After enduring the searing pain for what felt like an eternity, John had a bucket of water poured over him, providing some relief. He turned his gaze toward the chief elder, his curiosity evident in his expression. "What can these do?" John asked, his voice filled with intrigue.
To his surprise, the chief's response was far from what he had anticipated. He shrugged his shoulders and admitted, "I have absolutely no idea. I merely forged the physical bodies of these weapons. The rest was bestowed upon them by the eternal flame. It is beyond my authority to question the flame, but one thing I can assure you is that they will grow and evolve alongside you."
John nodded, absorbing the chief's words. As he did, he noticed the old man who had been training him making his way toward him with a deliberate pace. The old man leaned in close and whispered into John's ear, his voice laced with a touch of warning, "Beware the ides of ember... It will consume everything you hold dear." With that cryptic message delivered, the old man disappeared into the bustling crowd.
John stood there for a moment, his gaze fixed on the spot where the old man had stood, his mind swirling with a mix of confusion and concern. Nicholas approached, breaking his reverie. "What did he say?" Nicholas inquired, prompting John to startle slightly. "Nothing important," John replied, shaking his head. "Let's say our goodbyes and set off."
With their goodbyes exchanged, the group embarked on their journey back to the heart of the Valoria Grand Duchy, Veridiana. However, the old man's words continued to linger in John's thoughts, casting a shadow over his mind. "If it's the ides of ember, then that must be the estimated time when the nobles plan to launch their attacks against us," John mused, addressing Pallas and Kostas In his mind. "Do you have any insights on this?"
"We will discuss those matters later. For now, focus on giving your best effort. There are important matters we need to address once you arrive at the duchy," Kostas responded, offering a brief reassurance. John's mind found a momentary respite, and he turned his attention to the road ahead. A road that would connect Ferrum Castrum to the capital of the duchy, a promising sight that brought a flicker of happiness to John's heart.
As the carriage glided along, John couldn't help but marvel at the sight of cities undergoing construction and existing cities undergoing complete transformations. It was evident that his ambitious dreams were slowly beginning to take shape. The construction of the road had significantly reduced travel time between the castle and Veridiana. With only a minor detour to check on a starving city he had encountered on his way to Ferrum Castrum, the entire journey now took just three days, half the time it had taken previously.
On the 17th of the month of the Yeti, in the year 1328 of the holy calendar, six months after John's return, his plans were gradually coming to fruition. The most prominent example was unfolding before his eyes. As their carriage approached the city walls, John spotted Dante and a sizable portion of the castle staff eagerly waiting for his arrival. A fleeting smile graced his lips. Though he still held reservations about fully trusting the Grand Duke, he couldn't deny the similar experiences that had brought them closer, and he considered Dante to be someone of significance in his life.
"You're finally here. It's been such a long time," Dante exclaimed, pulling John into a warm embrace, akin to a proud father—a role he believed himself to play, regardless of what John considered him to be.
"It's been a remarkable journey, sir. And I can already see some of the discussions taking shape," John replied, a genuine smile adorning his face as he observed the road being filled in.
"Oh, you haven't seen the half of it. Let's go inside and prepare to have your mind blown," Dante chuckled heartily, giving John a hearty pat on the back before leading the way back into the city.
The transformation of the city within the past three months was nothing short of remarkable. Much of the credit could be attributed to Dante's exceptional leadership skills, which seemed almost supernatural. He had restructured the army and established a dedicated unit to maintain peace within the city. Dante had overseen the construction of a massive road network and sewage system, while simultaneously addressing the issue of the slums. Through the creation of a new housing district, the slum dwellers had been relocated and employed. Although these projects were still in progress, one unexpected factor had greatly contributed to their success—something that both John and Dante had neglected.
It was the undeniable connection between the high dwarves and their regular counterparts. After all, the high dwarves held the holy flame that all dwarves revered. Once the agreement had been reached, dwarves from all corners of the continent flocked to the duchy, hoping for the opportunity to live closer to the sacred flame.
At present, the city of Veridiana boasted the highest concentration of both high and regular dwarves. Thousands of regular dwarves and hundreds of high dwarves resided there, their only discernible difference being the cross-shaped irises of the high dwarves.
John found himself rendered speechless as he took in the stark contrast of the city's current appearance. What used to be snow-covered streets were now comfortably paved stone roads, reminiscent of those in Ferrum Castrum. Illuminating the streets were exquisite light crystals, produced by factories established by the high dwarves in the capital. The crowning touch was the vast field that now occupied the space where the slums had once stood.
Yet, John's awe did not stem from the city's technological advancements. Veridiana still paled in comparison to Ferrum Castrum in that regard. What truly astonished him was the astounding rate at which the city had developed in just three months.
"Isn't it wonderful?" Dante remarked, observing the children playing in the streets, their bellies full and worries of their next meal replaced with laughter.
"It truly is," John replied, his heart brimming with joy as he beheld the marvel before him.
After receiving a brief tour of the developing city, Dante led John to a military camp where they could witness the ongoing reforms firsthand. "Here, we're ensuring that every child and adult learns the basics of reading and writing," Dante explained, guiding John into a small classroom. Inside, a mage from the magic department was diligently instructing citizens in arithmetic, literature, and the fundamentals of literacy.
Curiosity sparked within John, prompting him to inquire, "What weapons are you providing these people with for the time being?" He raised his gaze to meet Dante's sly smile, sensing that there might be something unexpected in store.
A hushed whisper escaped John's lips as he followed Dante to the backyard of the massive military academy. Countless magical beasts roamed freely within the space—no cages or chains could be seen. Yet, despite their unbridled freedom, none of the creatures dared to venture beyond the academy's boundaries. It was clear why: perched atop the academy, a colossal wyvern kept a watchful eye, ensuring that the beasts remained in check. In addition, griffons, smaller wyverns, and white tigers patrolled the borders of the academy, maintaining order.
John couldn't help but voice his unease. "I have a bad feeling about this," he muttered under his breath.
Dante's response was tinged with determination. "I might have gone a bit overboard, but if every one of our people forms a contract with a mana beast, we won't need to worry about the impending invasion. At present, we lack the technological advancements to take on the massive army that awaits us. Time is also against us; we cannot train everyone to fight using dwarven technology. Most of my generals are still grappling with their canons. So, this was my alternative—teaching people to fight alongside beasts once a contract is established. We can introduce further innovations after the forthcoming war and rebellion."
John nodded in agreement, understanding the reasoning behind Dante's approach. "Your point is valid, and I fully support your decision. We have limited time to overhaul the army, and rushing the process would only lead to our downfall when the time comes. However, I do have a question. Can we sustain such a large beast army? I imagine the expenses involved in its maintenance must be substantial," he inquired, curiosity gleaming in his eyes.
Dante chuckled heartily in response. "My dear John, I currently have more wealth at my disposal than I know what to do with," he confessed, his laughter filling the air.