With the Arcane Cannon in hand, Ethan couldn't wait to begin his research. Kael specially allocated an entire floor of the Tower of Hope as the old man's alchemy laboratory.
From that day onward, Ethan secluded himself inside, barely stepping out. The occasional muffled explosions echoing from the lab made Kael both concerned and amused. Master has many virtues, but patience isn't one of them.
Meanwhile, Laffey City flourished under orderly governance, bringing Kael immense satisfaction.
Jett, Finn, and Lone Wolf took charge as military commanders, with Lone Wolf leading intensive training drills for the troops.
Seeing everyone work in unison eased Kael's mind. If they continued strengthening their forces, they might just stand a chance against the Renault Family.
Yes—strength was what mattered most now.
Kael motioned for Finn. **"Finn, I need you to handle something for me."**
"Name it!" Finn straightened, his expression solemn.
"Contact the Kindicker Family**. I want to purchase magic crystals in bulk—and sell off these items."** He handed Finn a spatial ring.
When Finn peeked inside, his jaw dropped. The ring contained treasures Kael had looted from the Water Dragon Secret Realm—everything except what Kael had kept for personal use.
"This is worth at least several million gold coins!" Finn gasped. Sweet heavens, five or six million, easy! **"Kael, did you rob a dragon or something?!"**
Kael chuckled, clapping Finn's shoulder. **"Reach out to the Kindickers. Liquidate these, then use two million gold to buy Level 8+ magic crystals."**
Magic crystals were Kael's top priority now—whether for future Arcane Cannons or his sapling, they were indispensable for maximizing their potential.
"Understood!" Finn nodded vigorously, his eyes gleaming as he stared at the spatial ring, practically drooling. With a reluctant sigh, he muttered while walking away, **"Making me part with all these treasures... this is pure torture. I can't bear it..."**
"Can't bear it..." The kitten on Kael's back whimpered in agreement, its chubby little paws stretching out mournfully. The tiny creature was just as much of a money-grubber, its face etched with reluctance.
Kael was utterly speechless at this pair of greedy souls. At least the kitten's golden nest was quickly completed, and it now curled up inside, radiating blissful contentment.
With the kitten settled, the sky had gradually darkened. Kael finally relaxed a little and returned to the City Lord's Manor.
The manor was brightly lit, with maids standing guard. They bowed slightly as Kael entered, their obedience impeccable. Kael smiled faintly—Now this feels like a proper lord's residence.
"My lord." All the maids kept their heads lowered, though a few bold ones stole glances at Kael's face, their eyes shimmering with unspoken longing.
In truth, most of these maids were considered noble assets, and as a count, Kael held the privilege to claim them. Being chosen by him would elevate any maid to unimaginable heights.
But Kael merely chuckled it off. He knocked on the bedroom door and stepped inside.
The magic lamps cast a warm glow, illuminating the cozy, immaculately clean room—all meticulously arranged by Amelia.
Yet the bedroom was empty. Kael rubbed his nose, slightly disappointed. He'd half-expected Amelia to be here, and his mind had even wandered into flirtatious territory. Now, he could only sigh wryly.
But then—the sound of running water drifted from the inner chamber.
Amelia's inside...
The thought flashed through Kael's mind. He patted his cheeks, his eyes glinting with something unreadable.
She must be bathing... An alluring scene involuntarily surfaced in his imagination, making his pulse quicken.
Kael coughed, an inexplicable heat rising within him.
The water stopped abruptly.
Then, Amelia emerged from the bathroom, draped in a pure white towel. Her long black hair was still damp, her skin flushed a delicate pink from the steam. The towel clung to her slender frame, barely covering her as she stood there, her long, shapely legs on full display.
Amelia froze momentarily upon seeing Kael, her cheeks instantly flushing. **"You... how could you just barge in like that?"**
Kael grinned, his gaze sweeping over her face as he shrugged. **"Why wouldn't I?"** It was true—Amelia was his fiancée. By every measure, sharing a room was perfectly natural.
Under his teasing stare, Amelia's face burned crimson. **"I—I... don't look!"** The usually composed Amelia now stumbled over her words, hastily tightening the towel around her. Yet the thin fabric did little to conceal her figure, and her flustered fidgeting only made the scene more tantalizing.
Heat surged through Kael's veins—and why shouldn't it? The woman before him was his betrothed...
In one swift motion, he pulled Amelia into his arms. Her body tensed, stiff with nervousness as his masculine scent enveloped her. Overwhelmed, she could only blush furiously, her face so red it seemed to glow.
Kael's breathing grew ragged, his pulse racing. No man could remain composed in this situation—especially not with the woman he loved.
**"You're impossible Amelia feigned anger to mask her shyness, but her trembling voice betrayed her.
Then—Kael silenced her with a kiss.
Her eyes flew wide, her cheeks aflame. Slowly, her gaze grew hazy as she responded—clumsily, hesitantly.
Unable to endure his teasing any longer, Amelia squeezed her eyes shut, her fingers clutching the towel like a final line of defense.
Kael chuckled softly. With a single tug, he loosened the towel.
In an instant, her flawless, porcelain skin was laid bare before him.
Amelia kept her eyes closed, but the faint tremble of her lashes and her white-knuckled grip on the bedsheet revealed the storm of emotions raging within her—nervous, vulnerable, yet undeniably willing.
Kael's scorching breath whispered against Amelia's ear as he rasped, **"Open your eyes..."** His voice dripped with temptation, carrying an undeniable command.
Helpless to resist, Amelia's eyelids fluttered open—only to find Kael already fully nude, his bronzed skin gleaming under the dim light as he gazed at her with smoldering intensity. A startled gasp escaped her lips before she squeezed her eyes shut again.
Yet the image of him burned behind her eyelids, impossible to erase...
Though a mage, Kael's physique bore no weakness—no frail spellcaster could hope to walk far on the path of magic. His body surpassed even that of most Level 7 warriorsin raw strength.
Now, Amelia's breathtaking beauty drove his breathing ragged. Her delicate frame shimmered with a rosy flush, her jade-white arms unconsciously looping around his neck as she nervously bit her lower lip.
Kael's calloused hands roamed freely, mapping every curve—the full swell of her breasts, the taut plane of her abdomen, the long legs curled slightly in anticipation, the perfect arch of her hips...
"P-please... be gentle," Amelia murmured, turning her face away. The faint plea, whispered through bitten lips, was all the permission he needed.
That fragile consent shattered Kael's restraint. With a growl, he closed the last sliver of distance between them. Skin met skin, their bodies aligning seamlessly until not a whisper of space remained.
A sharp inhale escaped Amelia as pain knitted her brows—yet the crimson blooming across her cheeks only deepened. Gradually, under Kael's movements, her tension melted into liquid heat, her satin-smooth body arching against him.
When their union became complete, Kael paused to brush a kiss against her forehead before beginning a rhythm that soon had the sturdy oak bed creaking in protest.