色戒无删除版

The territory of Blackwell lies at the Eastern side of the kingdom. It was a place rich with mineral ores and precious gems. To those who haven't stepped foot in the territory would think of this as a beautiful place because of the precious stones mined there.

In reality the place was gloomy and wet all year round. The place was full of marshes and swamps. The forests were dark and damp. It was indeed blessed with such treasures but to obtain it was not easy.

Throughout the years, magic had supported the mining industry of the territory so that the people could have a livelihood. During storms and rain, the magic of Blackwell would protect the mining sites and miners from any untoward incidents. Aside from mining, the territory also thrives with the rare herbs that can only be cultivated in their lands.

Monster hunting was also an occupation because most of the territory is inhabited by monsters. Their cores and skins could fetch a high price in the market but in this job, the possibility of dying has a higher percentage than working in a mine. The territory also relied heavily on importing products especially in the category of food.

Since they could only cultivate a limited variety of agricultural food sources, their territory would always welcome merchants that could bring them a variety of food. Luckily, they could cultivate rice with the help of the magic tools that the duke developed. Greenhouses were also built inorder to cultivate other vegetables and fruits and the first trial was a success.

Galahad Blackwell did all of these with the people in his mind. He developed many tools that could help his people but due to the continuous political unrest within the household, some of his plans weren't put through. He didn't even know if the complaints he was receiving from the citizens of Blackwell were true because of how the council would always find fault with how he was managing the territory.

He was even criticized for not having a wife nor a child who can inherit his title. They wouldn't even fail to criticize him for picking a child from a faraway branch family to be his heir. Galahad couldn't even get a rest because his everyday life was plagued with the gazes and words of his own council.

So, when Ulysses wrote to him that he would be visiting, Galahad welcomed him. It was a welcome distraction from all that has been piling up in his mind. Ulysses might also be there to help him.

"Duke Ginehart will be arriving today. Are you sure that he is here to help?" Archmage Sigma asked while they sat down inside Galahad's study.

"It doesn't matter. Even if he is just here for a vacation, I won't turn him away. He's the only man in this kingdom that I can call a friend," Galahad chuckled.

Despite his cold personality, he had acknowledged the man as one of his trusted confidants and that won't change. They were oil and water but despite their obvious differences, their friendship remained throughout the years. If he had a son or daughter he would have sent them to Ginehart without second thoughts and let them grow in a bright environment instead of letting them stay in his own gloomy territory.

But that was just a dream that would never happen in this lifetime. It was also the reason why he decided to cultivate a child as his heir. He was a Blackwell but he was from a branch family that nobody knew. Another reason why he named Isaiah as his heir was because he was talented in magic.

Isaiah was the only child who had a great aptitude for magic and the only one who can use mana freely. For generations, the Blackwell family lost the full ability to use magic because of a curse. They could use mana but they didn't have enough to manifest even a simple spell.

It was a disaster so when he saw Isaiah, he thought that the curse must have been broken in his generation but that was not case. The young man was special amongst his peers and he did not want to pass up the chance to raise someone with potential. Despite the objection of the council, he still brought up Isaiah and named him heir.

His thoughts were broken when a crisp knock hit the door to his study followed by the door opening. A sentinel entered and informed them of Duke Ginehart's arrival. Galahad stood up from his seat behind the desk, took his coat and left with Archmage Sigma to meet his old friend.

They waited outside the manor and saw the unmistakable carriage of the Ginehart dukedom. It stopped in front of them with Duke Ulysses alighting first followed by Isaiah which came as a surprise to Galahad.

"Welcome to my home," he tapped his friend's shoulder before looking at the child who was with him, "I didn't expect that you'll return too."

Ulysses laughed, "I know that you've received the news of what happened in the capital. There's no use foe Isaiah to remain there when the tower isn't functional right now so I decided to give him a ride."

Galahad couldn't refute the duke's word so he just welcomed them inside. The butler already prepared some refreshments in the living room as well as coffee for the slightly cold weather. It should have taken them ten days to reach the territory but due to the constant rain, they were delayed for five days.

"This place hasn't changed, it is still a place where I can't live. It's too damp and cold." Ulysses shook his head and even shivered for a while so he picked up the cup of coffee and took a sip. "Aaahhh, that's more like it."

"You are telling me that now? But still you came," Galahad, for the rarest moments in his life, smiled.

"Well, I can't just leave you be. This place is so gloomy that I thought you might get bored, so I came to add spice to this boring place." Ulysses also grinned as he looked around the manor.

"How are the children?" Galahad diverted the conversation because he did not want to talk about politics on the first day of his friend's stay.

"They're good. Linius became a general while Rigel is still Rigel." He took another sip and savored the taste of the creamy coffee they served.

Galahad could only raise a brow at how nonchalant Ulysses was when it came to both of his son's achievements. "That is good news. I read from the report that Rigel defeated the Magus Maximus, won't that cause any problems?"

Ulysses remained silent with his eyes fixed on the glass table in front of him. It took him a few more seconds before he finally spoke, "Those children are willful. Whether it causes problems in the future, they wouldn't care."

The fond look from the man's face did not escape Galahad's eyes. He knew that even though Ulysses said those words, he would still go running whenever his children would be in trouble. He was a doting father, even Rigel who was not his real son received a father's love.

"Alright if you say so," Galahad had to stop or else Duke Ulysses might start telling stories about his children.

"By the way, aren't you returning to the tower?" Ulysses's eyes shifted to the man who had been silent ever since they arrived.

Archmage Sigma shook his head, "In the current situation. I won't return for now and wait for a new Magus before I go back. There are many things to deal with in this place."

"That's a pity then but it is still a relief that you did not return or else you might have been incriminated as well." Ulysses nodded his head a few times.

"The tower's matters had nothing to do with me. I've left that place and didn't join the council but didn't expect that the downfall of the tower will really happen." It was not only the duke who was relieved, because as soon as he heard that the tower was defeated, he felt relieved.

That place was somewhere he didn't want to be. He would only return there when needed but he wouldn't stay long. He was not close to anyone in that place, especially to the Magus Maximus so he decided to just stay in Blackwell and help him on developing new tools.

"Now I have more reasons not to regret my decision of leaving that abominable tower," Sigma sighed and smiled.

"We should thank Rigel then," Ulysses gave the both of them a meaningful smile. "Oh speaking of which, Rigel will be coming here too. He said that he wanted to explore so I gave him the permission to come."

"If that's the case then we will welcome them!" Galahad explained after downing the half empty glass of refreshment within his hand.

After that, Ulysses and Isaiah were brought to their rooms. The duke looked at the window and sighed. "It would be difficult but I need to stay here."