Reborn as the Failed Lord with my Resource Gathering System.

Back at the Capital.

Dorian sat at the edge of Seraphina's bed, his face a mask of intense concentration.

He gripped her hand tightly, his knuckles white, as he began the arduous process of absorbing the dark, necrotic energy that had begun to multiply within her once again.

Flanking his sides were Maria and Ishtar, their expressions grim.

The royal doctor stood trembling at the far end of the room, keeping his distance to avoid getting caught in the crossfire of the divine and corrupt energies warring in the center of the chamber.

For a long, agonizing while, the room was silent save for the low hum of magic.

Dorian drew the 'Dead Mana' out of Seraphina's cells and into his own, acting as a living filter for the poison that threatened to consume her.

Finally, the flow stopped.

The purple veins on Seraphina's skin receded, leaving her pale but peaceful.

Dorian was free to let go of her hand, but he didn't. Instead, his strength gave out completely.

He collapsed forward, planting his face into the soft mattress beside her hip.

He panted heavily, sweat dripping from his brow as the dragon and god auras receded deep inside him, fighting off the Dead Mana to stop it from taking over his own body entirely.

Maria was quick to act.

She immediately placed her hand on his back, a silent gesture of consolation. It was her way of letting him know she was there, a solid presence to support him, no matter how little she could do against this magical affliction.

Once the doctor saw that the ritual was concluded, he took small, hesitant steps forward to examine Seraphina.

"So, is she better now?" asked Ishtar, her arms tucked under her breasts, her sharp eyes fixed on the doctor.

"Yes, compared to the way she was an hour ago, it seems she is stable for now," the doctor reported, checking Seraphina's pulse. "However, this is still a temporary solution. There is a high chance of the Dead Mana expanding again within her, which would then lead to—"

"My husband having to do the absorption again. We know. It's fine, thank you for your help," Ishtar cut him off dismissively.

The doctor bowed deeply to the unconscious Dorian and the ladies, then left the second he was given the chance, eager to escape the heavy atmosphere.

Ishtar sighed, her back now resting against the wall. "This is the first time I am seeing a sickness like this. The Witch of Evernight must be truly terrifying if she was able to do this much damage to a Lord-rank individual with just a touch."

"The Witch of Evernight…" Maria repeated the name, a shadow crossing her face. She sighed, shaking her head to clear her thoughts. "Anyway, we should leave Lord Dorian alone for now. He needs his rest."

"Huh? What do you mean 'we'? You can go; I am going to keep watch here." Ishtar smiled down at Dorian, affirming her stance on the decision she made. She moved as if to sit on the bed.

However, not even a second later, Maria moved. She grabbed Ishtar by the wrist and immediately began to drag her toward the door.

"Hey! Unhand me!" Ishtar tried to fight back, digging her heels in, but Maria was a Lord-rank knight. She was surprisingly stronger than she looked—immeasurably stronger than a noble lady like Ishtar.

Before Ishtar could even process the indignity, she was already standing right outside the door of the room. Maria released her and stood in the doorway, acting as a human shield to prevent her from walking back in.

Ishtar stood in silence for a while, adjusting her dress. Then she slowly began to turn around, her blue eyes glowing with a dangerous light.

"I'll forgive the fact that you touched me without my permission—only one person is allowed to do that. Secondly, isn't it unladylike to be as brutish as you are?"

Maria was annoyed at the statement, but she quickly sighed, shoving her irritation to the side. "I apologize for laying my hand on you. But Lord Dorian needs his rest, and I know you. You won't let him sleep. You're not going anywhere near this room. You may see him once he has fully regained his strength."

Ishtar stared at her, realizing she couldn't win this physically. She sighed as well, feigning a hurt expression. "No need to make me feel like a bad person. Fine. I need to look after other things while I am here anyway. I have a Duchy to plan."

With that, she walked away, not once turning around to look at Maria.

Maria watched her go, relieved that Ishtar left without causing a bigger scene. Since they were all somewhat connected through Dorian, she could tell just how obsessed Ishtar was with him—perhaps even more than the rest of them. If she willed it, Ishtar would have fought with Maria right then and there, social standing be damned. But she probably realized it was a battle she couldn't win and decided to draw back.

Sighing once more, Maria turned, intending to take up a guard position, when a voice suddenly called out to her from down the hall.

"Lady Maria, may I have a word?"

Maria immediately turned to check who that was, only to see the King, Revina, standing at a distance, slowly walking closer to her. She was no longer in her maid disguise, but dressed in casual royal outfit.

"Your Majesty." Maria bowed her head instantly.

Revina quickly raised her hand, a small, wry smile on her face. "Please, you don't have to bow your head to me. You are the Dragon Monarch's soon-to-be wife. If anything, we are equals in this strange new hierarchy."

Maria faintly raised her head, a bit confused at Revina's comment, but she quickly overlooked it.

"So, how is the Dragon Monarch? Is he doing alright?" Revina turned her gaze to the closed door, standing right in front of Maria.

"He just finished healing Seraphina. Now he is resting up for the project tomorrow."

Revina turned her head back to look at Maria. "Right, the project." She placed one hand on her waist. "I heard about that from the letter the Monarch sent to me. That man really is all about surprises. I didn't expect him to move so soon, neither did I expect him to call for his entire army to march on the capital."

She sighed out loud, the weight of her crown evident. "The Dukes have placed their concerns on the matter before me. They fear he might be trying to launch a coup or an attack on the kingdom under the guise of construction. But I have dismissed their ill thoughts."

"I assure you, Your Majesty, that is the last thing on my lord's mind." Maria was quick to defend him, a frown forming on her face at the accusation.

This made Revina giggle a bit. "I know. The Dragon Monarch isn't one to care about something as petty as a human throne. He is a man of honor and dignity."

Maria glanced to the side. Honor was quite a stretch for Dorian, considering his schemes, but she decided not to correct the King.

Then her attention was caught by the King's next words.

"Would you like to join me at the castle's sparring ground? I would like us to have a discussion while we spar. If that is alright with you, of course?"

Maria froze a bit. The last time they drew their swords, during the confrontation with Exlor, they never actually fought. And now the King was asking for a spar out of the blue?

All logic and protocol told her to decline the offer. It was risky to fight a monarch.

But the warrior part of her thought otherwise. To test her blade against the Dragon King's daughter?

"As you wish," she replied, her hand drifting to the hilt of her sword.