One day later – Highmount Hotel.
"This is unbearable…"
Massaging his temples, Duke sighed in frustration. It had been a full day since the end of Soul-Erosion Night, and he had spent nearly all of it in a deep sleep.
This was exactly why he rarely used Pride's strongest Sin Form.
The toll it took was simply too great.
The first time he had attempted to activate it, he had nearly destroyed his own experimental workshop. Soul-Erosion Night had marked his second time using that form.
Fully aware of the cost, to both himself and Pride—he had always kept the Sin Form as a last resort.
Pride remained unconscious, dormant in his vehicle form, safely stowed away in Duke's inventory. Duke didn't feel secure leaving him out in the open.
Now, seated on the balcony in a plush chair, Duke was recovering. Within arm's reach was a table set with freshly chilled golden rum and cigars.
This was his recovery routine—wake up, settle by the window, and contemplate what to do next.
Jayce had returned to work on his experiments. With Soul-Erosion Night behind them, it was time for him to begin his research.
Camille had already gone back to Piltover. Tahm had personally escorted her. Before leaving, Camille had shot Duke a sharp glance, one that still made him a little uneasy even now.
Of course, Duke knew exactly what that look meant.
And perhaps that was precisely why it made him so uncomfortable.
With a cigar between his lips and a tumbler in hand, Duke gazed out at the sky.
Knock knock knock…
"Come in," he said casually without turning his head. Raven entered the room and addressed him directly.
"Mr. Duke, the Captain has encountered some trouble."
"Trouble?"
"The True Believer of Nagakabouros—Illaoi, is here. She's at the tavern, speaking with the Captain. She sent me to ask for your thoughts."
"I see."
Duke snuffed out his cigar and stood from the sofa.
"Give me a moment to change. Then I'll go with you."
Before long, Duke had changed into a sharp-looking trench coat and was walking through Bilgewater's streets with Raven at his side.
The city was busy in the aftermath of Soul-Erosion Night.
Many locals had gathered near the Wharf and Thieves' Square—the two most devastated areas.
The Wharf, devastated by the rampaging Sea Kraken, had suffered extensive structural collapse. Rubble and splinters were everywhere, and the colossal sinkhole Duke had left behind still gaped in the earth.
Thieves' Square had served as the main line of defense during the night. The densely packed shanty rooftops that made up the square had been crushed and shattered. Countless homes would need repairs or complete reconstruction.
After surviving such a night, the people of Bilgewater gathered together—not only to celebrate life but to honor the many souls claimed by the Twin Harbingers.
Many had even witnessed the Twins' descent firsthand, making this year's remembrance even more solemn and sacred.
Duke crossed the boardwalk, passed over the suspended bridges, and walked through the aerial corridors of the Upper City—finally arriving at The Nine-Headed Serpent, Sarah's personal tavern.
This was where she usually held negotiations with the city's major figures.
And naturally, it was where Illaoi had come to meet her.
As one of the few upscale taverns in Bilgewater, The Nine-Headed Serpent wasn't just Sarah's second home—it was also her receiving hall.
Outside the tavern, Nagakabouros' warrior acolytes stood in tense standoff with Sarah's crew.
Duke saw it all from a distance. The moment her sailors saw the man in a dark gray trench coat approaching, they lowered their weapons and bowed respectfully.
"Why are you all crowding the door?" Duke called out with a smirk. "It's the middle of the day—aren't you trying to run a business?"
"Clear out, all of you."
He dismissed the sailors and turned his gaze toward the temple warriors. Despite their title, they were mostly young men this time.
These tattooed youths had completely blocked the tavern entrance. Each carried a jagged spear, with flintlocks and hooks strapped to their waists.
They strutted like they owned the place, as if all of Plungecliff belonged to them.
"What's the matter? Are Nagakabouros' warriors all blind and deaf now?"
"We came with the True Believer," one of them responded as a snakecaller stepped forward, decked in emerald jewelry. "It's our duty to ensure her safety."
"Tch. Do I look like an idiot to you?" Duke rubbed his temples. "There are only a handful of people in this whole city who wouldn't be flattened by a single punch from your 'True Believer,' and you're saying she needs protection?"
"Next time, come up with a better excuse."
