Chapter 405: The Curse of the War Hammer

Lei En returned to Gra Morgan; it was still not very late.

He had just sat down in the study and begun handling the domain's official affairs when the steward Fabian hurried in. The wind elf always appeared extremely busy; not only was he responsible for the castle's daily personnel matters and receiving visiting dignitaries, but also for managing Gra Morgan's two ports and the numerous industries and taxes.

When Lei En was absent, Fabian served as Gra Morgan's acting chief steward.

"Lord, you have returned," Fabian said respectfully, bowing.

Lei En gestured to the chair before the desk, "You've worked hard, sit down quickly."

The wind elf obeyed and sat, letting out a light sigh, as if it was rare to relax like this.

Lei En glanced at Fabian and saw his complexion was poor, showing some fatigue; the myriad affairs of the domain weighed on his shoulders alone, keeping him on his feet all day, rushing between the castle and the lands, truly not easy.

Fabian is a Mid-stage elf demon swordsman, fairly capable, but since he began serving me his strength has not improved at all, even regressed, likely because he cannot find time to cultivate.

Lei En felt a bit guilty and asked, "Fabian, you must watch your health. If one cannot keep up, you can delegate less important tasks to subordinates, or I can appoint one or two deputy stewards to share the burden."

Fabian was deeply moved by the first half.

But hearing the latter, he nearly jumped up and hurried, "Lord, rest assured, my body has no problem at all; I guarantee I can handle everything, you need not appoint anyone else."

Lei En saw his intense reaction and instantly understood.

This fellow is a bureaucrat‑obsessed, valuing power over his own health and strength, most afraid of others taking his authority.

Now the authority Fabian holds in Gra Morgan is second only to mine; even outside, among Mo Du's noble class, no one dares slight him. Countless people vie to flatter him, far more illustrious than the mere tax deputy he once was.

Being close to power indirectly grants a share of that power.

If placed in a past life, there's nothing wrong with that.

But Ai Lun E Si is a world of extraordinary power, where authority is tied to strength; Fabian's notion is somewhat inverted.

Nevertheless, it's his personal choice, allowing him to serve me more devotedly, and he does it well, loyal and without hidden dealings, so Lei En let him be.

Even if Fabian later has issues, a single word from me can remove him at any time.

In fact, Lei En has never let Fabian meddle with the Extreme Warrior or the Gun‑Wing Knight Corps, and Fabian is quite self‑aware, keeping distance from those two armed forces under the lord's command.

"Since you don't want it, then never mind," Lei En said with a smile, "Starting this month, your salary will double. Each year I'll take three percent of the two ports' dividends as your bonus. In a few years I'll carve out a parcel of land in the domain and grant you a knighthood title."

Fabian was stunned for a few seconds, his hands trembling with excitement, and tearfully expressed gratitude, "Serving you, Lord, is the honor of my lifetime!"

The wind elf bowed deeply, his eyes reddened.

"This is what you deserve," Lei En waved his hand, having long mastered the art of buying hearts with money, "Alright, let's get down to business."

"Yes, Lord."

Fabian sat back down, took a deep breath to steady himself, opened his notebook, and said, "There's an important matter: Duke Silverstar sent a messenger last week with a message..."

"I already know; I just returned from Longshande," Lei En interrupted him.

"Uh, okay."

Fabian's eyes widened, realizing Lei En had gone to Longshande; he didn't press for details, knowing it wasn't his concern, and continued reporting other matters, "Lord, the two distinguished guests from Hytok, Master Blackhorn and Mr. Galadros, I have arranged staff to attend them; tonight they will take a boat for a night cruise on the Yero River..."

Lei En nodded; it seemed those two great dragons would be playing in Mo Du for a while.

The two were busy in the study until late night.

Lei En returned to his bedroom, just finished washing and ready for bed, when a teleportation portal opened by the bedside, and Ao Xiliya stepped out.

She wore only a light, elegant silk nightgown; her hair, freshly washed, still held dew, as if she had just stepped out of a bath. Her flawless face bore a faint blush, her long legs were half‑exposed, her bare white feet dazzling—just one glance could captivate the heart.

"So proactive today?" Lei En teased.

The iridescent dragon is a legendary breed, living far longer than ordinary dragons, with much longer mating cycles; normally aloof, it only responds to his diligent service.

Ao Xiliya blinked twice, and softly said, "I missed you."

Those simple words caused Lei En's blood to surge; the desire the Duke Silverstar had stirred in him at Longshande, which he had barely suppressed, now erupted completely.

A vigorous, exhilarating encounter continued until the latter half of the night before calming.

Lei En leaned back at the headboard, satisfied, and looked down; Ao Xiliya's rainbow‑colored eyes were slightly hazy, the afterglow of their activity fading, returning to a cool brilliance that stared unblinking, as if the eyes could speak.

In his sage state, he felt through the soul contract Ao Xiliya's attachment and affection for him.

Thus he couldn't help but clasp her smooth, fragrant shoulder.

Neither felt sleepy; after a long embrace, Ao Xiliya broke the silence, "You just returned today, why did you go to Longshande?"

"Duke Silverstar summoned me for business," Lei En roughly explained the duke's plan, omitting any mention of family, and added, "I also went back to Longshande and obtained a weapon; I've been preparing for it for a long time."

"What weapon?" Ao Xiliya asked curiously.

Lei En did not conceal it; if even a soul mate cannot be trusted, then there is no one trustworthy in this world.

He raised his hand, reached into the void, and pulled out the Thunder God's Hammer, laughing, "That's it, a hammer."

