Chapter 492 - The Boatmans Bamboo Raft (1/2)

Chapter 492: The Boatman’s Bamboo Raft

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

In the history of the Norton Kingdom, and maybe even the human race, there had been few marshalls of commoner origin.

Kanorse may be the first marshall to set such a precedent in the Norton Kingdom.

He had also set another even more stellar precedent: in the last 3000 years of human history, Kanorse was the first Legendary Warrior who had been promoted to Marshall through sheer talent and hard work.

He had reached Legendary three days ago. Before, there were the royal generals in the army who had objected to his promotion. As he was now a Legendary Warrior, all objections to it had been quelled.

Link was not surprised by this. Even though he had sealed up the dimensional crack with a rune formation, Firuman’s Mana saturation had been steadily increasing till it had now reached its late-game stage.

Under these circumstances, talented individuals would surely surpass the Legendary State all across the continent. Kanorse was but the first of such individuals.

In the fortress, Kanorse stood motionless in his room. His attendants bustled about him as they fitted the marshall’s standard black-gold battle armor on him. On the surface, Kanorse seemed extremely calm.

But inside, he could feel his heart palpitating violently, sending out vibrations across the rest of his body.

He had never thought such a day would come.

Orida Fortress was the first mountain pass to the north of all human nations. To be promoted to the fortress’ marshall essentially meant that he now stood on the pinnacle of all human Warriors.

The attendants had finished putting on every part of the battle armor on his body. In front of Kanorse stood a full-length mirror. A tall Warrior stood in the mirror, clad in a full black-gold set of battle armor furnished with runes all over.

The Warrior in the mirror had an air of power and grandeur about him, like one of those heroes from legends of ancient times.

Looking at his reflection, Kanorse drifted off into a reverie, as he recalled something from his childhood years.

He had been the son of a horsekeeper.

When he was young, he had helped his father feed the horses, and clean up their stables. He had helped groom these magnificent battle horses every day. Yet, he never had the chance to ride on them once, as he was still not qualified to do so.

He had seen the royal elders clad in their splendid garments coming in and out of the Abel family’s royal palace. He had always enjoyed the sight of the knights following behind them and dreamt about one day wearing their brilliant armors and exquisite swords.

Of course, this was all wishful thinking.

His father had told him from time to time, “Kanorse, horsekeeping is the family business. If you wish to lead a more stable life, don’t start chasing rainbows.”

Kanorse was only 13 years old when his father passed away. He thought he would be stuck in the palace as a replacement for his father, when one day, he met Duke Abel.

“This kid looks strong,” the duke had said to him.

At the time, the duke was recruiting a large number of youths of the same age as Kanorse to form his own entourage of bodyguards. Kanorse, too, was selected for training. Kanorse could still remember clearly the first time he had brandished a sword, the first time he had sweated out a storm over his body, the first time he was injured, all on his journey to become a magnificent Warrior.

Now, he had done it, and the result had surpassed all his expectations.

With a soft snap, a brilliant red cape was clasped onto his shoulders. His attendants then softly said, “Marshall, it’s time.”

Kanorse nodded. He saw the Legendary Warrior in the mirror had nodded at the same time as he did. Dad, are you looking at this now? I’m no longer a simple horsekeeper, he thought to himself.

He turned towards the door and walked out into the corridor. His attendants led the way in front of him until they arrived at the entrance of the fortress’ great hall.

The great hall had been decorated splendidly. A red carpet had been laid out on the ground, while the four walls were hung with battle flags adorned with the head of a lion. The soldiers of the fortress too had put on their most brilliant armors for the occasion.

When Kanorse arrived at the great door, all eyes were immediately on him.

In an instant, all the generals gave him the standard military salute. From the dais, King Leon and the Lord of Ferde nodded at him with a smile.

In that moment, Kanorse’s chest swelled up with pride.

This was the ultimate goal of every Warrior.

He walked slowly through the great hall until he reached King Leon. He then half-knelt before him, knowing that this was the last time he would be doing so before the king. As marshall later on, he simply needed to bow before the king.

King Leon placed a hand on Kanorse’s head and asked, “Kanorse, what is your duty?”

“To protect the North and drive out the darkness!”

“Which precepts do you abide by?”

“Compassion, loyalty and glory.”

King Leon then spoke, “From this moment forth, you are now the lion of the Norton Kingdom, the highest commanding officer of Orida Fortress.”

When he finished, King Leon held the Hero’s Dusk sword that Link had modified in both hands. The sword was rechristened the Lion’s Pride, but as of now, it would be known as the marshall’s standard sword.

Kanorse took a deep breath, ready to accept the sword.

Flashes of light came from the crowd behind them, as some of the Magicians took out their Memory Crystals to record the moment.