A radiant golden glow enveloped the group, captivating onlookers and instilling a collective sense of amazement as the transformative ceremony unfolded.After a brief moment, the trainee knights, now officially knights, rose from their kneeling positions. Outwardly, there might not have been a drastic transformation, but the subtle shift in their demeanor and the intensity in their eyes conveyed a clear message: they were undoubtedly stronger than they were mere minutes ago.Speaking with calm assurance, I addressed the newly ascended knights, "As long as you are a soldier of Ice Demon City, rest assured that you won't need to worry about any ascension." Though my voice carried a composed tone, it stirred waves of reassurance and pride among the assembled audience.Zikk observed from a distance, marveling at the person who remained standing after conducting the ascension ceremony for eighty-one individuals. The sheer feat was enough to leave him astounded."Baron Riel is indeed anothe
In Ice Demon City, I found myself in a state of idleness. The majority of tasks were efficiently handled by Wise and Jacob, and even Mason had taken over the responsibility of overseeing construction work these days.As the lord, my primary duties now revolved around making final decisions and attentively listening to reports. This situation was a direct result of having capable individuals working under my command and effectively utilizing their skills.Taking advantage of the competent team in place, I made my way towards the field. The city's transformation was evident, with Mason and others ensuring the smooth progress of construction projects, highlighting the advantages of effective delegation, and harnessing the strengths of the team.With idle hands, I decided to turn my attention towards the inspection of the field and agricultural lands, recognizing their pivotal role as the primary providers for the population of Ice Demon City. Additionally, I had recently concluded a subs
The hall buzzed with excitement until Zikk, with a single word, brought it to a sudden halt. "Quiet."The command carried an undeniable authority, instantly silencing the hall. Zikk continued, "Do note that this is a unique rank skill, and it is even rarer than some disaster rank skills. The probability that one of you will be able to acquire this is almost nil." A light chuckle escaped Zikk as he observed the range of emotions flickering across the faces of the knights, from initial excitement to a dawning realization that obtaining such a rare skill was no small feat.Zikk was aware that the Dominance of Life skills was highly uncommon, to the extent that it was improbable for it to be available in the skill library. Even in the capital's skill library and market, only a limited number of copies were in circulation.I stared at this bastard.Wasn’t he indirectly dissing me?‘Damn bastard, let’s see if I don’t have this Dominance of life skill!’Upon swiftly opening the system store
Collecting himself, Zikk asked, "What motivates each of you to willingly shell out such exorbitant fees?""If my memory serves me right, each of you earns around 4 to 5 silvers per month, and you're already allocating one silver and fifty bronze coins for this. That's nearly half of your income."Jack quickly replied, "We're all enrolled in the elective classes, Instructor!""What?" Zikk was left bewildered."Why the need for an etiquette class? And are you willing to shell out fifty bronze coins for it? Do you all have money to spare?" Zikk asked, his surprise evident."We can't afford to let down our lords in public! That's why the etiquette class is necessary," Aldo clarified.Convinced at last, Zikk acknowledged the profound commitment demonstrated by the group. Though uncertain about Ethan's prospects of becoming an emperor, he recognized Ethan's potential as a formidable leader. Regarding Riel, Zikk believed that while his leadership skills might not rival Ethan's, his decisive
Following Zikk's completion of his technique, he directed the knights, saying, "Duplicate what I just demonstrated, paying attention to the breathing."Down below, the knights exchanged uncertain glances, sensing a degree of confusion.Zikk's movements were neither too swift nor too sluggish, but the complexity of his actions made replication challenging. Successfully mimicking them would require multiple viewings, unless someone possessed an exceptional memory.Demanding as it was, expecting the novice knights to replicate his actions after just one viewing proved challenging. Nevertheless, despite the difficulty, they were compelled to attempt it. Under Zikk's composed gaze, the knights could only give their best effort to emulate at least the initial steps.As anticipated, everyone moved awkwardly, and not a single one managed to replicate the entire sequence of actions.Jack and Aldo, and even Gaston, gave their best efforts, but they managed to replicate only a small portion of
Leading the team from the front, I opted for the exhilarating experience of riding a warhorse instead of confining myself to the carriage for this expedition.Yesterday marked Anastasia's departure from home, and consoling her proved to be a prolonged and unexpected task, steering my thoughts in unanticipated directions.With the departure of everyone else, a fresh wave of focus envelops me, allowing me to once again immerse myself in the intricacies of my plans.With time pressing, I urgently invoked the revitalization spell on both my warhorse and the horse accompanying us. We surged forward at our maximum speed, aiming for the river where the scattered beastmen sought refuge. It was imperative to cleanse the area of these creatures. The notion that the beastmen, having evaded our initial assaults, would regroup near a water source and forage for sustenance intensified our need for swift action.News of Solan's triumph over a beastmen shaman reassured me; it seemed unlikely that th
