Chapter 440

The trip back to Gryndor started as a much needed break and than turned into a slow return to his regular on the road training for Ajax. It was now the seventh week and Ajax was starting to get a little stir-crazy, they had entered Gryndor a couple of days ago and were only now approaching the capital.

“We’ll have to see about getting you some flying transportation.” Xavier said as he picked up on Ajax’s state.

“It can wait until after our territory is well established.” Alana cut in. 

Xavier nodded, thinking the reason for her delay was that Ajax would be too far away to manage his own lands and not the devastating blow obtaining a flying mount that could travel long distances would be. Alana was planning to delay so that Ajax would first build up their treasury before he started with anything too expensive.

“You can take the rest of the day to settle in but my father would like to see you at first light tomorrow.” the prince said as they passed through the city gates. “You’ll only be in the capital for a week before we head towards the empire so you’ll receive your title tomorrow in open court.” 

With that everyone went their own way once they entered the inner noble section of the city. As they neared the Hearthbound estate Ajax had his eyes fixed on the two large feline statues that now anchored either side of the main gate. While the amount of detail left a little to be desired by Duke standards it was more than made up for by the quality of the stone they were chiseled from, Ajax would place the stone at around level sixty and he knew that it would be further reinforced by his Life mana should they be animated.

Past the gates the carriage circled the large fountain inside the inner courtyard before stopping and letting Ajax get off. Flanking either side of the carriage door in straight lines all the way to the door of the mansion were retainers House Hearthbound had hired over the last years. Ajax recognised most of them though there were a few towards the middle that he didn’t recognise, some of the more recent recruits. 

Being received like this made Ajax feel more like a noble than all the fancy parties he went to in all this time. So naturally the picture perfect ceremonious welcome was quickly shattered by a Shadow cat leaping down from the third story window, landing cleanly on the ground before leaping towards Ajax.

“Fluffy no!” Tom’s voice could be heard from the open window but his bond didn’t pay any attention to it. 

Fluffy’s growth had hit its peak in the last year and had only now started slowing down as the shadow cat reached level seventy. The now adult shadow cat could still progress and was nowhere near its peak but its growth would now be a lot slower.

“I missed you too, big guy.” Much to Fluffy’s shock despite all its growth Ajax still had no problem manhandling him.

The doors of the mansion opened and Sam, Tom, Judy, Kate, Aurora and Elija were all there walking towards Ajax. They all took turns hugging Ajax, Silvia and Alana welcoming them back home. 

“What is that?” Judy was the first to move on from the greetings as she pointed to the massive staff that was wrapped up and taking almost all the space on the back of one of the worms.

“That is now the most valuable possession of our House.” Ajax declared with a challenging grin, daring his sister to complain about it.

“I wouldn’t be so sure.” Judy chimed with a triumphant tone before bringing out a purple crystal the size of a ping pong ball. “This little beauty cost me ten thousand gold coins and even that is because I don’t think anyone knew what the affinity was.” 

Ajax’s eyes widened as they greedily took in the sight of the large Void crystal, from the mana density he could sense that it had come from a level ninety dungeon floor. Considering the issues he was running into with his gauntlet this would be the perfect base for a new hammer specifically made not just to be able to handle his Void attacks but by specialising to only one affinity it would even amplify them. 

Seeing the gift his sister had gotten for him Ajax didn’t have the heart to ruin her excitement, the same could not be said for Alana who put her arm around her friends shoulder and leaned close before stage whispering loudly enough that everyone could hear. “There is a standing offer of one hundred thousand gold as the starting bid for that.” 

“...” Judy was left staring at the large bundle slack jawed with everyone else who heard Alana. “What … What is it?” 

“That is the first heirloom of house Hearthbound.” Ajax declared loudly enough for everyone to hear clearly. “Before that it was the staff of a level one hundred and ten ettin.” 

The welcoming moved on from that point to a more thorough inspection of all the spoils Ajax had managed to collect throughout all of the delves. Most of them were passed on to Alana and Judy with a directive to sell them or to Aurora and Elija for the pieces they wanted to have looked over by skilled crafters.

“You did well boy.” Sam patted Ajax on the back, Ajax’s frame was now too tall for Sam to comfortably wrap his arm over his shoulders.

“Don’t think I forgot about you.” Ajax said with a grin as he headed towards his father’s smithy.

Ajax took great pleasure in watching his father’s eyes bulge more and more as he slowly took out the high level smithing equipment he took from the harpies.

“This … this is too much.” Sam said as he took it all in, he then let out a deep sigh. “It’s also not something I can use, it’ll be for the best if we sell it for now.” 

While Sam didn’t have the talent required to use mana he had spent enough time around Ajax as a child and Kate after Ajax departed to develop [Detect Mana], even with his low skill level and his much newer [Blacksmith’s Eye] he could tell that he was still a long way from being able to even use all of this.

“We won’t be selling it.” Ajax reassured his father, he could feel the reluctance in his father’s words. “We’ll be renting it out until you’re able to use it. To help you get there I got you this.” 

With that Ajax dropped the massive alloy bar right outside the smithy. The weight of the ingot was too much and the whole bar sunk a good four inches into the earth before it finally stopped.

“This is perfect.” Sam exclaimed as he examined the ingot, the alloy and mana density were at the upper limit of what he could currently use and a perfect place for him to push his skill further. “There’s enough here that’ll be at least a year before I use it all.” 

The family spent the rest of the evening relaxing together, Ajax had told them all that he would be named a landed Duke tomorrow as well as the initial outline of the plan for them to start the move to their new lands during his time in the Empire. Everyone agreed that it was something they could start worrying about and planning for tomorrow, that tonight was a small welcome home party. 

The following morning Ajax was standing outside the royal palace before the first rays of dawn. The guards wasted no time asking Ajax why he was there, they had been clearly expecting him and quickly ushered him inside and towards the smaller and more private throne room he had visited before.

As he entered the room Ajax took in everyone who was present. The king, the queen, the crown prince and the king’s eldest son were all expected. Unexpected were Archduke Goldmancer, Archduke Steelblade, Archduke Silvertongue and Duke Manashaper.

“Ajax, you’ve finally made it.” Duke Manashaper welcomed him with a hug. Having worked on researching the magnetic affinity with Ajax as well as the blossoming relationship between Ajax and Lexi, the Duke had become rather familiar with Ajax. “I hope you’ve gotten a chance to rest.” 

“Now, that we’re all here we can begin.” The king cut their reunion short and prepared to start the early meeting he had called them all here for.