Chapter 18: Tension in the Air
The day began like any other in the Umbracrest estate, but the weight of expectation hung heavily. Today marked the third day since Edwin had received Cedric's letter, stating that Baron Caine, Cedric, and Lady Eleanor would return from Viscount Grantor's banquet.
The castle's atmosphere grew tense as the hours passed. Servants whispered in the corridors, glancing toward the gates. Normally, Baron Caine's punctuality was a point of pride, especially for public appearances. By sunset, when no sign of their entourage appeared, concerns began to escalate.
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Edwin remained in his workshop, largely indifferent to the castle's unease. His uncle, Commander Wallace, however, took charge of the situation.
Wallace, a seasoned warrior and one of Baron Caine's most trusted men, stood in the main hall, addressing a group of knights. His sharp gaze swept across them as he issued orders.
"I want a dozen bronze knights mounted and ready," he commanded, his voice firm. "We'll ride the route toward Viscount Grantor's domain and gather information. Be prepared for anything."
The knights saluted and left swiftly to carry out his orders. Wallace's calculated demeanor betrayed no emotion, but even he couldn't deny that something felt amiss.
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Meanwhile, Edwin was deeply engrossed in his own work. The hum of machinery filled the air as he adjusted the mechanical arm of his latest creation. The silver knight before him gleamed under the soft lighting, its white armor panels resembling polished scales—sleek and seamless, almost organic in their fluid design.
"AI," Edwin said, tightening a bolt on the knight's arm joint, "what's the power capacity of this prototype compared to the first one?"
"Energy output has been increased by 18%, and response time improved by 22%," the AI reported.
Edwin nodded, pleased with the progress. "Good. But I want the armor layering recalibrated for higher heat resistance. Adjust the core shielding as well."
"Understood. Recalibrating systems now," the AI responded.
Edwin stepped back to examine the knight as its core activated. Blue runes lit up across its frame, pulsing steadily as it moved through its test routine. The movements were fluid, precise, and deadly. Each swing of its blade was calculated, the balance perfected through endless hours of fine-tuning.
His goal wasn't just to build a functioning machine—it was to create a force capable of reshaping the battlefield. And with the resources at his disposal, he now had enough materials to construct an army of 200 silver-ranked knights and a single gold-ranked knight.
"Perfection takes time," Edwin muttered to himself as he replaced a tool on the workbench. He wasn't in any hurry; his creations would be ready when they were needed.
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The silence outside was broken by the sound of hoofbeats as the knights prepared to depart. Edwin barely glanced up from his work, uninterested in the castle's affairs. To him, the absence of Baron Caine, Cedric, and Eleanor was little more than a fleeting inconvenience.
Still, as he adjusted another component on the knight's torso, a thought crossed his mind. His father's delay might disrupt the estate's stability, drawing unwanted attention from rival nobles. The more chaos there was, the more unpredictable things would become—and Edwin disliked unpredictability.
"AI, compile a list of potential deployment scenarios for the knights," Edwin said, his tone casual.
"Compiling scenarios," the AI replied.
As the AI worked, Edwin leaned against the workbench, wiping oil from his hands. He wasn't concerned about his family's safety. His father was a seasoned warrior, and Cedric's reputation as a skilled knight preceded him. Eleanor, too, wasn't to be underestimated—she wielded influence with precision and poise.
No, Edwin thought. If anything had happened, it would be political in nature. And politics, as far as Edwin was concerned, was best left to those who cared about the Umbracrest family's legacy.
For now, he would remain focused on his creations.
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As the sun dipped below the horizon, the bronze knights rode out under Wallace's command. Their silhouettes vanished into the darkness, leaving the castle quiet once more.
Edwin emerged briefly from his workshop to observe their departure. He leaned against the doorway, arms crossed, watching as the knights disappeared into the distance.
"Running around for answers," he muttered. "I prefer solutions."
With that, he returned to his workshop, shutting the heavy door behind him. The sound of tools and machinery resumed as Edwin continued his work late into the night.
Outside, the castle staff remained on edge, but Edwin paid them no mind. His focus was on the task before him.
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