A day later.
Seated on his throne, Asher gazed at the people before him—all on their knees.
“Welcome back, Lord Asher!”
Their voices echoed far in unison, so loud that the paladins in the hallway far away from the hall and in the corridors could hear.
Equipped with their round shields and their tall spears, the paladins stood tall along both ends of the hall. Although they were not as massive as the Grand Aegis soldiers, no nobleman or official in the hall dared to underestimate them.
Even the weakest of them could take down at least six Grand Aegis soldiers before going down—and even then, he would die with one more!
One had to know that the Grand Aegis legion had the best and the sturdiest armor, and they were the pride of the northeastern alliance!
Ashbourne County—Mormont Dukedom —Adamos County.
They were literal metal men, clad in metal that weighed several hundred kilograms!
Yet these paladins, who didn’t even have proper armour, had the power to bring six of them down!
Asher spoke, his voice calm yet commanding. “Rise. I am pleased to be back amongst you, breathing in the land of the living.”
Everyone gathered stood at their seats. Kelvin Salvatore, Baron Claude Flameheart, Baroness Katarina, Sapphira, Eritrea, Alec, Lambert, Aquila, Adam, Paul and some lower ranked officials.
Kelvin, standing beside him, held two rolled-up scrolls, while paladins with ceremonial black coats and mantles stood behind him.
No one was allowed to wear armor today, and that confused the generals since they had always worn their armor when meeting Asher.
To them, Asher was more warlord than a noble.
Asher’s gaze swept across the room. “Some of you have stood with me both in joy and suffering since the very beginning. Alec…”
Alec stiffened, caught off guard upon hearing his name.
Kelvin stepped forward. “Come forth.”
Alec emerged from the crowd, and Kelvin handed him a scroll, and then he knelt before Asher.
“Henceforth, I grant you the name Lyon. Alec Lyon, from this day you shall be known as Lord of the great city of Tiberias, Guardian of the Great Dividing Wall and General of the Grand Aegis Legion. In honor of your brother’s sacrifice, you shall rule over Tiberias and the lands that span the great wall.”
Alec bowed his head. “Your wish is my command.”
Asher’s lips curled into a smile. “You knelt merely as a general but now rise as Count Alec Lyon, Shield of Ashbourne.”
Two paladins stepped forward, draping a black coat which had the emblem of House Ashbourne over Alec’s shoulders.
He rose up. Though his face remained stoic, his right hand trembled. He could remember where he started—with his twin brother, as sons of a humble farmer.
Today, he stood in a massive castle and would soon be returning to his own!
‘Rest in peace, brother.’
He said inwardly.
Somewhere beyond the mortal sight, a being gleaming with golden light watched this with a gentle smile on his face.
‘I am at peace, brother.’
Alec turned, rejoining the others. Their gazes had changed.
Kelvin spoke again. “Eritrea wolf.”
Eritrea stepped forward, her hand clasped behind her back, her piercing gaze locked onto Asher’s.
Asher rose from his throne. “Knight Eritrea, the Eagle Eye of House Ashbourne. You have remained devoted to your cause and your oath sisters. It is time you were rewarded.”
Eritrea dropped to one knee.
The look in her eyes said it all—she only needed him as her reward. But Asher couldn’t give her that. Not because she was unfit, but because she couldn’t handle him.
He needed more than a bed partner, more than a warrior. Still, Eritrea had a special place in his heart, and as a close friend, she knew it.
While he never rose up for Alec, he did for her. This was his way of honouring their relationship and the sacrifices she had made back when he was just a Baron.
Step. Step.
Asher descended from the throne platform, approaching her with slow, steady steps.
Eritrea blinked several times, her long eyelashes fluttering as she stared at that perfectly built man approaching her with graceful steps.
Even she hadn’t expected him to become this… beautiful.
By no means did he look feminine; if anything, he was the epitome of masculine, both in character and build. But this level of beauty was too much to simply be dubbed as handsomeness.
She had to step out of that boundary to give a description that satisfied her heart.
His white hair caressing his shoulders, those burning golden eyes and wide shoulders…
The White Wolf!
“Remember this day,” Asher said. “It is the day you knelt as a knight and rose as the Keeper of the Sanctuary. The forest, from Silver Leaf to the Ash Mountain Pass and as far as it spans, is yours. I still remember your father’s dream—to conquer all the tribes. You are entitled to that land. Go and make them all kneel.”
Indeed, the forest was home to several other tribes, including the land where the Ashbourne tomb lay.
Asher had understood that from the way the system had built Eritrea’s barrack in the woods—she wouldn’t be too pleased with fenced cities as she would be with the wild.
So, he gave the forest to her.
Her tribe had once stood there, and now, other tribes that had evaded their radar would have to face her.
Eritrea bowed deeply. “You won’t regret this. I, the keeper, will make sure that I am worthy of this great honour.”
Kelvin handed her a scroll, and the paladins draped a mantle over her shoulders.
“From this day forward,” Asher declared, “the forest will be called Stormbringers’ Nest—a place where you and your sisters will thrive.”
Eritrea smiled. She took one step, leaned in and whispered. “I still won’t be far from your walls. Watch out, big wolf.”
Then, she turned and walked back.
Kelvin looked at Asher, and although Asher saw suspicion flickering in his gaze, he didn’t bother clearing whatever his butler/regent had thought about.
“That will be all,” Asher announced, his voice carrying through the hall. Then, his golden eyes swept over the gathered figures. “I have heard of the troubles in the depths, and I shall settle them.”
He turned toward the grand doors. “Shall we proceed to the dining hall?”
The doors opened, and Asher began to walk toward the entrance. The others waited for him to pass before following behind.
As he walked, Asher extended his hand, and Sapphira took it.
Eritrea scowled as she watched them walk ahead of the others.
“So he actually made her his fiancée,” Lambert murmured, his eyes widened.
Paul nodded, observing the unusual sight. “He even wove her ring into her hair. That’s the first time I’ve seen something like that.”
“It makes sense, though,” Lambert said softly.
Paul shot him a look. “I hope you are not planning to copy His Lordship. He put a lot of thought into impressing his woman, so think of a different way.”
Lambert’s eyes widened. Nothing else came to his mind except doing it Asher’s way. Even the normal finger ring didn’t appeal to him.
“Commander Aquila.”
Meanwhile, Kelvin approached the white-haired beauty garbed in a blue and white gown.
She turned, her sharp gaze meeting his. “Lord Regent.”
“His Lordship would like your presence on his journey to the depths together with the apothecary head.”
Aquila glanced towards the back of her lord, then back at Kelvin.
She nodded.