Boom!
The heavy doors of the hall in Ashkelon Manor swung open with a resounding crash after being pushed. Asher, clad in a white linen tunic and tight black leather pants, tilted his head toward the source of the noise.
His white tunic, with its deep V-neck, was laced in a zigzag pattern, allowing him to adjust the opening to a modest degree. Tucked neatly into his pants, the white fabric draped effortlessly over his lean frame.
At both sides of his waist hung Euodias and Ithamar—the only two swords on the entire continent that wanted nothing more than to cause the demise of their master, driven by their own selfish reasons.
As the door continued to open wider, footsteps echoed through the grand hall before they fell into his ears.
Asher raised an eyebrow. He had been staring at the mural of himself and had no intention of leaving his position, so he simply leaned back since tilting his head was the only option to see who was coming in.
Since the guards hadn’t announced anyone, it meant that this person must be either someone who was close to him or…
Tapk!
His eye narrowed in on the boot, its edge slightly visible beneath a flowing gown.
‘Oh…’
… The ruler of Ashkelon.
Katarina strode into the hall, appearing like a woman in her late forties. The sight made Asher’s eyes widen in surprise.
“Katarina… is that you?”
Katarina dropped to one knee, a knowing smile on her lips. “Do I look appealing to your eyes?”
Asher squinted. Only one woman had ever spoken to him so boldly, both before and after learning of his true identity.
Baroness Katarina!
“Humph!” Asher snorted and strode toward his throne.
As she watched his back, Katarina subtly scanned the room, searching for the presence she had felt moments ago. When she finally turned back, her breath caught.
The sight of Sirius’ crimson eyes and scar almost made her lose her bearing but the wolf averted his gaze, sparing her from his oppressive stare.
‘Not only has his wolf changed…. He has, too.’
Katarina’s eyes narrowed as she gazed at the handsome man whose snow-white hair could be the cause of envy for many, sitting on the throne, one leg crossed over the other.
Emanating from him was the air of a natural noble and without even a word, she felt humbled by his presence.
Truly, he was back and quite different from his former self.
“Baroness.”
Asher’s voice pulled her from her thoughts. She met his gaze.
“I have seen what you have done with Ashkelon since my departure…” His lips curled into a smile.
“… And I am glad that I entrusted its care to none other than you. Once I ascend to the rank of Duke, you have my word—you shall be my first Viscountess.”
Hearing his words, Katarina felt her heart pound. This was the greatest honour she had ever received in her lifetime.
As a viscountess, her lineage would forever be of the noble bloodline and it would be safeguarded from ever falling back to the rank of Baron.
“I’m deeply grateful for such a reward, My Lord.”
Asher smiled slightly before leaning forward. “Now tell me… how did you grow this young? Your appearance cannot change unless you have reached the ranks of Imperial, but you’re still at the Silver rank.”
Katarina rose to her feet. “It’s the work of Evergreen olive oil. I bathe in it every night before resting. After three months of use, it transformed my appearance.”
Asher’s eyes widened. All he saw was an opportunity to make his county extremely rich!
Women would do all they could to get their hands on the evergreen olive oil if they discovered it could do something like this!
Seeing Asher’s expression, Katarina knew Asher had no idea of what had happened in the county all this while.
It seemed like he really had left. She had thought he might be hiding somewhere, watching them from the shadows.
“My lord, the Evergreen olive oil has done more than just make the wrinkles vanish. According to the latest count, it has also elevated 100,000 civilians to Bronze rank.”
Asher’s eyes flickered. One had to know that to advance beyond iron-rank, one needed talent and most of these people had none. And still, the Evergreen olive oil accomplished the unfathomable.
Hearing this made Asher feel apprehensive. Such a miraculous oil would no doubt attract the ravenous eyes of nobles. Even someone like Prince Aaron, his brother in relation to talent, would take an interest in his county!
“So the eyes of the households of the north are on us.”
Katarina lowered her head. “They are.”
“Then before they form alliances to bring us down, we should demonstrate our might and secure allies of our own. This war gives us a perfect opportunity.”
Katarina raised her head. “You’ve heard about the war?!”
“I have. I have already sent letters to all the officials. Ride with me to Nineveh tomorrow—we shall meet them there.”
“As it pleases you.” Katarina bowed.
After she left the hall, she found Adam leaning casually against the wall.
“You want to meet him?” she asked.
“No,” Adam smirked. “I was waiting for you. So… what do you think of him?”
Katarina glanced at the closed double doors, then back at Adam.
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“He has changed… from a lord to a great lord. His goals and ambitions have risen and we must either strive to keep up… or be left behind.”
Adam’s smile widened. “Perfect analysis. One look at his personal troop and you’ll see the reality of what you’ve just said.”
_____
A short while later, a carriage stopped before the barracks. Katarina stepped out with Adam by her side.
Soldiers bowed as they passed, and she acknowledged with light smiles—until her gaze fell on a cluster of tents, set away from the main barracks.
Just the men standing guard near them made her eyebrows rise. They were like living masterpieces of sculptures. Full of hardened muscles, and piercing and emotionless eyes. Powerful shields rested at their sides, tall spears in hand and a feral aura radiating from them.
A mix of noble training and primal wildness. They were men with the trained minds of a knight combined with the powerful bodies of a barbarian berserker!
Berserkers had ceased to exist for centuries, yet these men gave her a sense of the kind of monstrosities she had only read about.
Even without seeing them in action, Katarina could feel their superiority.
“How many of them are there?”
“Three hundred.”
“All of them are this strong?”
Adam sighed. “No…”
Katarina exhaled, relieved.
“…There are some that are much stronger. I don’t know what these men went through but it feels like they went through a forge and came out tempered.”
Alarmed, Katarina spoke. “Can His Lordship control such men?”
Adam’s gaze flicked toward the tent and then he glanced at her.
“Control?” He let out a low chuckle. “They fear him.”