From Blade To Spell

Then her eyes lit up with mischief.

"But Aaron, didn't you say you knew more than one way to fly? Now that you've got your territory, you must tell me another one!"

Aaron blinked, caught off guard by her persistence.

She's really serious about this flying thing…

Aaron shook his head firmly.

"The next method is extremely dangerous. If I tell you, you'll definitely try to experiment with it, and you could lose your life in the process. The materials required are complex, and it demands master craftsmanship and absolute precision. Even the slightest error could be fatal."

Alice's eyes widened, her curiosity undeterred.

"Hey Aaron, but..."

Aaron cut her off gently.

"No way, Miss Alice. I can't tell you. If I do, Duke Alaric might kill me. So I can only ask for your forgiveness."

But Alice wasn't ready to give up.

"Aaron, how can you do this to me? At least tell me, can this method actually let someone fly in the sky?"

Aaron looked at her, exasperated but amused.

"Well… yes, you can partially fly using wind. But to use this method, you'd need to go to the top of a mountain and jump off. That's exactly why I said it's life-threatening."

Alice's face turned pale.

The idea of leaping from a mountain top, even with wind support, was terrifying.

She wasn't foolish enough to try it.

Fiona, standing quietly beside her, watched the exchange with admiration.

Only Sir Aaron could suppress Miss Alice like this.

Duke Alaric, listening quietly to Aaron's explanation, initially found the idea absurd.

Jumping from a mountain to fly? Madness.

But then he remembered the parachute demonstration.

That device… it worked. And it could be used from a mountain top too. Safely.

Aaron's second method, though dangerous, hinted at something more.

If someone could truly maneuver in the air… scout enemy positions… even cross borders undetected…

The strategic possibilities were staggering.

Air mobility could change warfare itself.

Alaric's mind raced with implications.

Capture enemy territory from above. Avoid terrain traps. Deliver messages across impossible distances.

And yet, amid all the speculation, one thought brought him quiet relief.

Aaron hadn't deceived him.

The young knight had been honest, cautious, and surprisingly wise.

Aaron had no idea that Duke Alaric had overheard his explanation.

Even if he had known, it wouldn't have mattered.

What's done is done.

Right now, his mind was focused on something else, Green Fort.

He needed information.

And the best people to ask were Garric, Elwood, and Edrin.

They were merchants, well-traveled and resourceful. If anyone knew the terrain, the risks, or the rumors surrounding Green Fort, it would be them.

Alice snapped out of her thoughts and turned to Aaron.

"Aaron, when will you be leaving for Green Fort?"

Aaron paused, calculating.

"Lord Alaric told me to leave after a week. He's worried I might be attacked by the undead during travel."

Alice nodded, her expression thoughtful. Then, suddenly, she said,

"Aaron, you must know my father has arranged a marriage proposal event, right?"

Aaron blinked, confused.

"Miss Alice… I'm not sure I've heard about it."

Alice quickly realized her mistake.

Of course, he's from the Riverbend Empire. He wouldn't know.

She added,

"Now that I've told you, I just want you to attend. It'll be held in the first week of next month. Any noble from Verdia Kingdom has the right to ask for my hand."

Aaron stood frozen, stunned by her words.

Was this… an invitation?

Meanwhile, Duke Alaric, listening from nearby, had a thoughtful expression.

It seems my daughter is drawn to Aaron. I may not want to admit it… but I haven't met anyone as insightful as him.

"But…" he muttered, unsure of what came next.

"Master."

A quiet voice startled him. He turned sharply to see an old man in a butler's suit standing beside him.

"Grandpa Moria!" Alaric exclaimed.

"Can you please not sneak up on me like that?"

Moria looked genuinely puzzled, then leaned in with excitement.

"Master, I've tested the fruit called coconut, the one those three brought. It's miraculous. Not only can it hydrate and nourish, but it can serve as emergency food. With this, we might finally be able to venture into the Forbidden Zone."

Alaric turned to Moria, his expression serious.

"Grandpa Moria, let's set this aside for now. Are our preparations against the undead complete?"

Moria nodded.

"Of course, Master. Though… do you think the undead will attack our territory again?"

Alaric's gaze darkened with thought.

"I've studied the pattern over the past few months. Some territories were attacked twice. We can't afford to take any risks."

Moria bowed his head in understanding.

"Very well, Master."

He paused, then asked,

"Do you have any other orders?"

Alaric considered for a moment.

"Yes. Arrange a room for Aaron. Also, post a recruitment notice for master tailors. I'll need them for something important."

Moria bowed once more and quietly walked away, his steps purposeful.

Alaric lingered for a moment, then turned and left as well, no longer interested in the conversation between his daughter and Aaron.

.....

The afternoon sun hung high over Starfall City, casting long shadows across the cobbled streets. The warmth clung to Aaron's skin as he walked, his expression clouded with confusion.

Alice's words echoed in his mind.

Marriage proposal day…

He muttered to himself,

"Do I really have to attend that? I mean, I have nothing, no wealth, no influence. Just a territory I haven't even seen."

He sighed,

"The nobles who'll show up for Miss Alice's hand… they'll have everything. Land, power, prestige. If I go, it'll feel like I'm insulting myself."

The weight of his situation pressed down on him.

First the territory. Now this.

With a troubled look, Aaron stepped out of the castle gates and into the heart of Starfall City. The streets buzzed with life, vendors calling out, children darting between stalls, guards patrolling with calm authority.

Aaron took a deep breath, letting the city's energy wash over him.

Maybe I'll find something useful. A clue. A contact. Anything.