77 A Gift Worth a Kingdom
"Adamantium."
The king of all tals, the strongest material known to man.
Even the tiniest trace of it drastically increased a weapon's durability. Because of its rarity and astronomical cost, William had never even dread of possessing such an item in his past life.
"Your eyes are as wide as a rabbit's," Sigmund mused, amused.
"Anyone would react the sa upon hearing adamantium was used. Are you certain I can accept this?"
"Of course. You're heading into battle in my stead. If your weapon were subpar and put you in danger, it would be disgraceful. Besides…"
Sigmund trailed off and signaled to the servants.
With practiced movents, they set down the armor and its display stand.
A suit of armor, masterfully crafted, lay before William—white and blue blending seamlessly in a design that was both elegant and imposing.
"In battle, armor is more important than a weapon," Sigmund said, his voice steady. "Take this along with your sword."
William's fingers ran across the polished surface, tracing the subtle engravings that hinted at the craftsmanship behind it. The more he examined it, the more impressed he beca.
But sothing was off.
"It looks exceptional," William admitted, "but it's just the breastplate. Where's the rest?"
Sigmund didn't answer right away. Instead, he stepped forward and personally helped William into the armor. The tal felt unnaturally light against his fra, but there was an undeniable strength to it.
William had barely finished fastening the straps when Sigmund spoke again.
"Now, circulate your mana."
William blinked.
"Here? Now?"
"You don't need to go through a full circulation," Sigmund clarified. "Just channel so energy to the center of your chest."
William hesitated.
Why was his father asking him to do this? It was just a breastplate. What would mana circulation do?
Still, he complied.
The mont his mana gathered at the core of the armor, the tal shifted.
Schhhrk—
William's breath caught as the breastplate expanded.
The transformation was instant. Segnts of armor unfolded like liquid steel, flowing across his body. tal wrapped around his arms, legs, fingers—even his head.
Yet despite its rapid expansion, it moved seamlessly. Not once did it catch on his skin or hair.
In less than ten seconds, the simple breastplate had beco a full suit of armor.
"A Mage Armor…"
William muttered the words under his breath, stunned.
This wasn't just any enchanted armor.
A Mage Armor—one of the rarest, most advanced creations of the imperial court. A masterpiece that required both the Emperor's approval and the expertise of the palace's greatest mages.
In his past life, he had seen it only once—worn by the Captain of the Imperial Guard in the heart of the capital.
Never had he imagined owning one.
"This belonged to the second head of House Hern," Sigmund said, watching William's expression closely. "It was a personal gift from the Emperor of that ti. A rare treasure, though an early model. Its performance isn't as refined as the later versions, but it's still a fine piece. We have newer armors now, so this one has remained unused. You might as well take it."
William exhaled sharply.
"Even if it's an older version, it's still a Mage Armor. Even among the finest suits of armor, it would rank at the top."
Sigmund shrugged, acting as if it were nothing.
William wasn't fooled.
This wasn't an ordinary piece of equipnt.
A Mage Armor wasn't the kind of thing a noble handed over casually, no matter how many treasures the Hern family had accumulated over the years. Normally, sothing of this value would only be given during a formal succession ceremony.
Sigmund was downplaying its worth on purpose.
William narrowed his eyes.
"You look overwheld," Sigmund noted. "Why? Aren't you pleased?"
"I am," William admitted, still running a gloved hand over the enchanted tal. "But… isn't this too much? This is just a rebellion. And yet, I'm being given an adamantium sword and a Mage Armor?"
Sigmund's expression shifted.
For the first ti since the conversation began, he looked serious.
"You're right."
William hadn't expected him to agree so easily.
Sothing was wrong.
Sigmund's fingers tapped absently against his wrist, his thoughts elsewhere.
"No matter how strong Krefeld may be among the vassal states, it's still insignificant compared to the Empire," he said slowly. "A rebellion from them should be nothing more than a minor disturbance. And yet…"
William waited.
Sigmund exhaled.
"…I can't shake this unease."
William's mind sharpened.
His father was not the type of man to voice concerns without reason. If he was feeling this way, then sothing was truly amiss.
"Do you suspect sothing?" William asked.
Sigmund shook his head.
"No. It's just… a feeling."
A pause.
"So might call it nonsense, but every ti sothing catastrophic was about to happen, I felt the sa way."
William remained silent.
His father's intuition was rarely wrong.
And yet, sothing else weighed on Sigmund's mind.
His gaze locked onto William's, sharp and unreadable.
"Your request for full command over your forces—it's been bothering as well."
William tensed.
Sigmund's stare didn't waver.
"You weren't asking because you wanted glory."
His voice was calm, yet piercing.
"You looked like a man who had already accepted the risks—and was rely seeking permission to walk into them."
William kept his expression neutral.
"I'm not a seer, Father. I can't predict the future."
Sigmund studied him for a mont longer. Then, finally, he sighed and nodded.
"Of course. Regardless, it's never a bad thing to be well-prepared before heading into battle. Keep the armor and use it wisely. And rember—this isn't a loan. It's a gift. You don't need to return it."
William exhaled slowly.
"Thank you, Father. I will never forget this."
"Forget it," Sigmund snorted. "We are father and son. Just co back alive. That's all I ask."
His gaze darkened slightly.
"And don't take unnecessary risks. Glory is aningless if there's no one left to enjoy it."
William chuckled.
"I'll keep that in mind."
Sigmund gave a final nod before turning and walking away, his entourage following behind him.
Yet even as he left, his gaze flickered back toward William several tis, as if still uneasy.
As soon as his father disappeared from sight, Hans—who had been standing nearby in stunned silence—burst forward.
"Young Master! Just when did you beco His Grace's favorite?" His eyes glead with excitent. "An adamantium sword and a Mage Armor? Even Lord Tristan hasn't received anything like this!"
William rely smirked.
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