4 days after the higher ups of the base held their meeting, a message from the army had arrive that a battalion of soldiers will be dispatched in Pandora Base for support and to strengthen the the remaining base in the forefront of the northern region against the confirmed zombie tide lead by an unknown powerful zombies.
and in this time, Adam had successfully borrowed a tier nucleus which Gil can use for advancing to tier 4 evolutionary. Along with the rest of the team, they had successfully advanced a tier and is now preparing to take an awakening serum which Adam had informed them beforehand.
" Now that you guys had become tier 4 and tier 3 evolutionaries, I will now help you awaken your legacies. But before that there is something you should do to make you eligible to have this powers. "
After seriously stating the purpose, Adam then went to ask the system how the thing called [ knighthood ] works.
' So system, what now? '
ding!
" The host just need to officially accept an individual under your rule and they will be automatically be recognized as your subordinates and with their qualifications they will then be granted [ knighthood ]. '
That's it?
No fancy rituals and amazing background music or light effects? At least make some glowing magic circle for appearance!
It needs image to be packaged well and become hot in the market!
Also....
It's quite awkward just to suddenly say that they are now under his rule. Look at the goosebumps! It lacks aesthetics and class.
* cough *
" Since you are ready to accept my rule and is now under my jurisdiction, I will grant you the title of knights. " Adam said plainly to everyone.
Better make this quick and get over with it. Hays.
" Do you accept? "
Hearing Adam's words, everyone didn't feel anything wrong and was about ready to accept and say their oaths.
But...
Someone seems not to like the idea.
Ladies and gentlemen, there is a voice of opposition the court.
" My [ lord ]... this is unacceptable! "
And this voice of course belong to the self-proclaimed sole knight of Adam, Arthus.
Eh?
Arthus what are you talking about? I had already said the most cringe part and now your making me embarrassed more!
Adam felt really awkward facing the strong rejection of Arthus at the moment.
'Is the words so simple and short that Arthus feel like it's an insult to the process of bestowing knighthood? Well, I'm sorry for reading less and studying lesser.' Adam thought inside. So embarrassing! Now even an expert is criticizing me for my unprofessionalism.
It is like in school where some students are so confident on stage but once they are faced with panels that are experts on the field, they will feel that they are like idiots who talks nonsense while only trying to trick the ignorants.
Of course, Adam didn't experience that himself but he read books and watch it on TV. Media is a good educator you know.
" Is there something wrong with what I said Arthus? "
" Hmm... very wrong. " Arthus said abruptly.
I see...
Arthus is experienced on this as a senior knight. Maybe he had a better idea how to proceed with this. It's good to consult professionals on things you are not sure with.
" So how should I do it then? Any tips? "
" I am... my [ lord]'s... knight. " Arthus said with a tone saying 'period!'.
" I know that. Then what should we do then for the ceremony? "
" there's... no ceremony. "
" eh? "
" I am... your only... knight. "
Adam then looked at Arthus in confusion. then where's the problem?
" My [ Lord ]… then you should... not have other knights... beside me."
Okay?
'System, do some expalianation! I can't understand Arthus. '
ding!
" Retrieving information....
decoding...
analyzing....
analysis complete.
[ ANALYSIS ]: The summon is jealous of having other knights beside him.
[ RECOMMENDATION ]: Change the term into subordinates in accepting knighthood instead of knights. "
So, I need to trick Arthus?
ding!
" No, the [ knighthood ] status means having loyal subordinates and not literally means they will turn into knights as their legacies. "
What happens when one of them awakened as a knight?
ding!
" Then goodluck to him. "
"....."
After the talk with the system, Adam returned his attention who was grumpy on the side as he dazed around talking with the system.
Seeing giant metal man acting like a depressed chibi , Adam can't help but have blacklines on his head.
" Okay Arthus, they are not gonna be my knights. I'll accept them as my subordinates only. "
Adam had no experience consoling sad people but he still have some references. So with a big smile, he only need to say what the other party wants to hear instead.
Arthus on the other hand hearing Adam not accepting other knights immediately become alive and stood as straight as a ruler to show his strong demeanor as a knight.
'This posture and presence is what a knight should have that these little mongrels hovering around my lord will never achieve. '
Seeing that everything had become settled, Adam decided to reenact his speech.
