A few days later, Zain was in his room, having just finished his rigorous training regimen. His body glistened with sweat, muscles taut from the exertion, and his mind sharp with the focus required for his demanding exercises. The room, filled with the scent of perspiration and the earthy aroma of incense, was a sanctuary where he honed his skills and meditated on his plans.

  "What do you want to eat today?" Zain asked, peeling off his drenched clothes and slipping into a loose, comfortable robe that felt like a cloud against his skin.

  Draig, lounging nearby and absentmindedly toying with a book, looked up. His youthful face brightened as he did some quick calculations in his head. "Wild boar, 20... no, wait, make it 50 servings." he declared with a gleam in his eye.

  Even though Zain also consumed large quantities of food, Draig's appetite was extraordinary, bordering on the mythical. It hadn't been long since Morris had to set up a special kitchen solely dedicated to their needs. The amount they ate daily was enough to host a grand noble feast, and the kitchen staff worked tirelessly to keep up with their demands.

  "Okay, so what about your lessons?" Zain inquired, genuinely curious about his companion's progress.

  "Oh, I've completed the whole planar history and the most used languages. I'm just left with domestic affairs and warcraft." Draig responded, his voice brimming with pride.

  "That's good. I will add two cakes to your meal for today." Zain said, rewarding his diligence.

  "Really? Thank you! I promise Draig will work hard." Draig exclaimed, his eyes sparkling with excitement. The innocence in his voice was endearing, a stark contrast to his formidable physical presence.

  In the past month, Zain had been meticulously educating Draig, turning him into a scholar. Although Draig's behavior was often childlike, it didn't impede his learning capabilities. He absorbed knowledge like a sponge, his eagerness and aptitude surpassing Zain's expectations. Zain knew that while Draig possessed immense power, he lacked the necessary knowledge to wield it effectively, and he was determined to fill that gap.

  Zain rang the bell beside his bed. Soon, a maid entered the room, her demeanor respectful yet efficient.

  "Prepare a bath. And also bring the regular food with 50 boar servings and 2 cakes. Make it fast." Zain commanded with the authoritative tone befitting his status.

  "Yes, young lord." the maid replied, bowing deeply before swiftly exiting the room to fulfill his orders.

  As she hurried away, she couldn't help but wonder, 'How? How could a thirteen-year-old child eat this much? This is enough for my whole family for at least six months.' Nevertheless, she carried out her duties without complaint, well aware of the peculiarities of her noble masters.

  ______________________________

  After a refreshing bath and a hearty meal with Draig, Zain provided him with further work to do. He guided Draig through some complex topics, helping him navigate the intricacies of advanced warcraft and domestic governance. Draig, ever the diligent student, soon became engrossed in his studies, his brow furrowed in concentration as he absorbed the new information.

  'Thump'

  The door to the room opened with a sudden bang, and a figure hurried inside.

  "Milord!" the figure exclaimed breathlessly.

  "Chris! Why do you barge into my room like that?" Zain asked, startled by the unexpected intrusion.

  It was Chris, his loyal aide. In the past months, Chris had been managing all the operations in Goldflow City and handling numerous other tasks Zain had entrusted to him. He had performed admirably, meeting every challenge with competence and dedication, leaving Zain with no grounds for complaint.

  "I am sorry, my lord. But your efforts have paid off. The gnomes have replied to us." Chris said, his excitement barely contained.

  Months ago, Zain had heard intriguing news from an old traveler while touring Vermilion City. At the border of Gremory Dukedom, there was a kingdom of dwarves locked in a bitter war with the gnomes of the same region. This conflict took place in the outskirts of a mountain range, between Gremory Dukedom and the Holy-Moon Alliance. Both factions had little contact with the outside world, their isolation breeding both strength and vulnerability.

  This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

  The war stemmed from a severe scarcity of food and supplies in the mountains. Although the gnomes had the upper hand in the conflict, their food supplies were running dangerously low. If the war dragged on much longer, their army would face starvation and be forced to retreat back into the deeper mountains. The dwarves, on the other hand, needed only to hold their ground for a little longer to turn the tide.

  Zain had seen an opportunity in this desperate situation. He had instructed Chris to find a way to reach out to the gnomes, proposing to sell them food and supplies in exchange for their renowned magic equipment. Gnome-made items—magic lamps, labor machines, building tools—were highly valued for their quality and utility, and Zain knew they could significantly aid the development of his Dukedom.

