Chapter 46 - Circle
Goddon studied the dent in the slab of dragon steel with an expression of intrigue mixed with annoyance. “Ahh, this will take some effort to fix. Ignus isn’t very fond of repairing stuff… Perhaps I should have enchanted it after all.”
Lilly was curious about who Ignus might be but had to address the latter part first. “It’s not enchanted? But why? It surely has more room than anything I’ve ever seen before!”
Goddon looked at her briefly before turning to the advisor, sitting in shock on the floor near the middle of the room. “Could you– no, wait,” Goddon said before correcting himself and continuing to speak in Dorthian.
He gestured to Lilly as he spoke, but she had no idea what he was talking about. The advisor hurriedly got up to do as he was asked, leaving the room.
“I asked him to get you some clothes,” he explained. “You’re lucky that piece of armor held up, but I assume you’d prefer to have something underneath as well.”
Lilly already knew the clothes under the aegis had lost the fight, but she was used to it at this point. She sighed, swearing to make some supremely fire-resistant clothes in the near future. “Thank you, Goddon. I expected it to happen when I started, but it’s still nice of you.”
“Ah, it’s only right. And the slab is not enchanted, no. I’m worried it will interfere with my ability to control it. I really struggle with controlling enchanted armor and weapons.”
“Oh, that makes sense. Some enchantments can give you the ability to control it remotely, though, even without your special ability.” Lilly made her staff do a few spins in the air as a demonstration.
“I appreciate the insight, Lilly. But now I am the only one who can use it, and I’d prefer it to stay that way.” Goddon stood up and walked back to his throne while doing his best to put his robe back on with only one hand.
The sight made Lilly feel a bit guilty. “I’m really sorry about your arm.”
“Don’t you worry, Lilly. I’ll be going into my slumber very soon, and then everything will heal over time.” Goddon eventually managed to get the robe on and sat down, smiling at her. “Now that we know who would win in a fight let me thank you for being willing to find a peaceful solution. I’m sure our kingdoms' future will be much better and closer for it.”
Lilly felt the same way, even if a fight would have ended in her victory. She thought he was being generous with his conclusion because she had no idea how to fight against that slab. “I don’t consider Eldoria to be my kingdom, but I am part of it. I am also happy we could avoid further bloodshed.”
Goddon nodded, studying her with a curious look. “You continue to impress me, Lilly. I also feel your flame in that armor you’re using, so I’m guessing you’re a very good enchantress. You would make an amazing team with Ignus if the two of you ever met.”
“Yeah, I meant to ask who Ignus is.”
“He’s one of the kids of the Divine Dragon, and he has used his fire to become the greatest blacksmith I have ever seen. He’s also the one who invented the dragon steel and one of the very few who can make it. But he’s hard to track down.”
Lilly imagined the things Ignus could craft for her to enchant, but she didn’t like the thought. She already had someone to fill that position, and that would never change as long as they both lived. “I already have a partner,” she said, smiling. They hadn’t even been apart for two days, but she still longed to return to Mia’s arms.
Goddon seemed to have noticed something in her smile. “Ahh, I see! Then treasure it! I’ve been wondering what I should give you; I owe you for agreeing to protect this land while I am gone and for besting me in arm wrestling. Would a ring perhaps be suitable?”
“A ring?” Lilly asked, not following his meaning at first. But then it dawned on her, making her blush. “Oh, a ring! I– well, that would be perfect!”
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She felt a bit uncertain about how to get a ring since Mia was her blacksmith, but this way, the issue could be solved.
Goddon started focusing again, closing his eyes. “Ah, in a wooden box? Why would they–” he mumbled, seemingly struggling a bit with the retrieval. “Hah, pure metal lock, no problem. Wait, do you have any preference about what stone you want?”
“Oh, uhm… Something red or green, I think. Red is my color, while she has the most beautiful green eyes. But I don’t know what she would prefer…”
“She, huh? I’m sure she would like to think of you when she looks at it. With the immortality of your flame, it could symbolize an immortal love, blazing eternally.”
