The Duke wasn't afraid of consuming too much magic power, as he had come well-prepared this time, with enough supplies that it would be nearly impossible to use up these magic potions in a short time by himself.

In the following two days, he stayed in his magic potion shop, silently working on his proficiency.

Two days later, an unexpected visitor came to visit.

The visitor was Todd, the chief alchemist of the city lord's mansion. He somehow learned of the Duke's return and came to visit upon hearing the news.

Mage Todd stood at the door of the Star Embers shop, taking several deep breaths before adjusting his robe to calm his excited mood, and then gently knocked on the door.

"Come in," the Duke's voice came from inside.

Todd didn't look too different from a year ago; however, his expression appeared somewhat fatigued and anxious.

"Mr. Duke, I didn't expect to see you again. Your magic potion expertise left a deep impression on me; I still can't replicate those potions you refined," Todd said with some emotion.

He had previously purchased a lot of magic potions refined by the Duke, which he mostly didn't use but instead utilized for research.

Todd did learn a few things from them, yet he still couldn't refine magic potions of such quality and purity.

However, today's visit was not about seeking knowledge in magic potion but for another purpose.

"Long time no see, Mr. Todd," the Duke nodded slightly.

Even though Todd still had many questions he wanted to ask the Duke, he had to focus on the important matter first.

Todd solemnly said, "Mr. Duke, the reason for my visit is actually under the orders of the City Lord, who requests you to save her life!"

"Oh?" The Duke was a bit surprised, not expecting the city lord of Azure Vault City to send Todd and request saving her life.

Todd continued, "Two months ago, the City Lord was injured by an assassin from the Shadow Council, leaving an extremely peculiar toxin in the wound. I have researched the toxin all this time with no good solution. Upon learning of your return, I informed the City Lord of your high magical potion expertise, hoping that you, Mr. Duke, could help!"

"The City Lord said that as long as you can save her life, she will fulfill any request as long as she can do it."

"Her?" The Duke hadn't expected the City Lord to be female; in the Bristol Language, 'he' and 'she' have completely different pronunciations, which are directly discernible.

Todd nodded, "Lady Fus is a descendant of the royal lineage of the Bristol Kingdom. She arrived in Azure Vault City at sixteen and has served as the City Lord here for ten years."

"Are you sure any request can be fulfilled?" The Duke pondered and asked.

Since the City Lord Fus was of royal lineage, her family should possess many good items, possibly yielding some unexpected benefits.

"Of course, the City Lord always keeps her promises, never goes back on her word. She never makes promises lightly, but once committed, she will certainly fulfill them," Todd said earnestly.

"If that's the case, take me to see her, though I can't guarantee to solve the problem, I need to see first," the Duke said.

Todd, thrilled at the Duke's agreement, hurriedly led the way, "Mr. Duke, please follow me; the carriage is waiting outside."

Located in the central region of Azure Vault City, the city lord's mansion is a grand and ancient building, blending classical Bristol Kingdom style with magical civilization's strange creations. The towering turrets and hefty walls unmistakably signify its owner's power and status.

After passing through layers of guards' checks, Todd led the Duke straight into the depths of the mansion, arriving at an ornately carved oak door.

Two knights, exuding steady auras in silver-white armor, stood guard at the door, barring the two upon seeing Todd.

"City Lord, I've brought Mr. Duke," Todd respectfully reported to the person behind the door.

"Let him in," the pleasant voice of City Lord Fus came through, calm and devoid of any weakness.

Todd then told the Duke, "Mr. Duke, you go in; I cannot enter."

The room inside is the City Lord's bedroom; Todd did not have the privilege to enter.

Even when trying to help the City Lord heal, it was through researching the scraped-off toxin without entering.

Upon hearing the City Lord's order, the knights opened the door, allowing the Duke to walk in directly.

Inside was a spacious and warm bedroom, the air filled with a rich herbal scent and a faint, elusive sweet blood scent.

On entering, the Duke saw a large bed at the far end of the expansive bedroom, pink gauze hanging down around it, faintly revealing a woman sitting against velvet cushions inside.

Four haggard maidservants stood not far from the luxurious bed; some fruits, snacks, and boiled medicinal broth were placed at the bedside.

Seeing the Duke enter, Fus said, "Thank you, Mr. Duke, for coming. Regardless of whether you can heal my injury, Fus will surely offer a hefty reward."

"No need to be overly courteous, I'll do my best," the Duke replied.

Soon, a maid served a platter with a small lump of black, mud-like material emitting a foul odor and a herbal smell.

"Mr. Duke, this is the toxin scraped from the wound. I wonder if you can identify this toxin?" Fus explained.

The Duke scanned with his spiritual power, only identifying some herbal plants and dark attribute energy from it, but couldn't discern much purely through this material.

"There's too little information to be obtained just from this. I need to inspect the wound itself for more information," the Duke said.

"Well..." Fus hesitated in her voice, glanced at the Duke, and then said, "If it's Mr. Duke... then okay!"

The Duke could sense Fus's gaze lingering on him for a moment, contemplating before agreeing.

He was puzzled, wondering why Fus was so troubled over just inspecting the wound.

"You all may leave," Fus said to the surrounding maidservants.

"Yes." The maids promptly departed without a moment's delay.

Once the door was closed, leaving only Duke and Fus inside the bedroom, Fus spoke, "Mr. Duke, come over; I'm unable to move due to my injuries."

The Duke immediately approached the luxurious bed and, upon getting closer, could clearly see inside. Fus was wearing a loose, dark-golden robe-like garment, sitting on the bed with stunning beauty and fair skin.

When she saw the Duke approach, Fus reached out, drawing aside the bed's gauze curtain, and leaning against the cushion, she lazily said, "Luckily, Mr. Duke is a handsome young man."

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