Re: Tales of the Rune-Tech Sage

Chapter 305: Securing Contacts

CH305 Securing Contacts

***

Zora helped Alex draft a letter addressed to Lady Eleanor Ludevicus, politely requesting a private meeting.

To Alex’s surprise, Eleanor replied almost immediately through the same courier — and accepted the invitation without delay.

The meeting was scheduled for three days later, allowing both sides ample time to prepare.

In the meantime, Alex found himself relatively free.

Udara was out training under Sir Allen Holder somewhere, leaving little room for the conversation he believed they needed to have.

Considering how close the interspatial travel date was, Sir Holder wanted to pass on as much knowledge as possible before their departure.

Alex fully supported this and was grateful for it. Though he felt the growing need to speak with her, he wasn’t disturbed by her absence.

For the next three days, Alex spent his time meeting and greeting a few old acquaintances at the Enclave — though, admittedly, there weren’t many.

The most important of these meetings was with Grand Mage Agrut and his Orc faction.

Agrut was the Orcish Grand Mage who had intervened on Alex’s behalf when Grand Mage Rodric Eber — a human — tried to prematurely end Alex’s Dragon Duel against Marcus Hertarian, even though Alex had been clearly winning.

Thanks to the Orc Warlock professor, who had also prevented Marcus’s gang from attacking Alex after class, Alex had built a cordial rapport with the Enclave’s Orc community — a relationship that seemed destined to continue.

”I’m surprised you still came to visit us, Young Master Alex,” Grand Mage Agrut said with a rumbling laugh as they sat in his study.

”Why would you say that, Sir Agrut?” Alex asked, genuinely puzzled.

”I’ve heard that Orcs from the Ironmourn Desert attacked your family’s lands — even ravaged the territories neighbouring yours,” the Grand Mage said. ”It would be understandable if you held some distrust... or perhaps even a little hatred towards Orckind.”

”I don’t see how that follows, Sir Agrut.” Alex leaned back calmly. ”The Orcs of the Ironmourn Desert are one tribe — a small subset of Orckind. To hate an entire race because of the actions of a few is illogical.

”By that same logic, you should have more reason not to meet with me... and yet, here we are.”

Agrut blinked, momentarily caught off guard. Then a wide grin spread across his tusked face.

”Indeed... here we are!” the Orc laughed heartily, slapping his thigh with delight.

Agrut and his Orc tribe had been persecuted by many human factions before finally finding sanctuary within the DragonHold Enclave — a place where interracial balance was maintained largely thanks to the deterrence and authority of the DragonSlayer himself, Merlin Pendragon.

Despite their many ill-fated encounters with mankind, Agrut’s tribe had not developed a blanket hatred for humans. They remained discerning — mindful of who their true enemies were and who they were not.

They ensured their children were not raised in a vicious cycle of racial hatred and discrimination.

Of course, they often clashed with human factions like Rodric Eber’s group, but those were political confrontations — not conflicts born of prejudice.

Their rivalries were driven by the struggle for limited resources, as dictated by the laws of nature itself: survival of the fittest.

In essence, to Agrut’s tribe, their conflicts with humans were not personal — merely business.

Unfortunately, many human groups didn’t share that same clarity.

Alex, however, felt perfectly at ease among them. Their conversations ranged from magical theory to philosophical discourse, and the Orcs’ unique worldview offered a refreshing breath of perspective that Alex found invigorating.

By the end of the day, Alex left the tribe’s landholding in the Enclave city with the Orcs utterly drunk.

It wasn’t that Alex could outdrink them — far from it. Rather, the Orcs had respected his wish to abstain from alcohol, offering him simple fruit mead instead, while they downed barrels of strong liquor.

That said, Alex matched their enthusiasm cup for cup — chugging his fruit juice in equal measure — and ensured the festive mood went uninterrupted.

Such mutual displays of respect were rare among humans, who too often let pride and notions of ’face’ poison their interactions.

Later, Alex also spent some time with Pinchcoin and the finance department. He deliberately lowered his own stance before the gnome, always taking care to praise him and subtly boost his reputation in front of his subordinates — a move that earned him wide, toothy smiles from the gnome’s round face.

Not only Pinchcoin, but Alex also flattered each of the finance department’s staff in turn, ensuring he maintained good relations with all of them.

His efforts paid off almost immediately. The department began involving him in nearly every project they worked on, bouncing ideas back and forth. Both sides treated one another as peers, and everyone involved came away richer — in insight and in opportunity.