  But Zain's plan had a second, more intricate part. By helping the gnomes achieve victory, he would gain their gratitude and secure their valuable equipment. Then, he would turn to the dwarves, offering to help suppress the gnome army, thereby earning the dwarves' friendship and forging a deal for their legendary weapons. Dwarven-forged arms were considered the finest, and having access to both gnomish equipment and dwarven weapons would provide a substantial advantage.

  This plan was a masterstroke, promising a win-win outcome—both wins benefiting Zain. Gremory Dukedom's primary strength lay in its fertile farmlands, producing vast quantities of food. However, they lacked significant ore mines and skilled weapon craftsmen, forcing them to rely on imports from other dukedoms. These imports came at a steep price, making military supplies one of the largest expenditures for the Dukedom.

  If Zain's plan succeeded, Gremory Dukedom would secure a steady supply of superior weapons and equipment. This would not only reduce their dependency on Duke Ronald and Duke Martin but also grant them a significant upper hand in the northeastern empire.

  "Chris, let my father know that I am coming to meet him." Zain instructed, his mind already racing with the implications of this new development.

  _________________________

  In another part of the palace, Duke Izark was immersed in a detailed discussion with Morris. They sat in the grand study, its walls lined with bookshelves filled with ancient tomes and scrolls. A large map of the Zinovia empire spread across the table before them, marked with various notes and strategic points.

  "So, that concludes all the reports about the new rates of food products that we will provide to other lords. Milord, do you want any changes?" Morris asked, his tone professional and precise.

  "No, it's fine." Duke Izark replied, his mind weighing the information. Morris had just finished describing the negotiations with diplomats from different lords regarding the prices of food grains. The new rates were designed to maximize their profits while maintaining strong alliances.

  The door of the study opened, and a maid walked in, her steps light and deferential.

  "Milord, young master Zain will be arriving to pay you a visit with his attendant Chris." she announced, bowing slightly.

  "Let him come." Izark said, his curiosity piqued.

  The maid bowed again and left the room. Izark turned to Morris, a thoughtful expression on his face. "Morris, what do you think he is here for now?"

  "I don't know, Milord." Morris replied, though his tone suggested he was intrigued as well.

  Raiser and Raina, standing nearby, shared a glance. They too were curious about what the young master, who had given them surprise after surprise, had in store now.

  Soon, Zain entered the room with Chris and a shy Draig in tow. Draig, though usually confident and boisterous, seemed subdued in the presence of the Duke and his senior advisors.

  Raiser and Raina instinctively tensed, ready for any sign of threat. This defensive posture triggered Draig to release a violent Abyssal aura, an automatic response that signaled the start of a battle. The air grew heavy with tension, the aura crackling with latent power.

  "Everyone CALM DOWN!" Zain yelled at the top of his lungs, his voice cutting through the charged atmosphere.

  Raiser and Raina immediately retreated, their postures relaxing. Draig, sensing the situation, withdrew his aura and returned to a calm state.

  "Duke Izark, is this the new one?" Raiser asked, looking at the Duke with a questioning gaze. Raina's eyes shifted to Zain, seeking an explanation.

  "Yes, he is. His name is Draig. He is... as you can say, my guardian... uh, yes, a guardian sent by my mom. Draig, where are your manners? Say hello." Zain instructed, though Draig appeared reluctant.

  "But Zain, you said if you don't like someone, you can blow them into millions and millions of pieces, especially that old bastard who destroyed the door that day." Draig said innocently, his voice devoid of malice yet echoing with dangerous sincerity.

  Everyone in the room stared at Zain in stunned disbelief. Of course, this was what he had been teaching a dragon capable of leveling cities. There was enormous pressure on Zain to manage this volatile power. He coughed awkwardly, trying to diffuse the situation.

  "Cough, cough... Sorry about that. Father, I wasn't talking seriously. It was just a joke, okay? Just a joke. I didn't think he would take it seriously."

  "Oh... Zain, so what you said about Duke being a killing-obsessed old coot is a joke too? When you were saying to stay away from that kind of person?" Draig added, unwittingly fanning the flames.

  Izark's face turned crimson with anger. The room, already tense, seemed to vibrate with suppressed laughter as everyone struggled to maintain their composure.

  "ZAIN!!!!" Izark roared, his voice echoing off the stone walls.

  Zain turned his attention back to others, who was struggling to keep a straight face.