Chapter 147: Wind-Held
After Duane and Natalia left, Elwin’s banquet couldn’t continue. It was impossible for it to go on.
The young noblewomen and other guests were led back to their rooms by the manor’s servants to clean themselves up.
They didn’t dare criticize Natalia, and they certainly didn’t dare criticize Elwin. As for Duane, while those close to the Viscount might utter a few curses, the others didn’t think he was in the wrong.
Of course, when Viscount Elwin offered his apologies, they still felt obligated to say a few words about how "the Baron was too arrogant" or the like.
In private, some secretly snickered at the young master Elwin’s foolishness.
In any case, after this banquet, Elwin would become a topic of gossip for a long time to come.
Duane and his party returned to Silver Scale Port, where the Magic Energy Ship promptly set sail toward Silent Harbor.
Sailing at night was generally uncommon.
However, the Kennedy Clan’s crew was experienced. With large-scale lighting equipment and the guidance of numerous lighthouses along the banks of this familiar river, sailing at night was no difficult task.
Back in his room, Duane immediately opened his attribute panel to check the gains from achieving Perfection in Basic Archery.
He allocated all 3.5 of his newly acquired attribute points to Strength. Combined with the 0.5 points he had gained from potions last night and today, his Strength Attribute increased to 31.5.
As his attribute rose, the Fighting Qi channels within Duane’s body grew denser, resembling an intricate highway network.
When he utilized his Fighting Qi, less and less of it dissipated naturally.
Based on the attribute progression pattern across the three levels of the Ordinary Realm, Duane estimated that the Strength Attribute spanned 10 points from the Human Tier to the Earth Tier.
In other words, based on attributes alone, his power was already equivalent to the mid-to-late stage of the Human Tier.
’I’m not far from becoming an Earth Tier Warrior.’
In fact, the gap between his current combat strength and that of an ordinary Earth Tier Warrior was already small.
His proficiency with his major Combat Techniques had reached the Master Level, meaning they were significantly more powerful when used. This compensated for the natural loss of Fighting Qi.
If he were to face Bard of the Broken Wave Gang now, Duane could probably handle him without Kaelon’s help.
After allocating his attribute points, Duane turned his attention to his Skills.
His breakthrough in Basic Archery had granted him three things:
a Wind-Held Spell Model, the formula for the Wind-Held Enchantment, and the recipe for the materials it required.
Wind-Held was a Level 4 Wind Support Type spell.
Its primary function could be summarized as using the wind like a hand to hold or pull objects, and to grant them a certain amount of speed.
When Duane learned this, his mind immediately began to race with possibilities.
’If I cast Wind-Held on a ship, would it be able to travel faster?
’If I cast it on a broom, could it carry a person into the air?’
For now, though, he could only daydream. The power of Wind-Held probably wasn’t that strong yet.
However, the stronger the Mage, the more powerful their spells.
Duane turned his attention to the Wind-Held Enchantment.
It was an enchantment for arrows that would allow them to fly farther and faster.
Thanks to these two properties, the arrows’ destructive power would naturally be greater as well.
’Essence of Gale Grass, Mid-Level Magic Crystal Powder, Falcon Flight Feather, and Falcon Tail Feather.’
On Black Forest Island, Selena had used an Extraction Spell on Basic Magic Crystal Stones to obtain Basic Magic Crystal Powder.
That meant the Mid-Level Magic Crystal Powder must come from Mid-Level Magic Crystal Stones.
A single Mid-Level Magic Crystal Stone sold for five to eight Gold Coins on the open market, which was quite expensive.
As for the other three materials, the Falcon Flight and Tail Feathers should be relatively easy to get. It was only the Gale Grass that Duane had never heard of.
Duane glanced at his attribute panel. Spells, Enchantments, Manufacturing... a lot of things were related to Mages.
This meant that if he stuck solely to the path of a Warrior, he would miss out on a large number of attribute points he could otherwise obtain.
’I need to reach the Celestial Tier as soon as possible!’
Duane began to feel a sense of urgency.
He had offended Elwin today. Considering the conflicts that might follow, his personal strength was paramount.
Celestial Tier Warriors were the ultimate symbols of power for the major clans and factions. Only by reaching that realm could Duane handle any situation with confidence.
Then, he could start allocating attribute points to Spirit.
’Time to take the potion!’
Duane opened the potion box, took out a stamina Recovery Potion for a Human Tier Warrior, and drank it down. He then circulated his Fighting Qi to absorb its effects.
