The Legendary Mage novel Chapter 227

Dainis couldn’t pry the secrets she desired from Alavin, so she turned her attention to Korb and Helna. But from the next day on, the duo suddenly shut themselves away, claiming exhaustion of heart and spirit, and taking great care to heal their weary bodies.

Dainis couldn’t force the issue, so she politely took her leave. She continued to cultivate goodwill by arranging for nourishing potions to be sent daily.

For three days straight, the Rocke family reaped no rewards, and their forces were instead commandeered by Lucan to tidy up the ancient city.

Ever since Lucan learned that the Rocke family might’ve been entangled with events of the past, he lost all pretense of politeness. If they were so eager, then good, come on, bricks needed to be laid, trenches needed to be dug, and cleanliness needed to be maintained.

Lucan treated the troops like laborers, always with a smile, arranging tasks and thanking them so courteously that the Rocke family couldn't even bring themselves to refuse.

On the fourth day, Dainis sought out Alavin again, but upon entering the courtyard, she stopped dead in her tracks, mouth agape, stunned by the sight before her.

A round, plump figure lay leisurely on a rocking chair, basking in the sun. His head was perfectly spherical, shiny, and smooth, devoid of hair, beard, or even a single strand of fuzz, like a peeled egg, clean and smooth. His body was equally rotund, gently swaying with the rocking chair, and his clothes were undulating over his flesh—not quite like “mighty waves” but certainly “gentle ripples.” His arms and legs were chubby, sprawled out as he reclined there.

Dainis was astounded. What sort of wondrous creature could this be? “Who are you?” Dainis approached, not recalling any member of the Mallister family fitting this description.

“Ah, greetings, you must be Dainis,” Balder said, rocking his chair vigorously—perhaps a bit too stuck in it, as it took several tries to stand up. He squinted and smiled, his simple charm endearing.

“You know me?”

“Of course, the young lady of the Golden Scorch’s Rocke family, a pleasure indeed.” Balder extended his hand for a shake.

Dainis eyed his pudgy, pristine hand and took a step back. “And who might you be?”

Balder chuckled, not the least bit embarrassed, retracting his hand naturally. “I’m a friend of Alavin’s.”

“A friend of Alavin’s? I’ve never seen you before.”

“I’ve only just arrived today.”

“How did you get in? The city gates are sealed.”

“Lucan let me in.”

“And what brings you here?” Dainis was delicate and beautiful, with a neck that was particularly alluring. Her grace was evident, but her gaze towards Balder clearly held a hint of disdain.

"I'm here to help Alavin rebuild Stormcast."