Chapter 118: The Key to the Black Hall

Walter led me upward, following the spiral staircases to the highest tower of the castle. A table stood waiting on the open terrace.

​Count Wayland sat in a simple chair, wearing nothing but a white shirt with rolled-up sleeves. He was writing rapidly in a notebook, occasionally glancing at a massive blueprint held down by a silver coffee pot.

​"Sit down, Iron," he said, without looking up. "The coffee is still hot. Walter, leave us. And order the guards not to come up until I call."

​He bowed and left. I sat opposite the Count, poured myself a cup, and took a sip. Bitter, strong, and very hot. Exactly what I needed.

​"How did you sleep in my quarters?" Wayland finally set aside his pen and looked at me.

​"The bedroom was very comfortable..."

​"And what about my basement?" he cut me off.

​I froze with the cup in my hand.

​"Did you think I wouldn't find out about your visit?" The Count smirked. "My men reported the breach within ten minutes."

​"The basement?" I echoed.

​He couldn't have known about it, it’s impossible, I said to myself.

​"Exactly. When I decided to check your bedroom, you weren't there. And the style... of the break-in was far too recognizable. There is no one in the entire kingdom who would work with such precision and logic."

​I remained silent. Mentally, I cursed Noah.

​"You understand that trust has been undermined?" he said quietly. "Restoring it will be... difficult."

​"Your Excellency," I set the cup down. "I admit: I entered illegally, and I punish myself for it—"

​"Keep your apologies to yourself. Get to the point."

​After hesitating for a few seconds, I spoke.

​"You are using a powerful energy system just to heat the air. And you are burning through human brains to do it. It’s... technically illiterate."

​The Count stood up abruptly, leaning his hands on the table.

​"Do you understand how many years I spent just to 'bring this hall to life'? I am looking for a way to give this land stability. And if I have to burn a dozen useless masters for that—I will do it."

​"You aren't providing stability. You don't understand the principles of this technology. It won't start because it’s waiting for a command. It needs a 'Key.'"

​"The Key is in Dornheim. I know that. And I was going to take it. By force, if necessary. But then you appeared... and I thought that you were the way to negotiate with the system."

​"If your people shove their way into Point No. 1 without understanding the process, Dornheim will blow sky-high. And half of your province along with it."

​"And what do you propose?" The Count narrowed his eyes. "That I give you the city and just walk away? You think I’ll give up on my dream because of your advice? No. The plan remains the same: my troops occupy the city, and you, Master Iron, work for me under guard."

​"I have a better offer. Dornheim passes under my full control. In exchange, I become your chief technologist. I will modernize this castle, I will launch your 'Black Hall' without a single sacrifice, and I will give you weapons. The search for the Key will be joint, but under my control."

​He sat back in his chair and poured himself more coffee. Slowly, watching the steam rise above the cup.

​"Three years," he said. "I will grant Dornheim autonomous status for three years. But if I don't see results in three years..."

​"It’s a deal."

​I reached my hand across the table.

​"In three days, we depart for Dornheim," Wayland said. "I want to be personally present for the 'initial inspection' of Point No. 1."

​Noah was waiting for me in the corridor.

​"Well?" he asked shortly.

​"We’re going home," I smiled tiredly. "But Wayland is coming with us."

​"But that doesn't matter. You tell me—why the hell didn't you make sure no one entered my quarters?!"

​Noah blinked, caught off guard.

​"Uh... well, if you mean that day, I just got distracted with the guards. Why, did something happen?"

​"Not much. Only that Wayland found out about our break-in and our conversation almost failed before it even started. I can't even trust you with such an easy task," I said, exhaling.

​"Well... I didn't think..."

​"Keep your apologies to yourself. Better tell Elyria to fly ahead. Darwin needs to know: we have three days."

​I hope you can at least handle that task.