In Theon's mind, they need more of Liam's kind to join their realm.
His skill set was something he didn't see often in every player nor knights.
Truly, he must have been blessed by the gods.
"Permission granted," the Light King acknowledged Theon's request.
The Light King was indecisive regarding Ronin's proposal to become one of his Paragon Knight Captain since nobody asked for the position before.
"I see great potential in Ronin. There is no harm in giving a fair chance to prove himself worthy of becoming one of the Captains, Milord. This is my humble observation and opinion. And if you will allow me, I will personally train Liam about the Mana and Cultivation System."
After hearing Theon's praises, Liam hid the smirk that made his lips twitch.
His ego soared with the compliment from the most trusted person of the Light King, the Paragon Knight Commander himself.
Liam knew compliments like that didn't come easily, especially from someone close to a sovereign.
It just made him realize he didn't lose his touch in various martial arts he mastered before.
In his life on Earth, Liam witnessed many people kissing rich and prominent individuals' feet just to be noticed and receive such praises.
It was not a far-fetched comparison to a ruling monarch in a kingdom.
However, rare opportunities do come to those who persevere.
"Very well," the Light King remarked, coming to a decision at last.
"Let there be an inauguration ceremony to name Ronin as one of the Paragon Knight Captains officially tomorrow after the crack of dawn."
"Thank you, Milord. It is such an honor to be of great service to you and your Kingdom," Liam hid a sinister smile as he realized everything was starting to go according to his plan.
* * * * *
Early the next day in the Light Kingdom, a young boy of seventeen years of age ambled along with the rest of the Paragon Knights for the inauguration ceremony of the new Knight Captain.
Word had rapidly spread across the palace like a wildfire, especially when the piece of news was an inauguration to a
The Paragon Knight Captains that had witnessed Liam's outstanding mastery in martial arts never mentioned Liam's name.
However, the rumor that it was the same individual on Theon's side in the last mission didn't remain a mystery.
This news has been the topic amongst the knights, temporary and permanent, after the announcement regarding the unexpected inauguration ceremony that came out the night before.
"This is uncommon," one of the knights murmured beside the seventeen-year-old boy.
Compared to the knights with him, the young boy's physique was frail.
He was no taller than 5 feet 8 inches and his skin was an exemplary display of his native African-American lineage.
"I only heard a few players being able to fight with the Captains. I will look forward to seeing who this esteemed player is, aren't you excited, Rui?"
Aaron Williams [Codename: Ruined Tech] brushed off his fellow knights' innocent query.
Unlike the rest, he quite knew who the newly appointed captain was and to him, it was not a surprise at all for that person to achieve such feats.
The guy's entire life back on Earth was always like that, so he was used to it by now.
'Liam Kai Smith,' he silently thought.
A brief recollection of seeing his hero walking around the
Liam Kai Smith was someone Aaron admired back on Earth.
Aaron received the ciphered invitation anonymously and figured it out easily with his extremely intelligent mind.
For someone like him, ciphers and puzzle games were like child's play.
"Excitement is an understatement, my friend. It will delight me to work under this new Captain. I hope they assign me to his squad."
The armor clanged as Liam tried to walk with it.
He had often wondered how it was like to be trapped in metal armor whenever he saw a photograph from a book and the internet of a knight in the ancient era.
Now that he has the opportunity to wear one, it made him think how arduous it was to fight while wearing it.
The great hall was already filled with the Paragon Knights who sequenced themselves according to the different squads they were designated and their rankings based on individual and squad achievements.
In comparison to the Light King's chamber, the palace's great hall was enough to hold the enormous volume of Paragon Knights that had gathered to witness Liam's inauguration.
Clang... Clang... Clang...
"The fuck! This is annoying!"
Liam was not used to the metal armor but he had to endure it until the ceremony was over.
King Paragus was waiting in the middle.
Theon stood directly beside him, holding an extravagantly sheathed sword.
Liam slowly went down on one knee upon coming close towards King Paragus, lowering his head, and waited for the King to bestow him the title of Paragon Knight Captain.
"By the power vested in me, I, King Paragus of the Light Kingdom hereby confer the title of Paragon Knight Captain to Ronin. From this day forward, he shall have the rights and power that comes with his new title."
"All hail the King! All hail the King!" the knights chorused.
"Arise, Ronin!"
Liam carefully obeyed and watched as Theon handed the sheathed sword towards the Light King.
"I present this blade to you, Ronin. This blade will be a great aid to you and your journey as one of my Captains."
Liam accepted the sword and bowed his head respectfully.
"All hail the King! All hail the King!" the Paragon Knights repeatedly sang.
Theon clapped Liam with his right hand by the shoulders.
"I look forward to seeing more of your exceptional skills, Ronin, especially in dungeon-delving quests."
"Thank you, Theon. It will be an honor."
"Please, make yourself more at ease, Ronin. Some of the gathered knights have probably heard of you and would want to know you firsthand," the Light King suggested, gesturing towards the Paragon Knights who had dispersed.
"Thank you, Milord."
Against Liam's better judgment, he attached the sheathed sword on the designated belt in his metal armor and braced himself to mingle with at least one or two Paragon Knights.
Keeping in mind that he would work with some of them soon, it was better that he did not make himself appear aloof.
In the middle of selecting a creature to approach, one of the Paragon Knights beat Liam in figuring who to mingle with.
A huge grin spread on his youthful face.
Liam could estimate that the boy was no older than twenty years of age, he was skinny and though Liam was of Asian-American descent; he was taller than this player.
[Ruined Tech] was the codename displayed by his feet.
"You probably don't know me," the boy began talking and then paused, shaking his head as if he was suddenly uncertain that it was the right word to say.
"Of course, you do not know me. You never heard of me, but I know all about you. I mean... not all about you but at least what the media showed about you."
Liam narrowed his eyes at the young boy as if he was ascertaining if the creature was an Earthling or not.
"Enlighten me, stranger. What do you know about me?"
Aaron Williams' grin grew even wider, his gaze never leaving Liam.
"Liam Kai Smith, the world's greatest hero and our country's greatest pride. It's nice to meet you."