"I'm furious!"
In the Castle's great hall, the Mad Dog Duke's face twisted with rage. Like a provoked beast, he pounded the armrest of his Throne so hard the murals seemed to tremble.
"Why didn't the Elementals destroy the territory he stole? Why didn't the Druid Avengers take revenge on him?"
The Gray-Robed Mage stood beside him and spoke calmly. "Perhaps we were wrong. That Champion Sorcerer is no ordinary man. Grand Duke, we should try contacting him."
"A stray dog driven out of the Northern Frontier by rats thinks he's worthy of serving me?" The Mad Dog Duke gradually calmed, though his eyes glowed dangerously, like red-hot coals. "A sorcerer boy... I suppose he might do."
"Then I'll prepare an invitation."
As the Gray-Robed Mage turned to leave, the Mad Dog Duke asked thoughtfully, "Tell me... is his City-State really a Floating City?"
The Tartun Empire had named him Champion Sorcerer. He should have been entitled to an Arcane Core.
"I don't believe it."
The Mad Dog Duke's eyes grew brighter. "Sorcerers love showing off. If he really has a Floating City, why hasn't he made it fly? There's only one possibility... he has nothing!"
"Then what do you intend to do, Grand Duke Gilles?"
The Mad Dog Duke regained his usual composure and leaned back in his Royal Chair. A beautiful Maid came forward to attend to him.
"Why don't we make a little trouble for our future servant?"
"What other trouble could there be?"
Annan looked at Francois, who had hurried in, with confusion.
"We're almost out of water."
Free City had never lacked water before. Thirty Greater Water Elementals had produced enough fresh water for over six thousand people. But now, the only Lesser Water Elementals left were in the public toilets.
"Can we dig