every passing second, Lady Calanthe cald them with a short yet ordinary introduction. However, the rest of the events during the assembly were far from ordinary. The sudden announcent of the Arcan Chamber and its precious Mother Crystal brought a few seconds of confusion to all their faces. Lady Calanthe smiled and unhurriedly described the Lynari's recent work involving Kron energy transfusion.
"!!!"
A wave of excitent filled the entire hall. Their eyes brightened with shock and passion. Magical relics, pulsing with pure divine energy, that could repel malibreeds! Artifacts that could prevent corruption and seal demonic energy! One would be foolish not to rejoice!
However, in the midst of the enthusiasm, others took the news with suspicion. Their skeptical faces murmur within the crowd.
From Colahn's perspective, Lady Calanthe did well supporting young master Moulin's cause and conveying the news to the Mage Wing. However, Colahn, like the few, had so doubts. He was already suspicious of Moulin's recent works and wondered what sort of magical technique he perford to create such effective relics.
At present, Colahn arrived at the hall where several high-ranking mages were drowning in study. His arrival caught the eyes of many, including the chief mage, who hurriedly approached him.
"Lady Calanthe has responded to our request to survey the Arcan Chamber."
From the way the man was frowning, Colahn could deduce the answer. His eyes narrowed. "It seems she doesn't have that much trust with the Mage Wing. What more secrets have they kept hidden from us?."
The Chief shook his head with a sigh. Seeing his reaction, Colahn could only concede. "Forget it. Since the tests have finished. Let us begin implenting sectors of the production."
"Lord Hyantor's n have already delivered the rest of the components. With the amount of materials, it seems we must recruit more n."
After a brief exchange of words with the man, Colahn looked toward the mage hall, which stretched across the area. Every single person was engrossed with their own task with sweat-slicked foreheads as they sorted through docunts and the full crates of strange ores. His eyes deepened considerably. He knew it wasn't just the Mage Wing that was busy all week.
The entire stronghold was deep in a frenzy. The news leaked that an expedition team led by the skilled pathfinder, Eln Fraunces, and Captain of the silver league, Lady Ghana, had journeyed to the North to acquire the most vital part of the Arcan Chamber, the source of magic transfusion and divine amplifier. It was the last piece for the Lynari's significant goal, to allow the use of magic once more.
His cause had inspired many, persuading countless to his side. At the sa ti, it brought a profound realization... it was their ti to strike.
As many settlents were attacked by demons and malibreeds each week, it had cast a despondent atmosphere clouding the entire stronghold. Hundreds of lives were lost to the malibreeds and demons. Now, this string of news from the Mage Wing brought a sense of hope to every single person.
This thought fueled the fire of determination in Colahn's heart. This was their chance...
.....
Consequently, within the comfortable confines of the dical wing, a certain person wore a dark expression while he sat upright on the bed, leaning against the pillows. His steel gray eyes were akin to a knife's sharp edge, gleaming dangerously, as they pointed towards the nervous person standing by the bed.
Another person with platinum blonde hair, who had arrived just a few minutes earlier, lazily leaned on the wall, observing the scene in annoyance. This attendant has been out repeatedly questioning Emlen for several days. Ghana's cerulean eyes darkened. "How many tis has it been already? Enough with the questions."
The man hesitated, but before he could speak, Emlen Fraunces glared coldly. Silver streaks colored the ends of his brown hair, a feature that hadn't existed throughout his life. It made him look handso and mysterious. Though the owner, thought otherwise, thinking he looked more like a rebellious teenager.
"Drill this into those thick-headed superiors of yours from the Royal Council. If you think our n could survive the whole journey to the dark lands without these relics, think again. The Lynari's artifacts aren't luxuries. Without these relics, you are all sending your soldiers to their graves. Demons consu those unprepared. I suggest you start giving Moulin what he needs, you ungrateful fools."
As the last word ended, Ghana forced the attendant out of the room before she sat on the seat beside Emlen's bed, raising a brow. "Stop frowning. You think it would help heal you faster?"
