Over the next two days, Westheid and Rozana sought out technicians to craft the prosthetic limbs. Rozana remarked that Yuanxi Palace had never placed a bet of less than one hundred thousand silver leaves, and so, with a grand wave of her hand—
The power of money cleared the path, giving Westheid a small taste of the Yuanshi Territory's shock and awe.
From posting the announcement and gathering the technicians to starting the work and completing the forging, the entire process took no more than a day and a night.
There was almost no waste or delay throughout the entire process.
Even Westheid, who had been quite content with his own circumstances, began to feel a sense of imbalance.
'We're both Branches of Prosperity, so how come you're living so comfortably?'
'Good thing I have a promising future, or this would be pretty embarrassing.'
When Westheid arrived with the gift at the garden of Reiya's residence, he immediately spotted a figure pacing by the entrance. The moment they saw him, the figure ducked back behind the bushes with a WHOOSH.
Westheid couldn't help but find this amusing. As he drew closer, he said:
"Her Highness Reiya, were you waiting for me?"
"I was just out for a stroll and happened to see West coming over."
Reiya lightly fiddled with a lock of silver hair by her ear, forcing a calm tone.
The Silver-haired Princess still didn't want to show any sign of dependence. She knew, however, that she was only fooling herself—she couldn't even convince her own heart, let alone the sharp-witted Westheid.
Just then, Reiya's gaze fell on Rozana, who was carrying a rectangular, silver-edged box.
The Silver-haired Princess immediately changed the subject. "You are...?"
Westheid noticed a faint blush creep across the unscarred part of Reiya's cheek. He decided not to break through the girl's thin veil of pride and instead made the introduction.
"This is a trusted attendant from Yuanxi Palace, Miss Rozana."
"...Her Imperial Highness Princess, good day."
The voluptuous Half-Elf woman, dressed in a black-and-white maid uniform, curtsied deeply, her long, jade-green hair spilling over her ample bosom.
"I am here to deliver the gift Duke Qinghui has prepared for you."
Rozana said coolly. Then, in front of Westheid and Reiya, she placed the rectangular silver box on the ground. With a crisp sound, the silver box opened.
It revealed prosthetic limbs that shimmered with a platinum luster. They were heavily enchanted, crafted from an unknown, soft silver metal into a streamlined mechanical structure. Mysterious and complex patterns of light flowed across their surface. They were incredibly lifelike, complete with bones, joints, muscles, blood vessels, and even skin texture.
Upon closer inspection, a faint, cloud-like blue "blood" could be seen flowing within the vessels.
Rozana said, "Per Duke Qinghui's request, we hired the thirteen finest Light Casting Technicians in the Imperial Capital to craft these prosthetics. Please try them. If Your Imperial Highness is not satisfied, they can be further modified and reforged."
As Blacksmiths within the Holy Tree System, one had to be at least a Tier Four Exemplar Transcendent to become a Light Casting Technician. Westheid hadn't held back at all, hiring thirteen of them to work day and night. After all, such an expense was a mere drop in the bucket for Yuanxi Palace.
"This is... the gift for me? You really didn't have to..."
Reiya stared, stunned, at the prosthetic limbs—a masterpiece of mechanical art—and sighed.
Westheid said seriously, "They were custom-made for you. If you don't want them, I'll just destroy them."
With him putting it that way, the Silver-haired Princess could only acquiesce.
"Alright..."
Having more or less figured out the girl's temperament, Westheid chuckled and knelt to attach the prosthetic limbs for Reiya.
A masterpiece from a Light Casting Technician was, of course, no ordinary object. As Westheid placed the prosthetics against the smooth, flat ends of the Silver-haired Princess's severed limbs, the metal limbs immediately began to fuse. The components at the connection point embedded themselves into Reiya's flesh, while the rest of the surface rippled like water.
In an instant, the once-mechanical-looking prosthetics transformed completely into lifelike flesh, fair and delicate. From the outside, they were indistinguishable from real limbs.
"These prosthetics have an extremely high degree of biomimicry. They will adapt to the user's physical form and possess a self-repair function. They also feature a near-complete neural sensory system..."
"Furthermore, the limbs are permanently enchanted with various defensive Techniques, from Bulletproof Shield to Force Field Shift..."
Listening to Rozana's explanation, Westheid turned to Reiya, who was gently stroking her new limbs, and asked:
"How do they feel?"
"...It's as if my legs have grown back. I can't tell they're fake at all."
Reiya lifted and lowered her new legs again and again, her voice filled with disbelief.
Rozana continued, "Prosthetics like these were originally designed by Light Casting Technicians as enhancement components. Even able-bodied elite Warriors would have them installed. Below Tier Three Prominent, their strength far surpasses that of a body of flesh and blood."
'They can't compare to enhancement components made from my parts, but I suppose they're still high-end.'
Westheid nodded and moved to help the Silver-haired Princess rise from her wheelchair, but she waved him away.
"I... think I still know how to walk."
In any area where she could be independent, Reiya didn't want to accept help without a second thought.
Bracing herself on the wheelchair, Reiya shakily rose to her feet. The effects of the high-end prosthetics were immediate. After stumbling for just a few steps, she was able to walk normally.
"This will be much more convenient."
Although the Silver-haired Princess's comment was understated, the slight upturn of her lips betrayed a hint of joy at having her mobility restored.
After all, Reiya hadn't wanted to remain trapped in her broken body. But she had no access to the kind of Magic or Magic Potions that could regenerate limbs. Moreover, no method in the Mortal World could ever restore what a Celestial God had taken away.
Prosthetic limbs were the only alternative, yet even such a humble request would never have been granted.
Westheid said, "Go on and get used to them. The technicians said there's a very small chance of a rejection reaction, so you'll need at least two or three hours."
"Mhm!"
Reiya nodded emphatically. She then began exploring the garden, reacquainting herself with the sense of touch her new limbs provided. She would dash for a few steps, then leap, then reach into the flowerbeds to caress petals and leaves.
Her lively, joyful movements were infectious; just watching her was enough to lift one's spirits.
In that moment, the Silver-haired Princess truly looked like a young woman in the bloom of youth.
"Duke Qinghui, you're quite the devoted one. How is it I've never seen this side of you before?"
Westheid turned toward the voice and looked at the Half-Elf Maid beside him. She continued coolly:
"You nearly set yourself against everyone for the sake of the Fourth Princess. After that night, your outrageous reputation has only grown louder."
Westheid just smiled. "Are you jealous, Miss Rozana?"
Miss Half-Elf glared at Westheid with cold eyes, her cherry-red lips parting slightly.
"I just never expected a lecherous, heartless man like you to possess such sympathy."
"Pity?"