Several days after the battle, Blackridge returned to its steady rhythm.
Markets reopened fully. Blacksmith hammers rang from morning till night. Farmers expanded their fields, confident that no enemy army would burn their crops again. Patrols walked the streets regularly, and watchtowers remained manned at all hours.
Arin made it a habit to walk through the town every morning.
He spoke with shop owners, listened to complaints, and inspected construction personally. Though he was still a prince, he behaved more like a responsible lord than a distant noble.
This only strengthened the bond between him and his people.
Meanwhile, in the royal capital, tension spread like wildfire.
Inside a luxurious mansion, Duke Ravenholt crushed a porcelain cup in his hand. Tea spilled across the marble floor, but he did not care.
"Five hundred men," he said coldly. "Gone."
Victor knelt before him, head lowered. His face was pale, and fear filled his eyes.
"I underestimated him, Uncle. He used terrain, traps, and coordinated magic. It was… flawless."
Ravenholt turned slowly.
"Flawless?" he repeated.
Victor trembled.
The duke's gaze hardened. "No. It was calculated."
He walked toward the window, staring at the distant palace towers.
"That boy is no longer a minor threat," Ravenholt continued. "He's building a foundation. Territory, army, industry, loyalty."
He clenched his fist.
"He's creating a power base."
One of his advisors stepped forward. "My lord, should we petition the court to intervene?"
Ravenholt shook his head. "Not yet. The king is watching him now. Any open move will backfire."
After a moment of silence, he smiled faintly.
"A rising star attracts predators."
"We'll let others test him."
Far away, in the imperial capital, another meeting was taking place.
In a grand hall filled with mana formations, several elderly figures sat in silence.
Lady Maris stood among them.
"The Sixth Prince has defeated a noble army," one elder said slowly. "With inferior forces."
"A rare talent," another added.
Maris nodded. "More than talent. He has vision."
A third elder spoke quietly. "Should we intervene?"
"Not yet," Maris replied. "Let him grow. Pressure forges diamonds."
Back in Blackridge, Arin received several sealed letters.
Trade guild invitations.
Minor noble greetings.
Requests for cooperation.
Kelsin examined them carefully. "Your influence is spreading."
Arin nodded. "Then we must be careful."
That afternoon, Selene joined him on the wall.
"You're becoming famous," she said lightly.
"I don't want fame," Arin replied. "I want security."
She smiled. "Sometimes, they come together."
They stood in silence for a while, watching the horizon.
Lyra approached later, carrying research notes.
"I've improved the mana battery design," she said. "We can double storage."
Arin's eyes lit up. "That will change everything."
The system activated quietly.
[SYSTEM PROMPT: Technological Advancement Detected]
[SYSTEM PROMPT: Territory Development Speed +10%]
That night, Arin trained again.
Sword forms.
Mana circulation.
Mental simulations.
Pain followed.
So did progress.
Before sleeping, he checked his status.
[PLAYER PROFILE – ARIN ELDORIA
Strength: 8
Mana: 7
Speed: 8
Endurance: 7
Intelligence: 14
Charisma: 13
Sword Path: Apprentice
Mage Path: Spell Apprentice
Leadership Path: Recognized Lord
Growth Potential: SSS
System Authority: Level 2
Territory Authority: Level 2
Bloodline Progress: 7%
]
He closed the panel.
"Enemies are watching," he thought. "So I'll give them something worth watching."
Outside, the wind carried whispers of coming change.
And this time, the whole kingdom would feel it.