"I came to ask for Duke's help!"
As Fiora spoke, her gaze fell squarely on Duke. Meeting her eyes, Duke could only sigh in exasperation. "What do you want this time?"
"I'm about to head south to deal with the locusts. I don't have time to fool around with you here."
"Deal with locusts?"
Fiora raised an eyebrow in puzzlement. Duke briefly explained the matter of the Argo black locusts. The moment she heard him, Fiora's expression hardened. She turned to the prince and declared without hesitation, "As a Demacian, I cannot stand by and ignore my nation's peril!"
"I beg you, allow me to join the Decapitation Squad!"
Jarvan didn't immediately agree or refuse. Instead, he smiled warmly. "I've heard the Laurent family's swordsmanship is unmatched. It seems I'll have the chance to witness it firsthand."
"For the honor of Demacia, I will not hesitate to give my life!"
Fiora pressed her fist firmly to her chest in salute, her eyes alight with conviction. Duke raised a brow as he watched. She was still far from mature, but at least her sense of the bigger picture wasn't lacking.
Still, why was this woman dragging him into her affairs again?
"Very well. Prepare yourself and report to Dawn Castle before the tenth bell."
"Yes, Your Highness!"
With that, Jarvan and his companions departed swiftly for their own preparations. The Decapitation Squad's roster wasn't finalized yet. Fiora's volunteer service was commendable, but hardly enough. The prince still needed more battle-hardened warriors.
In addition, the knightly orders had to be mobilized to the south. Once the squad succeeded in severing the head of the swarm, the knights would finish the job, ensuring the remaining locusts were wiped out.
As the saying goes: If you don't pull weeds up by the roots, they'll grow again when spring winds blow.
A creature like the Argo black locust could not be left with even one survivor. A single escapee could mean another plague next year.
After the prince and his men left, Duke folded his arms across his chest and looked at Fiora. "By the way, why were you looking for me?"
"It was my idea!"
Jax stepped forward with his lamppost slung casually over his shoulder. He had stayed silent in the prince's presence—better not to draw attention as a wanderer—but now that Jarvan had gone, he spoke freely.
"You forced her into that exoskeleton. Yes, it gave her great power, but as a pure warrior she'll never advance any further like this."
Pointing at Fiora's armor, Jax said firmly, "I want you to remove it. Only then can she learn from me properly."
"That's all?"
Duke arched a brow, then walked around behind Fiora. With a flick of his hand, he detached the control core at the back of her neck. The exoskeleton instantly loosened and collapsed, disengaging from her body before folding down into a compact block that could fit neatly into a case.
"There. Done."
He placed the core into Fiora's hand. "If you want to wear it again, just press the core back onto your nape. The armor will reassemble automatically."
"But I wouldn't recommend removing it now. Didn't you just volunteer for the Decapitation Squad?"
"Wearing this suit will help you fight more effectively."
Fiora stared at the core in her palm, torn. Duke had already retrieved the case for the armor, neatly stowing it inside before handing it back to her.
"Go on and get yourself ready. Don't forget to report to Dawn Castle. I've got my own preparations to make."
With a wave of his hand, Duke dismissed both Fiora and Jax. He had more than enough on his plate as it was, and the hours in a day were starting to feel too short.
After a quick wash, Duke emerged from the washroom only to find Vayne standing outside, a cloak draped around her shoulders.
"What's wrong this time?" he asked.
"Just a small job. I'll be gone for a couple of days," she replied.
Wiping away toothpaste foam, Duke said casually while rinsing his mouth, "I'll be back as soon as it's done."
"All right."
Vayne nodded and headed downstairs. "I'll make you breakfast."
"Perfect. I'll tune up the aircraft."
While Vayne busied herself in the kitchen, Duke moved to the backyard, summoned his aircraft, and began modifying its core systems. The engines had always been locked to a steady speed, but for this mission, that simply wouldn't do. He lifted the limiter, and with Pride's help, installed an external shell to protect against high-altitude air currents.
At low altitudes with constant speed, the craft hadn't needed armor. But for high-speed flight above the clouds, improvements were essential.
By the time he finished, Vayne had breakfast ready.
Duke wolfed it down in no time. After a parting embrace and kiss, he left the house and boarded the wolf-drawn carriage toward Dawn Castle.
He dismissed Angra at the gates—there was no need to bring him along this time. With Gluttony and Pride at his side, Angra was better off staying home.
