Golden Rock Province, Shining City.
As the central hub of a Baron's territory, Shining City was far more prosperous than the principal cities of many Viscount domains. Among the seven Baron lands in Golden Rock Province, the Arnest Family's Iron Throne Territory stood firmly at the top. In both size and economic strength, it was not far behind a Viscount's domain.
Unfortunately, such prosperity inevitably attracted envy. The covetous gaze of a powerful figure soon brought about a change in who held the Baron's seat.
Inner Keep — Bedroom
After being dressed by two young, graceful maids, Owen Arnest made his way to the dining room. He had barely taken a sip of warm milk when his secretary hurried in.
"My Lord," the secretary bowed deeply.
Owen glanced up, his tone calm. "You seem in quite a rush. Has something urgent happened?"
"There are a few matters to report, My Lord."
"Speak."
Owen's voice was clipped and composed. Even as he spoke, his elegant motions with the silverware never faltered. Ever since inheriting the Baron's position, he had become increasingly mindful of his noble demeanor, striving to integrate into the circles of the higher lords.
Thanks to his efforts—and, more importantly, the support of Gold Rock Marquis—many noble peers had begun to show him favor. Given time, his footing among them would only grow more stable. And when that day came, he could finally turn his attention to the lingering threats that still shadowed his rule.
The secretary cleared his throat. "Lord Zorlf has sent a letter, explicitly stating that he will attend this year's harvest celebration in Shining City."
Owen paused, then a knowing smile curved his lips. "So, Zorlf has finally recognized the new order. Excellent. And what of Norwood and Devon?"
"They haven't agreed yet, but they haven't refused either. It seems they're still… observing."
A flicker of disdain crossed Owen's eyes. "Observing? Hmph. Do they really believe those two young fools can return to Shining City? Absurd."
The secretary chuckled obsequiously. "My Lord is absolutely right. Before long, everyone will understand that you are the true master of the Iron Throne Territory."
"The true master…"
The title pleased Owen, and his expression softened. He leaned back, mood considerably lightened. "Speaking of which, what are my two nephews doing these days?"
The secretary hesitated. "I've heard they intend to restart the Black Stone Mining Area."
Owen blinked in mild surprise. "The Black Stone Mining Area? Are they serious?" He remembered well the disastrous events in Blackstone City years ago. "Do they even have a way to handle the creatures in those mines?"
"I'm not certain," the secretary admitted. "Blackstone City has sealed the entire area. My men can't obtain reliable information."
Owen frowned. Seeing his reaction, the secretary quickly added, "But rest assured, My Lord—if they truly resume mining, we'll know immediately."
Owen considered this for a moment, then nodded. "Fine. Keep watch. Anything else?"
"Yes, My Lord." The secretary's tone grew graver. "Yesterday, Storm Earl was attacked by the Starfire Church while out hunting. He was severely injured. Storm Territory is in turmoil."
Clang!
The sharp sound of cutlery striking porcelain echoed through the room.
Owen's hand froze. The polished air of noble grace vanished from his face. "Severely wounded? How bad?"
"He's been unconscious for a full day and night, My Lord. He hasn't woken."
Owen's brow darkened. The implications were grim—Storm Earl's situation was far from optimistic.
Sinking back into his chair, Owen's expression shifted between concern and calculation. He wasn't troubled by the earl's life or death; what mattered were the consequences.
Storm Earl was one of the two great earls in Golden Rock Province, second only to Gold Rock Marquis himself. Unlike Earl Winter Frost, who was on friendly terms with the Marquis, Storm Earl had always remained aloof and, at times, defiant.
For the Marquis, who sought absolute control over the province, Storm Earl had long been a thorn in the side.
Most nobles were ignorant of the truth—but Owen knew. The connection between Gold Rock Marquis and the Starfire Church ran deeper than anyone guessed. When Owen seized the title of Baron, the Church had played a quiet but decisive role behind the scenes.
Perhaps, he mused darkly, the Marquis's shadow also lay behind this latest "accident."
After a long silence, Owen spoke again. "Continue monitoring Storm Territory. Any development—no matter how small—must be reported to me immediately. Also, send Farid and his men to patrol the borders of Norwood and Devon's lands. The excuse will be bandit suppression."
