Three days later.
Vayne's estate, backyard.
"All right, now lie on your side and don't move!"
As Duke spoke to Ang, he pressed a button in his hand. A flash of X-rays lit up the small device, and when the light faded, Duke waved his hand dismissively. "That's it. Go play."
"Woof!"
The three-headed Ang rolled once on the ground before standing up again, tail wagging. Duke watched him trot off, then turned his attention to the X-ray film that had just slid out of his makeshift machine. His eyes narrowed thoughtfully.
"Incredible," he muttered. "His evolution broke through all my predictions. I didn't expect his body to revert from a purely mechanical structure back toward something biological."
Studying the film, Duke sank into deep thought. He'd always known Ang was extraordinary, but the sheer extent of his change was beyond even Duke's expectations. Three nights ago, during the Night of Chaos, Ang had reached his limit — and then, driven by fury, had broken through it to evolve again.
What had once been purely mechanical tissue had, in large part, transformed into living biological material.
If the old Ang had been a precision machine disguised as a wolf, the current Ang was something new entirely — a true mechanical lifeform.
Much of his body had reversed its composition, perfectly simulating the internal systems of a living creature, and even elevating the level of his physical strength.
"Looks like it's finally time to start the modifications once we get back," Duke murmured.
He opened his inventory and glanced at one particular item inside.
"But still… just what kind of origin does Ang have, to possess such potential?"
He frowned slightly, staring again at the X-ray. Ang, once critically wounded, had entered the Beast Box — and emerged reborn as a two-headed wolf. Then, during that night, his rage had driven him to a third evolution — a three-headed form.
From left to right, each head now controlled fire, lightning, and storm. He could shift his size freely, even restructure his body at will.
"Amazing…" Duke clicked his tongue in genuine awe, though the question of Ang's origins lingered unanswered in his heart. Perhaps one day, he thought, that mystery would reveal itself.
For now, Ang's condition had reached Duke's expectations. He was ready for reconstruction.
All that was left was to return to Piltover.
"Lord Duke!"
The familiar, playful voice made him smile wryly. Putting away the X-ray film, Duke looked up. "Vayne, I told you not to call me that."
"But you really are a duke now — the Duke of Glory!" Vayne teased, standing under the moonlit archway. "Anyway, someone's here to see you again."
"Got it."
Stretching lazily, Duke walked through the arch into the front courtyard — and saw a tall woman clad in crimson dragon-scale armor waiting for him.
Since the Mageseekers' ban had been abolished, Shyvana no longer needed to hide her identity. Now she could finally show her true form proudly.
"So, what does Jarvan IV want this time?"
Arms crossed, Duke studied the purple-skinned dragonwoman. Shyvana bowed slightly. "Your Grace, His Majesty invites you to the palace for a council meeting."
"Come on, we've known each other for years. Drop the formalities, will you?"
"But you are a duke now…" Shyvana hesitated. "And His Majesty said etiquette must be upheld. After all, you saved Demacia — it's only proper we show respect."
"He can keep his etiquette," Duke said dryly, rubbing his temples. "As for me, I'm heading back to Piltover tomorrow. Even if he grants me land, I don't have the time to manage it."
He gave her a sidelong look. "Relax a little, will you?"
At that, Shyvana finally let out a small sigh of relief. "Honestly, I'm still not used to these peaceful days. I have to keep a straight face all the time."
"Well, it's still better than before," Duke said, chuckling.
He took the white coat Vayne handed him and slipped it on. "I'll head to the palace and be back by noon."
"Don't forget to buy groceries!" Vayne called after him.
"Got it!"
After a quick goodbye, Duke and Shyvana boarded the same carriage she'd arrived in and headed toward Castle Dawn.
As the carriage rolled through the streets, Duke cracked open the window and looked out at the city — people rebuilding homes, merchants reopening stalls, laughter slowly returning to the air.
"It's good to see everything getting back on track," he said quietly.
"Yeah," Shyvana agreed, watching the townsfolk repair their homes, a faint warmth in her eyes. "Let's hope no more chaos breaks out."
Duke nodded. His thoughts drifted back to everything that had happened over the past three days.
After defeating Kayle and ending the chaos, Morgana had personally thanked him despite her injuries — then left the capital, taking her sister with her. Where they went, Duke had no idea.
