Reborn as the Failed Lord with my Resource Gathering System.-Chapter 203: You swordswoman!!!

The Aurelian Duchy.

It was no longer just a title on a piece of parchment; it was an empire carved from the ambition of one man. The entire northern territory had been handed to Dorian Aurelian, making him the first Duke in history to control a landmass that rivaled the King’s own domain.

It didn’t take long for Dorian’s genius to reshape the landscape. He carved the territory into three distinct cities, assigning each of his wives to rule in his stead, securing the reputation of the Duchy with an iron grip.

First was the City of Hope. Ruled by Seraphina, this metropolis hugged the great rivers, acting as the beating heart of trade. It was the gateway for international commerce, the birthplace of every business Dorian acquired. From high-quality textiles to mana-infused weaponry, if it made money, it came from Hope.

Second was Ishtar City. A sanctuary of peace and hedonism. It was a vacation paradise where the wealthy burned their gold on beautiful scenery and luxurious lifestyles. Here, Dorian introduced his "Cinema Rooms"—massive halls using magic projectiles to cast live images—creating an entertainment industry that had the nobles addicted.

And lastly, the City of Dragons. Ruled by none other than Maria herself.

Because the dragons bowed only to her and Dorian, they joined the First Division, turning this city into the safest, most impenetrable fortress in the world.

With his wives governing his domain, the Aurelian Dukedom became a beacon. Citizens from every corner of the kingdom flocked to the north, desperate to live under the rule of the Great Dragon Monarch.

But despite their separate domains, the main residence remained the mansion within Ishtar’s territory. It was the only place large enough to contain them all.

Days later, Seraphina finally returned to the Aurelian Dukedom.

Her job in the Sualan Kingdom was complete. The trade routes were secured, the contracts signed. She was exhausted, but the thought of seeing him fueled her steps.

She stormed into the mansion, her black dress flowing like a shadow behind her as she approached the grand staircase.

The maids and the butler, Sebastian, lined up with bowed heads, greeting her arrival with the reverence due a Duchess.

Seraphina barely noticed them. Her mind was on one thing.

She paused at the foot of the stairs, turning to the butler.

"Sebastian," she demanded, her voice sharp. "Has my husband returned from the capital?"

Sebastian raised his head, his expression apologetic. "Yes, My Lady. But just as quickly as he arrived, he departed. He said he was heading somewhere urgent."

"I see..."

Seraphina closed her eyes, a single drop of frustration threatening to fall. She had expected to spend some time with him. She needed to recharge. But he was gone again, chasing another scheme, another mountain of gold.

Her eyes flickered open, a new thought taking hold.

"What about Maria? Surely she is back."

"Y-yes, My Lady," Sebastian stammered, sensing the shift in her mood. "Although... she headed to the training ground not long ago."

Seraphina’s brow twitched. A vein pulsed in her forehead.

"What?!"

Click-clack. Click-clack.

Seraphina strode angrily through the hallway, her heels striking the marble floor like war drums. The frown on her face was so severe that workers flattened themselves against the walls as she passed.

’’Training? That girl doesn’t listen to a single word I say. No one in this damn house listens to a word I say!’’

She turned a corner sharply, her mind racing with lectures and reprimands.

Suddenly, she stopped.

A cold shiver ran down her spine. It felt like eyes—heavy, malicious eyes—were boring into her back. She spun around, scanning the empty corridor.

Nothing. Just the flickering mana-lights and the empty air.

"I must be tired," she muttered, shaking her head to clear the paranoia.

She continued her march toward the training grounds. As she approached the heavy wooden doors, the sounds of violence reached her ears.

Wham!

Crack!

The sound of wood slamming against flesh, the grunts of exertion. The door was thick, reinforced with mana-dampening oak, yet the noise punched through. That only enraged her further.

"Maria!!!"

Bang!

Seraphina kicked the door open.

The scene inside was chaos. Maria stood in the center of the ring, pinning two fully armored men to the ground with effortless, terrifying strength. One was groaning, clutching a bruised rib; the other was unconscious.

Maria paused, looking up from her victims to see Seraphina glaring at her from the entrance, hands on her hips, radiating fury.

"Oh," Maria said, her voice flat. "You’re back."

She slowly stood up, dusting off her hands.

The two individuals she had just finished beating groaned in relief, crawling away to the edges of the room.

Despite their pain, they knew better than to stay when the two Duchesses were about to have a ’conversation.’

As the sparring partners fled, Seraphina marched forward, stopping only inches away from Maria’s face.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" Maria asked, wiping sweat from her brow. "Did the deal not go well?"

