Chapter 53 – Reconciliation
Shortly after leaving the mansion of House Serpentis, the entourage headed to a recommended inn located a short distance from the center of the underground city. The following morning, during breakfast, Kaelen noticed that Valéria had not come down to the room. Imagining that the tigress was still processing the events of the previous day, he preferred to give her space and went out to the inner courtyard to train with Akra.
The little dragonoid approached timidly, looking up at Kaelen with wide, yellow eyes:
— Master... are you still mad at Akra?
Kaelen gently patted the girl's hair, a slight smile forming on his lips:
— Of course not... But I had to stop you two so you wouldn't reveal any more information, let alone show any weakness in front of those nobles.
— Master, did Akra show weakness? — the little one inquired, tilting her head to the side.
— You might not have noticed it, but ever since we set foot in this city, we have been followed and watched. That ambush wasn't just a test or a whim.
At that moment, Kaelen sensed Valéria's presence emerging from the shadows of the corridor. The young tigress approached with hesitant steps, wearing a deeply embarrassed expression and tearful blue eyes.
— You... aren't you angry with me? Do you not want me anymore? — Valéria murmured, her voice choked and on the verge of crying.
— Sit here first and let's talk. Don't worry, okay? I'm not mad at you, and I don't want to break off our engagement.
Relieved, yet still shyly, Valéria sat down next to Kaelen on the wooden bench in the courtyard, keeping her eyes fixed on him.
— I don't know if the two of you realized it, but we are being constantly evaluated — Kaelen explained, adopting a calm tone. — Ever since we set foot in this city, and it will be even worse when we go to other regions. More and more, people will expect great feats from us, they will try to buy us, bribe us, or use any method to align us with their interests. This includes trying to kidnap me or you to force me to yield...
Valéria raised her eyes, intrigued:
— How do you know all of this? Can you possibly see the future? At the barons' mansion, just like during the combat in the square, you looked different... It was as if you were seeing right through us. The feeling was that you foresaw the future and nothing escaped you. It was terrifying.
— In a way, I can — the inventor admitted. — I can't see a distant future like certain temporal mages, at least not for now. What I mostly do is see the past, but I need a catalyst or to be close enough to read a person's or an object's history. Sometimes emotions, memories, combats come up... It's an immense amount of information in just a few seconds. It took me a while to get used to it, and I admit that depending on the intensity, it still gives me a bit of dizziness and nausea.
Akra gave a little hop of excitement, forgetting her shyness:
— Can Akra do that too, master?! Is Akra going to see the future?!
Kaelen gave a weak chuckle, shaking his head:
— Child, you're still growing, just like me. Our bodies are still immature. But if you train with dedication and truly want this, you will have the capacity. At first, however, you will only see tiny seconds ahead, exactly like I do — just enough to help in a battle.
Valéria leaned forward, her blue eyes wide with curiosity:
— But... can you see the past? What do you mean, the spirit? Do you see spirits?
— Technically speaking, it would be possible to see spirits, though I've never seen one myself. What I can do is read the history imprinted in objects. May I borrow your spear?
Hesitant, Valéria handed over the weapon. Kaelen closed his eyes and activated his psychometry, channeling his psychic perception through the wood and metal shaft. Various moving images crossed his mind. After a few silent moments, he opened his eyes and returned the weapon.
— So? What did you see? — Valéria asked, anxious.
— This spear belonged to someone very close to your father. A bodyguard, or an extremely trusted friend. Your father trusted his life with him, but that warrior died to protect him... The memory left of him was this spear, which your father gave you. Not only that: I saw all your training with it over the last few years, how hard you pushed yourself, and how much you regretted wanting to be close to me...
Valéria blushed intensely, her expression purely ashamed:
— You... you saw that too? Just that?
Kaelen let out an awkward laugh, looking away with irony:
— Well... I also saw a certain tigress bathing in a stream and...
At that exact second, Valéria lunged forward and covered Kaelen's mouth with her hand, completely flushed with shame:
— That is extremely unfair! Sneaking a peek at other people's history like that... — she protested, her eyes sparkling with embarrassment. Then, catching her breath, she asked: — Is that how you found out what the barons were hiding?