The dark‑gold war hammer flickered with threads of lightning in the darkness.

Ao Xiliya was stunned for a few seconds, then sat upright, unable to maintain composure, exclaiming, "Is that the Thunder God's Hammer?"

Lei En smiled without replying, lightened the hammer's weight to only a few hundred pounds, and handed it to her.

Ao Xiliya took the hammer, her eyes filled with shock.

"It really is the Thunder God's Hammer!" she gently stroked the runic enchantments on the hammer, feeling the immense thunderous power within, and asked in disbelief, "This Legend Grade war hammer has been missing for over a thousand years; how did you obtain it?"

"From the Iron‑Needle Fortress..." Lei En recounted how he acquired the Thunder God's Hammer.

Ao Xiliya's eyes flashed with varied colors as she listened.

After a sigh, she seemed to recall something, her expression complex, as if about to speak; Lei En sensed her mood and asked directly, "What do you want to say?"

"You should know better than I do the symbolic significance of the Thunder God's Hammer to the Empire," Ao Xiliya sighed lightly, "If others learn you possess it, it will surely cause massive upheaval; many will be wary of you, even become enemies."

"I know," Lei En nodded.

The Thunder God's Hammer is the emblem of Emperor Elfah, holding an unrivaled status in the Oriense Empire, symbolizing supreme authority.

In a past life it would be equivalent to a national jade seal.

And it is a national jade seal that grants its holder overwhelming power!

Lei En has considered this; he will not readily wield the Thunder God's Hammer before outsiders, and in ordinary combat he still relies on the Thunderbolt Hammer, a knock‑off version.

The two war hammers look identical, enough to fool anyone.

At the same time, it's a killer move: when everyone thinks their hammer is just a premium war hammer, quietly switch to the Thunder God's Hammer and strike the enemy, giving them a surprise.

However, Ao Xi Li Ya still frowned, "What I'm more worried about is actually you."

"What's wrong?" Lei En asked, a bit puzzled.

"I'm afraid the curse on the war hammer will affect you," Ao Xi Li Ya said, her eyes full of unresolved worry.

Lei En shook his head, laughed a few times, and comforted, "That's just a rumor."

The Thunder God's Hammer was originally called "Thunder War Hammer" when it was forged. The first dwarf Supreme King of the Iron Beard Clan wielded it, earning a glorious reputation. In the mid‑Third Epoch, about 6,500 years ago, during the century‑long war between dwarves and elves, the Supreme King personally used this war hammer to smash the head of the elven Phoenix King, securing a great victory.

The Phoenix King was a demigod, the most famous enemy ever slain by the war hammer, known as the "Skullbreaker." Legend has it that in defeat the Phoenix King turned his soul into a curse, so anyone who holds the war hammer will be struck back and meet a bad end.

As expected, the war hammer's first master, the Iron Beard Clan's Supreme King, died decades later in an internal rebellion, beheaded by his own bodyguards and left exposed in the wilderness—his death was miserable.

Subsequently, the next two Supreme Kings who possessed the war hammer also met ill fates.

One was incompetent and tyrannical, eventually dragged from the throne and executed; the other, during the Abyss invasion at the end of the epoch, encountered the terrifying "Shugus Giant," was devoured on the spot, body and spirit annihilated.

From then on, the war hammer earned its long name, "Thunder God's Wrath, the Skullbreaker's Cursed Hammer."

In the New Era, Emperor Ai Er Fa became the war hammer's new master, founding the Oriense Empire, hailed as the greatest ruler in human history.

However, the good times were short; Emperor Ai Er Fa sat on the throne for only fifty years before vanishing one day, his whereabouts unknown, and the war hammer disappeared with him.

Until more than a thousand years later, the fifth master, the Usurper Walden, appeared wielding the war hammer; he rose like a meteor but fell within a few years. In that turmoil, not only did Walden die, the imperial royal family was extinguished, and the throne fell into the hands of the Supreme Council.

The five masters in total all met unhappy ends.

This cemented the rumors about the Thunder God's Hammer; people believe it is a cursed Legend Grade weapon.

However, Lei En found no curse on the war hammer; after acquiring it, he felt no discomfort or any effect.

In his view, the previous owners' fates are merely coincidental.

"The curse on the war hammer is not a rumor; it's real!"

Ao Xi Li Ya's voice was startling; it rose a few pitches, sounding agitated, a stark contrast to her usual calm demeanor.

Lei En couldn't help but feel puzzled; the Rainbow Dragon's reaction was odd, "How do you know?"

She should have never seen the Thunder God's Hammer, yet she seemed very familiar with the war hammer, which is illogical. Even through the Soul Contract, one can sense her emotional fluctuations are extreme—something never before experienced, exceedingly abnormal.

Ao Xi Li Ya remained silent for a long time, then shook her head and said, "I just don't want anything to happen to you."

Clearly, she still does not wish to reveal the true reason.

Lei En stared at her seriously for a few seconds, decided not to press further, and smiled, "I possess the Willpower of Truth and fear no curse; you can rest assured of that."

"Hmm…" Ao Xi Li Ya released the Thunder God's Hammer, letting it vanish into the void.

She gently nestled into Lei En's arms, said nothing further, yet Lei En sensed her mood was unsettled, and his Soul Eye saw her soul swirling like a mass of paint, constantly shifting.

The bedroom fell silent again.

Lei En changed the subject, asking, "My Key of Doors has reached five rings; I can choose a new Arcane. Do you have any suggestions?"

(End of chapter)