"What do you think you’re doing?" Seraphina hissed.

Maria blinked, genuinely confused. "Lord Dorian was out on a business talk. I got bored. I decided it was best for me to train a bit to keep my—"

"You are pregnant!!!" Seraphina screamed, her voice echoing off the stone walls. "What part of that don’t you understand?!"

Maria flinched, her facial expression shifting into a complete daze. The word hung in the air like a physical weight.

Seraphina didn’t stop. She poked Maria hard in the chest.

"Do you have any idea what it means to carry an heir? Stop thinking with your sword for five minutes and think about your body! It was bad enough you started vomiting before we scanned you. And now you won’t even take good care of yourself?"

"..." Maria opened her mouth, but no sound came out.

"I told you this before!" Seraphina continued, her voice cracking with genuine worry. "This is your first month. You have eight months left. The first three months are the most crucial! Argh! Why are you stressing me out so much?"

The training ground fell silent.

Maria looked at Seraphina, dazed. Seraphina looked at the ground, a somewhat sad, longing look crossing her face.

"I’d give anything to give Darling a child," Seraphina whispered, her voice trembling. "But I guess mine isn’t coming now. So you might as well get your shit together for the both of us!"

Maria’s stoic mask cracked. A flush of guilt colored her cheeks.

"S-sorry," Maria finally spoke, looking down at her hands. "I didn’t think you meant it literally. Sigh. So... I have to deal with not wielding a sword for a whole nine months?"

"Yes."

"But... what if Lord Dorian is in trouble? What if he needs protecting?"

"You and I both know no one stands a chance against that man," Seraphina retorted. "And if you’re worried about the Witch coming back, he has Ciel by his side at all times. That dragon won’t let anything happen to him."

"I still feel useless though," Maria grumbled, crossing her arms over her chest, the leather of her gauntlets creaking. "I am the ruler of the City of Dragons. The strongest amongst the wives. And I can’t even hold a sword for nine months? What if I lose my edge?"

Seraphina let out a frustrated sigh, running a hand over her temple.

"You won’t lose your edge, Maria. If anything, you will gain a whole new perspective. Think of this as forced rest, a chance to focus on other aspects of ruling. You have an entire division of dragons under your command—delegate! Don’t you think Dorian would be furious if he came back and found out you put his child in jeopardy for a mere training session?"

Maria’s face softened instantly at the mention of Dorian’s potential fury.

"He would be very cross," she murmured, one hand drifting down to touch her flat stomach, a gesture she hadn’t consciously made before.

Seraphina watched the subtle change in Maria’s demeanor. She knew just how much Maria—and all of them—adored Dorian. This was her moment to press the point home with kindness, not just anger.

"Exactly. Now, come on. Let’s get you out of this dust-filled place. You need proper nourishment and, frankly, a good lecture on prenatal care."

Seraphina grabbed Maria’s arm, her grip firm but gentle.

"I bought some incredibly soft silk gowns from the Sualan Kingdom. Perfect for lounging. I suspect your fighting gear is far too constricting for a growing belly."

"Silk gowns?" Maria raised an eyebrow, a small, reluctant smile forming on her lips. "Are they dragon-proof?"

"They are Maria-proof, which is a far harder task," Seraphina retorted, finally allowing a small smile of her own.

She began leading Maria towards the door.

"Now, no more training. No more stress. Your only job for the next nine months is to grow that baby and keep yourself well. The City of Hope is making incredible new nutrient potions—not magic potions, mind you, just highly concentrated food extracts. You’re going to be drinking a lot of those."

Maria sighed dramatically, letting herself be dragged along. "Fine. But you owe me a sparring match the minute I can hold a sword again."

"It’s a date," Seraphina agreed.

They walked out of the training ground and into the main corridor, the tension dissolving into a comfortable camaraderie.

’Another crisis averted,’ Seraphina thought, mentally adding this to her list of achievements. ’But Dorian truly needs to hire a full-time, highly aggressive nanny. Managing a Duke and his pregnant dragon-wife is apparently now part of my business portfolio.’

As they passed the intersection of the hallway, Seraphina felt it again.

That cold, prickling sensation at the base of her neck.

She stopped dead in her tracks, spinning around to face the empty corridor behind them. The shadows stretched long and thin between the magical torches.

"Seraphina?" Maria asked, her hand instinctively moving to where her sword usually hung. "What is it?"

Seraphina narrowed her eyes, scanning the darkness. There was nothing there. And yet, the air tasted stale, like old dust... or ancient magic.

"We’re being watched," Seraphina whispered, her voice losing all its warmth. "Someone is inside the mansion."