— Yes — Kaelen replied as soon as she withdrew her hand. — Let me ask you a question: would you want that lamia to become a wife of mine? Would you accept her?
— What do you mean?! — Valéria exclaimed, startled. — Did you see that future?!
Kaelen let out an exhausted sigh:
— I didn't see the future, but the past. I read her conversation with her father, the baron's conversation with someone else I couldn't identify, and her mother's plans. As a last resort, their plan would be to push her daughter to be my new bride... Would you accept it?
— Of course not! Not like that! What unscrupulous people! — Valéria indignantly clenched her fists.
— I apologize to both of you — Kaelen continued. — I couldn't explain everything right then and give them more information, but I knew that if I wasn't harsh enough, they would use you to pressure me... They have a major problem in an unknown cave. It sounds like a large, bulky creature that breathes fire. I couldn't see it clearly because they weren't present at the site, so I only read the report their subordinates brought them.
— It's amazing how you can do all of this... — Valéria murmured, fascinated. — And not just mental magic, but how did you manage to burn that pillar? It melted like wax! I've never seen anything like it, except in accounts of volcanoes or sixth-tier earth sorcerers!
— Actually, I just heated the structure with thermal energy — what you know as heat coming from the fire element — Kaelen explained. — I noticed right away that the pillar wasn't made entirely of pure stone; there were veins of sulfurous minerals and sealing oils impregnated in it. By heating the surface, the internal fuel caught fire and accelerated the melting. If I had let hot air accumulate inside, the column was more likely to explode, which wasn't my intention, so I had to work hard to heat it quickly.
Valéria blinked a few times, processing the technical explanation with a mix of relief and astonishment. The tigress hugged her own spear against her chest, letting out a deep sigh of relief knowing that Kaelen had no intention of breaking off their engagement.
— You mean... you used the stone's own composition to your advantage? — Valéria murmured, fanning her flushed face to try to disguise the embarrassment of having the memory of her bath in the stream revealed. — You are truly terrifying when you start thinking like an inventor and a strategist at the same time, Kaelen... But I'm relieved to know you have no intention of bringing that spoiled lamia into our home. If she dared try to infiltrate our lives with these political games, I... well, I promise I won't attack her with the spear, but I can't guarantee I'll keep my manners!
— So... you know they will try to create more situations in the future — Kaelen said, looking at his fiancée with seriousness. — As my fiancée, you will bear the responsibility of accepting it or not. Honestly, I don't care much for these political games; it annoys me, but I know I can count on my brides. And as for the monster in the cave, yes, it's a large creature, and today we are going there to see it. Be prepared: I'll try to leave the fight for you two to learn from, while I ensure the protection. Is that alright? Do you want to ask anything else, Valéria?
Valéria adjusted her posture, feeling her chest swell with a mix of pride and deep responsibility. The blush of embarrassment gave way to the firm, mature determination of a young matriarch.
— If this responsibility is mine, leave it to me — Valéria declared, lifting her chin with nobility. — No female is going to approach you with opportunistic intentions or power plays without going through me first. If she doesn't show genuine respect for you and our future family, I'll take it upon myself to block any advance. As for the monster, I completely agree. I trained tirelessly over these past four years precisely to serve as real support for you in combat, not to be saved every single time. If you've got our backs, I'll fight with everything I've got.
She paused briefly, gazing at her groom with a curious look:
— Only one thing worries me... This fire creature in the cave... Through psychometry and the reports, were you able to identify the exact species or any specific weak point? Or will we have to analyze the attack pattern when we step inside?
— I couldn't see the species with precision, since I only read the reports from the barons' subordinates — Kaelen replied. — But it was something large. In any case, a fire monster will be good training for the two of you, since you, Valéria, are good with fire magic, and Akra with electricity.
Beside them, Akra was practically jumping with anxiety.
— Akra is going to fight! Akra is going to defeat the big fire monster and show the master she is super strong! — the little dragonoid celebrated, throwing two enthusiastic little punches in the air.
