Chapter 265: Travel (3)

Lukas frowned, processing the information.

“So we’re going to a completely new place.”

“For you, yes.” Clavor briefly looked at his son, a smile on his lips.

“And probably for Judite as well.”

Judite smiled, her energy renewed.

“Great!”

Lukas laughed, shaking his head.

“You seem way too happy about this.”

“Of course I am!” She crossed her arms, a challenging expression on her face.

“I’m already tired of only seeing the same regions, the same people, and the same things. I want to see something new!”

Clavor looked out the window again, his voice calm.

“Well, you’ll have plenty of time to get to know this one.”

“How long are we going to stay there?” Lukas asked, his mind already beginning to plan.

Clavor took a few seconds to answer, choosing his words carefully.

“We don’t know yet.”

Judite’s smile faded slightly, a wrinkle of concern appearing on her forehead.

“What do you mean?”

“Marquis Slyr’s illness doesn’t seem simple, nor is it something that can be diagnosed quickly.” Clavor’s voice was measured.

“Until he recovers, someone will need to take care of the region and assume his responsibilities.”

“And that someone will be you.” Lukas concluded, understanding.

Clavor nodded, his gesture firm.

“Exactly.”

Lukas fell silent, processing the implications. There was pride in that choice; the duke could have sent any other noble for the mission, but he had chosen Clavor.

That meant his father’s strength was recognized beyond the borders of his own lands. Even though he was only a baron, his reputation as a warrior surpassed what his title suggested.

Clavor had served in the duke’s army for years, participating in campaigns and battles that Lukas knew only from stories. His name was known, respected, and feared by his enemies. And the Dmonds had a reputation built over generations, a legacy of honor and duty that weighed upon every member of the family.

Aurora smiled, her expression softening.

“At least this shows that the duke trusts you.”

Clavor shrugged, a modest gesture.

“It’s just a mission.”

“Don’t be modest.” Aurora replied, her voice firm. She placed a hand on his arm, a gesture of affection.

“If they only needed someone to administer the region, they could send any noble. They need someone capable of protecting it.”

Clavor remained silent for a few seconds, his eyes meeting his wife’s. Then he smiled, a rare and genuine smile.

“Perhaps.”

Lukas watched the two of them, his eyes taking in the scene. There was something reassuring about seeing that trust between his parents, the certainty that they were together, united in their purposes.

Then Judite asked another question, her curiosity insatiable.

“Father, where exactly is this border?”

“At the northeastern edge of the Reaart Duchy.” Clavor’s answer was precise.

Lukas blinked, the name awakening memories from his readings.

“Reaart Duchy?”

Clavor raised an eyebrow, surprised.

“You know the name?”

“A little.” Lukas adjusted himself on the seat, organizing his thoughts.

“I read a book about the Rhyne Kingdom. It explained that the kingdom was divided into three major administrative regions, each governed by a duchy.”

Clavor nodded, an approving expression on his face.

“Correct.”

“And we’re in the Reaart Duchy.” Lukas’s conclusion was natural.

“Exactly.” Clavor’s confirmation came with a smile.

Lukas looked out the window again, processing the information. So, that was one of the largest political divisions in the kingdom, a structure that governed millions of people. The Reaart Duchy governed that enormous stretch of territory, and within it, various noble families possessed their own lands, including the Dmonds.

Clavor continued, his voice taking on a didactic tone.

“The Reaart family governs the entire duchy, from the capital to the most distant borders. The noble families beneath them administer smaller regions, as we do with our five villages, each with their own responsibilities and privileges.”

Judite looked genuinely surprised, her eyes wide.

“So the duke rules over all of us?”

“Administratively speaking, yes.” Clavor crossed his arms, his posture relaxed.

“It was by order of the duchy that I received this mission, a summons that could not be refused.”

Aurora smiled, her voice soft.

“And it won’t be a poorly rewarded mission.”

Clavor let out a laugh, the sound echoing inside the carriage.

“Certainly not.”

Judite immediately became interested, her energy renewed.

“How much?”

“Judite.” Aurora reprimanded her with a look, a mixture of amusement and reproach.

“What? It’s important!” Judite’s defense was passionate.

Lukas laughed, the familiar scene warming his heart.

Clavor simply shook his head, a smile on his lips.

“The reward is good enough to make the journey worthwhile.”

Then his expression became more serious, the transition immediate.

“But there’s a reason this mission is important, beyond the reward.”

Lukas paid attention, his curiosity awakened.

“The border controlled by Marquis Slyr is the last region of the Reaart Duchy before the territory considered relatively neutral.” Clavor’s voice was calm but laden with meaning.

“So what?” Judite asked, her innocence evident.

“It possesses something the Duchy considers extremely valuable.” Clavor paused, allowing the anticipation to grow.

Lukas leaned forward, his voice low.

“What?”

Clavor answered, his voice firm.

“Air Silver Mines.”

Lukas’s eyes widened, the name awakening memories from his readings.

“Air Silver?”

“Yes.” Clavor nodded, his expression serious.

“It is a relatively rare ore, found in only a few regions of the kingdom.”

He explained, his voice taking on a didactic tone.

“Air Silver is used in the manufacture of high-level equipment, weapons, and armor that are beyond the reach of ordinary warriors. It is especially important for military armor because it is lightweight and extremely durable, combining protection with mobility.”

Lukas became even more interested, his mind already beginning to imagine the possibilities.

“And it also resists magic?”

“Low-level magic.” Clavor corrected, his characteristic precision evident.

“It isn’t invulnerable, nor is it an absolute defense. But armor crafted with an adequate amount of Air Silver can withstand certain spells that would destroy ordinary equipment, giving warriors a crucial advantage.”

Judite opened her mouth, her admiration evident.

“That’s incredible!”

Lukas immediately agreed, his mind already visualizing the mines.

“So that’s why the region is so important.”

“Exactly.” Clavor looked at the two of them, his expression serious.

“The duchy depends in part on those mines to equip its forces. And some of the Air Silver extracted there is destined for the manufacture of the armor used by the duchy’s own forces and, in certain cases, by the royal family.”

Lukas remained silent for a few seconds, processing the information. Now he understood; that region was not merely a distant border but a strategic source of resources that affected the entire kingdom.

That was why the duchy needed to ensure that it remained secure and why Marquis Slyr, one of the most powerful nobles in the duchy, had been entrusted with protecting it. And now, while he was ill, Clavor had been sent to replace him.