"Understood!" The knights behind Aldo began cleaning their weapons, and a palpable tension filled the air. Instead of fear, the knights felt excitement, eager to test their newfound abilities.The decision had been made among the knights: they would take the war to these beastmen!The tension in the air was palpable as the knights stood in formation, ready to defend their territory. The clinking of armour and the unsheathing of blades echoed across the field. The leader, their lord, surveyed the army with a stern gaze, preparing to give the order that would set the battle in motion.The reason for the impending conflict was clear – a determined stance against the encroaching Merlock race and their growing settlements. The knights were resolute in their determination not to allow these camps to flourish and threaten the Ice Demon city.As the lord raised his hand, signalling the commencement of the battle, the knights moved forward with a synchronized march. The clash of metal and wa
Multiple spears pierced through their sturdy bodies, and they fell to the ground, overwhelmed with a sense of shame."How..."The Merlocks struggled to find an explanation. Just before the moment of contact, they witnessed the knights' lips moving, and suddenly their minds fell into disarray, rendering their bodies momentarily unresponsive.In that fleeting moment, the outcome of the battle had already been determined.Several Merlocks found themselves pinned to the ground by the spears, while others met an instant and fatal end as the weapons struck true. The mysterious influence of the knights' words had played a decisive role in the swift and overwhelming victory.Without hesitation, the knights relinquished their hold on their spears, drawing their swords as they swiftly turned around. Charging once more, they left no room for the surviving Merlocks to mount any defence.In a matter of minutes, the entire camp was eradicated, and fresh blood stained the ground. No one managed to
"Ryle Green, step forward!" the Royal advisor said, seeing Ryle was in a daze.Ryle coughed and stepped forward, his heart pounding with excitement as he knelt before the Princess."Ryle Green, you are hereby granted authority over fifty thousand soldiers," the Princess said, her voice like a melody that soothed the soul. "You shall be the commander of the Vanguard Army!"With a snap of her fingers, the Princess bestowed an insignia upon Ryle's shoulder, its glow of light like a beacon of hope in the face of the looming threat of the Beast Kingdom."I will crush those beastmen for you, Your Highness!" Ryle said, his voice filled with determination and resolve.The Princess smiled, her eyes filled with pride and hope. "We have faith in you, Ryle," she said. "Together, we will defeat the Beast Kingdom and restore peace to our lands."Princess Ladia nodded, a hint of a smile playing on her lips. "I expect a lot from the younger generation, Ryle," she said, her voice laced with both encou
The Dwarven Kingdom, a land renowned for its glittering wealth, held its breath. The Brightwing Empire’s meager offer, a desperate plea for aid, was all they had to entice the notoriously hard-drinking mercenaries. Even if their weapons were outdated, their reputation for unmatched effectiveness in battle preceded them. Surely, that would be enough.“Your Majesty,” a guard murmured, his voice barely a tremor in the air. “They have arrived.”Princess Ladia, lost in a labyrinth of thought, startled slightly. She had wrestled with the decision for what felt like an eternity, but finally, a solution had emerged. All that remained was to face them, to meet their gaze and offer her hand in this desperate alliance.Viscount Lamiel, a man whose arrogance was only surpassed by his thirst for gold, strode into the royal garden, flanked by a legion of equally boisterous mercenaries. Princess Ladia recognized most of them – the nobles summoned by the crown, their faces etched with a mixture of g
The scene unfolded with brutal efficiency. Several soldiers, their faces grim and resolute, descended upon Drew and the other soldier, their movements swift and decisive. There was no struggle, no desperate pleas for mercy. They walked away with heads bowed, accepting their fate with a stoic silence that spoke volumes of their resignation.Ryle, his expression a mixture of weariness and amusement, ran a hand through his hair, a sigh escaping his lips. "What a waste of a perfectly good sleep," he muttered, his voice laced with a hint of exasperation. "Young men like myself need our rest, yet everyone seems determined to disrupt my slumber over such trivial matters."His gaze shifted to me, and a playful smile curved his lips. "Allow me to introduce myself," he said, extending a hand towards me. "Ryle Green, third son of Count Green, and as you might be able to tell, the future commander of this very army." He spoke with an air of unwavering confidence, his words carrying the weight of
