A week after the incident, the aftereffects of the rebellion had reduced, but Asher still had his eyes on Silverleaf, especially one of their ace blacksmiths who had never left his house after the incident.
Losing all his sons must have driven him into shock, one that would take a long while to change.
Sitting in the sacred hall, Asher leaned on the back of the palm, looking at the large doors without an expression.
He was lost in thought. Something was wrong. Sapphira was always appearing in his dream, causing him restless nights.
He almost believed it was a spell and called Katarina, only for her to inform him that it was the result of his own brainwork!
A sharp burst of air escaped his mouth as he scoffed.
Boom!
All of a sudden, the large doors were pushed open, revealing three men: Kelvin, Nero, and a man wrapped in bandages.
Asher got to his feet the moment he saw Nero walking into the hall. He had thought the kid might never return, but it seemed Nero was tougher than he expected.
When Nero reached the middle of the hall, Nero went on one knee.
“I have returned, my lord.”
He lowered his head.
Asher swiftly remembered what he discussed with Kelvin a night ago and smiled.
“Welcome back. For sacrificing your life for your comrade in battle, I hereby ordain you as the first Titled Knight. The Sand Knight.”
Asher picked up a badge, and when he pinned it on Nero, a beam fell on him. Instantly, a black scarf appeared around his neck, fluttering softly.
Along with it, a standard appeared in Nero’s hand. The knight had the sigil of House Ashbourne on its white surface. Enjoy exclusive adventures from empire
Becoming a titled knight meant Nero was now a continental knight. He could now obtain sigils from other houses, increasing his ranks as a Titled Knight.
Titled Knights had a continental ranking, and once a letter was sent to the imperial city, Nero’s name would be added!
Alex, who stood beside the throne, felt his eyes become moist as he watched his son tremble before such honor.
“I won’t fail you, your lordship!”
Nero roared.
Asher chuckled. “I know that.”
He gently patted Nero’s shoulder before turning to the man wrapped up in bandages.
Only one of the man’s eyes was exposed, and staring into that eye, Asher saw a broken man.
A man who only awaited his death, a man without purpose.
Asher’s brows furrowed.
“This is Buba. A former general of the Bashan clan’s army and the renowned flamethrower. He was the reason the casualty in Silverleaf was reduced, and he also saved Ark White’s daughter, who is now his only surviving offspring.”
“Why would you do that?”
Buba lowered his head. “Be… because she did me good.”
Asher had already heard of everything, and where they found Buba, which was in front of the prison hold, he was on his knees completely covered in burns.
In fact, the burns had disfigured the barbarian, burning away his hair, face, and torso. Once he removed those bandages, no child would love to be around him.
It was a sacrifice that Asher saw to be worthy of elevating Buba.
“How would you like to be a citizen of House Ashbourne?”
Buba’s right eye shook.
Without being told, he went on one knee, bowing his head as he did so.
Asher walked up to his throne, picked up another badge, and walked back to Buba.
“You’ve done well. Henceforth, you shall be a citizen of my house, and your names shall from this day be ‘Moses.’ I also engrave you with your title: The Flaming Guardian Knight.”
The moment he placed the badge, a golden beam transformed Moses, formerly named Buba.
First, the bandages were unwrapped. As they were unwrapping, a brand new attire covered him.
And then, a thick silverish-white armor formed above the attire. An axe, the width of a door, appeared in his hand.
Golden chains were wrapped around the pitch-black handle. Finally, a black scarf, representing his position as a Titled Knight, appeared around his neck.
His title was elegantly written on it, and with it, a standard manifested in his other hand.
Thud!
He landed with a light sound. Although the system has filled him with information, Moses was still stunned at the sudden transformation.
His rank shot from gold to diamond, and his loyalty rose to 97!
“We leave for Ashkelon soon. Prepare; I want you to go with me.”
“As you wish.”
Moses placed his hand on his chest and bowed like a noble knight who had been trained in the academy throughout his youth.
“Nero will lead you to the Guard’s quarters in the castle. Choose any room to your liking.”
After Nero led Moses out of the room, Asher faced Alex.
“Did you encourage your son to return?”
“Frankly, I’ve not been able to speak with him since then.”
“So he came on his own accord then.”
“Maybe his mother is behind this.”
“You married a good woman then.” Asher chuckled, patted Alex’s back, and turned to the window.
“Do not be bothered, you and the others that have served me from the beginning. Bear in mind that your reward will be better.”
After saying those words, he left the sacred hall. Those words were directed at Alex and others who felt they were being left behind.
After all, Katarina and Claude had become vassal lords, and Buba, who had been renamed as Moses, was now a titled knight, a revered status amongst knights, and they who were there had received nothing.
A little smile appeared on Alex’s face.
….
Two days later, a magnificent troop traveled through the wide road connecting Nineveh to Ashkelon.
There were about 20 knights protecting the carriage. Riding beside the carriage were Alex and Nero, while Moses rode ahead of the convoy.
He was given a Silver Blood horse. Only such a special horse could bear the weight of his armor and his great war axe.
Inside the carriage, Asher leaned into the comfortable sofa, reading a book he picked from the library.
“My lord, the—!”
Alex couldn’t finish what he was about to say when an explosion echoed from the forest.