Chapter 4: Embers and Iron

Alaric leaned back in his chair, fingers tapping the desk in a steady rhythm.

Outside, the clouds rolled over the hills, hiding the sun behind heavy gray mist. The smell of Seraphina's morning tea lingered in the air, drifting up from the kitchen below.

Aegis stood silently beside the desk, her eye dim but alert, awaiting his next command.

Alaric exhaled.

"So we have the blueprint," he murmured. "And we proved we can build. The Mana Washer could really change lives."

He glanced at the sketch pinned to the wall—his first product. A sleek, barrel-shaped washer powered by a rotating mana crystal, complete with a magical rinse and drain function.

Simple.

Efficient.

But dangerous.

Not to the people. To the system around them.

He picked up the teacup and took a sip. It was already cold.

"Tell me, Aegis… do you think this world is ready for something like this?"

Aegis didn't answer right away.

Then, softly, her voice echoed.

"That depends on who benefits… and who feels threatened."

Alaric set the cup down. "Exactly."

[System Active]

> User Inquiry: Cultural Obstacles to Mana-based Inventions

Cross-Referencing Religious Doctrine...

Entry Found: Church of the Aether Flame

Alaric's eyes narrowed as the System brought up a glowing window, flickering with lines of gold and red script.

[Religious Authority: Church of the Aether Flame]

> Deity: The Flame Goddess – Guardian of Soul and Mana Balance

Beliefs:

– Mana is sacred and must be guided by the soul

– Artificial constructs lack souls and disrupt natural order

– Forbidden: Constructs, golems, and soulless engines

Political Reach: High

Influence Level: Imperial-sanctioned

Enforcement Body: Inquisitors of the Flame

"So it's official," Alaric muttered. "They see machines as heresy."

Aegis turned to him. "Your creation violates their doctrine."

"I didn't use forbidden spells," Alaric said defensively. "I didn't bind a soul. It's pure engineering. Mana-guided motion, not possession."

"Intent may not matter," Aegis replied.

Alaric sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose.

Great. A religious empire afraid of progress.

Just like old Earth, all over again.

He stood and paced the room.

"We'll need to be subtle. No public demonstrations. No talking robots walking through town."

Aegis didn't respond. She understood.

"We'll sell the Mana Washer as a convenience item. Not technology. Not innovation. Just... a helpful tool."

"Would that deceive the Church?"

"No," Alaric admitted. "But it might buy us time."

He sat down again, mind racing.

"Which brings us to the next problem."

He opened the System Inventory and stared at the empty Material section.

No steel.

No copper.

No refined crystals.

"We don't have the resources to build even a prototype."

He leaned back, frustrated.

"I need a way to get materials. Not scraps from old armor. Real, usable crafting metals."

Aegis stirred.

"Request permission to scan territory resource availability."

Alaric blinked. "You can do that?"

"My sensors are active now. I require visual access to terrain."

He stood and opened the attic window, letting the cold wind in.

"Do your thing."

A soft hum filled the air.

Aegis's eye pulsed, casting a barely visible red line across the horizon.

[Scanning...]

> Local Region: Outer Veltrane

Proximity Resource Sites: None

Known Material Sources: Controlled by House Darenthal

Searching Alternate Sources...

Solution Found: DUNGEONS

Alaric froze.

"…Dungeons?"

Aegis's voice was steady.

"This world contains mana-rich zones where reality distorts. They spawn hostile creatures and rare minerals."

"Monster nests, you mean."

"Correct. Empire classifies them as Dungeons. Dangerous, but rewarding."

The System brought up a new panel.

[Dungeon Network Detected]

> Access Type: Open – Requires Entry Permit or Stealth

Risk Level: Varies

Notable Dungeons Nearby:

1. Fangwood Hollow – Type: Forest Ruin

Creatures: Beast-type

Drops: Fur, monster bones, low-grade iron, forest crystal

Status: Unclaimed

2. Ashen Maw – Type: Lava Cavern

Creatures: Fire elementals, obsidian serpents

Drops: Magma ore, fire crystal, obsidian glass

Status: Claimed by House Vorhault

3. Ironspire Depths – Type: Abandoned Fortress

Creatures: Undead warriors, rust constructs

Drops: Scrap steel, enchanted rivets, core shards

Status: Partially collapsed – High Risk

Alaric leaned forward, eyes scanning every line.