Emlen rolled his eyes. Too many noisy people have been visiting his room lately. And did she forget he was older than her?
Glancing at the window, he forced himself to relax. His body has been slowly recovering ever since their return. The Chrysolite's power was too overwhelming for his mortal body, damaging his internal spirit. It would take so ti to heal...
.....
"Moulin... how is he?"
Ghana paused. She turned away briefly, scratching the back of her head. "Lord Hadrian said he's very worried. I think he is blaming himself for what happened. And Moulin wants a letter from you. It seems he can't sit still, not knowing how you are these days."
Grey eyes softened. Emlen felt himself relax a bit more. "I'll write sothing later. Help send it to Lord Hercullio."
Ghana nodded before pausing, wondering if she had forgotten sothing. In the next second, she fished a thick stack of letters from her pocket and began sifting through them in front of Emlen. "Ah, you've received so letters from Helios as well. Your family, a few colleagues... Oh, and... from Mal...Malyana?"
Ghana's eyes widened, stupified. Malyana. Isn't this the gorgeous fox lady from the underground city?
Before she could ponder any further, the letters were snatched from her hands. Emlen glared at her before gazing at the letter with a red kiss mark among the normal letters. A chill ran down his spine.
.....
Many were imrsed in their own doings, forgetting darkened skies over their heads as they worked tirelessly. Inside the safety of the hidden realm, Moulin wasn't an exception.
The slender young man stood before his working desk while weighing a piece of circular wood on a bronze scale. His silver eyes glead, reflecting the warm lamplight in his irises. His hair was loosely tied in a low ponytail. Silvery waves cascaded down his back. The youth seed too engrossed in his study, oblivious to the loud snores of a certain snow-white fox slumbering on the only chair of his workspace.
Moulin paused, mumbling softly. A barrier would do no good for the base as the demons grow stronger. With the Arcan chamber as the reservoir for his artifacts, perhaps he could create runic artifacts that could not only protect with divine mana but also absorb the Kron's dark energy. The latter would be the formation's secret use. People wouldn't have to know...
"Concocting another idea?"
Moulin stopped the mont he heard the familiar deep voice. A corner of his lips turned up as he briefly glanced behind his shoulder. "I'm glad you finally decided to grace with your presence, My Lord..."
Lord Hadrian unhurriedly approached the youth, placing a harmless hand on Moulin's waist. With how casually he was dressed, it seed he already finished his business for the day.
Golden eyes deepened as he stared at the young man's soft countenance against the warm light. "How could I interrupt you while your mind kept you from ?"
Slender fingers lowered the pen, and Moulin turned to glance at him. "Unfortunately, I, too, am a busy man. I'm afraid you must make an effort if you wish to keep my attention, Your Excellency."
The smile on Hadrian's face was challenged. Provoked, the hand on Moulin's waist abruptly yanked him to the lord's body. In the next second, warm lips captured Moulin's. The searing kiss was as addicting as ambrosia, making the youth fall into the comforting embrace, letting himself be trapped and conquered. He sighed against Hadrian's mouth as he wrapped his arms around the man's neck, deepening the kiss.
Hadrian took the opportunity to open Moulin's mouth, plunging his tongue into that slicked cavern. His hand gradually fell against the youth's bottom, feeling the soft flesh mold around his fingers. It was maddening how thin the clothes on Moulin's body were, as though they would rip with a single pull.
"Ah..." Moulin moaned as he was pressed against the edge of the table. Without another thought, he sat himself on the tablesurface. Long legs parting for the man eagerly stepping in the space between them. His lust-filled eyes could make any person weak on the knees.
His actions stoked the burning fire within. Hadrian's actions beca urgent, swallowing everything Moulin willing laid bare before his eyes. The gold in his eyes grew darker, burning with such desirous intensity it made Moulin want to kneel.
The air grew damp. Heat burning underneath their flesh. As a warm hand began to slip into his waistband, Moulin chased, yearning more of Hadrian lips.
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