Chapter 526

“Now that the duels have finished you all have an invitation to join me for dinner at my manor.” Ajax wasted no time taking advantage of the shocked looks so many of the nobles had.

Both Clark and Aranor are surprised at the political move Ajax just pulled off. Aranor had even been somewhat aware of what Anna could do but he hadn’t expected Ajax to use her quick and dominating victory to establish order with the nobles present in his lands.

“Don’t look too impressed.” Lancel whispered with a chuckle as he saw through their blank expressions and guessed their thoughts. “He just wants to get this over with and get the commoners out of the cold before they all get sick.”

A part of House Hearthbound’s retainers are already directing traffic as they try to usher all the commoners towards their homes while keeping a clear street for the nobles to head towards House Hearthbound’s manor.

“Quick thinking there with the invitation.” Lexi praised Ajax. “What prompted that?” 

“If they come before they have time to settle in they’ll have to leave earlier.” Ajax didn’t even try to hide the selfish reason he was hurrying everyone towards the manor.

“What’s your plan for tomorrow?” Lexi asked.

“Xavier brought with him a package from the royal family.” Ajax explained. “After I finish planting those branches I’ll get to work on that.” 

The package Xavier brought with him was a stack of Mana infused metal of different Mana density. The reason it was sent was for Ajax to work with on his Magnetic Mana. What Ajax didn’t share however was that he had already fallen behind Duke Manashaper when it came to deepening his understanding of the Mana type. While he was still a better wielder that was simply because the Duke had to now invent the chanted spells to make use of the Mana type whereas Ajax could free form them. 

“I thought you said you would leave that to my grandfather to figure out.” Lexi pointed out. 

“I will.” Ajax nodded. “When I came across Magnetic Mana I also came across another Mana type. This one seemed more… versatile but it is also much harder to generate. I simply didn’t have the gold to fund the research until recently.” 

Ajax wanted very much to learn how to use Gravity Mana. He very much suspected that it could even lead to a Space affinity but that he would leave for later, if his theory that Space was a combination of Void and Gravity held any weight it would mean the spells would become even more Mana demanding than the Life affinity. He thought it best to focus on Gravity for now as that would help him the most when he ventured into the Wild Lands.

It didn’t take long for the nobles to split up into their own little groups as they all got into carriages and headed towards Ajax’s manor. The show of strength was over and now it was time for the true politics to start. 

“Do you think there’ll be this many duels tomorrow?” Ajax asked once they got into the carriage. 

In the carriage with him were Lexi, Xavier, Arianwyn as well as Sandor and Denise, with Lancel, Clark and Aranor riding on horseback outside the carriage. 

“There will still be a couple but I expect most of them will die down.” Xavier answered. “Nobody is likely to challenge your brother or anyone else from your House after your display of power, Arianwyn and Elara also proved themselves at the top of their range with the duels today so they should be left alone.” 

“Fealin will likely be looking to challenge someone from the Empire to get a winning record for his visit.” Arianwyn joined in. “That won’t be tomorrow, he’ll spend a day or two baiting his target.” 

“Should you be telling us that?” Denisa was surprised with how forthcoming Arianwyn was. 

“It won’t change anything.” Arianwyn said with a resigned sigh. “While Fealin is a talented mage his combat prowess seems downright mediocre when compared to his political mind. If he wants someone to duel him I doubt anything I say here will do anything more than challenge him a little, helping him push his Skills.” 

“Emeris will be challenged tomorrow.” Sandor said.

“I thought you said he was a bad matchup for the people who came.” Ajax pointed out. 

“He is.” Sandor explained. “But with Anna and Benedict both winning their duels and Emeris losing to Lexi they will have something to prove.” 

“Elara might also challenge Cal.” Arianwyn had to suppress a grin as she noticed both Sandor and Denisa flinch at her statement. They could all guess how that duel would go and it wouldn’t be a good look for the Empire to have both Elara and Arianwyn leave undefeated like this after beating all of their people. “I talked her out of it for now but if he or his brother push her there will be a duel.” 

Denisa nodded in thanks for the warning, there would be a conversation with House Septimus later tonight to ensure both of the brothers would behave themselves.

“Speaking of House Septimus, your duel with Helmeth might be a problem.” Sandor said as he turned towards Ajax. 

“What problem?” Xavier said, showing his displeasure openly. “He was clearly sent here to duel Ajax and see what he can push him to show.” 

Denisa looked down in embarrassment being called out like that, neither she nor Sandor had figured out the reason Helmeth was allowed to join them and both of them were feeling a little inadequate at having missed the signs. They had no doubts it would be something their mother would lecture them for once they returned to the Empire.

“The duel itself would not be an issue.” Sandor was quick to capitulate the issue. “The wager on it is another matter.” 

The reason Sandor was worried about the bet was because of the moves the Empire was making. Just recently House Septimus had found a particularly deep iron vein in the mountains. It was just regular iron but even that held plenty of interest for the Empire as a whole and as a result they had slowly increased the number of slaves in their employ to help mine out the mountain. Slaves that would now need to be sent over to Gryndor.

“Two thousand slaves will hurt to replace but it won’t do more than cause a small ripple as far as the Empire as a whole is concerned.” Xavier argued. 

“Two thousand wouldn’t be the issue.” Sandor let out a sigh. “Helmeth got overconfident after breaking two of your enchantments, he would have never taken such a risk at the start of the duel. House Septimus currently holds over ten times as many slaves.” 

This came as a shock to Ajax as well. Twenty thousand people was a lot, it was comparable to the population of a decent sized city, the logistics alone would be a nightmare for House Hearthbound to handle.

“You’ve been excavating into the mountain range.” Xavier quickly put everything together. “Since we weren’t aware of it, it was done with royal approval and backing, most likely started before we were born, slowly growing the working force to keep it hidden.” 

“And to lose all of them now that the news just broke about how to better train the younger generation.” Arianwyn was shocked as well, she turned towards Ajax and smiled. “You’re a Duke for less than a year and already you most likely caused the fall of another ducal house, one in another kingdom no less.” 

Ajax was still overwhelmed by the logistics of housing another twenty thousand people while also battling the joy he felt at having twenty thousand experienced miners right as he was about to start deep mining operations into his own part of the mountain range. Arianwyn's words however broke through to him. 

“They tried to hurt my nephew.” Ajax’s response sent a shiver through Sandor, Denisa and Arianwyn. The unspoken threat clear, they are lucky to still be alive. 

“Unless Helmeth and Cal can convince you otherwise before we leave there is no doubt they will lose their lands.” Denisa said changing the subject. “Most likely their father will be downgraded to a Viscount and his lands given to the Duke in the best position to restart work in the mountains.” 

Ajax was confused at the change in topic but he let it go when Lexi gripped his hand. While Ajax hadn’t realized this was an apology Lexi had, Denisa had all but told them to squeeze House Septimus dry or find out which House was in the best position to take over their lands and use that information to make a solid investment before it was official. It was a rather generous apology considering she and Sandor weren’t really involved with the offense. Lexi theorized their hopes was that House Hearthbound didn’t lump the Empire as a whole with House Septimus but she would need to consult Anna and Elija to be sure. 

As they all entered the manor Ajax was already done with the evening. As far as he was concerned there were much more important things he could be doing than entertaining nobles so instead he headed straight for his mother, sister and grandparents hoping they wouldn’t be too upset with him for basically dropping another twenty thousand people in their lap.