Remembering immediately the command not to imitate Valéria, Akra kept her arms glued to her sides and looked at Kaelen out of the corner of her eye with a pleading expression:
— Master... Akra behaved well, right? She spoke properly without imitating anyone! Akra can get her lunch today, right, master?
Kaelen smiled and looked affectionately at the two:
— I'm glad to hear that from both of you... But before we continue, I apologize, okay? I know I was very harsh on you... From now on, be very careful: we cannot show what we feel to others, otherwise, it will be used against us. Remember that.
Valéria smiled softly and understandingly, placing her hand gently on Kaelen's arm:
— You don't need to apologize, Kaelen... I know you only acted that harsh to protect us and give no trump cards to those greedy nobles — Valéria said, nodding with gravity. — And you are completely right: showing what we feel in public is handing weapons straight to our enemies. I promise I'll monitor myself much better from now on. As for the fire monster, my fire magic might not be the opposing element, but I can use it to disperse the surrounding heat and coat the tip of my spear with explosive impact! That way I can pierce the monster's shell crevices, while Akra's electricity delivers continuous shocks to paralyze its muscles all at once!
Akra leaped with excitement, sparks crackling on her fists:
— Akra is going to give a really giant BZZZZT to the fire monster! Akra isn't mad at the master, the master is the best of all!
Containing herself, Akra hid her little hands behind her back and executed an exaggerated bow:
— Akra is going to be super obedient! And after we finish off the fat monster... we're going to have that giant lunch reward, right master?
— Valéria, you'll need to focus on also using your magic in conjunction with the spear — Kaelen instructed. — And you, Akra, will need to protect yourself and also protect Valéria. Do you think you can do it?
Valéria nodded firmly:
— Understood. I can channel fire magic directly through the tip and shaft of the spear. With every thrust, I'll focus the energy to crack the hardened shell and open breaches in the monster's scales before it can react.
Akra puffed out her little chest, overcome with draconic pride:
— Akra can do it, master! Akra is a super strong defender! I'll use my sparks to create an electric shield to intercept the fire and use my speed if the fat monster tries to lunge at Valéria!
The little girl looked at the tigress with a solemn air:
— You can count on Akra, Valéria! No one is touching you while Akra is on guard!
Then, she turned back to Kaelen with shining eyes:
— Master Kaelen... if Akra protects Valéria really well and defeats the monster, can Akra get an extra dessert besides the giant lunch, huh?!
Kaelen let out a light laugh, shaking his head:
— Let's stop for now. It's already lunchtime and we need to eat, because I know Akra must be starving.
Satisfied and reconciled, the three stood up from the wooden bench in the courtyard and headed to the inn's dining hall for lunch, concluding their long conversation and morning training before preparing for the hunt in the cave.
— I'm going to take a quick walk around the city — Kaelen announced, adjusting his cloak as he stood up from the inn table after a hearty lunch. — I'll be back shortly so we can gather the group and head to the barons' mansion.
Walking along the wide pathways carved into the rock of the underground city, the young inventor observed the architectural details adapted to the local inhabitants: the pathways featured no steps, but rather smooth ramps of polished stone to facilitate the sliding of serpentine and reptilian tails, and the walls were adorned with sulfurous oil torches that kept the ambient air softly warmed.
His goal during those two free hours was to find suitable equipment to reinforce his companions' combat gear. After inquiring with some local merchants, Kaelen found a cavernous forge whose bronze sign bore a very peculiar name: Ssislessis.
Inside, illuminated by the heat of the embers and the blast of manual bellows, the blacksmith — a reptilian man with greenish scales, sharp claws, and a thick tail that swept the floor with every step — raised his yellowish eyes toward the human.
— I'm looking for a custom order for a young dragonoid — Kaelen stated, getting straight to the point.
The reptilian blacksmith, named Ssislessis, hissed softly, studying the sketches and technical specifications Kaelen had drawn on parchment. For a considerable sum of 1,500 gold coins, Kaelen ordered a pair of articulated gauntlets made of a mana-conductive metal alloy. The pieces would feature retractable tempered steel claws and an internal insulating lining of beast leather, specifically designed to channel and amplify Akra's electrical discharges without burning the girl's little hands. Ssislessis examined the metal, tested the weight of the pieces, and promised to deliver the masterpiece in exactly three days.
