Reinventing Magic: An Inventor's Tale-Chapter 61: Keira’s Funeral

The following day, the entire fortress gathered for Keira’s burial. The air was thick with mourning as knights, mages, and nobles assembled in solemn silence. Even the Duke of Marveil stood in attendance, a rare show of respect for the fallen mage. The funeral pyre had been constructed in the courtyard, surrounded by wreaths of white and violet flowers—Keira’s favorites. The banners of the fortress hung at half-mast, fluttering in the cold wind.

Kael, standing before the assembled mourners, took a deep breath and began his speech, his eyes scanning the grief-stricken faces.

"Keira Bryndis was more than just a mage," he said, his voice firm yet laced with grief. "She was a fighter, a leader, and above all, a friend. She stood by us when the shadows of war threatened to consume everything. Without her, many of us would not be here today. Her sacrifice ensured our victory. And for that, we honor her."

He paused, glancing at the crowd. Some mourners wiped their tears, while others bowed their heads in silent acknowledgment. The silence that followed was heavy, broken only by the wind rustling through the banners and the distant cries of a lone raven perched upon the battlements.

Kael turned to Alice, who held Keira’s essence within her spirit crystal. He nodded, and Alice stepped forward, raising both hands. A soft glow emanated from her chest, and a swirling purple light emerged from the crystal. The gathered crowd watched in awe as the essence hovered above Alice’s palms before drifting toward Kael.

The light circled him slowly, as if bidding him farewell. Kael felt a lump rise in his throat, his tears welling once more. "Keira... if you can hear me... Thank you. For everything." His voice wavered. "I swear, I will become stronger. I will build the future you believed in."

A collective sob rippled through the mages and knights as the light rose higher into the sky before vanishing into the heavens. The silence stretched, profound and painful, before the fortress bell tolled, its deep chime reverberating through the stone walls. Knights knelt in respect, mages lowered their staffs, and even the Duke closed his eyes in silent acknowledgment.

Victor stepped forward, his usual stoic demeanor shaken. "Keira was the bravest among us. She fought without fear, and even in death, she remains our guiding light. Let us honor her by never forgetting what she stood for."

With a final nod, Kael turned to the pyre. Without an incantation, he ignited the funeral flames. The fire roared to life, golden and violet, reflecting the duality of Keira’s soul—both a fierce warrior and a compassionate mage. The flames danced upward, carrying the last remnants of their fallen comrade into the sky.

As the fire burned, the mourners remained, each lost in their own memories of Keira. Some whispered prayers, others stood in silent reverence. Kael clenched his fists, feeling the heat against his skin, as if Keira’s presence lingered just a little longer before fading into eternity.

Two weeks passed, and the Duke summoned Kael to his chambers. "It is time for me to return to my Duchy," the Duke stated. "I have stayed long enough. But before I leave, I want you to remember something." He placed a firm hand on Kael’s shoulder. "You are strong. I want you to know that. I will be waiting for you in Marveil."

Kael nodded, understanding the weight of the Duke’s words. They had spoken at length about the next phase of their plans. For now, they would focus on establishing the research facility in Bryndis, where scholars and artisans would work on the Project Golem.

The Duke had already funded the purchase of the Aetherwing Skiff, a state-of-the-art airship designed for fast and efficient travel. The cost had been enormous—one million gold coins—but the Duke had deemed it necessary. Pietro, the Skiff’s designated pilot, had mastered its controls within a week.

On the morning of the Duke’s departure, Kael stood alongside Count Edgar to see him off. As the Skiff ascended into the sky, disappearing beyond the horizon, Kael turned to the work ahead. The days that followed were filled with relentless planning and execution.

Kael pushed himself, throwing every ounce of his focus into improving Valtieri’s infrastructure. But when he was alone in his workshop, the memories of Keira returned, gnawing at the edges of his resolve.

Finally, when all preparations were complete, Kael met with his father, Count Edgar. He presented a series of meticulously written documents, outlining his vision for the territory’s continued growth. Alongside the documents, he left half of the gold he had earned from the Duke, ensuring that the projects had sufficient funding.

Count Edgar studied the documents in silence before setting them aside. "You’ve grown, my son. Not just in power, but in wisdom."

Kael hesitated for a moment before speaking. "I learned from the best." He met his father’s gaze. "I will ensure our house prospers, but I have to go. There is more to be done."

Edgar sighed, leaning back in his chair. "And Bryndis? You are certain this is the path you wish to take?"

Kael nodded. "Yes. Keira believed in me, I don’t want to let her down."

His father studied him for a long moment before nodding. "Then go. But remember, you always have a home here. No matter what happens, Valtieri will always be your home."

A rare, small smile crossed Kael’s lips. "Thank you, Father."

The day of Kael’s departure for Bryndis arrived. Standing before his workshop, he contemplated whether it was possible to store it within his infinite storage. Thus far, the largest items he had stored were the Earth Dragon and the Aetherwing Skiff.

Closing his eyes, he focused his mana, activating the Arcane Gauntlet of Aetherium to minimize the spell’s energy consumption. A portal expanded before him, stretching wider until it enveloped the entire workshop. The gathered mages and knights gasped in awe as the massive structure vanished into the void of Kael’s spatial magic.

Whispers of amazement spread through the crowd. They had seen their young master’s power on the battlefield, but this display of mastery left them astounded.

With everything prepared, Kael turned to Victor and Alice. "It’s time."

