Chapter 49. An unpleasant case.
Almost a week has passed since Eros learned about Leila's death, but he still resigned himself to it. Although he was not very worried, he still felt sorry for her, because she was a good person, who are rarely found in this world. But most of all, Eros felt sorry for her daughter, who was left without a mother. After all, once he also went through this and the titan understood very well what she was experiencing at the moment. And he was able to go through this only thanks to his father, who supported him, but Eros doubted that Jude would think of this and even think a little about the feelings of his daughter. After all, the titan only needed to look at him once in order to understand what that person really is.
Eros was sure that after Leila's death, he would ignore Lucy and completely immerse himself in work, so that he could see his daughter as little as possible, who looked too much like her mother. He was too weak and just afraid to look at her. Jude will try to forget his wife completely immersed in work, so as not to remember her, so as not to feel the pain of loss anymore, because he is the most ordinary egoist.
Therefore, on the same day, Eros signed a contract with Capricorn and sent him to Fiore to Lucy, so that he would take care and protect her. Titan will feed him while he is in this world, because he ate only 1% of the magical power per hour, and this for Eros was like a drop in the sea.
The Titan, of course, knew that the spirits did not like to stay in this world for a long time, but Capricorn had nothing against staying in the world of the living and taking care of the daughter of his former mistress.
***
- Eros! You have a new order! - Gloomy Ultear entered the workshop with a sheet of paper.
- Duke?
- Um ... Yes ... How did you guess?
- There's no need to guess, his people have been spinning around our house that day, - Eros answered listlessly, taking a cup of tea from the hands of the Virgin, - Thank you, - she just bowed and stood behind the titan.
- As I understand it, you have achieved what you wanted.
- So it is, there is still a little more and we will leave this city.
- And where do you plan to go next? - asked Ultear unobtrusively glancing at the Virgo, while frowning her nose.
- To Stella, I want to visit the Purple Flame Guild.
- This is the first time I hear about her.
- Well, this is understandable, because she is known in very narrow circles, because there are many Rune Masters in her and as I heard that their master can impose as many as four runes on an object.
- But you can do the same.
- Yes, that's why I'm not going to stay there for a long time, but only for a couple of months, so to speak, to exchange knowledge. Still, I think an old man like him knows a lot.
- I see, - Ultear nodded thoughtfully and with a quivering eye she looked at the Virgo again, - And I have one last question.
- Ask.
- You fucking pervert! Why is the Virgo's skirt getting shorter and shorter every day, and the neckline in the chest area is getting bigger ?!
- I don't know myself, - the titan replied calmly with a shrug.
- How do you not know ?!
- Hmm ... Virgo, will you answer Ultear's question?
- I am the faithful spirit of my master. I take whatever form you wish.
- That's how, - Eros thoughtfully looked at the spirit for a moment, lingering on her chest and hips, - I fully approve!
- Thank you, Mr. Eros.
- Hey!
- Do not worry Ultear, in my heart there will always be a place for two girls, - the titan said with a soft smile, looking at the girl who had reddened, roofing felts with embarrassment from anger, - So come to me ...
- Moron! - stamping her foot, exclaimed the sorceress and left the workshop.
- Eh ... she does not understand jokes ... Virgo, be kind, pour more tea ...
- Yes, Mr. Eros.
Eros, at this time, thoughtfully looked at the chest of the spirit, and shifting his gaze to her face, he noticed that she was looking into his eyes. But the titan was not embarrassed a bit, he only thanked the Virgo.
"Hmm ... Or maybe not a joke ..."
***
The next day, Eros, accompanied by an offended Ultear, arrived at the duke's house. He went out to meet them personally. The Duke of Monell himself was a short man of forty, with short dark hair, brown eyes, and a small mustache that was slightly smaller than Makarov's.
- When you were described as a young man who is no more than sixteen, I did not believe, - with a slight smile, he said, stretching out his hand.
- I am flattered and glad to meet the Duke of Monell, - he shook his hand.
- Are you a young miss?
- Ultear, - the girl replied indifferently.
- Excuse me, she's not in the mood today.
- Oh ... Yes, of course, come in.
They arrived in a small living room where they sat down on the sofa, and the Duke himself sat on opposite them.
- Let's get to the point, I still have a lot of work.
- Yes, of course, - Monell called a servant to him and whispered something, sent him from the living room, - Now they will bring here an item on which you will have to apply these runes, - he went to a small cabinet and took from there the book he handed Erosu, - I marked three runes and if you succeed, you can ask me whatever you want.
- Of course, - opening the book, on the first marked page, he froze and looked at the duke in surprise.
In the book there was an analogue of the rune of strength, but weaker than the one that he learned in the Heavenly Library, as well as the rune of resistance to physical damage and elements. In general, a complete protective set, it feels like a man was preparing for a battle.
- Can you?
- It is not difficult, but the price will not be small, it will not be compared with that blade, because I understand correctly, this should be applied to four parts of the armor?
