Chapter 2

Main Streets of the Capital

The golden spires of the capital gleamed under the midday sun as Veyna moved through the crowded streets. Merchants called out their wares, the scent of fresh bread and metalwork filling the air. She walked with quiet confidence while her guard followed a step behind, hand resting near the hilt of his very real sword.

She doesn't need him. She had never needed protection. As a bearer of the Marquis’s blood, the Empire’s loyal sword, her skill with a blade spoke for itself.

During her days in academy, she stood out the most as a skillful fighter among other students. It is quite uncommon for a lady to wield a sword but Veyna loves to exceed everyone's expectations and acts unpredictable.

However, in this case, formalities dictated an escort, and so he is there, watching. Veyna hates being watched. She would rather walks everywhere alone without any unnecessary protection.

She pats the dress around her thigh, checking a dagger that she placed around her thigh earlier at the mansion. It s still there luckily.

At last, she reached her destination. A shabby jewellery shop. A soft chime echoed through the shop as Veyna stepped inside. The air carried a faint metallic scent mixed with the subtle fragrance of polished wood. The dim lighting made the gemstones shimmer mysteriously under the glass, casting tiny rainbows across the dusty countertops.

An elderly shopkeeper, hunched over a workbench, glanced up from his delicate task. His wrinkled fingers held a tiny pair of pliers, working on a silver chain. He squinted at Veyna through his round spectacles, his expression a mixture of curiosity and recognition.

"Ah, back again, miss?" he said, his voice raspy yet warm. "Looking for something special today?"

Veyna took slow, deliberate steps toward a particular glass case near the back of the shop. Her fingers brushed lightly against the edge of the counter as she scanned the pieces inside.

She had always preferred these small, unassuming places over the grand jewelers of the capital. Here, the jewelry had history, soul, pieces that carried whispers of their past owners.

Veyna gazes at the array of gems displayed on the counter, her fingers hovering hesitantly over them.

"Do you..." she begins, then hesitates.

The shopkeeper watches her patiently, his expression calm and attentive.

"Yes?" he prompts gently.

Veyna takes a breath. "Do you have any magical gems?"

The shopkeeper, an elderly gnome with spectacles perched on his nose, strokes his beard thoughtfully. His eyes twinkle with curiosity as he looks at Veyna.

"Well, unfortunately i dont have any, miss."

The shopkeeper gestures toward the stack of jewelry before them, his finger tracing over the glittering assortment.

"All of these are ordinary gems and diamonds," he says with a sigh. "Magical gems are rare, and a small shop like mine could never afford something that costs a fortune."

Veyna nodded in response, unfazed by the shopkeeper’s words. She had expected this. After years of research, she knew how rare magical gemstones were—especially the one she sought. A gemstone imbued with flame magic wasn’t something an ordinary person could obtain. Only royalty had access to such treasures.

Magical Gemstones

Magical gemstones were no ordinary jewels; they were said to be fragments of a dragon’s heart. According to legend, dragons were mythical, intelligent creatures possessing immense magical power. They controlled the seas, forests, and every corner of the world, far surpassing other magical beasts in wisdom and personality.

Flame dragons, for instance, were known for their fierce and prideful nature. They were superior beings, capable of speech, thought, and deep emotions. However, their kind vanished centuries ago in a great war—a war ignited by conflicts among dragons themselves.

During that war, the ancestors of the current king struck a fateful deal with Viserion, the Dragon King. In exchange for helping him eradicate all dragons to bring peace to the world, the royal bloodline was granted magic. From that moment on, only those born of royal descent possessed magic, making it exceedingly rare for a commoner to wield such power.

Yet even in death, dragons left behind remnants of their existence. Their hearts, unlike their bodies, did not wither away but crystallized into powerful gemstones. These gemstones retained the essence of their original dragon’s magic. However, without dragons to govern the magical beasts who once controlled by dragons became dangerous threats to humanity. To prevent chaos, the Dragon King ordered that a portion of these gemstones be returned to the land, ensuring balance and keeping the wild beasts from descending into madness.

Nonetheless, over time, the gemstones lost their ability to fully control the beasts as the dragons once did. Their power, though immense, could never replace the will and presence of a living dragon.

Because of this, every corner of the kingdom had to be safeguarded by high-ranking nobles, such as dukes, who took on the responsibility of maintaining humanity’s safety. With powerful warriors, fortified strongholds, and strategic defenses, they stood as the last line of defense against the growing threat of magical beasts.

Those nobles also received a small piece of a magical gemstone as a gift—both as a symbol of their status and to enhance their strength. Since magical gemstones could serve as the core power for enchanted weapons, these fragments were invaluable in battle.

However, magical gemstones were highly sensitive to human touch, especially for those without magic. Only those of royal blood could hold them with their bare hands. If a non-magic user were to come into direct contact with one, the gemstone would release an uncontrollable surge of magical energy that is called mana, resulting in a violent explosion. Anyone caught and exposed directly by the explosion often died or even if they survived, they ll live with the bad side effects that will also lead them to a slow death.

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