I Stole The Duke - Chapter 99

“Alright, shall we go now?”

Eliana, already thinking ahead to the next step, reached out her hand to Michalis.

“No.”

Michalis’s expression hardened immediately. Eliana was dressed in a fitted riding outfit, and her crossbody bag—packed with magic cards—was slung over her shoulder. She looked ready to charge into battle at any moment.

“I’ll handle the negotiations. You must not expose yourself to the Magic Tower.”

“…What? What are you talking about?!”

Eliana’s eyes widened in disbelief.

“Weren’t you about to march into the Tower yourself?”

“No, I wasn’t.”

“…Then where are we going?”

“I want to see the warships. Let’s head to where they’re docked.”

“Ah.”

“So, Michal… Is that really how you see me? Some reckless, wild-headed woman?”

“Ahem.”

Michalis didn’t deny it.

“…….”

Eliana, with her track record, couldn’t exactly argue either.

“Why do you want to see the warships?”

Only after a few moments of awkward silence did he finally ask.

“This book might buy us a year. But I’m more concerned about what happens after that.”

“But surely, you can’t mean to use your magic on the warships. That would be far too dangerous.”

From what Michalis had seen, Eliana’s magic resonated differently—its wavelength didn’t match that of standard magic. If she used her magic, there was no way the Tower wouldn’t notice.

“That’s why I’ve been thinking.”

Eliana paused briefly, then continued.

“What gives the Tower its power to pressure the ducal house like this?”

“Isn’t it because they monopolize magical technology?”

They were the only institution capable of enchanting and maintaining spells on military ships. Practically every mage was affiliated with the Tower—it was the most resource-rich and supportive place for magical research.

“Do you know why the Tower is so interested in my magic?”

“They said the wavelength of your spells was… unique.”

“Yes, but to be precise, it’s because the magic I use is actually from the lost civilization of Ancient Sardis.”

“Which is exactly why it must never be revealed.”

The idea of mages everywhere turning their attention to Eliana sent a chill down Michalis’s spine.

“Michal, I see it differently. I intend to reveal this magic to the world.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“If I keep it to myself, I’ll just be a target.”

After a long night of thought, Eliana had made up her mind—to start a revolution.

A magical revolution. She would unveil Sardis’s lost magic all at once and make it common knowledge. To let such powerful magic go unused just because of the Tower’s scrutiny—it was absurd.

“That’s a dangerous path.”

Michalis easily grasped what she meant, and his expression darkened. Taking that path could make her the Tower’s greatest enemy.

“That’s why I need your help.”

“What would you like me to do?”

Still, he couldn’t let her be dragged around by the Tower forever. As long as he could ensure her safety, Michalis was willing to do whatever she asked.

“First, could you create a false identity for me?”

“A middle-aged man from the Kingdom of Jaiphen? Around his forties?”

Michalis imagined someone completely unlike Eliana—perhaps a hairy, potbellied man. That should serve as a decent cover.

“Yes, that should work. And I need you to introduce me to someone.”

“Someone I know?”

“Of course. Could you arrange a meeting with Count Terius?”

Someone trustworthy, with a global distribution network extending beyond the Empire. To spread something widely and swiftly, they would need his help.

“That won’t be difficult. But he’s still abroad. You likely won’t be able to meet him until next month.”

It had been seven months since Count Terius had left to explore a country beyond the Eastern Empire. By now, he’d probably heard about Joel’s engagement and would be hurrying back.

“I look forward to meeting him.”

The preparation window was one year. Eliana felt the clock ticking—she wanted to have everything in place by then.

“……”

Michalis watched Eliana’s bright smile and pictured Count Terius.

He’s going to be shocked.

He’d understand the moment they met.

“Then, shall we head to the warship docks?”

“We’ll need to prepare the horses first. Let’s leave after lunch.”

Michalis pulled the bell cord to summon his attendant.

* * *

“Why haven’t we received a response yet?!”

The bomb had been dropped. It was only a matter of time before the other side reacted.

“Hah! Are they seriously saying they’ll pay an additional 12.6 billion riems starting next month?!”

It had already been two days. Still, there was no response from the Duchy of Ascher.

Damn it. Should I have asked for five times the amount instead of three?

Olive was growing anxious. The duchy held exclusive rights over salt and gunpowder—it was certainly a powerful house—but he had no way of measuring the true extent of their wealth.

“Sigh…”

He let out a long breath. If they ended up paying that enormous fee without a word of complaint, well, that would be fine in its own way—but it would also leave him with no excuse to go south.

“If they beg just a little, I could’ve settled for a double rate increase.”

His real aim from the beginning was to open the negotiation table. The ridiculous sum he’d demanded was bait—to get the duke desperate enough to come crawling to negotiate a better deal.

I want to see them…

Yes, that was it. If the duchy wanted to talk terms, Olive was more than ready to rush to the south at a moment’s notice.

