Eddy was staring at the King and was wondering, 'What do I do? How do I mourn people I never knew or will ever know?'
The King wasn't paying much attention to Eddy, but the other soldiers appeared to give off a mournful aura as well.
Eddy figured it would be better to move on and pretend to not understand the significance like a child would, "What happened to them?" He spoke softly.
The King looked up and frowned, "I am sorry. They died due to my mistake. We were in battle against the Zerthians and...they..."
The King choked up, "They tried to assassinate me like they did my father many years ago. But your parents, they were amazing."
The King's eyes shone in admiration, "Your father cut down two Zerthian Assassins in moments, then your mother commanded the Earth to protect myself and the Royal Guardsmen."
"They were truly amazing companions and I will miss them very dearly." The King placed his hand on Eddy's slumped shoulder and a white light spread through the room.
Eddy looked confused but the King spoke, "I, High King Erickson Jeru, hereby grant you, Thaddeus Blackstone, the Noble Rank of Viscount with all privileges and responsibilities befitting said title."
[You are being offered the title of Viscount within the Nehru Empire. Your inheritance is the entire province of Blackstone Mountain. Do you accept. (Yes/No)]
Eddy felt a strange sensation off into the north, just behind the throne, his land was waiting for him.
"Yes."
Eddy was pretty excited but was trying to play the part of a kid, which is basically do everything the grownups tell you to do...
The King had a bright look on his face and a small man burst into the throne room.
"My Liege." He kneeled briefly before he started speaking, "Why has the entire Province of Blackstone been relinquished?"
The King looked sideways, "Because. I will it so."
The old man blinked as he quickly approached the throne's seating section.
He barely paid attention to the brat beside him.
"My Liege, may I inquire as to why you would do such a thing without consulting with the Elders?" He was trying to be as polite as he HAD to be.
Eddy rolled his eyes and the King smirked at him.
"You see Elder Noel, I had given it some thought." The King stepped up one spot on the throne's base. "This young man here, is quite talented. And, his family has given the ultimate sacrifice." Another step. "But that is not all. His father and mother were very close friends of mine. And I hope to continue that relationship with their son and daughter. Thus. I leave them the neck of the Empire."
The Elder Noel was baffled, this "High King" just openly displayed favoritism. No shrewd plan for a favor or Alliance. Just...because?
"I am calling the Elder's Council." He spoke quickly and turned to leave, but the King responded, "It won't change anything. I made my decision." He firmly sat down just as the Elder turned to glare and they locked gazes for a brief moment.
Erickson just watched as he scuffled away like an old crab, stuck in the pubes of the Empire.
"Old fool." He muttered
Then he regained his smile as he looked down to his newest Lord.
"Thaddeus, I hope you are able to forgive me for the responsibility I have placed on your shoulders." The King looked off into the distance, "Being the Baron of the villages of Blackstone Mountain is very different from being the Viscount I am afraid."
Eddy stared at the King or Emperor as he should be called, but the man had introduced himself as High King. A lot was flowing through Eddy's head, but most of it was white noise. He had expected anything but this.
The King was enjoying the moment of peace in his court, and attempting to bring peace to his own court within his heart.
He smiled, "The level of challenge is of no matter. You are a Blackstone. May none stand in your way on your journey to become a Mountain."
The guards around saluted at the end of the speech, "Now go. You have much to prepare." The King waved his hand and a force dragged him out as if it were holding an egg.
Eddy slid along the ground as he heard a whisper, "Good luck, you have my full assistance."
The King was powerful.
And HE needed protecting?
Eddy looked at his arms for scales just in case his parents were actually Dragons.
No scales, just an underweight child.
He looked around the room, it followed the spacious pattern, but it had a small desk with a woman sitting at. He approached and said, "Hello miss, I just got done receiving a title from Erickson, what should I do?"
The woman looked up, "It is High King Jeru. Let me check your title."
She rummaged in her paper work trying to figure out which appointment would be leaving now, but the previous one was for a Lady of Virtue and the next was a Land Granting. The boy was clearly male, so it must be important. She noticed the golden ink detailing the whole Blackstone Province. A Viscount with an entire province? That is over 100,000 people, enough for an Earldom, let alone a County. This was a serious action.
Her eyes were wide as she looked up, "Lord Blackstone, apologizes, I see the meeting is over?"
Eddy just nodded and smiled, trying to play the cute kid #notanobleprickYET card.
She smiled, "Well, I have no more paperwork for you, let me check-" and at that moment a golden letter burst into existence and slowly floated down into the tray on her desk.
They both smiled, "Looks like you are important. This is a Royal Decree." The woman seemed to speed read the document before frowning. "Lord Blackstone, are you aware that...your parents...have..." She was cut off with a nodded and a gloomy face.
She sighed, "I am so sorry for your loss, may they eternally dine in the Blue Hall."
She kept reading, "It appears that you are going to have to gather your supplies as High King Jeru is allowing an immediate departure with a regiment of the Royal Guard, and a few of...oh."
She looked closely, "You have a large decision to make, Lord Blackstone. Would you like Royal retainers provided by the Elder Council or would you provide coin for the leasing of Steward positions?"
Then another silver letter floated down.
She picked it up and read aloud, "Viscount Thaddeus Blackstone is hereby granted access to the use of soul magic in the process of binding contracts."
Her eyes were about to pop out of her mind. The young man in front of her had access to a King level magical restriction.
People began to rush around the room as they came out of doors located...nowhere? Eddy realized some spatial fuckery was going on, but it was clear the King was trying to get him some help...in the form of Soul-Bound slaves...
The 30 something girl behind the desk was speedrunning her arsenal of shocked looks, which meant good and bad things.