The ruins stretched into silence, the faint echoes of King Arnault's parting words lingering in my mind. I held the map tightly, its edges crinkling under my grip. It was both a guide and a challenge, leading me to the next piece of this intricate puzzle—a ruin hidden beneath the capital. The revelation left a bitter taste in my mouth; the capital was the heart of the royal family that had usurped my lineage.
Was this some cosmic jest? To retrieve the final treasure, I would have to march into the lion's den, overthrowing Geoffrey. I gritted my teeth, my resolve hardening. If it meant saving my sisters and reclaiming Avaloria's legacy, then so be it. War wasn't just a possibility; it was an inevitability.
"Ensure that I reclaim the throne?" I muttered aloud, King Arnault's cryptic words playing over in my mind. Was this his design all along? A test, not just of strength but of resolve, to see if I was worthy of Avaloria's crown?
I stored the map into my Celestial Vault with a flick of my hand, the ancient parchment disappearing into the void of infinite space. That was one less thing to worry about for now. Turning to the shelves lining the chamber, I couldn't help but grin at the eclectic collection of books. From ancient tomes on magical theory to "Cooking with Mana," the old king's taste was as bizarre as it was amusing.
"Seriously? 'Romance of the Eternal Cauldron'?" I chuckled, pulling out the well-worn volume. The cover art depicted a cauldron with eyes, its lid perched jauntily like a hat. "I'm beginning to see why Avaloria fell. They were too busy writing absurd novels."
Galen's voice echoed in my head as I imagined him commenting: "Maybe if we learn from the cauldron's love life, we'll stand a chance in battle." The thought made me laugh harder than it should have.
One book, however, caught my eye: a thick tome titled "Advanced Magic Circles and Their Applications." Skimming through its pages, I stumbled upon a teleportation circle—a familiar design that matched the one etched into the chamber floor. My mind raced. Could I replicate this? If I installed one in Aumale, it could revolutionize everything—training, logistics, even rescue operations.
"Renaud, Andre, Agnes," I murmured, thinking of their growth. A teleportation circle would allow them to train here, in a place teeming with magical beasts. Their progress would be exponential.
But first, I needed to test it. Placing my hand on the runic design, I traced the sequence with aether-infused precision. The inscriptions glowed faintly, and a wave of mana coursed through the circle. The transport was instantaneous, a seamless transition from the dragon's lair back to where Galen and the others waited.
Galen's voice rang out as soon as I materialized. "Took you long enough. Find anything worth dying for?"
I smirked, holding up the map. "Just the key to the next ruin and some… eccentric reading material. You'd love it."
He raised an eyebrow, but before he could retort, I reached into my Celestial Vault and pulled out the armor I had earmarked for him.
The Obsidian Guard shimmered as I handed it over. "Try this on," I said, watching his expression shift from skepticism to awe. The armor's magical hum filled the air, the golden runes glinting in the faint light.
Galen wasted no time, donning the suit with practiced ease. It fit perfectly, as if forged for him. He flexed his arms, testing the mobility. "This… this is incredible. You sure it's for me?"
"Consider it a reward for putting up with me," I said with a grin. "But don't let it go to your head."
Turning to Renaud, Andre, and Agnes, I gestured for them to step forward. Their curiosity was palpable, their eyes wide with expectation. "You've all stood by me, and I owe you more than words can express," I began, my tone steady. "When we return to Aumale, I will have something for each of you—a reward for your loyalty and service. You've earned it."
Their faces lit up with a mixture of gratitude and pride. Renaud placed a hand over his heart, nodding solemnly. Andre grinned, his enthusiasm barely contained, while Agnes offered a quiet but heartfelt smile.
Before we could return to Aumale, I decided to experiment further with the teleportation circle. The runic sequence required adjustments for greater distances, so I spent hours calculating the precise mana flows and spatial coordinates. Galen hovered nearby, his curiosity mingling with impatience.
"You're not going to blow us all up, are you?" he quipped.
"No promises," I shot back, eliciting a nervous laugh from him. Once the circle was ready, I gestured for him to step on it.
"Wait, why me?"
"Because you're the most expendable," I deadpanned. He groaned but complied, his loyalty outweighing his apprehension. As the circle activated, his form shimmered and vanished.
Moments later, he reappeared, looking shaken but unharmed. "It worked," he said, though his voice betrayed a hint of disbelief. "Didn't expect that from your first try."
"Neither did I," I admitted with a mischievous grin. "You're lucky it didn't send you into a wall."
Galen's face paled, and I couldn't help but laugh. "Relax. I knew what I was doing… mostly."
With the circle functioning, I etched a second one in a secure corner of the dragon's chamber, linking it to Aumale. The others gathered around, their expressions a mix of curiosity and determination. I explained my plan to use the ruins as a training ground, a crucible to forge strength.
Renaud nodded solemnly. "It's a good idea. This place's danger will push us to grow."
Andre's eyes gleamed with resolve. "I'll become strong enough to protect everyone."
Agnes, silent but determined, simply gripped her father's hand.
As we prepared to leave, I felt a renewed sense of purpose. The road ahead was perilous, but I wasn't alone. Together, we would face whatever challenges lay in wait.
The ruins behind us, I glanced back one last time, the faint glow of the teleportation circle a reminder of the legacy I was fighting to reclaim. The battle for Avaloria had just begun.