Shaking his head, Duke walked straight into the tavern.
The moment he stepped in, he heard a deep, rumbling voice:
"Nagakabouros does not dwell in the depths. Only the ignorant would believe such a thing. She lives in every action we take, and every path we walk."
"Sarah, I hope you understand this."
Illaoi towered above the room, wrapped in heavy ceremonial robes that masked the distinctive features of her Serpent Isles heritage.
Her massive frame radiated natural intimidation, made worse by the divine idol she carried on her shoulder—Nagakabouros' sacred relic.
"Yeah, sure, you're right," came a sarcastic voice echoing through the tavern. "How foolish of me."
Miss Fortune's biting tone made Duke roll his eyes. She better be careful or she'd end up being dragged to the temple for a "trial."
Having one's soul forcibly ripped out and scourged by divine tentacles… even Nagakabouros' most devout followers rarely spoke of that agony.
"You are not foolish, Sarah," Illaoi said with a thunderous laugh that shook the tavern ceiling. Then, just as swiftly, her face grew stern. "But you are ignorant of your own nature. Of the meaning behind your actions."
"You need guidance. Someone to help you see the purpose of your path."
"I say…"
Duke rapped his knuckles on the bar.
"You open for business today or what?"
His voice caught both Illaoi and Miss Fortune's attention. Sarah's eyes lit up, and she immediately stepped behind the bar.
"Of course we're open," she said with a grin. "What'll it be?"
"Your best."
Duke winked at her, then turned to face Illaoi, leaning casually against the counter.
"What about you, True Believer? Care for a drink?"
Illaoi studied him for a moment, then set down her divine idol and walked calmly to the bar.
"I've heard rumors… Someone's backing Fortune. Didn't expect him to be this young."
"My family always told me," she said, "never judge ability by age or looks. Doing so only proves your ignorance."
Duke pulled out a cigar case and offered it to her. She waved it away.
"No thanks. I prefer these."
She pulled a mango from her robe.
Duke chuckled, both of them turning toward Sarah behind the bar. The towering woman said:
"Fortune needs guidance. Only with it can she properly rule Bilgewater."
"You've already forgotten about Gangplank, have you?" Duke shot back, his tone laced with mockery. "I heard things between you two were… complicated."
"He is he. I am me," Illaoi replied without flinching. "My heart belongs only to Nagakabouros."
Duke shrugged. "Say what you want. But this time, Bilgewater survived because of us—because we protected it from the Black Mist."
"The Wharf is in ruins, Thieves' Square looks like it got hit by a Frost Giant. That's your idea of protection?"
"Well, it's still better than your lot sacrificing the slumfolk every year as offerings for Soul-Erosion Night."
With a tap, Duke placed a special bullet on the counter—one forged from Superintelligent Molar Alloy.
"I know you can command the leaders of every faction in this city. Even Okko listens to you."
Sarah set a glass in front of him, picked up the cigar case, and began trimming one for herself.
"But times have changed, Illaoi," Duke said as he drummed the counter.
Her eyes drifted toward the strange bullet.
"Everything's changing. Bilgewater can't stay the same."
After lighting the cigar, Sarah slipped it between Duke's lips. He bit down and winked at Illaoi.
"This city is about to enter a new age."
"And that change starts now."
"No one supports you—unless I say so."
"If you accept Nagakabouros' guidance, then all will support her," Illaoi said, looking between Sarah and Duke. "And you will gain much in return."
"Sorry."
Duke took the cigar from his lips and lifted his glass, staring into the amber liquid.
"I don't need anyone else to support Sarah."
"Because she only needs me."
"And Bilgewater"
He raised the glass and downed it in one gulp.
"Bilgewater is entering a new era."
"The age of the Empress."
Letting out a slow breath, Duke smiled at Illaoi.
"Anyone in the way…"
"Will be crushed."
"Without exception."
(End of chapter)
We're still in the early chapters fam! and to everyone who's joined the Patreon, thank you so much! 🙏Your support truly means the world. You're the reason this story keeps growing, chapter by chapter, world by world. I promise to give it my all! more content, more depth, more epic moments, to make sure your support is always worth it. You're part of the foundation that keeps this universe alive.
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