15 Water Fortress Banquet 2 (1/2)

As Drodosis went back to the Banquet hall, he revealed a rare and genuine smile.

His family was happy. From a distance, he could see the usually grim-looking and anxious elders having fun with maids and looking at female dancers with envy! This was a rare sight!

These people were his family, and everyone in this room, were part of his world. They meant everything to him. The banquet's ambiance rose to its peak when three Grand Knights appeared, next to his grandfather.

Unlike normal Grand Knights, these three powerhouses didn't look grim or old. They were very young, only thirty or forty years old! They seemed friendly though.

”Hi, everyone! I only demand you a few moments of attention”, the youngest of them said in a clear voice. His golden armour and blond hair made him look like a prince, and many women within the hall were looking at him with l.u.s.t. However, the man in question was just smiling, ignoring these gazes, ”We are Royal Executives, here on official business! Rejoice! You have won this war fair and square! As a grand knight myself, I am obliged to acknowledge your strength!”

Drodosis could tell the man's strength instantly, thanks to his above-average perception. A Grand Knight…no…actually, maybe three grand knights! No wonder the royal family could stay in power for centuries, and even contend with strong adept families!

”I shall declare the new delimitations of the Thornfield's territories! The Thornfield territory is now divided in three counties, seven viscount's lands, and 15 baronies!”, the man said, followed by a crowd's cheering and clapping, ”According to the Phuinem Royal Code, the resource site called Magnolia Forest which has been conquered is rightfully yours!”.

Resource sites were the real a.s.sets of territories! Earning a new resource site was huge news, which many had yet to know about!

[Beep! Magnolia trees can be cut down and refined into planks to make solid and durable wooden house, insensible to fire. Once used by elven species to create giant wooden towns and prevent fire, these magnolia trees also possess a surprising flexibility and lightness, making it a perfect material for bows. Note that weapons made of Elder Magnolia trees also possess the strange power of improving one's sight over time!]

The biochip instantly informed Drodosis of what Magnolia trees stood for. His mind wavered, and he could suddenly project himself in the future, commanding the Ironcloud Knight Order he just created, all of his subordinates being knight powerhouses, equipped in light ironcloud armours, wielding Magnolia Bows! How great would it be! Even adepts wouldn't be able to survive if surrounded by 50 knights armed to the teeth with weapons made of magical materials, right?

Everyone was amazed. But the following words, made the elders furrow their brows.

”However, there were a lot of heated conversation in the royal court. Hence, four viscounts who worked for the royal family since their youth shall be rewarded with the lords.h.i.+p of the four viscounts' territories you conquered. Of course, these territories are rightfully yours but…Think of it as an opportunity to get closer to the royal family!”, the grand knight said in a shameless voice.

Drodosis and the elders knew the meaning behind these words. They had won a war against the Huntingwood family and several n.o.bles, but it didn't mean they could contend with unparalleled households like the Royal Family! These four viscounts were probably the Crown's dogs, loyal to the royal family, acting as their eyes and hears! This way, the Royal family would have ears and eyes within the Thornfield family!

Despite this 'unfortunate revelation', as the three grand knights departed, the festivities continued.

The Supreme Elder Water Dragon still said a few words before that: ”I also have good news! By looting the Huntingwood's headquarters, we also managed to find several dozens spell books! Although many are related to the shadow element, there are a few spells with no affinity requirements! Moreover, we also captured 120 enemy knights, including three elite knights, who will join the Water Troops to make up for the losses. Enemy acolytes will be gathered in a hidden faction: The Dark Legion. With them as a hidden power, I can a.s.sure you no adept families in the Eastern side of the Phuinem Kingdom will be able to contend with us!”

People rejoiced, and Drodosis, who was quite exhausted from the past days' event, decided to eclipse himself from the noisy banquet. Walking on the Water Fortress' gigantic walls, glowing in blue light in the darkness of the night, Drodosis felt at peace for the first time in the past few months.

There was a full moon, and numerous stars accompanied its loneliness. Suddenly, a woman appeared behind him.

”Hi, Selene”, Drodosis said.

Selene Dawins, commander of the Water Troop, now an elite knight and a strong woman in her prime. Her potential was extraordinary, and more importantly, she was his friend.

Drodosis had helped her a few times in the battlefield, and saved her army from collapsing more than once, a debt she owed him and didn't forget.

”Hi, Drodosis. I heard about your Ironcloud Knight Order. It's good to see your commanding and leaders.h.i.+p potential flourish. Everyone sings praises of the Great plains battle, a flawless strategy indeed! Take this”, she said in a sweet voice.

Her face could barely be seen, but Drodosis could see in the darkness. Her beauty didn't escape his eyes. If only he was a bit older, she would have made a fine bribe, he thought.

”Everyone says that! I was just lucky, haha! What do you want from me?”, he said gently.

”This is a knight breathing technique. Your subordinates, once they break through the knight realm, will be stuck without a knight breathing technique. This comes from my Dawins household, so please take care of it!”

Drodosis picked it up, mumbling a small ”thank you”.

”How do you feel about me creating a knight order? Shouldn't you be angered at me?”, Drodosis asked in curiosity. He had 'backstabbed' this woman in the back, after all, by creating a knight order with the thought of rivalling and surpa.s.sing the Water Troops she commanded.

”What? Do you really think your little Ironcloud Knight Order can compare to the Water Troop I command? Haha! You don't even have members yet! Commanding soldiers is quite easy, but knights are stubborn. No average character becomes a knight, only those with life and death experience can break through! Taming these men and women take years. Before your order even threatens my position, I will become the first Grand Knight from the Thornfield family!”, she shouted with pride.

”Haha, so you are indeed fl.u.s.tered!”, Drodosis laughed.

Talking about life and the banquet for a few dozen minutes, Drodosis returned to the banquet hall once again; dancing with Selene for a little more than one hour, before taking his leave and returning to his room.

The next day, the Water Fortress was struck by an eerie silence. Yet, the servants and maids had already cleaned up the mess left by knights and acolytes. Drodosis headed to the library. The war had provided his family with numerous more books, huge a.s.sets in Drodosis' opinion.

The books were more or less average, but a spell book caught his interest.