Lilly still didn’t feel sure, but after remembering that Mia’s favorite color was red, she chose. “Then a red stone would be perfect!”
Goddon smiled and went back to focusing. “Hmm, are you fine with only getting the stone, then? I have a perfect one, but it hasn’t been put into a ring.”
“Mmh, sure. I’ll find someone to make the ring,” Lilly replied, thinking it would be fine to find some other blacksmith in Thundrel as long as Mia didn’t find out. And even if she did, she would understand once she knew what it was.
Down from the ceiling descended a brilliant red jewel, glowing faintly on its own. It was the size of a small grape, making it larger than Lilly had imagined but just small enough to work on a ring.
“It’s beautiful! What kind of stone is it?”
“It’s a seluvian ruby, an extremely rare stone. It somehow gathers energy without using mana and uses it to make a faint glow, giving it that extra bit of deep red color. I dug it out myself, and it’s been one of our crown jewels ever since.”
“A crown jewel?! But I can’t take that!” Lilly yelled, holding her hands up in denial.
“It’s mine, and I’m giving it to you. If anyone complains, they won’t, but if anyone complains, tell them to speak to me. Or just bury them under rubble yourself; that’s what I will do with them.”
The ruby was now floating over Lilly’s hands, prompting her to take it. She had nowhere to store it, so she just held it for now. “Then I guess I’ll have to accept it. Thank you, Goddon.” She bowed lightly in gratitude, still standing in front of the granite table.
It was only then, looking down, that she realized she was standing in a puddle of molten floor. She had improved greatly in containing the heat inside her body, but she was still far from perfecting it. Even a short burst of her full power had caused the floor under her to melt.
“... Well then, I should start heading back soon. I’d like to give everyone the news as soon as possible. Will you stay awake until Myndia delivers your message?”
Goddon turned his eyes to the windows on the left side of the room, lost in old memories. “... No, I’ll be fine with waiting until next time. It has been a bit of a demon in my heart, unable to tell her she was right. But now it feels like that’s all I have to say…”
Lilly found it hard to imagine the feeling of being separated for so long, never having the chance to meet again. Myndia had her own problems and self-imposed failures, but at least she had the opportunity to see everyone in the afterlife.
This time, Goddon looked back at her with eyes reflecting his true age. “It’s been nice to meet you, Lilly. I’ll remember you for as long as this life of mine lasts. That guy will have left some clothes for you outside the door over there so you can get dressed in peace.”
He pointed at a smaller door behind the throne, likely leading to the royal quarters. Lilly was reminded of the king from earlier and hoped the clothes would cover enough.
“I’ll remember you too, Goddon, although it won’t be as long. You can probably send for the holder of the flame in Thundrel to get your response when you wake again.”
“That was my plan. Perhaps Myndia will even be back by then,” Goddon replied with a cheery tone.
‘Tell him I probably won’t be unless something bad happens. I’ve been enjoying watching over you, Lilly, so I might just keep doing so in the future for the next generations as well.’
Lilly nodded. “It’s more likely you’ll meet one of my descendants, she says. You’ll send the king to Eldhaven, then? In chains?”
“Hah, in chains, for sure! That useless kid won’t dare to escape, I swear it. I believe some riches are in order as well, since our side started this fight. You’ve all taken some heavy losses, right?”
“Oh yeah, we’ve lost a lot of people. That would probably be a good idea for the sake of softening the resentment that has been built up.”
“Then consider it done!” Goddon replied, not seeming to mind the loss of riches. Then again, what value did money have for an immortal demigod?
Lilly took a deep breath and bowed once again. “Then this is goodbye! I hope the future will be bright!”
Goddon smiled and nodded his head. “I’ll do what I can. I hope the Vermilion Flame will do the same!”
As he finished his words, the throne he sat on started ascending, bringing him out of the same hole he came through.