Leaving the forge, Kaelen walked through the street market stalls and found an old scaly merchant. After using his psychometry to verify the authenticity of the arcane enchantment and ensure it was not a forgery, he acquired a thermal protection ring for 200 gold coins. The item possessed a small embedded blue gem capable of generating a subtle aura of resistance to extreme heat — perfect for protecting Valéria against flames and high temperatures.
Having spent about two hours after lunch on these purchases and orders, Kaelen returned to the inn, gathered Valéria, Akra, Eradan, and Miri, and set off with the entourage back to the House Serpentis mansion.
Upon entering the grand hall, they immediately noticed the absence of Baroness Vespera and her daughter, Lady Lamis. Only Lord Seth awaited them, maintaining a contrite, stiff, and visibly cautious posture before the human.
— Today we are going to visit the workshops and laboratories in the caves to personally inspect the situation and assess what needs to be done — Kaelen declared, his tone serious and focused. — I need to analyze the gallery structure, the accumulation of toxic gases in the subsurface, the ventilation system, and the thermal stability of the caves. I know very well that abrupt temperature variations, whether too cold or too hot, are extremely detrimental to your health. After this on-site diagnosis, I will be able to tell you exactly what we need to repair.
Lord Seth bowed his head slightly, letting out a discreet sigh of relief upon seeing that the conversation had turned to technical expedition. With a firm gesture, the baron signaled for his daughter to step forward.
Lady Lamis Vesper stepped forward with extreme caution. The young lamia tried to maintain the upright posture of a noble heiress, but with every sharper movement of her serpent tail, a slight grimace of pain escaped her face, vividly reminding her of the manners lesson she had received in the square. Adjusting her dark linen suit and not daring to meet Kaelen's eyes directly, she kept her gaze low and her voice contained, stripped of any trace of her former arrogance.
— Y-yes, Lorde Kaelen... — Lamis stammered, adjusting her posture with a start upon feeling the human's gaze on her. — As my mother ordered, I shall be your guide. Our main laboratories and workshops are located in the lower gallery, descending via the large ramp on the east side of the mansion...
Beside Kaelen, Valéria stepped forward, adjusting her spear against her chest and keeping her glacial blue eyes fixed on Lamis. The young tigress acted precisely like the little matriarch she had promised to be: attentive to every gesture of the lamia, ensuring the local noblewoman maintained proper distance and absolute respect for her fiancé.
Right behind, little Akra kept her arms glued to her sides and her cheeks slightly puffed out. Remembering the promise of a giant lunch and an extra dessert kept her in impeccable discipline, without uttering a single peep of mockery or imitation.
Miri, in turn, stepped forward and pulled a fresh parchment and a portable inkwell with a seal feather from her bag, positioning herself right to Kaelen's right.
— I'm ready, Lorde Kaelen — Miri murmured, her voice soft and efficient. — I will note down every component, metal alloy, and reagent you indicate during the inspection.
Eradan remained in a corner like a silent specter, arms crossed and gaze sharp, watching the hall's accesses.
Lamis began to glide smoothly down the large polished stone ramp leading to the mansion's basement. As the group descended, the illumination from oil torches gave way to a natural reddish glow emanating from the cracks in the rock. The air, previously fresh, grew progressively stuffy, laden with a dense smell of sulfur, fermented nectars, and mineral oil.
— Our problems began three weeks ago — Lamis explained, gesturing with her hand toward the heavy oak doors reinforced with bronze strips leading to the workshops. — Our facilities depend on the constant heat coming from the deep fissures for the syrup distillation process and to maintain the body temperature of our artisans and alchemists... Being cold-blooded creatures, our workers need the galleries to remain warmed.
The young lamia stopped before a immense gallery filled with copper stills, blown glass serpentines, and large stone tanks. However, half of the local alchemists worked with difficulty, covering their noses with damp cloths.
