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***
It had almost been a week since Eros found out about Leila's death, but still he had come to terms with it. Even though he wasn't too worried about it, he still felt sorry for her, after all, she was a good person, which are rare to find in this world. But most of all, Eros felt sorry for her motherless daughter. He had been through the same thing once, and the titan understood very well what she was going through. He had only been able to go through it because of his father, who had supported him, but Eros doubted that Jude would think about it and think about his daughter's feelings. After all, it only took one look at him for the titan to realise what kind of man he really was.
Eros was sure that after Leila's death, he would ignore Lucy and completely immerse himself in his work, to see as little as possible of his daughter, who was too much like her mother. He was too weak and would just be scared to look at her. Jude will try to forget his wife, completely immersed in his work, so as not to remember about her, so as not to feel the pain of loss, because he is the most common egoist.
That's why Eros made a contract with Capricorn and sent him to Fiore to take care of Lucy and protect her. The Titan would feed him while he was in this world, for he was only consuming one per cent of his magic power per hour, which was a drop in the ocean for Eros.
Titan knew that spirits didn't like to stay in this world for long, but Capricorn didn't mind staying in the world of the living and taking care of his former mistress's daughter.
***
- Eros! You have a new order! - A scowling Urthir entered the workshop with a piece of paper.
- Duke?
- Erm... Yes... How did you guess?
- There's no need to guess, his men have been hanging around our house for days now," Eros replied languidly, taking the cup of tea from the Maiden's hands, "Thank you," she only bowed and stood behind the titan.
- I understand that you have achieved what you wanted.
- That's right, we'll be out of this city in a little while.
- And where do you plan to go next? - Urtir asked, glancing at the Maiden unobtrusively and frowning.
- To Stella, I want to visit the Lilac Flame Guild.
- It's the first time I've heard of it.
- Well, it's known in very narrow circles, because it has many Rune Masters and I heard that their master can put four runes on an object.
- But so can you.
- Yes, that's why I'm not going to stay there for a long time, but just for a couple of months, so to speak, to exchange knowledge. Still, I think an old man like him knows a lot.
- I see," Urthir nodded thoughtfully, and with a twitch in her eye she looked at the Maiden again, "And I have one last question.
- Ask.
- You fucking pervert! Why does Virgo's skirt get shorter every day, and the neckline of her breasts bigger and bigger?!
- I don't know," the titan answered calmly, shrugging his shoulders.
- What do you mean you don't know?!
- Hmmm... Maiden, will you answer Urthir's question?
- I am the loyal spirit of my master. I take on the guise you desire.
- 'That's right,' Eros looked at the spirit thoughtfully, lingering for a moment on her breasts and hips, 'I approve completely!
- Thank you, Master Eros.
- Hey!- Don't worry, Urthir, there is always room in my heart for two girls, - the titan smiled softly, looking at the girl who was blushing, either from anger or from embarrassment, - So come to me....
- Idiot! - Stomping her foot, the sorceress exclaimed and left the workshop.
- Eh... She doesn't understand jokes... Maiden, please pour some more tea....
- Yes, Mr Eros.
Eros at the same time looked thoughtfully at the spirit's chest, and when he shifted his gaze to her face, he noticed that she was looking into his eyes. But the titan was not the least bit embarrassed by this, he only thanked the Maiden.
"Hmmm... Maybe not a joke..."
***
The next day Eros, accompanied by the offended Urthir, arrived at the Duke's house. The latter came out to personally greet them. Duke Monell himself, was a short man of forty, with short dark hair, brown eyes, and a small moustache that was slightly smaller than Makarov's.
- When you were described as a young man of no more than sixteen, I did not believe it," he said with a slight smile, extending his hand.
- I am honoured and delighted to meet you, Duke Monell," he shook his hand.
- And you are the young miss?
- Urthyr," the girl replied indifferently.
- 'You'll have to excuse her, she's not in the mood today.
- Oh... Oh, of course, come in.
They arrived in a small drawing-room where they sat down on a sofa, and the Duke himself sat down opposite them.
- Let's get down to business, I still have a lot of work to do.
- Yes, of course, - Monell called a servant to him and sent him out of the living room with a whisper, - Now they will bring here an object on which you should put these runes, - he went to a small cabinet and took a book from there, which he handed to Eros, - I marked three runes and if you succeed, you can ask me for anything you want.
- Of course," Opening the book, on the first marked page, he froze and looked at the duke in surprise.
The book contained an analogue of the strength rune, but weaker than the one he had learned in the Celestial Library, as well as a rune of resistance to physical damage and the elements. All in all, a complete defence kit, it felt like the man was preparing for battle.
- Can you do it?
- It's not difficult, but the price won't be small, it won't compare to that blade, because I understand it's to be applied to four pieces of armour?
- Yes.
- I won't ask for precious ones, but I will need one item from your collection... This ring, with a white crystal in the shape of a heart.