* cough *
" I would like to offer you a chance to become my subordinates. Do you agree? "
Gil and the others who are waiting in line watching Adam and Arthus exchange words earlier immediately replied, " We agree! "
Then... nothing.
What? You expect some lightings and background music to play?
Sorry, the management and design team of the system lacks sense in this area. * thundering *
The rest didn't feel anything but Adam on the other hand received the notification from the system accepting everyone present as his subordinates bestow with the blessing of [ knighthood ].
" Well then, you guys take this serums and completer your awakenings. " From his storage space, Adam retrieved 6 vials containing a glowing violet liquid in it. Just from the special effect, everyone knew that the thing is not simple and are probably made by some powerful alchemist.
As for where Adam had gotten it? They simply don't care and trusted Adam unconditionally.
" Thank you boss! "
Accepting the vials, the team members of Adam then went to their respective rooms and drunk the serums.
ding!
" Subordinates under [ knighthood ] is undergoing awakening. Readjusting physique and qualification....
Sorting Data...
Downloading souls...
Retrieving legacies...
Legacies completed. Does the host had any request? "
Ahmm...
" No Knights please. "
...
...
...
While Adam was preparing his team for the crisis, Pandora Base begun establishing their defenses. Artilleries were mounted on the wall and the tankers provided by the main base was also lined up ready to fire incoming enemies.
Even Grandpa Sam is busy mass producing defensive talismans to provide the assault squad that will be dispatched first to thin out the numbers of zombies attacking from the east.
Even the production team are busy packing resources to support the frontlines. Thankfully they have Major General Adam in their base and they are able to provide sufficient amount of mutated apples for consumption. Watching the wide stretch of land having big apple trees all bearing fruits and some just newly harvested, the people sighed a relief.
Mutated plants are really amazing that it can actually grow a mature fruit in just a day after being harvested.
....
....
....
In an open field outside the base, numerous people are preparing each their own for the approaching departure towards the zombie horde.
These people gathered are precisely the assault team that the base will dispatch within three days to minimized the numbers of zombies.
Leading the assault team is the Base Chief Rhea herself, along with her right arm man Albert Gregory and the rest of the tier 4 awakened in the base except the supporter Grandpa Sam who is responsible for providing defensive talisman.
In some people's perspective, the preparation done by Pandora seems very much but the knowledgeable knows that their efforts and scale of things as of the moment are still not enough to cope up with the problem.
Unless Sir Arthus would take the lead will they see hope in this operation.
Unfortunately, since Major General Arthus housed on the base, they have never seen him active in duty and was always following the young Major General Adam wherever he goes.
It even seems like that Major General didn't care for the base at all. Thankfully the young Major General have measures and had helped their base solved the shortage on food which was a great contribution.
Even the rest of the director who have doubts about Arthus messing the power system of the base would even loved to pray and hope that the terrifying tier 5 powerhouse would have an ounce of thought about the power struggle in the base.
Sadly, it didn't happen and Arthus continued on accompanying Adam in the production department.
" Where's Adam and Arthus? Why didn't I see them in the past few days? " Base CHief Rhea can't help but ask Gregory on her side.
" Grandpa Sam said that Adam is preparing for something and had even asked for a tier 4 nucleus. As for Major General Arthus.... he is accompanying Adam. " Albert said with a headache.
And Base Chief Rhea is even in more of a headache hearing Albert.
As the strongest force in the base, Sir Arthus is really giving a headache to her. Instead of helping the base actively in dealing with the crisis, he is actually messing around with Adam everyday.
* sigh *
If they have a choice, they really want to tie Arthus and drag him with them but... they lack the strength to do so.
Imagine being obliterated to dust if irritating such a scary man. * shivers *
" I'll check up on them later and hear their opinions. "
Since managing the base, this is the first time she feels so out of control of things. Facing Arthus and Adam that are both not someone to mess with, she feels very powerless to gives off the superior aura.
* vroooom!!! * ( A/N: This is a legit sfx. )
At this moment, tanks and modified vehicles equipped with machine guns are being drive towards them.
On these vehicles are the survivor teams with powerful awakeneds and evolutionaries on them like the Blue Pegasus, Green Ape, Bombers and the likes.
After parking their cars, the teams then approached Base Chief and the rest.
Seeing the faces present, they can't help but frown and asked,
" Where's Adam and Sir Arthus? "
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