— However, the ventilation of the lower galleries collapsed — Lamis continued, her voice hesitant. — Pockets of sulfurous gas and noxious vapors began leaking from the deeper cracks, accumulating on the ceiling of the laboratories. Furthermore, the temperature fluctuation became uncontrollable: in some rooms, the heat is so scorching that lamp oil combusts on its own; in others, cold drafts from the ceiling stagnate the environment and leave our artisans frozen and too weak to work.
Lamis glanced sideways at Kaelen, swallowing hard before pointing to a dark, isolated tunnel at the back of the laboratory, from which emanated a nearly unbearable blast of hot air and a deep, rhythmic growl that made the rock itself vibrate.
— And worst of all... to try and clear the main exhaust gallery, our guards pierced a wall into the sealed cave at the back. That's where we found the true reason for the collapse: a colossal creature that made the magma chamber its nest...
Lord Seth led the group a little further along the polished rock ramp, allowing Kaelen to observe every critical point of the installations with meticulous attention.
— The first major problem is in the upper exhaust ducts — Lamis indicated, pointing to the vaulted ceiling. — Those chimneys carved into the rock used to expel furnace smoke and distillation gases. But with the tremors caused by the creature in the depths, the ceiling caved in at two points, blocking the exits with boulders.
The air at the top of the hall was yellowish and dense, exhaling an unpleasant sulfur odor. Akra immediately covered her nose with her small hand, making a face of disgust, but maintaining her promise to behave:
— Urgh... Bad smell! Smells like rotten eggs burning! — the little girl whispered, without letting go of her nostrils.
— It's accumulated sulfurous gas — Kaelen analyzed, observing the yellow vapor slowly lowering toward the workers. Then, turning to his assistant: — Miri, add to the list: we will need specialized blacksmiths recruited for on-site work. The galleries must be divided with double metal doors made of wrought iron and sealed wood. For the ventilation system, without blacksmiths and enough metal it will be difficult, but a mechanical exhaust fan with stone counterweights will help a lot. We will also need someone capable of creating piping made of something other than iron, as it would be quickly corroded by the acidity of the gases.
Kaelen paused, turning to the heiress of House Serpentis:
— Miss Lamis, do you keep plants or birds in the facilities? It would be excellent to add a biological indicator in each room to monitor gas emissions; they will be the first to sound the alarm. And you also work with raw glass, correct? We will need piping made of this glass to safely direct and utilize these gases.
Lamis blinked her amethyst eyes, surprised by the young man's practical and surgical vision, and hurried to reply:
— Y-yes, Lorde Kaelen! We keep cages with deep-depth canaries and pots of sulfur lilies in the extraction galleries. If the air becomes toxic, the lilies wither instantly and the birds chirp in alarm, serving as an early warning. And as for glass... yes, our artisans mold raw volcanic quartz glass for the stills. It is a totally inert material immune to acid corrosion! Using it in the ducts to direct and purify the gases is a brilliant idea...
Next, Lamis led the group to the western sector of the laboratories, where the temperature suffered an extreme variation. To the left, a cracked bronze pipe expelled jets of scalding steam; to the right, the wall had ruptured with a cold fissure coming from an underground aquifer, leaving the floor frozen. Scaly workers huddled in a corner, paralyzed by the localized cold.
Valéria stepped forward and, channeling a subtle glacial breeze, stabilized the scalding steam so Kaelen could examine the fracture.
— The failure here is the insulation of the thermal distributors — Kaelen stated, touching the polished stone structure while his psychometry revealed the fracture caused by subsurface pressure. — They used ordinary clay and vegetable resin. With volcanic heat, this melts and leaks. Miri, add: basalt slabs worked with dovetail joints and mineral wax sealant mixed with quartz powder. We will create heat exchangers in dual galleries — the cold air from the aquifer will cool the excess volcanic vapor before it reaches the laboratories, keeping the temperature constant at a pleasant 28°C.
Lamis widened her eyes in pure astonishment:
— That would work perfectly! You would manage to balance the entire climate of our workshops without needing to extinguish the deep furnaces...