Victor clapped a hand on Kael’s back. "Then let’s make our way to our new home."

Since Kael had already sold the Aetherwing Skiff to the Duke, he decided to fly with Victor and Alice to their new domain to expedite their arrival. Victor, having experienced flight before, quickly adjusted to hovering in the air after Kael cast the anti-gravity spell on him.

Victor chuckled, stretching his arms. "Last time you pulled this trick on me, I nearly threw up mid-air. But I think I’ve got the hang of it now."

Kael smirked before raising a hand. A shimmering aura enveloped them as he cast his anti-gravity spell, lifting them gently off the ground. Victor steadied himself, adjusting his stance in midair, while Alice floated effortlessly beside them, the runes on her back faintly glowing in response to the spell.

"Let’s move," Kael commanded, and with a burst of wind magic, they soared into the sky, leaving Valtieri behind.

The journey to Bryndis was smooth, the vast terrain below stretching endlessly. Verdant fields, winding rivers, and thick forests passed beneath them, untouched by the chaos of war. Kael felt the rush of wind against his face and the changing temperature as they ascended higher. The sun’s warmth balanced the chill of the altitude, making the flight comfortable.

As the sun reached its peak, Bryndis finally came into view—a sprawling land that contrasted sharply with Gregor’s former capital. Unlike the bustling city Kael had expected, Bryndis was more provincial, with scattered villages and farmland stretching across the region. However, what truly caught his attention was the untouched spirit crystal mine nestled within the mountains.

Kael’s lips curled into a smile. "There it is... Bryndis. The mine here will be the key to strengthening this domain."

Victor whistled. "So, you really picked this place because of that mine, huh? Not because of the charming countryside?"

Kael gave him a sideways glance. "You’ll appreciate it when our golem project takes shape."

Descending toward the castle gates, they spotted a group of guards stationed at the entrance. As they landed, their sudden arrival startled the sentries, who quickly drew their weapons.

"Halt! Identify yourselves!"

Kael stepped forward, his cloak billowing slightly from the residual wind magic. The guards hesitated, tension thick in the air, as recognition dawned upon them.

"L-Lord Bryndis!" one of them stammered before immediately saluting. "Apologies, my lord, we did not expect your arrival in such... a manner."

Victor grinned. "Yeah, our young lord here has a knack for making an entrance."

The guards quickly organized themselves and escorted them inside. The castle, though structurally sound, had clearly seen better days. While the exterior was weathered, the interior had been cleaned in preparation for their arrival. Servants and attendants lined the halls, bowing respectfully as Kael and his companions passed.

An elderly steward stepped forward, bowing deeply. "Welcome, Lord Bryndis. We have made every effort to prepare the castle for your arrival. However, due to the lack of prior investments in this region, many areas remain undeveloped."

Kael nodded. "That will change soon."

As they toured the estate, Kael’s mind was already at work, analyzing potential modifications and improvements. However, his attention drifted toward one crucial decision—where he would establish his workshop.

Victor noticed Kael’s expression and chuckled. "You’re not staying in the castle, are you?"

Kael smirked. "Not a chance. I need a proper workspace. The castle is too outdated."

Victor clapped his hands together. "Good! That means we’ll have proper baths and toilets. I refuse to go back to chamber pots."

Alice tilted her head. "You truly value Master’s plumbing innovations, don’t you?"

"You have no idea," Victor said dramatically. "Once you’ve experienced running water, there’s no going back."

Kael shook his head in amusement before setting his sights on a flat plateau just beyond the castle. "That will be the perfect place for the workshop. Enough space, close to the castle, and ideal for future expansions."

With a flick of his hand, Kael opened a dimensional rift. The massive structure of his workshop—previously stored within his spatial magic—materialized before them, solidifying into place. The gathered knights and staff gasped in amazement.

Victor sighed in relief. "Home sweet home."

As they stepped inside, the cool, controlled air welcomed them, a stark contrast to the warm afternoon outside. Kael let out a breath and turned to Alice and Victor. freeweɓnøvel~com

"Alright, we have work to do."

---

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting an amber glow over Bryndis, Kael stood atop the newly established workshop’s balcony. From here, he could see the entire valley—the small villages, the castle, and the distant spirit crystal mine nestled in the mountains. This land was now his responsibility, and with it came both opportunity and burden.

Victor stepped beside him, stretching as he admired the view. "So, what’s first? Infrastructure? Defenses? Or are we jumping straight into magical research for the project golem?"

Kael exhaled, his breath visible in the cooling evening air. "We lay the foundation first—both literally and figuratively. We start with stability. Harold, what’s the status of the castle’s supplies?"

Harold, the estate steward who had been standing by the doorway, stepped forward with a report in hand. "The granaries are half full, but with our current population, they’ll last no more than three months. Water supply is adequate thanks to the underground reservoirs. However, many of the villages lack proper roads to transport goods efficiently. If we don’t act now, winter will strain our resources."

Kael nodded. "Then we prioritize roads and food production. Victor, take a squad and begin securing a proper trade route with nearby regions. Offer protection in exchange for grain shipments."

Victor nodded. "Understood."

Kael turned to Alice. "You’ll help me oversee the enhancement of our defenses. I’ll give you access to my schematics for mana-powered barriers. We’ll use the spirit crystal mine to create a network of protective enchantments."

Alice’s eyes lit up at the mention of magical constructs. "Understood. Master."

Kael then addressed the final piece of his plan. "As for me, I’ll start with this."

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