On Alex’s part, he had completed facilitating the city development plan between the Enclave and the Golden Palace. All that remained were the stamps and signatures of both legal heads—Zora and Haggleworth—each of who were just a phone call away.

His only regret over the past three days was not being able to meet with Asta, who, much like Udara, had gone on a training excursion with her teacher.

Apparently, Asta’s efforts in Spatial Mage training had paid off. She had caught the attention of a Great Mage who took her in as a mentee.

According to Asta, even within the short time since they’d met, her teacher had already begun to feel like a second mother to her. That eased Alex’s worries for his first retainer. He trusted that the Great Mage truly had Asta’s best interests at heart.

To be honest, he also hoped that through Asta, he could eventually bring a proper DragonHold Enclave–certified Great Mage under his banner. Such a connection would be a priceless addition to his growing network.

With his assets secured, agents cultivated, and contacts established, Alex’s focus shifted to his upcoming meeting with Lady Eleanor Ludevicus—

or, as she was known within the Enclave, Navia Almion.

Alex stood before a mirror, adjusting the cuffs of his stylised, formal rogue-inspired noble suit. Zora approached him from behind and helped straighten his necktie.

”Do you remember everything I told you about her?” she asked, her voice calm but sharp.

”You know I do, milady queen,” Alex replied with a wry smile.

”I’m asking again so you’ll keep it in mind. Don’t do anything reckless,” Zora cautioned.

”I can’t promise that, Zora,” he said, his tone steady. ”I don’t intend to walk on eggshells around her. I’m not going to hide who I am—especially from someone who’ll have to accept me as I am sooner or later. Better we clash now than fail later.”

”Fine, never mind then,” Zora sighed.

”Sorry you have to deal with my stubbornness,” Alex said quickly, leaning forward to kiss her before smiling apologetically.

”It’s fine. I’m used to it, and your recklessness, at this point,” she said, a hint of amusement softening her tone. ”Go on and do whatever you feel is right—I’ll handle the aftermath. Just... don’t cause too much trouble.”

She patted his chest once she finished fixing his tie.

”When have I ever caused trouble?” Alex grinned, hugging her quickly before she could respond. Then he turned and strode toward the door—

—where Dread was already waiting.

As usual, Fen and Senu had slipped away somewhere—likely to the beast sanctuary run by the Beast Tamer Department. The two had been causing quite a ruckus there over the past few days.

Alex had already left a standing tab at the department to cover any damages they caused.

Money was power within the Enclave, where magical resources cost a pretty penny. Between the steady stream of payments and the rare opportunity to observe two unique mutated beasts, the beast taming department was more than willing to tolerate them. In fact, they’d even granted Fen and Senu nigh-unrestricted access to the sanctuary.

If not for that place, Alex wasn’t sure how he would have kept the two inquisitive and hyperactive beasts occupied.

’I’m really a bad beast master,’ he thought wryly.

Setting the thought aside, Alex smoothly mounted his trusty Nightmare steed.

”I’m off, my queen,” he said with his usual suave smile.

”Make sure you bring home a princess,” Zora replied, her tone teasing.

”I’ll do my best,” he chuckled, then spurred Dread forward.

The Nightmare horse’s hooves thundered softly as it galloped through the misty streets of the Enclave.

About half an hour later, Alex arrived at a high-end lounge nestled in the heart of the city.

The building exuded the elegance of a Victorian-era clubhouse—like one of those old-money societies from his previous life. The ambience within was equally refined, dignified, and subtly intimidating.

”Young Master Alex, we’ve been expecting you,” a butler greeted at the door, bowing slightly before leading him through a velvet-draped corridor to a private suite.

The room opened into a luxurious lounge with a balcony overlooking the glittering cityscape. A small table and two chairs were arranged elegantly at the balcony’s edge.

”The lady has arrived and is preparing in the inner chamber. She will be with you shortly,” the butler said before taking his leave.

”Thank you,” Alex nodded, settling into his seat.

He turned his gaze to the glowing skyline of DragonHold below, waiting patiently.

Moments later, a soft, graceful presence entered the room. Alex turned—and despite his mental preparation, found himself momentarily stunned.

Approaching him was a woman of breathtaking beauty, clad in a flowing white gown lined with gold accents and adorned with fine jewellery that shimmered with understated brilliance.

This was none other than the Flower of the Empire—Lady Eleanor Ludevicus, or as the Enclave knew her, Navia Almion.

A woman who could be described as a voluptuous, golden-haired elven beauty.

***

AUTHOR’S NOTE

Eleanor Ludevicus