The situation in the room was too awkward. Zain took a breath and said.

"Father, I know you are mad. But I have very good news. It would definitely make you the most powerful Duke in the northeastern Zinovia empire."

Zain said these words quite fast. Duke's interest was piqued by this statement. He somehow managed to control his anger and said.

"Better give me a good reason that why shouldn't I beat your ass, right now."

Zeidan was clearly not in his best mood. His last words came out with killing intent. So, Zain got straight to the point.

"You know that there is a dwarven kingdom called Bourbon at the border of our territory."

Zeidan thought for a second and said.

"Yeah, that bastard Durin is the king. He is as stubborn as a rock. He is always in conflict with gnomes. There have been many nobles of northeastern Zinovia who want to rope him into their side. His kingdom has the history of best blacksmiths who produce very good weapons and armours. And..."

"Yes, exactly that one. I have an idea to get him on his knees."

Zain cut him off.

"Are you sure about that? You know that he is an idiot, to whom it doesn't matter if you're making any sense or not. He is an idiot, who would stick to being an idiot till the end."

Zeidan said while he looked at Draig and Raiser glare at each other.

"Do you think I don't know? You know right that I always have a plan. So, why do you worry so much?"

Zain was rather annoyed by Zeidan for not taking him seriously every time.

"Ah.. whatever, I have a plan but I personally want to go to Bourbon to get this done. And..."

"Absolutely not!"

Everyone except Draig and Sam screamed. This made Zain become a little sad as he asked.

"Why not? Come on, please."

Raina said in a serious tone.

"The reason is that you're too important for us right now. We can't just let you go to a foreign territory. It won't be safe. And believe it or not, but your father has a lot of enemies who wouldn't even think once before killing you. And many of our current operations of Dukedom depended on your plans."

Before Zain could rebut Morris joined in.

"And young master, your coming of age ceremony is coming closer. We can't have you wander around foreign regions at times like this."

Zeidan and Raiser also disapproved. Zain was disappointed but he was not going to back off. A creepy smirk appeared and he said in a teasing tone.

"Okay, since I can't go to the Bourbon Kingdom then I should drop the idea of getting a stable supply of the best military equipment at a minimal rate for our Dukedom."

The last sentence was like music to the ears of all humans who were present in the room. Now, their interest was piqued. They knew what Zain had said could mean for Dukedom.

Right now, the only weakness of the Bane family was military equipment. They had to buy weapons from other Dukes. And as they didn't have many options, they were always at the losing end of the bargain.

If they failed to acquire proper weapons and armours, it would spell disaster for their army. So, they always were at loss in case of arguments in the northeastern empire and also the Royal court. They have to do everything to maintain the supply of weapons and stuff.

Zeidan finally started to consider his proposal as he asked for more information.

"What do you mean?"

Zain gave him the answer.

"I am planning to use the power of gnomes to suppress the dwarves. They would have taken our aid. Even if King Durin is stubborn, I am sure that he values the lives of his subjects more than his pride."

"So, you would use such a dirty trick."

Zeidan said with a disgusted look. Zain looked at him and thought.

'This man kills old men by poisoning them and I am the dirty one, he is too much.'

"Father, you should care more about the result than the method. I will make sure that the bloodshed is minimal."

"That's okay, but can't you let someone else go instead."

"Well, then it's better if that someone also does all the planning. I would be much delighted to have a vacation."

Zeidan knew that Zain would not back down now.

'He is as stubborn as his mother.'

Others also weren't much happy about Zain's decision but they yield. They couldn't disagree that right now what they need the most was someone like Zain.

Although the Bane family had large territory, fertile land and fighting power. But they didn't utilise it in the right way. Although Zeidan was a great fighter and general. He wasn't that good at running his Dukedom. He did a decent job till now, but there was more room for growth.

Zain has brought forward big changes in the territory and brought many gains. He was one of the most important people in Dukedom. There was no way in hell that they would lose him.

"Fine, you can go but remember that if there is the slightest chance that you can be in danger Raina will escort you back."

Zeidan put forward his condition.

"Yep!" Zain answered.

"I want 100 tonnes of ration. A squad of fifty strong men. And of course, if Miss Raina is accompanying me then It would be likely for me to return without any harm."

He said as he looked at Raina waiting for her answer.

"It would be my pleasure."

"Thanks. We will leave tomorrow morning. I only have three months before returning back for the celebration. So, I should better hurry."

After talking some more about his journey to the dwarven kingdom, Zain left the room along with Draig.

"He is such a stubborn child." Zeidan exclaimed.

Zeidan warned Raina, again and again, to get Zain back safely. Raina assured him that nothing will happen to his child. After going through all the arrangements again, the journey began the next day in the morning.