- From where?
- It's already a secret, so what do you think?
The man frowned at Eros, but after a while, sighed and nodded.
- 'I agree, but can you tell me why you want it?
- I want to give it to my girlfriend," Eros said tiredly, looking at Urtir, who was looking at him with a narrowed gaze, "She's been upset with me for a day now, so I wanted to make it up to her.
- That's how..." the duke nodded with a sceptical look at him.
"He didn't believe me, well, fine."
Two men entered the hall one holding the bottom of the armour, the other the top. The armour was a dark colour. The breastplate consisted of various plates joined together, under a high armoured collar. The shoulder pads were small with protruding spikes. The armour was complemented by a helmet, completely covering the face. There were a pair of spikes on the elbows as well as on the knees, and sharp claws on the gauntlets. This armour did not have a single open spot completely covering the body.
- Not a bad armour, I won't ask why you need it, just ask you to prepare payment while I work.
- Good...
Eros took out a small case containing a jar of black liquid, a brush and several beakers of colourful powder.
***
It took the Titan about seven hours to finish his work, as each rune was drawn slowly, clearly and without unnecessary movements. One mistake and the rune could be ruined, and that's wasting materials that are already hard to obtain.
- I'm done, accept the work.
- So quickly... - the Duke said in surprise, looking at the patterns on the armour with interest, - You don't mind if I call an appraiser, I don't know much about this craft.
- Do as you wish.
Half an hour later, a man with a long black beard entered the living room. He had a green hat on his head and was wearing the same green suit, with a slight smile playing on his face.
"Unpleasant type..."
- Master Cornelius, please check, you're the one I trust like myself.
- You overestimate me, Duke Monell," the man walked over to the armour and began to touch the runes, it wasn't long before he began to frown.
- Is something wrong, Master Cornelius? - The Duke asked anxiously.
- Who made these runes?
- This young man here.
Monell pointed at Eros.
- Hm! Now I see why they are so low-grade.
- How can that be, this young man is the best craftsman in the city! - confidently objected the duke.
- We've known you for years, tell me, have I ever deceived you?!
- You are right, I apologise for doubting you....
Eros at the same time had a double feeling, at the same time he wanted to tear off the heads of two very bad actors, and the other to laugh and clap.
- What are you talking about! Eros is the best rune master in the city, no one has complained about his work all year! - jumped up and exclaimed Urtir, greatly surprising the titan, he didn't expect this maiden to defend him.
- I am the best appraiser in town! Everyone knows me, and if I say that the runes are low-grade, it means that they are low-grade!
- You...!
- Shut up! Eros, I demand that you leave my house immediately and I will forget about this incident!
Eros gave the duke a withering glance and remained seated on the couch.
- My payment.
- What the hell is your payment! I said get out of here! You dare try to trick me and now you demand a reward?! - Monell roared like a pig, glaring at the titan with "fury".
Hearing his words, Urthir wanted to jump up from her seat and slap the arrogant bastard, but was stopped by Eros, who put his hand on her clenched fist and shook his head.
- Eros...!
- Wait, the concert isn't over yet," the titan whispered in her ear.
- Right! Master Cornelius, please look at the blade! - suddenly "remembered" the Duke, seeing that the guests were not going to leave.
At the same moment, as if by order, the very sword Eros was working on was brought into the living room.
- Hm... - he touched the blade and after ten seconds, removed his palm from it, - Same thing, there are also only low-grade runes!
- I knew it! You! Give me back my five million precious I paid for this!
At this moment, Urthir couldn't stand it and released her magic power, and a flying green ball appeared beside her, which flew straight at the duke the next moment. But in front of him stood the very appraiser who waved his hand and created a barrier of wind in front of the ball, which easily stopped it.
- How dare you attack me?! Duke Monell, the head of this city! Now you'll never get out of here alive! Guards! Arrest them at once!
- Have you finished this skit? - Eros asked in a calm voice, standing next to Urthir, -Now give me my reward.
- What reward? You have deceived the nobleman Bosco, made an attempt on his life, and for that you will only die!
- That's how... - smiling slightly, Eros stopped restraining the magic power and released it completely and in the next moment, everyone was pinned to the ground and only Eros and Urtir remained standing, - Still, we should have just stolen this thing from the beginning and that's it... Urtir, what are you hanging on to?
Urthir was shocked by the whole situation. She couldn't have expected that they would be slandered so brazenly, and that it would be done by such a powerful mage. For a moment, she was even frightened when she saw how easily he had destroyed her orb. But what surprised her the most was how easily the titan handled the situation.
- Urthir...
- А?! What?" the girl exclaimed sharply and the next moment she was embarrassed.
- I see you are with us now, then let's go, this kind man wants to take us to our destination, - Eros smiled and pointed at the trembling duke.
- Yes... Let's go....