"This is my first time seeing the Spirit element, Baron Atreus..."
Leysha lay cuddled on my chest.
We were still naked, wrapped in a warm blanket, staring at Rhaevor, who was still kneeling beside the bed.
Well, this was also the first time I'd seen such a strong, large, and powerful man so obedient and submissive right after Leysha and I finished the 'ritual' together.
"Only a few wizards have mastered the Spirit element. I'm glad Baron Atreus has mastered it," Leysha praised.
I didn't know all about Baron Atreus yet, but from his memories, body, and abilities, I sensed that he possessed immense potential.
As a wizard, Baron Atreus could master several important magical elements.
It seemed Baron Atreus was stuck, having lost his momentum due to illness ten years ago.
Now it would be a great opportunity for me to tap into that potential!
I snapped my finger, halting the Spirit element, and Rhaevor's figure disappeared.
"Rhaevor will be a valuable asset in regaining our glory, Leysha," I said, stroking her hair.
Leysha looked at me with a smile, "What are you going to do next, Baron Atreus?"
"Why don't you just call me Atreus? I already asked you to call me that..."
"Hehehe... I'll just call Atreus that during 'rituals'... I want to remain Baron Atreus's loyal maid..."
"Hahaha... figures." I took a deep breath, smiling at her playful answer. "...regarding your question, It's looks like I need a lot of troops to strengthen the defenses of Vermillion Castle. It's only a matter of time before knights from other territories come and invade our territory again, Leysha."
"Y-yes, Baron Atreus... actually, many of our knights left this territory after the Vermillion family's demise. We're even running low on food supplies."
"The food shortage is the main problem, Leysha. You said it was due to the drought, right? Are other territories like that too?"
"No… in fact, this drought isn't due to weather or natural causes, Baron. Someone built a dam that changed the flow of the river that normally flows into our territory."
"What did you say? A dam?"
"Yes… I've seen one before, Baron… a dam made of logs deliberately constructed to block the river's flow toward our territory. I actually wanted to protest… but the dam was guarded by several armored knights from other territories. There were quite a few of them, and I didn't have the guts to fight them all. I-I'm sorry, Baron…"
I stroked her hair, wiping away Leysha's tears that had fallen. "Don't blame yourself. You made a wise choice not to fight them recklessly because I didn't want you to die in vain because of it…" I said comfortingly. "…but about that dam, it seems I'm going there to reclaim what is rightfully ours, Leysha."
Leysha suddenly glared, staring at me in shock. "B-Baron Atreus…! Are you sure, Baron? I see the knights guarding there aren't just any ordinary knights! They could kill the Baron!"
"Don't worry about it, Leysha. It's my duty as Baron of the Vermillion Territory to reclaim our rights and revive the Vermillion Fortress, which is dying from this artificial drought. Stay at the fortress until I return. Rhaevor and I will go there. Okay?"
Leysha lowered her face, nodding wordlessly.
I knew she was anxious and finding it hard to let me go, like a lover finding it hard to let go of their partner to go far away.
Good, now her heart is deeply connected to me, and that's exactly what I want for a woman who is mine.
I kissed Leysha's forehead and smiled, "I'll be back. Prepare a delicious meal when I return with good news, Leysha."
"Y-yes, Baron Atreus. Godspeed."
*
Outside, dark clouds had filled the sky, accompanied by several flashes of lightning dancing among them.
There were signs of heavy rain, but I stood by my decision to go to the dam.
I summoned Rhaevor, who then carried me towards the river, which was quite far away, about 7 miles.
Luckily, Rhaevor was strong enough to carry me there.
He even trotted along, as if I were riding a horse toward the river.
A few minutes passed, and a light drizzle began to fall, but I remained focused on my goal.
When I reached the river, I was surprised to see how dry it was.
Rhaevor and I followed the river backward until we reached the edge of the forest.
Behind the bushes, I became aware of the sound of armored footsteps.
I pulled Rhaevor back into my body so I could hide and observe more freely from behind the bushes.
True to Leysha's story, I saw a dam made of many trees and branches that held back the river's flow, preventing it from overflowing to Vermillion's territory.
From my observation of the dam, I could see the spillway, a protective barrier on a dam.
If the spillway was damaged, the dam itself would collapse.
It might have been a strategic plan, but when I saw that there were only four knights guarding it, I felt that summoning Rhaevor would be enough to finish off all the patrolling guards.
I summoned Rhaevor again, and with confidence, I appeared before the four enemy knights.
"Hey, who are you?!"
The four knights immediately drew their weapons.
There were two with swords, one with a mace, and one with a bow.
"That should be my question, you bastards. What are you doing in my territory? I won't spare you all! Rhaevor! Destroy them all!"
The presence of Rhaevor, almost twice the height of the knights, immediately frightened the bastards.
But something was strange.
Rhaevor didn't move at all.
"Hey, Rhaevor! What are you waiting for?! Attack them! Slaughter them all!"
Rhaevor remained silent, but I saw his face turn pale, and he knelt down.
"I'm low on energy, Baron Atreus," Rhaevor said flatly, unable to fulfill my command.
"What?!"