He estimated he could gain another one-point-something in attribute points by consuming the rest of the potions.
The Magic Energy Ship sailed over the pitch-black river, its speed considerably slower than during the day.
They didn’t arrive at Silent Harbor until around midnight.
Natalia’s return greatly surprised the port’s Executioner.
They suspected something had happened but didn’t dare to ask directly.
The news would likely only begin to spread tomorrow.
By the carriage, Natalia was bidding Duane farewell.
She asked him to stay another day in Silent Harbor, using the excuse that her father, Count Kais, might return tomorrow.
Duane naturally agreed.
In the current situation, it was more important than ever for him to meet with Kais. Waiting a day was nothing; it would be worth waiting two or three if necessary.
After watching Natalia leave, Duane first went aboard the ship to check on his captive, Garrot.
After days of torment, the Earth Tier Warrior had lost a great deal of weight and seemed completely devoid of spirit.
Duane reminded Raymond to watch him carefully and make sure nothing happened, then prepared to head to an inn to rest.
Just as he was leaving, however, Raymond ran after him.
"My lord, there’s something I’d like to talk to you about."
Duane turned, and the two of them walked to the edge of the cargo ship’s deck. "What is it?"
Raymond scratched his head, seemingly at a loss for how to begin. After a moment’s thought, he said with a laugh:
"My lord, do you remember what happened the night after our competition against the Broken Wave Gang and the Holy Hand Association?"
Duane thought for a moment, then shook his head. "Which incident are you referring to?"
"Er, the thing that Ralph the butler said!"
Raymond whispered, "That you should marry soon, have children, and give Black Forest Island an heir."
Duane was momentarily stunned. ’Good heavens,’ he thought. ’My subordinate actually stopped me just to talk about this.’
"Tell me, Raymond, what suddenly brought this to mind?"
His subordinate gave an embarrassed laugh. "When we left Black Forest Island, Kaelon and Ralph both spoke to me in private. They asked me to keep an eye out for you on our journey and to give you a nudge if I saw a suitable match."
"So, you’ve found a suitable match now?"
Duane sighed, glancing in the direction Natalia had departed. "You don’t actually think the Count’s daughter is a suitable match, do you?"
Raymond nodded emphatically.
"I heard from Michele and Benur that you and Miss Natalia seem to get along very well. You even went into her carriage!"
"I’ve made some inquiries, and it seems Miss Natalia isn’t in any arranged marriage talks. Plus, she’s a genius Mage—a perfect match for you!"
"Alright, that’s enough!"
Duane raised a hand, cutting off his subordinate’s enthusiastic suggestion. "You can’t just say things like that."
"Don’t worry, I won’t breathe a word of it to anyone else!"
Raymond thumped his chest in assurance, then added in a low voice, "You could be a little bolder in your pursuit."
Duane just smiled and shook his head. "She’s the daughter of a Count. The marriages of High Lords are rarely their own to decide."
The husband of a Count’s daughter, if not a Marquis, a Duke, or one of the Royal Family Members, should at least be of equal rank.
And that’s to say nothing of a girl as exceptionally talented as Natalia.
"My title isn’t high, Black Forest Island is still a complete mess with uncertain potential. Do you really think I have a chance?"
Raymond disagreed.
"My lord, your talent is one-of-a-kind! Black Forest Island is destined for great things under your leadership. Kaelon, Ralph, and I are completely convinced of it!"
Duane laughed. In front of his subordinate, it was better to appear confident and not be too self-deprecating.
"Alright, I know what I’m doing. You don’t need to worry about it."
He clapped the man’s shoulder and left the cargo ship.
But to be honest, Raymond’s reminder did make him seriously consider the possibility.
First, Natalia herself was an excellent prospect. She was beautiful, powerful, and very knowledgeable about Magic.
Furthermore, the Kennedy Clan backing her was extremely powerful.
If he could really get together with her, he would inevitably gain the support of the Kennedy Clan, which would make up for his disadvantages in seafaring and manufacturing.
Of course, there was also the crucial matter of his disadvantage regarding Mages.
The Kennedy Clan had been the first to develop Magic Energy Ships, so they undoubtedly had a team of Mages supporting them.
Duane only had a single Mage follower, Selena, and crucially, her existence had to be kept secret.
He mounted his horse, and the night wind that rushed past as he galloped helped to clear his head.
He knew that as the mere Baron of the Lonely Island, marrying a Count’s daughter would be incredibly difficult. For now, he had to focus his energy on improving himself and developing Black Forest Island.