But before leaving, Morgana had said something simple: "If you ever need help, just call me."
That single promise had earned Duke a powerful lifelong ally.
As for Kayle?
He didn't bother to intervene further — Morgana would handle her in her own way.
Most of the mages who had joined the uprising perished during the sisters' battle. Those who survived were interrogated, then reassigned to various regions under new supervision.
The council members, released soon after, quickly recognized the new order. They began sending officials across Demacia to register mages, and to spread the word of what had happened that night:
The Mageseekers were no more. The Anti-Magic Decree was officially abolished.
A new era was dawning.
The very next day, Prince Jarvan IV was crowned king.
Duke was officially granted the title of Duke of Glory, along with vast lands — though he politely refused to settle there. He had no real interest in Demacia's politics. In the end, he accepted the land but planned to have Camille appoint someone to manage it.
As for Sylas, after his failed assassination attempt, he vanished completely — no one knew whether he was dead or had chosen exile.
The Frostborn rebels were executed to the last. Duke, however, managed to collect a fair amount of True Ice from their remains.
LeBlanc also disappeared — her whereabouts unknown.
But the man who had orchestrated the entire rebellion from the shadows was finally caught yesterday.
It was none other than Eldred, captain of the Mageseekers and husband of Tianna Crownguard.
The irony was staggering.
The one manipulating everything behind the scenes — the one who incited the mages' revolt — was the very leader sworn to suppress them.
His motives were simple: to preserve his power. As long as the ban on magic existed and mages were hated, his authority would remain absolute.
And to protect that secret, Eldred had gone to extreme lengths — disguising his voice, mastering makeup, even presenting himself publicly as a woman.
He'd also rallied a group of conservative nobles as his support, including Lord Doud Ein of the Ein family.
Yesterday, Duke had handed over all the incriminating evidence to Jarvan IV. By the end of the day, Doud Ein was imprisoned.
Whatever happened next would be a matter for the royal family — Duke had no interest in meddling further.
After all, his true purpose here was to prepare for the construction of the Hex Gate Project.
Now, not only were preparations complete, but he'd somehow walked away with a dukedom as well. A pleasant surprise, to say the least.
As Duke finished reminiscing, the carriage pulled up before Castle Dawn. The guards at the gates immediately bowed low the moment they saw him.
"Your Grace!"
That image — Duke sending Kayle flying with a single punch — had become the stuff of legend. His fame now rivaled that of both King Jarvan III and his son.
Duke merely nodded and walked into the castle.
Inside the council chamber, Jarvan IV sat at his desk surrounded by towering stacks of documents. Beside him stood Garen and the Sword Princess, Fiora.
Both knights bowed respectfully the moment Duke entered.
"Your Grace!"
"Enough already, don't start that with me too," Duke said, rapping his knuckles on the table as he stopped before Jarvan. "So? What's this about?"
Jarvan set down his quill and exhaled. "The rune steel and nullstone we promised you are ready. However, for now, we can only provide the rune steel."
Duke raised an eyebrow. "And the nullstone? Don't tell me the royal stores ran dry."
"Actually, yes," Jarvan admitted. "After checking our inventories, I found the amount of nullstone remaining is far below what we owe you. You'll need to retrieve it yourself from the Nullstone Quarry near Greenfang Peak."
"Hm…" Duke thought for a moment, then nodded. "That's fine. I was planning to head east back to Piltover anyway — that route takes me right past the quarry."
"Good," Jarvan said. "But considering the importance of the site, Fiora will accompany you. She'll assist in collecting your share of nullstone."
"She's coming with me?" Duke glanced at Fiora. The Sword Princess met his eyes briefly, then looked away — but managed to answer firmly, "Yes. I will accompany Your Grace to the Nullstone Quarry and return afterward."
"Fine by me." Duke shrugged. "Anything else? If not, I've got groceries to buy."
"One more thing," Jarvan said after a pause. "I plan to send a delegation to Piltover for academic exchange. Would you…"
"Sure," Duke cut in. "Have them report to Blue Bloom Manor when they arrive. I'll handle the arrangements."
"Excellent."
"Anything else?"
Jarvan hesitated again, then smiled faintly. "Actually, yes. I'd like to purchase a new batch of weapons from you."
Duke sighed. "Of course you would."
(Demacia's arc speeds toward its conclusion…)
End of chapter....
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