Xin Zhao had already stationed men at the entrance to greet him. Once Duke arrived, he was led straight inside, unimpeded.
Jarvan was waiting, carefully sharpening a halberd with a whetstone. The weapon was none other than Atma's Halberd, once wielded by Jarvan III and now passed to his son.
There had been another heirloom of the family too: the famed Randuin's Omen, beloved of every stalwart defender. But it had been lost years ago. Judging by Jarvan's expression, it was still missing, gathering dust in some forgotten cave.
"Ready?"
Duke stepped forward, his voice steady. Jarvan set down the whetstone and replied, "I've drawn over twenty warriors from the Dauntless Vanguard. They'll accompany us in this Decapitation mission."
"Over twenty? That should be enough."
As Duke spoke, he caught sight of Fiora in full battle dress, Jax at her side. But instead of carrying the exoskeleton case, she was clad in silver-white armor, sword at her hip, cloak trailing behind.
This foolish woman… already back to her old habits.
"And Jax? Why are you here?"
Duke frowned. From what he knew of Jax, the wanderer wasn't the type to get involved in affairs like this.
"Master Jax says the best lessons are forged in battle. He's coming with us to Pyeongtaek Town to help end the locust plague—and to train me in the process," Fiora explained.
"Well then, it seems our chances just got better," Duke chuckled.
Jarvan extended his hand to Jax. "Thank you for your aid, stranger."
"Boil me a few eggs and we'll call it even."
Jax's response was curt. To him, even a crown prince was no more impressive than any of the countless kings he'd seen rise and fall over his thousand-year lifespan.
While Jarvan and Jax exchanged words, Duke turned to Xin Zhao. "Is everything ready?"
"All ready, my lord. The knightly order has already departed. We're only waiting for your aircraft."
"Good. Then let's move out."
Duke deployed the aircraft on the open grounds and began briefing the squad.
"First things first: does anyone here have a fear of heights?"
His eyes swept over the group. No one stepped forward. Duke nodded approvingly.
"During flight, don't unbuckle your harness, and don't touch anything you don't understand. If you get launched out the hatch, don't say I didn't warn you."
He strapped on Edith and powered up the three aircraft. Engines roared to life. With a gesture, Duke signaled Edith to open the bay doors.
The squad filed in, Jarvan and his companions included. Duke personally checked each harness before seating himself.
"All right, Edith—take us up."
"Yes, boss."
The aircraft rose smoothly, climbing past the clouds before their thrusters engaged, pushing them southward.
Inside, Duke pulled out a cigar and cracked open a vent to let the smoke escape.
What? No smoking on planes?
This was his aircraft. If he wanted to smoke, who could stop him?
Lighting up, he turned to Jarvan. "By my calculations, we'll reach Pyeongtaek Town by sundown. We'll make one stop along the way—half an hour to rest and resupply. For now, get some rest."
"Understood."
Jarvan nodded. Shyvana, however, pressed her face against the semi-transparent crystal hull, gazing down in awe. "So this is what it's like to look down from the sky without flying myself…"
"Enjoy it while it's still new," Duke said, stubbing out his cigar and pulling a blanket over himself.
"Because soon enough, when the novelty wears off, the only thing left to do will be sleep."
Meanwhile, in the mage encampment—
"For now, we'll hold as planned. We need more allies. When the time is right, we'll strike at the capital," Sylas finished, dismissing the man across from him. Alone with his maps, he scratched at his chin. Ever since taking charge, responsibilities had multiplied.
But he couldn't abandon them. So he bore down and endured. With practice, he found himself growing sharper, more efficient at handling matters.
Just then, a shifting shadow slid into his quarters. Sensing it, Sylas turned toward the uninvited guest. "Well, if it isn't a rare visitor."
"Yet you don't seem pleased to see me."
LeBlanc emerged from stealth, gliding toward the map table. A sly smile played on her lips. "I bring good news. Care to hear it?"
"Go on."
Arms crossed, Sylas watched her back as she studied the map.
"You've been waiting for the chance to assault the capital, haven't you?"
"I can tell you this—the moment has come."
"What?"
"Just now, the Dauntless Vanguard's knightly order was deployed south to quell the locusts. That leaves the capital's defenses weak."
"Now is your best chance to strike."
Her smile deepened. "Well? Do you find my news… favorable?"
End of chapter....
IRONBOUND PATRON
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