"ZAIN!!!!" Izark roared, his voice reverberating through the grand hall, shaking the very foundation of the ancient stone walls.

  Zain quickly stepped forward, raising his hands in a gesture of placation. "Father, please. Draig is still learning. He doesn't fully understand social nuances yet." he explained, his voice steady but with an undertone of urgency.

  Izark's anger simmered down slightly, his eyes still flashing with intensity. His expression remained stern, the lines on his face deepening. "You need to be more responsible, Zain. Teaching such things to him can cause problems." he warned, his tone laced with a mix of frustration and concern.

  Zain nodded earnestly. "I understand, Father. I'll be more careful with my words from now on. Draig, you should also be careful."

  The atmosphere in the room was charged with tension. The air felt heavy, almost suffocating, as if the very walls were holding their breath. Zain took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts before speaking again. "Father, I know you are mad. But I have very good news that will make you the most powerful Duke in the northeastern Zinovia empire." he said, his voice calm but filled with conviction.

  Izark's eyes narrowed, a flicker of interest breaking through his stern facade. "Better give me a good reason why I shouldn't beat you right now." he replied, his voice cold and menacing.

  Zain felt a bead of sweat trickle down his temple, but he stood his ground. "You know there is a dwarven kingdom called Bourbon at the border of our territory." he began, choosing his words carefully.

  Izark's brows furrowed in thought. "Yes, King Durin rules there. He's as stubborn as a rock, always in conflict with the gnomes. He's a minor character in a remote mountain. What about him?" he asked, his tone skeptical.

  Zain continued, his voice gaining confidence. "Exactly. I have an idea to recruit him and his kingdom to produce weapons for us."

  "Do they even produce good weapons?" Izark asked, casting a skeptical glance at Draig and Raiser, who exchanged dubious looks.

  "I found out through a lucky encounter with an old traveler. He said that while the dwarves are weak, their craftsmanship rivals the great blacksmiths of the capital cities." Zain explained, his eyes shining with determination.

  Izark considered this for a moment. "Fine, but remember, the dwarves have signed a peace agreement with humans. We can't attack or force them. You can't achieve much without powerful backing." he said, his tone dismissive.

  Zain felt a surge of frustration at his father's constant dismissal. "I have a plan, but I need to go to Bourbon to make it happen. And..." he trailed off, anticipation building in the room.

  "Absolutely not!" Everyone except Draig and Chris shouted, their voices overlapping in a cacophony of objections. Zain's heart sank, but he was not ready to give up.

  "Why not? Please." he pleaded, his voice tinged with desperation.

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  Raina responded seriously, her voice firm. "You are too important to us right now. We can't let you go to a foreign territory. It won't be safe. Your father has many enemies who wouldn't hesitate to kill you. Many of our operations depend on your plans."

  Before Zain could argue further, Morris added, "Young master, your coming-of-age ceremony is approaching. We can't have you wandering around foreign regions at such a critical time."

  Izark and Raiser nodded in agreement, their expressions resolute. Zain felt a wave of disappointment wash over him, but he steeled himself, determined not to let it show. With a smirk, he said, "Okay, since I can't go to the Bourbon Kingdom, I should drop the idea of securing a stable supply of the best military equipment for our Dukedom."

  His words hung in the air, laden with implication. Everyone knew Zain's proposal could greatly benefit the Dukedom. The Gremory family relied on buying weapons from other Dukes, often at unfavorable terms. Failure to acquire proper weapons could spell disaster for their army and weaken their position in the empire and the Royal court.

  Izark, now considering Zain's proposal seriously, asked, "What do you mean?"

  Zain explained, his voice steady and persuasive. "I plan to use the gnomes' power to pressure the dwarves into taking our aid. Even if King Durin is stubborn, he values his subjects' lives more than his pride."

  Izark's expression turned thoughtful, though his lips twisted in a slight sneer. "So, you would use such a dirty trick." he said with a hint of disgust. Zain thought, 'This man kills without blinking an eye, and I'm the dirty one? He's too much.'

  "Father, you should care more about the result than the method. I'll ensure minimal bloodshed." Zain assured, his voice firm with resolve.

  Izark's gaze softened slightly, his eyes reflecting a mixture of pride and concern. "That's fine, but can't someone else go instead?" he asked, his tone softer but still firm.

  "Well, then that person should also handle all the planning. I'd be delighted to have a vacation." Zain replied, a slight smile playing on his lips.

  Izark knew Zain wouldn't back down. He also wanted his son to experience the outside world before his coming-of-age ceremony, as Zain had never left Vermilion City. 'He's as stubborn as his mother.' Izark thought, a flicker of nostalgia crossing his face.

  Although the others weren't happy about Zain's decision, they couldn't deny his importance. The Gremory family had large territories, fertile land, and fighting power, but they hadn't fully utilized their potential. Izark was a great fighter and general but not as skilled at managing the Dukedom. Zain had brought significant improvements and gains, making him invaluable.

  "Fine, you can go, but if there's any danger, Raina will escort you back." Izark insisted, his voice brooking no argument.

  "Agreed." Zain replied promptly. "I need 100 tonnes of rations, a squad of fifty strong men, and, of course, if Miss Raina accompanies me, I'll likely return unharmed."

  Raina responded, her voice steady and reassuring. "It would be my pleasure."

  "Thanks. We will leave tomorrow morning. I have only three months before returning for the celebration, so I should hurry." Zain said, his voice brimming with determination.

  After discussing his journey to the dwarven kingdom, Zain left the room with Draig. "He's such a stubborn child." Izark exclaimed, shaking his head.

  Izark repeatedly warned Raina to ensure Zain's safe return. She assured him that nothing would happen to his son. After finalizing all arrangements, the journey began the next morning.

  As Zain walked back to his room with Draig, the corridors of the castle seemed to close in around him, the flickering torches casting long, dancing shadows on the stone walls. He couldn't help but chuckle, breaking the heavy silence. "Draig, you really need to learn when to keep things to yourself." he said, a hint of amusement in his voice.

  Draig looked up at him, confusion clouding his eyes. "Okay, Zain. I will try." he replied earnestly.

  Zain ruffled Draig's hair affectionately, smiling down at the boy. "That's all I ask. Now, let's get back to our training. We have a lot of work ahead." he said, his voice filled with a renewed sense of purpose.