"These… these are resource farms," he muttered.

"Correct," Aegis confirmed. "Dangerous, but valuable."

He tapped on the Ironspire Depths entry.

"A ruined fortress with undead machines. That could mean preserved steel. Old automaton parts. Maybe even mana cores."

He grinned slightly.

"Perfect."

"Warning," Aegis added. "Entry without combat training may result in death."

"Yeah," Alaric said. "I figured."

He stood and paced again.

"We'll need gear. Tools. Maybe even a team. But this is doable."

He turned back to Aegis.

"How soon can you be battle-ready?"

"My chassis is functional," she said. "But I lack ranged weapons. Melee systems only."

"Fine. That'll do for now."

Alaric opened his notebook and scribbled a quick list.

Materials Needed for Mana Washer Prototype:

– Refined steel frame

– Mana crystal rotation core

– Lightweight drum casing

– Water-resistant mana threads

– Drain valve enchantment ring

He exhaled slowly.

Most of this is dungeon loot.

He looked up at Aegis.

"Time to get our hands dirty."

Downstairs, the table was quiet as usual.

Liora sat in the corner humming softly while brushing her doll's hair. Cedric read an old scroll. Seraphina embroidered by the window.

Alaric stepped into the room.

"Father."

Cedric looked up. "Yes?"

"Do we have any maps? Of the region. Especially dungeon zones."

Cedric raised an eyebrow. "Why do you need dungeon maps?"

"I need materials. And dungeons are the best source."

Cedric leaned back slowly.

"You're thinking of entering one?"

"I am."

Seraphina frowned. "They're dangerous, Alaric."

"I won't go in blind. I have Aegis. And I'll scout before doing anything stupid."

Cedric exchanged a glance with his wife.

Then sighed. "There's an old one in the cellar. It's not detailed, but it marks the old hunting paths."

He stood and walked to the wall cabinet, pulling out a dusty roll of parchment.

He handed it to Alaric.

"Be careful. And don't go alone."

"I won't," Alaric promised.

Not without preparing first.

That night, under the flickering candlelight, Alaric studied the map.

Fangwood Hollow was the closest—two days on foot through the forest trails.

Ironspire Depths lay north, nestled in a collapsed gorge surrounded by broken stone towers.

Ashen Maw was far beyond reach for now, past imperial borders.

Start small, he thought. Test the waters.

His eyes locked on the words: Ironspire Depths – Ruined Fortress

He tapped the location with his finger.

"We'll go there first," he said aloud.

Aegis, standing at the door, nodded.

"I will protect you."

Alaric smiled faintly.

Then let's bring back the age of machines.

The attic door creaked open, and Aegis stepped inside with smooth, measured movements. Her new joints hissed faintly as she stopped at the center of the room.

Alaric tightened the straps on her shoulder mount, making sure the mana circuit along her arm was properly linked.

"Alright, let's test the combat subroutines."

Aegis tilted her head. "Melee protocols: Active."

Alaric nodded. "Deploy blade."

With a soft hiss, a small curved knife snapped out from Aegis's right forearm—sleek, sharp, and humming faintly with mana.

Alaric stepped back. "Try basic slashes. Then a thrust."

Aegis moved. Her arm whipped through the air in a clean arc. Then another. Then a quick forward jab, stopping just short of the straw dummy Alaric had set up near the far wall.

The dummy's old cloth fluttered from the air pressure alone.

Alaric raised an eyebrow.

"Not bad."

He walked over and examined the blade.

"Steel's holding. The enchantment's stable. Your speed is slower than a trained knight, but your precision... it's scary."

Aegis retracted the blade. "Combat limiters in place. Awaiting override."

"Let's keep those for now," Alaric muttered. "You're strong enough."

He tapped his chin.

"Now scanning. Let's test it again. Begin sweep."

Aegis's eye glowed blue.

[Scanning – Local Radius: 30m]

> Humanoid lifeforms: 0

Mana signatures: 2

Mineral density: Low

Wind vectors: Westward, 4.3 knots

Threat level: Minimal

Alaric whistled. "Still as sharp as ever."

