‘And that is how it went down yesterday. Edmund nodded his head.

  ‘Wow, Edmund, this is crazy; the duchess needs to know about this.’ Alon made his way to the chief's house.

  ‘Wait, wait, wait, it is a win-win situation; I destroyed the monsters and tested a new weapon that, let’s be real, could have killed one soldier; these things in the prototype stage might as well be death traps.’ Edmund shouted, chasing after Alon.

  ‘Kid, you cannot do this; this looks bad.’ As he entered the chief's house, Alon spoke.

  Eliza was serving Ariadne's tea as she ate at a small table. She looked to the side as Alon entered the room.

  ‘Captain Alon, is everything set to eradicate the monsters?’ Ariadne drank some tea.

  ‘Your Highness, yesterday Edmund stole a wagon, went to the monster's lair, and used them to test his new weapon. We need to go there right away.’ Alon gave Ariadne a serious look.

  In the corner of Ariadne's eye, she glimpsed Edmund, approaching Alon's side as she looked down at her cup of tea.

  ‘Peasant, why in the world did you do this?’ She tightened her fists.

  'Look, testing the weapon is dangerous; I don't want to use the soldiers as test subjects." Edmund took one step forward.

  Ariadne inhaled ?before turning to face Edmund; her expression was annoyed.

  ‘Don’t lie to me; I know you are just behaving like the child you are. Why do you think I wouldn’t permit you to do this, peasant? This shows how much of an idiot you are.’ She sighs as her finger taps the table.

  ‘Child? You are my age; I was just saying...’ Edmund responded.

  ‘Edmund, stop.’ Alon placed his hand over Edmund's mouth.

  ‘Peasant, don’t compare yourself to me; just do your job. Alon, make sure everything is taken care of at the monster hideout.’ Ariadne took another sip of her tea.

  ‘As you wish.’ Alon turned around and left the building.

  ‘I knew it; it’s better to do and apologize afterward.’ Edmund thought while smiling.

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  ‘Stop smiling, Edmund; it's creepy.’ Eliza spoke.

  ‘I’m sorry, I have excellent results with the new weapon; I’m just proud of myself, nothing more.’ He shrugged his shoulders.

  ‘I know you are lying, peasant; just continue to bring me results, and don’t put the people of the duchy in danger.’ Ariadne took another sip of tea.

  ‘So, I can do whatever I want? Outstanding!!!!' Edmund thought while grinning.

  ‘You are so strange, Edmund.’ Eliza looked at him, confused.

  Levi and his son were still selling their goods at the village center to some villagers.

  'Father, are these lights that can be installed in people's homes worth selling? Not everyone can use it.’ Isaac pointed at the bag full of lights and switches.

  ‘It is an investment; now, just some can use it, but everyone will have one in their home with time.’ Levi looked at Isaac with his arms crossed.

  ‘Ah… Ok..’ Isaac yawns.

  You will see, son.’ Levi strokes his son’s head.

  Alon started to assemble the soldiers as they got ready to leave for the monster hideout, and he positioned himself in front of them in the village center.

  ‘Today, we are going to check on the monster hideout, but we might not have anything to kill because Edmund used them to test his new weapon, but it is better safe than sorry.’ Alon spoke.

  The soldiers were somewhat relieved that they would avoid a battle. On the other hand, the villagers working and observing them were happy as they saw the soldiers leaving, hoping they would end the monsters once and for all.

  ‘Stay here, son. I’m going to see the village chief.’ Levi smiled at his son.

  At the village chef's house, Ariadne and Edmund's conversation baffled the old Shafran lady and her assistant; they didn’t understand what the young man was saying.

  ‘Look at them, peasant; they think you are crazy for wanting to do something like this; they know of the old story of a king who thought he could conquer a dungeon and marched in, only for one survivor to return in complete horror to how everyone was slaughtered when they entered the underground city.’ Ariadne pointed at the village chief.

  ‘We need to go inside; the mine close to the dungeon is just the tip; there is a nihillium mine inside the dungeon; we need that; there is only so much we can do with what we have; we need more to push other projects forward.’ Edmund yelled louder.

  ‘Peasant!!!’ Ariadne shouted.

  Her voice paralyzed Edmund, not because of the slave magic but because of the pure intimidation her voice carried. The village chief and her assistant trembled because of it.

  ‘Never raise your voice to me. My patience has a limit; do not test it. The dungeon will be raided if you can make my duchy powerful. Prove to me that this is not a suicide mission; I promised you that we would go there but not to sacrifice the lives of my people.’ Ariadne approached Edmund and placed her finger on his cheek.

  ‘I understand, your highness. I’m sorry because of the guilt I feel. I’m sorry.’ Edmund looked to the floor.

  The village chief and her assistant could not believe the back-and-forth between Ariadne and Edmund.

  ‘Is he a slave? He seems more like she is equal to the duchess.' The assistant muttered.

  ‘She is different; it is clear that Her Highness cares about us; following her lead is the right decision.’ The chief responded.

  Levi entered the room and slowly went to the village chief, trying not to be noticed by Ariadne.

  ‘Chief, may I speak with you about the situation at mine? It sounds like the duchess's soldiers will quickly find a solution to everything.’ He whispered next to her.

  ‘Let us talk outside, yes? The Duchess is educating her slave.’ The chief grinned as she made her way out of the room.

  ‘O..Ok…’ Levi followed the chief.

  Ariadne suddenly punched Edmund, sending him flying into the wall. The duchess's sudden reaction shocked Elza; it came out of nowhere.

  ‘They finally got out; I was holding myself.’ Ariadne looked at Edmund.

  ‘It hurts. You almost broke my neck.’ Edmund stood up, rubbing his neck.

  ‘Peasant, do not think you are on the same level as me. Look at what you forced me to do!’ Ariadne's eyes focused on her fist.