A heavy silence filled the room as the last of the bandits were led away, their heads down and shoulders drooped. Elias was by the window, rubbing his temple, watching the sky darken from orange to nightfall. In the center of the room, Selene lay still on the couch, her breathing calm but shallow. The earlier event had shaken everyone. What should have been a straightforward meeting turned into chaos, with Selene once again altering everything.
The explosion of power that came from her wasn't a small thing. Elias had seen trained aura knights struggle to show even a fraction of the force she had displayed effortlessly. Everyone—both friends and foes—had been brought to their knees, not through trickery, but by Selene's sheer, intense power. It was both astonishing and terrifying to him.
Yet, despite the fear, it had saved them all.
As night settled, and torches flickered along the walls of Langley Castle, Selene woke up. Her eyes, though tired, still held a sharpness. Elias sat by her side, his arms crossed over a cloak on his lap.
"You're awake," he said quietly.
Selene blinked. "How long was I unconscious?"
"Four hours," Elias replied. "You collapsed after nearly bringing down the entire hall with your aura."
She sat up slowly, holding her head. "I felt something… like a dam giving way."
"It was frightening," he confessed. "But also awe-inspiring."
Selene managed a weak smile. "So, I finally impressed you."
"I didn't say that," he responded, though his tone was gentle.
She stood up carefully, placing her feet steadily on the floor. "What became of the bandit leader?"
"He ran off without his payment. After what you did, he's probably reconsidering who's in charge here."
Selene didn't answer right away, her eyes drifting to the window. "Good. Let them fear us."
Elias tilted his head, curious. "Aren't you worried about what you did? That kind of uncontrolled power is dangerous."
"I don't understand it," Selene whispered. "But I know it belongs to me."
The room fell into silence. After a while, Elias sighed and spoke again. "Regardless, your plan succeeded."
Selene looked at him. "And the product?"
He nodded. "Despite the ambush, your mercenaries completed the delivery quietly and efficiently. The first batch reached merchants in the southern towns. People are already talking—Langley's inventions are returning."
Selene's eyes lit up. "Then it has begun."
"Don't get ahead of yourself," Elias warned. "It's just one batch. One success. You have to prove this can continue."
Selene stood up, feeling unstable for a moment, then regaining her balance. "And I will."
She walked over to her desk, a large map of the duchy spread across it, covered with notes and routes she had studied every night. Trade paths, resource areas, production sites—it was all there. Scribbled notes referred to restarting the academy, patents for old Langley technology, and potential scholars.
"I know what Langley was," Selene said, tracing the old crest on the map. "And I know what it can be again."
Elias moved closer to read the notes. "Bringing back Langley's name is one thing, but how will you maintain production? The first batch used outdated machinery and leftover parts."
"I've begun forming partnerships," Selene explained. "There are artisans and engineers still loyal to Langley's ideals. They contacted me secretly after hearing about the revival. Some came here after other duchies fell. They've been waiting for a reason to return."
"And the academy?"
"It's still expensive," Selene admitted. "But I'll restore it piece by piece, starting with the school of mechanical studies and the energy lab. I've cut costs by hiring internally and offering incentives to returning scholars."
Elias raised an eyebrow. "You really have thought this through."
"I had to," she said firmly. "Langley isn't just some forgotten place. It was once the kingdom's mind. If we revive its intelligence, industry, and reputation—we'll become indispensable."
Elias paused before speaking. "There was a time when I thought exile would break you."
"It did," Selene said. "But I learned how to rebuild."
A knock interrupted them. A mercenary captain entered, saluting briefly. "Lady Cromwell. Duke Langley. We've received word from the south—many merchants are already ordering more Langley devices. Also, the local town guard reports fewer bandit problems on the protected routes."
Selene nodded. "Increase patrols on the confirmed paths. We need more consistency than ever."
The captain nodded and left. As the door closed, Elias turned back to Selene.
"I still don't trust you fully," he said.
"I don't need your trust," she replied. "Just your cooperation."
A small smile tugged at his lips. "We'll see if you earn both."
Selene sat at her desk, picking up her quill. Behind her, the night deepened, and for the first time in years, the Langley seal glowed with the faintest warmth of revival.
A storm had passed, and in its wake, the wheels of restoration began to turn. Not just in secret—but boldly, in the light.