The caravan was in preparation for moving. It would be ten minutes before they left for Sporrco City to take it back for the Pheonix kingdom.
Ritzy was currently lounging around in the carriage with his helmet off and Zweihänder unequipped. The other servants sitting idly by inside as well.
Ritzy's knight and a knight with the Benedire emblem on his armor were right outside the carriage.
Ritzy's knight,
"Lord, the Benedire family knight has been sent here to deliver you a message".
Ritzy who was lost in his thoughts, was jolted awake when they called for them. Ritzy quickly sat upright and said,
"Who may be looking for me?".
The Benedire knight took a step forward and gave a slight bow. The knight was showing a smidgen of respect by bowing, but since he didn't completely bow per customs. It meant that he only bowed per the rules and not because of respect.
Benedire Knight,
"Young lord, the head of the family wishes to converse with you. He sent orders for your subjects to follow our group directly behind and that you yourself to join him in his personal carriage".
Ritzy's thoughts,
'What is happening. What would Benedire want at this time?".
Ritzy,
"Did your lord explain why he wanted me".
Benedire Knight,
"I don't know how you train your knights but the Benedire family knights don't ask questions. We only follow orders".
Benedire Knight's thoughts,
'I would like to know the question to that answer myself but is not my place to ask. Also, why isn't he running to Benedire side? Is he an idiot or something. Most people would dream for Lord Benedire asking for them but he shows no importance in it. Most nobles dream about getting into friendly terms with higher-level nobles like Lord Benedire'.
'Even if he doesn't care about getting more power by befriending a higher noble, they would still go crazy for Benedire. He's an absolute unequal with no one ruling over him. Even the king wouldn't dare to offend him. The king would rather run then make Lord Benedire wait'.
Ritzy knew that the knight was being disrespectful but he didn't care. The knight only mentioned how Ritzy himself taught the knights and Ritzy didn't care if people talked bad about him. He would've only cared if they mentioned his new family.
The Reds' subjects heard as well but they decided to ignore it. Benedire is an Archduke and that's the highest noble position before the king. Reds were a Marquess which is two levels lower than Archduke so they wouldn't dare raise their voice.
...
This world is all about ranking system and strength. People are valued by their ranks first than strength. The only exception are Archdukes and Kings. People could only become kings by blood or by creating their own kingdom.
Creating one's own kingdom is suicide because it means that it's would be you vs. the world and no one can survive that with insufficient power.
Nobles of other kingdoms would attack the new independent kingdom for their own gain.
Nobles of the same kingdom aren't allowed to battle if they do not have a valid reason. If a noble family decides to make their own kingdom, these rules don't apply anymore.
What made it even more enticing was that nobles that attacked the independent kingdom were allowed to keep all the spoils but only had to give the king 50% of conquered land and 50% of the population.
The other route by being related by blood was much safer but didn't allow the opportunity for other nobles' families. The other families would be stuck to be a lower rank forever. For this reason, Archdukes fought for benefits that allowed them to be uncontrollable by their king.
Archdukes are considered pseudo-kings. People who have the strength comparable to a king but don't become kings because they don't want to risk being an independent kingdom or arent part of the royal bloodline.
Since they are powerful enough to be king but don't, certain benefits are given to Archdukes. Archdukes are given the ability to not listen to orders that do not benefit them, orders that harm them, and can not be punished without the approval of their peers.
Since there are only two Archdukes and one king. That means only the approval of the other archduke is needed.
...
Ritzy,
"Fine, lead the way".
Ritzy stood up on the carriage, grabbed his long sword 'Zweihänder', held the helmet on his right hand, and jumped off the carriage to walk with the knight to Benedire.
Jumping off the carriage and falling onto the floor, Ritzy left two foot imprints on the floor.
Ritzy,
"Let us go then".
The knight seeing Ritzy ready to leave, he quickly lead the way but his thoughts were somewhere else.
Knight's thoughts,
'Seems like this young lord is a heavy style fighter. I guess the gold blessing helps people with defense'.
'Wait a minute, normally mages or long-range fighters would be the only people assigned to this division but why is he different? What good use is there for a slow-moving but powerful target good for in this division. Don't tell me we will be using this lord as a distraction if there's a sudden attack. That when the young lord is distracting the attacker, the rest of the division will fire at the enemy. That's basically suicide'.
The knight was lost in his thoughts while they walked, but then they finally reached Benedire's personal carriage. The knight realizing that they finally arrived, he announced their arrival at the carriage entrance.
Knight,
"My Lord, Lord Ritzy has been brought as per ordered".
Benedire heard the voices outside so he opened the carriage's door.
Benedire,
"Thank-you Tock, that is all".
"Slow Ritzy, come inside. I have something to talk about".
Ritzy seeing that he was invited in, he stepped in. Inside, there were two sofas to sit on. One side had Bendire and the other had Benjamin.
Benedire,
"Sit with my son".
Hearing where he was supposed to sit, he sat right next to Benjamin.
Benjamin,
"Morning Ritzy".
Ritzy looked at Benjamin,
"Morning".
Ritzy looked at Benedire,
"I wish a good morning to my Captai-".
Benedire,
"Drop the customs for now. You only need to do that in public out of respect. If we're alone or only Benjamin is present, treat me as an older friend".
Ritzy,
"Oh then, that's a relief".
Benjamin was surprised how his father acted kindly to Ritzy. Benedire had only very few people that he considered a true friend. Most of his father's friends were noble friends so they still had to give basic noble etiquette when seeing each other. Ritzy didn't have to do this so he was curious why. All his father's true friends were people Benedire respected back so he wondered what Ritzy did to earn that respect.
Benjamin,
"Father, what happened that allowed Ritzy to earn your acknowledgment?".
Benedire,
"He entertained me".
Benjamin was confused with his father's response but he knew that his father gave a vague answer for a reason so he decided to just accept it.
Ritzy,
"So, what was I called here for?".
Benedire,
"Alright, let's get right to the point. The reason I have you here is because you're being repositioned".
Ritzy,
"I'm changing division?".
Benedire,
"No, nothing like that. It's just with last night's events, I learned that there is a spot more suited for you. Instead of having you defend the machinery like a range guard, you will be set as a priority defender".
Benjamin,
"Priority defender! Can he even handle the job!?".
Ritzy,
"Priority defender?".
Bededire looked at Benjamin,
"Yes".
Benedire then looked at Ritzy,
"Seems like your unfamiliar with the term. Priority defender is the most vital but skill demanding position available. A priority defender is someone who is kept in reserve until a powerful enemy arrives. Priority defender is our most skilled fighters so we have them conserve their energy until a situation which only they can solve arises. It's similar to saving a mana demanding spell for a dangerous target that can't be solved with normal means".
"Originally it would've only been two of my knights and I but it seems your skills are high enough to become a priority defender as well. So now the question is, can you handle a position like this?".
Ritzy,
"Yes, of course".
Benedire,
"Good, I knew I could rely on you. Oh, but there is one thing I need to ask of you".
Ritzy,
"Huh, sure. What is it that you need?".
Benedire,
"I want you to accompany Benjamin".
Benjamin,
"Wait, what!?!".
Benedire,
"Benjamin, you need battle experience. I need to send you out there to fight powerful enemies. How do you expect to grow if you don't have experience? Also, I can't have you go alone. Your problem is dangerous for you during real battles so I can't let you go alone. Ritzy will accompany you just in case anything happens".
Benjamin,
"Why can't you go with me?".
Benedire,
"As captain, my role is to lead the division. I will only partake in actual fighting if all the other priority defenders are too occupied with their own beastkin".
Benjamin,
"I understand".