CHAPTER 1067: PREPARATION

They were still in the same chamber, Aurdis exhaled slowly, her hands clasped in front of her as if she were trying to hold herself together.

Meanwhile, Saeldir stood with his gaze fixed on the walls, his silver brows knitted in deep thought. He just came back here after doing something outside.

Finally, Aurdis spoke. "If what Erend says is true, then we can’t wait for this enemy to come to us or for him to do everything by himself. We need to prepare for battle again. I think this battle would be worse than what Laston brought."

Saeldir nodded grimly, let out a sigh, and said. "Indeed. This time, the enemy can manipulate Dragonborns themselves. That means none of our traditional power will matter. Even the strongest among us could fall if we are not careful."

"Then what do we do? You’ve seen the progress with the prosthetics for now. Father has united the court of this Palace and the Forest Elf, and the soldiers. But is that enough?" Aurdis said, her voice taut with worry.

Saeldir turned to her, his expression hard but still calm. "No. I think it’s not enough. But we have a foundation. We just need to expand it. Laston showed us that Magic and metal together can rival even the most destructive of powers. We will need to forge something more so that we can stand against them when the time comes."

Aurdis tilted her head, watching him. "What do you mean?"

"I mean," Saeldir replied. "We need to create more than prosthetics quickly. We will create constructs designed for battle, then armors and weapons that can resist and counter Magic. Just like what Laston did back then, but we need to do it quickly."

Aurdis’s lips parted, her mind racing at the implication. "But... we would be building weapons unlike anything our people have ever seen. Entirely new methods of war. That will change us."

Saeldir’s gaze softened just slightly.

"Aurdis, like it or not, we have already changed. You’ve seen it yourself. Our people walk with metal limbs, making them able to wield strength they once lost in battle or even better. Change has already taken root in this palace. Now, we must guide it to our advantage because the new enemy would also become worse."

Aurdis fell silent, her eyes lowering. She knew he was right.

After a moment, she straightened her back and spoke in a steady voice. "Alirigt. Then we’ll do it."

"Alright," Saeldir said, his tone heavy with resolve.

He moved toward the table cluttered with notes and sketches. With a flick of his fingers runes glowed and diagrams unfurled into the air. These were the schematics of constructs, armors, and devices that had been set aside during their earlier projects because he thought they didn’t need it yet for now.

Aurdis stepped beside him, her eyes following the shimmering projections.

"So, we’ll need soldiers who can train with these and then make the Mages adapt their casting into the metal framework. That means opening up training grounds within the palace itself," Aurdis said.

Saeldir gave a nod. "Yes. And your father will support it. He must, I didn’t mean to force the king but... you know what I mean. This is not just preparation for one battle but for an entire campaign that could span worlds based on what Erend had told us."

Aurdis inhaled sharply, realizing the scope of it. "That would mean... alliances. Even beyond our borders and our world."

"Yes," Saeldir agreed. "When Erend speaks of Astoria kingdom, or of his human world, I can only think that he speaks of potential allies."

Aurdis gave a small smile, though it carried both pride and weariness.

"You’ve grown more pragmatic, Saeldir. Before, you would have argued for Elven purity above all," she said.

The Archmage let out a faint chuckle, though it was tinged with bitterness. "Laston taught me the cost of arrogance. I will not repeat it. Erend is also there and helping other races who need it. I think I need to take his mindset."

The two shared a quiet moment before Aurdis clapped her hands together, determination hardening her features.

"Then let’s begin. We’ll need to gather the apprentices and soldiers immediately. I’ll speak to Father and explain what Erend told us. We can’t afford to waste even a day."

Saeldir turned toward her with approval in his gaze. "Good. While you do that, I’ll summon the senior Mages and open more archives in the libraries. If we are to fight corruption from another dimension we must study to look for its patterns and weave protections into every construct we forge. It will take time, but the earlier we start, the better."

Aurdis nodded firmly, her silver hair catching the light as she turned toward the door. "We’ll make it ready for them."

And with that, the two of them parted, each walking with their own purpose.

Not long after, the corridors of the palace soon stirred with renewed urgency, orders being carried out, soldiers were summoned, apprentices roused from their studies. But the king was not yet informed.

Within hours, the palace was alive with preparation again, for research that would be made for war.

—

King Gulben sat upon his throne. His stern eyes scanned the parchment handed to him by his advisor. As he read, his instincts sharpened when the chamber doors opened and Aurdis entered, her steps purposeful, her face marked with a seriousness that instantly unsettled him.

The king’s brow furrowed. He raised a hand, halting the advisor’s report.

"Leave us," he commanded.

The advisor bowed quickly and departed, leaving father and daughter alone in the vast chamber.

Aurdis stopped before the throne, her hands clasped tightly, her blue eyes burning with urgency.

"Father," she said, "I need to speak of something serious. Erend came here only a few hours ago... and he brought news."

At once, Gulben’s expression darkened. His jaw tightened, his lips pressing into a grim line.

The news carried by the Dragonborn was rarely something peaceful.

He leaned back in his throne, exhaling a long sigh as if already bracing himself.

"Alright," he muttered, his tone laced with weariness. His gaze fixed firmly upon his daughter. "Tell me, Aurdis. What has he brought us this time?"

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