I’m dying to see her.

With another deep sigh, Olive dropped his forehead onto the desk. It had already been more than ten days since he’d last seen her. Lately, the image of that silver-haired fairy smiling so brightly kept dancing before his eyes, making it impossible to concentrate on the mountain of academic papers on his desk.

“I knew I should’ve asked for five times.”

Thunk. Thunk. Thunk.

His forehead thudded against the desk in rhythmic frustration.

“Master, what’s going on?”

A staff member had entered after knocking, only to gape at the strange sight.

“Who said you could come in without permission?”

“You did… just now.”

It must’ve been drowned out by the thudding on the desk.

“Get out.”

Olive couldn’t even muster the energy to get angry anymore.

Tsk, tsk.

The staffer shook his head as he stared at the green-haired mess slumped over the desk. He’d seemed like he’d pulled himself together these past few days—but now the Tower Master was back to acting like a sulky teenager.

“In that case, I’ll just leave this here—an official request from the Duchy of Ascher, just received via magical delivery.”

“What?! The duchy?! Give it to me!”

Olive shot up from the desk like moss peeling off a rock.

“Here it is.”

Request for Fee Negotiation

The moment he snatched the document from the staffer, his eyes lit up. The title was exactly what he’d been hoping for.

Of course! Even money can bring dukes to their knees.

So even the mighty Duchy of Ascher had its limits.

“Send a reply via magical transmission right away—tell them I’ll come in person!”

“Master, if you check the bottom of the request, you’ll see they’ve already scheduled a meeting at the duchy’s castle—one week from now.”

“What?! I have to wait another week?!”

Olive, who had just been grinning from ear to ear, suddenly exploded.

“Yes, Master. One week from now.”

How could someone’s mood swing so violently? The staffer still hadn’t gotten used to the whirlwind temperament of his Tower Master.

After a slightly early lunch, Eliana and Michalis left the main residence together.

Prrrrrr.

Sure enough, Michalis’s black stallion—equipped with a two-person saddle—was waiting in front of the main building.

“Pardon me for a moment.”

Pfft.

Michalis effortlessly lifted Eliana up into the saddle, prompting the horse to snort in mild annoyance.

“Are you scared?”

“A little… yes.”

Though she’d seen the horse several times, Eliana still found its powerful presence intimidating.

If Michal looks away for even a second, it might bite me…

“Don’t worry. He won’t kick or bite you.”

Reading the fear in her eyes, Michalis quickly mounted behind her.

The horse, known for its pride, didn’t usually allow anyone but its master to ride. But it had accepted Eliana as its master’s mate—and that was the only reason it was tolerating her now.

“Obsidian. Let’s go.”

Without needing a nudge or command, the black horse began to move at a steady pace.

“Michal, do you think I could learn to ride?”

The inner citadel was small enough to get around on foot, but the outer citadel was large—almost the size of a small town. Eliana suspected she’d be going around more often, and it seemed better to ride for exercise than always relying on a carriage.

“In that case, I’ll find you a suitable pony. We should be able to locate a good one in three or four days.”

Most of the warhorses within the castle were too large and too fierce. Finding a gentle one would require looking farther afield, but it wasn’t impossible.

“Thank you, Michal.”

“As soon as the horse is ready, I’ll arrange lessons for you. Do you have anyone in mind to teach you? In terms of riding skills, Sir Rosswell Speaker is the most—”

“No, absolutely not!”

Eliana practically shouted before he could finish. The last thing she wanted was to go deaf while learning to ride.

“Then, perhaps Sir Jo—”

“Yes! Sir Joel, please.”

She cut him off before he could say the name in full.

“Sir Joel, is it…”

Michalis’s shoulders drooped.

I would’ve made time for it myself, even if I was busy… Is it just me, or does she like Joel a bit too much?

He had been willing to make time despite his schedule. He cursed himself for even uttering the “Jo—” that gave her the opening.

Before long, they arrived at the secret dock where the warships were moored.

“We greet Your Grace.”

The black horse carrying Eliana and Michalis paused. A veteran knight stationed at the entrance quickly stood at attention and saluted.

“You’ve been working hard.”

“Shin Bolie Aner, at your service, Milady. It’s an honor to meet you.”

“Thank you for your service, Sir Aner.”

The moment they reached the entrance to the vast underground cavern, Eliana understood why they hadn’t come by carriage. The secret base wasn’t far from the inner citadel, but the road was far too narrow and steep for any carriage to pass. Given her weaker constitution, riding was the best way to travel here.

“I’d like to show my wife the warships. Please clear the facility of any personnel for a while.”

“Yes, Your Grace!”

The knight replied crisply and immediately began giving orders to the soldiers inside.

“His Grace is here. All personnel are to step outside and take a break.”

“Yes, understood. For the Duchy!”

The warships were so massive and imposing that the sight of soldiers quickly withdrawing went almost unnoticed.

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