Two soldiers from a rival camp, their boots crunching on the gravel path, happened upon the conversation. One soldier, his face contorting with barely suppressed mirth, clamped a hand over his mouth, desperately trying to stifle a chuckle. His companion, sensing the impending eruption, jabbed him in the ribs with an elbow, a silent plea for decorum. But the laughter, like a trapped spring, was too powerful to contain. Tears welled in the soldier's eyes, threatening to spill over as his shoulders shook with silent mirth. Finally, with a strangled cry, he burst into a full-blown guffaw. "Hahahaha! If it's the Young Master leading us! Hahaha! We'll be able to… Pft! Hahaha!"The sound of his uncontrolled laughter echoed through the camp, drawing curious glances from nearby soldiers. Gaston, his face a mask of confusion and irritation, turned to the source of the amusement. "Excuse me, but what's so funny?" he demanded, his voice laced with displeasure.The soldier, still gasping for br
The unyielding army of the Ice Demon City had been journeying for a considerable number of weeks, traversing a multitude of cities and towns along the way. During our sojourns, we would occasionally restock our supplies, find respite in taverns, and often in the great outdoors, before resuming our arduous trek.Given the unfortunate circumstances, we were informed that the Ice Demon City was the most distant of all cities from the capital. This reality meant that we were among the last to receive the urgent message, compelling us to join the ranks of the other nobles and their armies in the capital.It was in the fourth week of our relentless march that we finally arrived in the grand and magnificent Capital city. The journey had been long and arduous, but our determination never wavered, as we knew our presence was required in these critical times. I had already surmised that the majority of the other nobles and their forces would have already amassed in the capital, readying themse
As the first light of dawn broke through the windows of the guest house, Miron found himself indulging in a breakfast that was nothing short of exquisite. The flavours were so delightful that he couldn't help but admit to himself that it had been a long time since he had enjoyed a meal as delicious as this one.Before long, Miron was summoned by the lord of the Ice Demon City. With a gracious wave of his hand, the lord invited Miron to take a seat on the soft and ornate sofa in the grand hall. Miron, still feeling a bit tense and on edge, quickly obliged and sat down.Despite the gravity of the situation and the impending battle that lay ahead, the lord of the Ice Demon City seemed completely at ease. He sat on his throne, casually eating his food and even humming a tune that was both strange and captivating. Unable to contain his curiosity any longer, Miron finally mustered up the courage to ask, "My lord, how can you remain so calm and untroubled? Surely you must feel some fear or
"You won't find Baron Ethan in the mansion," Zikk stated, his hand resting lightly on Miron's shoulder. "He should be in the Endless Forest, training his soldiers."The gesture, though seemingly warm and reassuring, sent a chill down Miron's spine. He sensed a veiled warning in Zikk's words, a subtle reminder of the stakes involved. This was no ordinary mission; it was a delicate dance, a test of Miron's competence and discretion."I am busy," Zikk continued, his tone shifting to one of finality. "I'll get going."Miron, still reeling from the weight of Zikk's revelation, blurted out, "Sir, you're working in this city?" The thought that the Grand Knight, a legendary warrior, would be toiling away in the mundane tasks of everyday life seemed utterly incongruous.Zikk chuckled, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "Of course, I need to feed myself, right?" He winked, a playful glint in his gaze. "See you around."With that, Zikk turned and strode away, disappearing into the labyrinthine all
The whispers and hearsay suggesting that Ethan Slayer was the individual responsible for instigating a full-scale conflict between the formidable Beast Kingdom and the vast Empire were, in the opinion of Miron, nothing more than baseless conjecture. He was firmly convinced that these rumors were merely the result of devious political machinations being orchestrated by a select group of nobles within the Empire, who were cunningly manipulating the situation to their own advantage.Such tales of intrigue and deception were likely to be believed only by the most gullible of commoners and the lowest-ranking of nobles, who were easily swayed by sensationalist stories and exaggerated claims.Furthermore, there was another outlandish rumor circulating, which held that Ethan Slayer had single-handedly defeated an entire legion of the Beast Kingdom's most formidable warriors, and had compelled a daunting elite force of ten thousand beastmen to retreat in disgrace, with their tails tucked meek
Miron approached the city with a sense of trepidation, expecting the usual lax security measures that were common in many of the smaller territories. However, he was pleasantly surprised to find that the checkpoint at the gate was both rigid and strict, a testament to the city's strong defenses.As he entered the city, he was immediately struck by the vibrant atmosphere that pervaded the streets. The residents of Ice Demon City went about their daily lives with genuine smiles on their faces, as though the war that was raging in the north was of little concern to them. Children played and laughed on the streets, while adults busied themselves with their work.Miron's eyes widened in astonishment as he realized that the roads within the city were all paved, a luxury that was rarely found in such remote territories. He shook his head in disbelief, wondering if his eyes were playing tricks on him."I must be seeing things," he muttered to himself, unable to comprehend the level of develop