The 5 Black Iron Sigils had a tempting use—boosting the Flame Imp to Level 15, granting Bronze Middle Rank burst power during his rage skill. But Sean hesitated; better to save them for a critical moment.
At Level 17, Sean continued hunting, but the forest's dangers loomed large. Even Silver Rank warriors like Cain and Lilith had nearly perished—how much safer would a Black Iron lord be? He vowed to visit Yorn's Mage Academy west of the city, seeking meditation techniques to reduce reliance on risky hunts.
Returning to Riverside's south gate, Sean found two figures awaiting them: Sophia, Olga's daughter, and a unfamiliar steward in livery he didn't recognize."Honorable Sean Highness, Lucio Lord, I am Gabe, steward of the River Count," the man bowed."William is the Count's steward," Sean murmured to Lucio."Gabe joined five years ago," Lucio explained, turning to the steward with a condescending tone. "What brings you here, Gabe?"
"Lord Lucio, the Count commands your immediate return to Yorn. Your father, Lucas, is about to ascend to Sky Rank!"Lucio's grip on his scimitar faltered. Sky Rank—the first in Yorn in decades! Under Laine's laws, a Sky Rank vassal would elevate the Count to Marquis, a monumental event.But Lucio frowned. Why would a minor steward deliver such news? Suspicion flared—was this a trap?Gabe hurried to explain: "The Count announced it publicly yesterday after Prince Robert's envoy arrived with the Sky Rank core. I was dispatched immediately."
Lucio turned to Sean, torn between excitement and caution. "I must go, Sean. Visit me in Yorn—""Wait," Sean smiled, an idea forming. "I'll lead a caravan to Yorn tomorrow afternoon. Join us. Lucas 's ascension is too significant to miss—and I have gifts to deliver."
Sean had planned to wait a week for Holy Flame Spirit and perfume to stockpile, but a Sky Rank ascension would draw nobles from across Laine. A victory banquet would be the perfect stage to market his goods.Lucio brightened—traveling with Sean meant safety (Windsor's Bronze Rank plus his secret Silver Rank burst) and continued access to Riverside's gourmet food. "Agreed! We'll depart together."
Gabe, listening silently,twitched into a faint smile. Prince Robert was en route to Yorn to witness the ascension—setting the stage for a meeting between Sean and the prince. Drama awaits in Yorn, he thought, bowing deeper.
Back at the castle, Sean ordered Henry to ready the smallest oak barrels of Holy Flame Spirit, while Jamie rushed to finish the first batch of high-heeled shoes. Kyle was tasked with distilling a concentrated rose essence for perfume, using alchemy to preserve it without glass vials—for now, sealed in waxed linen pouches."Three days until the dragon egg hatches," Sean mused, patting the pouch. If it hatches before we leave, even better—a dragon by my side in Yorn would change the game.
That night, Anduin reported the "boiling water ordinance" was already gaining traction, with townsfolk associating it with Sean's "divine wisdom." The manure piles steamed in the southeast, and pond sludge collection was ahead of schedule.As Sean packed, he reviewed his companions:Windsor: Bronze Rank, Threatening Presence for crowd control.Kyle: Rare Blood Elf mage, capable of Fire Lance and Flame Ward.Leviathan: Flame Imp, short-range burst damage.Balor: Voidwalker, tanking with Shadow Armor.Enough to survive Yorn's politics… for now, he thought.
The next afternoon, the caravan assembled: two wagons of spirits, one carrying Jamie's shoes and Kyle's perfumes, guarded by 10 Blazing Cross mercenaries Olga had loaned Sean. Lucio's retinue knights formed a vanguard, while Gabe rode at the rear, his smile never quite reaching his eyes.As they crossed the bridge from Riverside, Sean looked back at the town—his first real domain. Yorn will test if my "divine" facade can fool nobles… or if they'll see the man behind the title.The road to Yorn stretched ahead, filled with opportunity and danger. But Sean carried something no noble could: a System that turned every level, every sigil, and every risky gambit into power.Let the Count and Prince Robert scheme, he thought, hand on the dragon egg. I bring not just gifts… but a revolution in a whiskey barrel.The grind for influence had begun, and in Yorn's glittering courts, Sean would prove that in this world, even a lord's best spell was not magic—but timing.