Golden Rock Province was growing restless, and Owen no longer intended to wait. He needed to secure the Iron Throne Territory completely—without interference. If Norwood and Devon still refused to submit, he would use other methods.
The Resurrection Month
Time passed swiftly. Over ten days had gone by since Anger MacLean's secret laboratory had been uncovered.
During this period, Rune had secretly sold the black stone iron stockpiled in the warehouse through concealed channels, bringing in nearly seven thousand gold coins. Part of that gold went toward buying military supplies and improving the territory's defenses. The rest was invested directly into reconstructing the Black Stone Mining Area.
Work progressed steadily, with every team moving in tight coordination.
Magus, however, remained indifferent to such administrative affairs.
Upon returning to Blackstone City, he once again buried himself in research and cultivation, showing little concern for politics or finance.
Among the manuscripts retrieved from the laboratory, several contained advanced magical techniques. One, in particular, captured his focus—Puppet Refining.
After extensive study, Magus successfully activated the learning sequence for the skill. Yet compared with Biological Modification or Potion Making, Puppet Refining was far more complex. It drew from both fields, combining enchantment principles, biological adaptation, and magical item engineering.
This wide scope made the progress agonizingly slow.
Even with the assistance of Sub-Active Potions, more than ten days of intense study pushed his mastery to just above ten percent. By his estimation, it would take until the Month of Flowing Fire to fully comprehend the discipline.
Meditation, on the other hand, was proceeding remarkably well.
The very day he returned from the Black Stone Mining Area, Magus had used the Synthesis Cube to fuse three stalks of spirit accumulation grass, producing something entirely new.
Star-Patterned Spirit Accumulation Grass — Purity 15.33%.
After consumption, this herb greatly enhances mental strength. The effect depends on the user's current mental power; the higher the base value, the weaker the benefit. Ineffective for those with mental power of 20 or above.
The result exceeded all expectations. Synthesizing the herbs with the Synthesis Cube proved far superior to merely consuming them separately.
After taking the Star-Patterned Spirit Accumulation Grass, Magus felt a surge as his mental power rose by 1.87 points—equivalent to nearly two months of focused meditation. His total mental strength now reached 5.77.
This sharp increase accelerated his progress with Star Ring Meditation.
Meditation enhanced mental power, while greater mental power, in turn, refined meditation efficiency—the two formed a perfect cycle.
At his current pace, Magus could increase the proficiency of Star Ring Meditation by about 10–12 points per day. By that calculation, the construction of his second Star Ring would be achievable in only seven or eight months.
Still, Magus wasn't satisfied.
"Actually," he murmured to himself one evening, "it could be faster."
Blackstone City's financial pressure had eased considerably thanks to Rune's efforts. That meant more gold could be allocated to acquiring alchemical materials. If he could stockpile enough reagents for Sub-Active Potions and then refine or synthesize them through the Cube, their potency would multiply.
Stronger potions would lead to faster meditation gains—and, eventually, a qualitative leap in his spiritual foundation.
He leaned back in his chair, eyes reflecting the faint blue light of the Star Ring pattern hovering before him. A quiet smile touched his lips.
For now, the city was calm. But beneath that calm, undercurrents were stirring.
At the Iron Throne Territory
Far away, in the grand halls of the Iron Throne Keep, Owen Arnest studied the reports delivered from his spies.
Storm Earl remained unconscious; the Starfire Church was growing more aggressive; and Gold Rock Marquis had begun subtly consolidating power through his network of vassals.
Owen understood the unspoken order behind these movements. The time for hesitation was over.
He dipped his quill into ink and signed several secret decrees.
By dawn, riders galloped out of the keep—each bearing sealed orders bound for border garrisons, merchant guilds, and private militias loyal to him.
Soon, rumors began to ripple across the province: a surge in monster sightings near the Black Stone Mining Area, the Starfire Church recruiting zealots in the shadows, whispers of rebellion among lesser lords.
In taverns and markets, the people spoke in low voices.
Golden Rock Province was on the brink of change.
And in his secluded study, Magus meditated beneath the faint starlight of his second ring, unaware that forces far beyond his laboratory were beginning to converge upon his fate.
End of Chapter 15 — Undercurrent