Before the toxic smoke could spread further through the gallery, Kaelen took two steps forward and extended his hands, demonstrating an impressive combined arcane control.
With telekinesis, he created an invisible pressure barrier that pushed the sulfur clouds away from the group. Next, with a precise spark of pyrokinesis, he gradually heated the air and controllably burned off the volatile gas pockets along the path. In the exact same millisecond, he injected a smooth wave of cryokinesis to control the reaction and cool the environment, preventing any vapor explosion.
The mystic fire consumed the noxious vapor in a reddish flash that faded into a harmless glacial mist, leaving the passageway air clean and breathable. Lorde Seth and his guards watched the scene in utter shock.
Clearing the passage with ease, Kaelen turned his gaze back to the young heiress:
— Miss Lamis... can you now tell me where the creature is?
Lamis swallowed hard and slid hastily with her tail toward the back of the gallery, stopping before a colossal double door made of iron reinforced with bronze beams and masonry seals. The structure featured deep cracks and extreme burn marks. On the other side, the rock trembled gently, accompanied by an overwhelming thermal blast leaking through the cracks and by a deep, rhythmic growl.
— It's... it's right behind this sealed door, Lorde Kaelen — Lamis said, stepping back two paces. — This passage leads to the deep magma chamber. That's where the guards found the creature... a colossal Fire Dragon-Turtle that took over the thermal sources.
Observing the heat wave and realizing that a hasty combat in such an unstable environment would require absolute control to avoid collapsing the ceiling, Kaelen turned his back on the sealed passage with calculated serenity.
— Miss Lamis... that is enough for today — Kaelen declared. — I will draw up the complete structural restructuring project for the workshops, complete with technical blueprints for the glass and bronze ducts, mechanical exhaust systems, and thermal regulators. I will deliver everything to you in a week, as agreed, and you will be responsible for executing the renovations in the galleries. As for the turtle, we will also handle it... But we will solve one thing at a time. Is that alright?
Lady Lamis and Lorde Seth let out a deep sigh of relief, profoundly impressed by the young man's prudent and methodical stance.
— Y-yes, Lorde Kaelen! Perfectly! — Lamis replied, bowing her head. — We will leave our best blacksmiths, glassblowers, and masons on standby to begin construction as soon as you deliver the scrolls.
Beside Kaelen, Valéria sheathed her spear and nodded with approval:
— It is the most sensible decision. Facing a beast of that magnitude amid unstable magma fissures, without first knowing the cave layout and ensuring ceiling stability, would be an unnecessary risk.
Akra drooped her little ears for an instant, disappointed at not fighting immediately, but quickly smiled again at the thought of lunch:
— Aw... Akra wanted to give a BZZZZT to the fat monster today... But since we're going back, now we get to eat that giant lunch with an extra dessert, right, master?!
Kaelen smiled lightly and signaled to his assistant:
— Yes, Akra. Let's return to the inn and have lunch. Miri, gather the initial notes. We have plenty of work ahead in the coming days, and to organize an attack on that turtle, the two of you will need to train hard.
A short time later, inside the carriage taking them back to the inn following the inspection, Kaelen pulled the thermal protection ring he had purchased at the street market from the inner pocket of his tunic.
He turned to his fiancée, holding the small jewel adorned with the blue gem between his fingers, and slowly extended his hand toward Valéria:
— Valéria... I know this is rather unexpected and I know this isn't your definitive engagement ring — Kaelen said, his voice soft and his gaze sincere. — But I would like you to be properly protected against the extreme heat of the deep fissures. This is for you... I hope it protects you. But promise me one thing: don't be impulsive. In a week, we will attack that monster together.
Valéria stared at the jewel with wide blue eyes, her cheeks blushing softly at her groom's caring and protective gesture. With hands trembling with emotion, the young tigress accepted the ring, sliding it delicately onto her finger and feeling the glacial, comforting aura of the enchantment envelop her skin.
— Kaelen... thank you so much — Valéria murmured, clutching her hand against her chest and smiling sweetly. — I promise I won't be impulsive. I'll use this protection wisely and be ready to fight by your side in the cave.