- Yes…
- I will not ask for the precious ones, but I need one item from your collection ... This is a ring with a white crystal in the shape of a heart.
- Where ...?
- It's already a secret, what do you say?
The man frowned at Eros, but after a while, sighed and nodded.
- I agree, but do not tell me why you need it?
- I want to give it to my girlfriend, - said Eros with fatigue, looking at Ultear that narrowed her gaze looking at him, - She has been offended at me for a day, so I wanted to somehow smooth out the guilt.
- That's how ... - with skepticism looking at him, the duke nodded.
"I didn't believe it, well, okay."
Two men entered the hall, one holding the lower part of the armor in his hands, the second the upper one. The armor was dark in color. The breastplate consisted of various plates joined together under a high armored collar. The shoulders were small with protruding spikes. The armor was complemented by a helmet, completely covering the face. On the elbows, as well as on the knees, there were also a pair of spikes, and on the gloves there were sharp claws. This armor did not have a single open area completely covering the body.
- Not a bad armor, I will not ask you why you need this, but only ask you to prepare payment while I work.
- Okay…
Eros took out a small case containing a can of black liquid, a paintbrush, and several beakers of colored powder.
***
It took the titan about seven hours to complete his work, because each rune was drawn slowly, clearly and without unnecessary movements. Still, at least one mistake and the rune could be spoiled, and this is the blowing of materials that are already difficult to obtain.
- I'm finished, take the job.
- So quickly ... - said the duke in surprise, examining the patterns on the armor with interest, - You don't mind if I call an appraiser, yet I know little about this craft.
- Do what you want.
Half an hour later, a man with a long black beard entered the living room. He wore a green hat on his head and was dressed in the same green suit, and a slight smile played on his face.
"Unpleasant type ..."
- Master Cornelius, check, please, I trust you as myself.
- You overestimate me too much, Duke Monell, - he went to the armor and began to touch the runes, not even a minute passed when he began to frown.
- Is something wrong, Master Cornelius? - The duke asked anxiously.
- Who applied these runes?
- This young man.
Monell pointed to Eros.
- Hmm! It is now clear why they are so low-grade.
- How can this be, this young man is the best master in the city! The duke objected confidently.
- We have known you for several years already, tell me, have I at least once deceived you ?!
- You are right, I apologize for doubting you ...
Eros, at this time, experienced a double feeling, at the same time he wanted to rip off the heads of two very bad actors, and the second to laugh out loud and clap.
- What are you talking about! Eros is the best rune master in town, no one complained about his work for the whole year! - Jumping up, Ultear exclaimed, greatly surprising the titan, he did not expect that this girl would protect him.
- I'm the best appraiser in town! Everyone knows me and if I say that the runes are low-grade, then this means that they are low-grade!
- You ...!
- Shut up! Eros, I demand that you leave my house immediately and I will forget about this incident!
Eros glanced listlessly at the duke and remained seated on the sofa.
- My payment.
- What the hell pay! I said get out of here! You dared to try to deceive me, and now you demand a reward ?! Monell squealed like a pig, glaring at the titan with "fury".
Hearing his words, Ultear wanted to jump up from her seat and pester this arrogant bastard, but was stopped by Eros, who put his hand on her clenched fist and shook his head.
- Eros ...!
- Wait, the concert is not over yet, - the titan whispered to her well.
- Exactly! Master Cornelius, please look at the blade! - suddenly "remembered" the duke, seeing that the guests were not going to leave.
At the same moment, as ordered, the very sword that Eros was working on was brought into the living room.
- Hmm ... - he touched the blade and after ten seconds, removed his hand from him, - Same, there are only low-grade runes!
- I knew it! You! Give me back my five million precious ones that I paid for this!
At this moment, Ultear could not stand it and released her magical power, and next to her appeared a flying green ball, which the next moment flew directly at the duke. But the same appraiser stood in front of him who waved his hand and created a barrier of wind in front of the ball, which easily stopped it.
- How dare you attack me ?! Duke of Monell, the head of this city! Now you can't get out of here alive! Guardians! Arrest them immediately!
- Have you finished this scene? - Eros asked in a calm voice, standing next to Ultear, - Now give me my reward.
- What is the reward? You deceived the nobleman Bosco, made an attempt on his life, for this only death awaits you!
- That's how ... - with a slight smile, Eros stopped holding back the magical power and completely released it, and the next moment, everyone was pinned to the ground and only Eros and Ultear remained standing, - Still, it was necessary from the very beginning to just steal this thing and that's it ... Ultear, why are you hanging?
Ultear was shocked by the whole situation. She could not expect that they would try to slander them so brazenly, and even that such a powerful magician would do it. For a moment, she was even frightened to see how easily he destroyed her sphere. Still, the thing that surprised her the most was how the Titan handled the situation with ease.
- Ultear ...
- BUT?! What? - the girl exclaimed sharply and the next moment she was embarrassed.
- I see now you are with us, then let's go, this kind man, wants to lead us to the goal, - smiling, Eros pointed to the trembling duke.
- Yes ... let's go ...