He pulled out a folded cloth from his desk drawer and shook it open—a dark brown robe, long and hooded.

"Put this on."

Aegis blinked. "Concealment?"

"Yeah. We can't let people see your chassis. You look too… advanced."

He tossed a second item onto the bed: a plain wooden mask with faint silver patterns across the edges.

He slipped it on and looked at the mirror.

Simple. But enough to make people think twice about asking questions.

"We'll call you my guardian construct. A leftover relic from the Valtair estate. If anyone asks, you're a 'mana doll.' The Church might still hate it—but at least it won't scream heresy on sight."

Aegis nodded. "Acknowledged."

Alaric took a breath, eyes scanning the checklist on his desk.

– Blade tested

– Scanning confirmed

– Robes and mask prepared

– Rations packed

– Mana thread reserve: low

He grimaced.

Still missing real supplies… but we'll make do.

Later that evening, as dusk rolled over the estate, Alaric descended the creaking stairs with his bag over one shoulder and Aegis quietly following behind.

In the sitting room, the fireplace crackled softly. Seraphina sat sewing, Cedric was drinking a cup of tea, and little Liora played with a wooden bird toy on the floor.

All three of them looked up when Alaric entered.

Cedric raised an eyebrow. "You're dressed like a wandering alchemist."

Alaric smirked behind his mask. "Close."

Seraphina set her sewing down. "You're going to the dungeon."

It wasn't a question.

Alaric nodded. "Ironspire Depths. I need crafting materials."

Cedric leaned back. "You know that place is dangerous, right? It's where the old war machines were buried. The Arkanum sealed it off after the Arcforge War."

"All the more reason it might hold useful tech," Alaric replied.

Liora ran to him, arms wrapping around his waist.

"Be careful, big brother."

Alaric patted her head gently. "Always."

Seraphina stood and approached. "Do you know how to fight?"

"No," he admitted. "But Aegis does."

Aegis stepped forward, silent in her robe. Only the soft whir of her servos gave her away.

Cedric studied the cloaked figure carefully. "She's not just a puppet, is she?"

"She's mine," Alaric said firmly. "I built her. She protects me."

Seraphina looked down, then nodded slowly.

"I won't stop you. But be sure you come back."

Alaric hesitated. Then he bowed.

"I will."

Cedric handed him a leather pouch. "Some dry rations and a flask of mana tonic. It's not much. But it might keep you standing."

Alaric took it. "Thanks."

He turned to the door.

Then paused.

"You asked me what I wanted to do with my life."

Cedric looked up.

Alaric's voice was steady.

"I'm going to rebuild this House."

He opened the door, letting the cold night air sweep in.

"And I'll start by facing what others fear."

The forest road was silent, save for the crunch of dried leaves beneath their boots.

Aegis walked a few steps behind him, the hem of her robe brushing the ground. Her head turned occasionally, scanning for movement.

The stars above shimmered—unlike Earth, where satellites always polluted the night sky.

This world was raw.

Untouched.

And full of danger.

Alaric stopped at a ridge. Below, nestled in the hollow of dead trees and jagged cliffs, lay the remnants of Ironspire Fortress.

Collapsed towers.

Cracked stone walls.

A heavy iron gate, half-buried in rubble and vines.

Alaric exhaled.

"There it is."

Aegis stepped beside him. "Scan initiated."

[Dungeon Entry: Ironspire Depths]

> Zone Type: Ruined Fortress

Threat: Moderate

Environment: Collapsed, low-light

Primary Creatures: Undead warriors, rust constructs

Detected Materials: Scrap steel, rivets, fragmented cores

Entry Point: Stable

Alaric lowered his hood.

"This is it, Aegis."

He reached into his satchel and pulled out a small vial of glowing blue liquid—mana tonic.

He didn't drink it yet. Just held it.

I've always watched other people dive into the unknown. Heroes. Adventurers. Protagonists in stories.

But now... it's me.

He clenched his fist.

Not for glory. Not for fame. Just to fix a broken legacy.

He turned to Aegis.

"Ready?"

"Always."

Together, they stepped down the crumbling path, toward the silent gates of the Ironspire Depths.