Page 43 of The War God’s Favorite

“It was done while our Lord was away by our blacksmith, with reinforced iron and dragon scales,” he explained with a strong northern accent.

“Is it from Krai… I mean, His Highness’ dragon?”

“Yes, ma’am. We collect them when the Black Dragon sheds its scales so our blacksmith can break them and reshape them for His Highness’ armors. It’s beautiful, isn’t it?”

“It is…”

Cassandra walked closer to look at the armor and indeed, it was gorgeous. The black of Krai’s scales was shining and perfectly molded into the Prince’s armor. The blacksmith had even been very precise while re-carving the scales’ shape, making it look like the original pattern. As if she had praised him, the young soldier smiled.

“My teacher is very good! He is one of the best in the Empire.”

“Are you an apprentice?”

“Yes, Ma’am. I came here a year ago to follow my master and complete my apprenticeship.”

Cassandra realized some of the youngest soldiers she had spotted were probably apprentices, just like him. Indeed, an army required many types of expertise, like the blacksmith master he was so proud of. Embarrassed by her eyes on him, he blushed a little and bowed again.

“I’m Orwan, Ma’am. I’m part of the first blacksmith team.”

“Nice to meet you, Orwan. I’m Cassandra.”

“Uhm… Nice to meet you, Ma’am… I mean, Lady Cassandra.”

Once again, it felt odd to be addressed like that, but she didn’t say anything. Actually, she noticed a bad burn on his hand, and frowned.

“Are you all right?”

“Oh, this? It’s fine, I get burns like this all the time… It will heal.”

“No, it looks like it’s infected. Have you not tried to get it healed?”

Orwan frowned, looking a bit embarrassed.

“No, Ma’am…”

“Don’t you have healers here?”

“We do, but…there are only a few, and mostly for high-ranked officers.”

“What if someone else is injured?”

“We usually put water on it, and our lieutenant will give us a few days of rest.”

“What if it’s bad? This could seriously lead to losing your hand!”

“Hem… There is the Red Room, but…”

“The Red Room?”

Orwan nodded.

“That’s where they take the people who get badly injured, Ma’am. But no one really wants to go there, it’s rumored to be a place where… well, where people go to die.”

Cassandra was confused. Why would they allow people to simply die…

“Where is the Red Room?”

“In the third East building, Ma’am. But it’s not a place for a Lady like you, I have to say…”

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