"A player governing a big city like this...shit, life is so unfair"
"How are we supposed to seek audience with the Duke of Tirianae and ask him to join our guild, considering that our base is in Romel Empire, aren't we just asking him to become an enemy of his kingdom"
"Darq, he's a player, I'm sure he should understand that he should trust humans like him above computer controlling figures" Roiner replied.
"Harsh, but true" Darq said, they were seated in Bevin's tavern, which was empty, the crowd that were supposed to be inside were all outside.
"Is something happening today? Why is everyone queued outside" Gareth asked the bartender.
"Oh, today the Knight Order of Haethatea is coming back from their five months expedition." She replied to them and sighed, "Even though they failed, we are still proud of them. We can only hope the Duke also feels the same and not take out his anger on them"
"Does the Duke have a bad temper?" Roiner asked.
"We don't really know much about him since he's new, but the rumours says he's always hunting monsters in the forest; a way of taking out his anger."
"Isn't that just a baseless rumour? What has happened for him to he angry?" Roiner asked.
Darq pulled his clothes and whispered, "You are beginning to make this sound personal"
The lady looked at them and ignored as she walked inside.
"We should probably check them out" Gareth said.
The three of them all went out and joined the clouds.
The Knight Order wore different colour of armour from the territories soldier's. But it had the same insignia. The difference was the colour which was blue while the Tirianae soldier's was white. Knight Finduilas would sometimes wear blue but often wear white, though what he wears is mostly determined by the reason he's wearing it, other days he would normally go on casual dressing.
Leon in his simple beginner's clothes awaited them at the castle gate, with Knight Finduilas behind his right side and Knight Oweyn behind his left side, while the head maid Audrey and other Tirianaen knights were behind him.
The Knight Order of Haethatea was a different Knight Order from the Tirianaen knights. While the Knight Order of Haethatea was a chivalric order created by the founder of Tirianae before the creation of Temper Kingdom, who also later on became the first king of Temper Kingdom. The Knight Order of Haethatea was created to take the battle away from the city; be on the offensive while Tirianaen Knights are the city's main troops which exist to protect the city in and outside. If the Knight Order of Haethatea was the offensive, Tirianaen Knights and soldiers were the defensive.
Leon leg shivered as he stood in the gate to welcome the knights, he was panicking but trying hard not to show it.
'How am I supposed to welcome, 30 knights and a thousand troops...what am I supposed to say...?' Leon was at first worried, but he let out a soft and silent sigh. '...what is wrong with you Leon, it'll work out eventually'
This was Leon's alma mater, it was how he survived every day of being blind, how he transcended the desire of wanting to see. "Everything will work out eventually" It was a way for him to not put expect the best of everything but yet be optimistic.
Oweyn noticed the sudden calmness Leon expressed and smiled. 'His adapting too fast'
The Knight Order of Haethatea arrived in front of the castle gate, led by a young man that looked like he was in his early twenties, he glanced at Knight Finduilas who gave him a nod in response, which immediately prompted him to go on one knee.
"We greet the Duke of Tirianae!"
All the knight and soldiers behind him immediately did the same, causing a subtle tremor, however their voice vibrated the air around as they shouted, "We greet the Duke of Tirianae!!!"
Leon could feel his heart jump out of his heart as thousands knelt before him in respect. He has never been a person that desired the position of a leader, but he has always been a good fit for it. Right from his days in school, till when he started gaming with his friends, he was always the one to be upfront, taking charge, it was something he loved doing but after an event that happened to him a year before he started playing Age Of Aron, Leon has been trying to curb that trait he had.
"We are very shameful, to report our failure to subdue the Ungar tribe. Punish us!!" He kowtowed, slamming his head on the ground, the others did the same thing.
"Aishh don't worry, we can try again, I was planning to go too anyways" Leon said.
The Knight leading raised his head up in surprise, "...?"
"I said it's fine, we'll go again...together!"
He slammed his head on the ground again, "Kill us!! Because of us the Duke wants to commit suicide!!"
"Kill us!!! Because of us the Duke wants to commit suicide!!!" The others echoed.
"Eh?" Leon didn't know what to make of the situation. He thought well before giving them response so why were they misunderstanding.
He looked at Knight Finduilas, who sighed in response.
"The Duke cannot die by the hands of mere Orcs!!! He's strong, he even cut me..." he pointed to his cheek, some laughed but the leading Knight, the Knights behind him, the soldiers and the citizens of Tirianae knew what it meant to leave a cut on Knight Finduilas' cheek.
"That is impossible, he did?" Daryon, the leading Knight said.
"Yes Knight Daryon, so when he says together, he means he will join you on the next expedition and lead the soldiers himself" Knight Finduilas replied.
Daryon's eyes glowed towards Leon, he sharply glared at Finduilas, "Are you sure this is not a trick? Such a thing has never happened since the time of Admon the founder."
"I'm as surprised as you are" He looked back at Leon, with glowing eyes again.
[Affinity with Knight Daryon, assistant commander of the Order of Haethatea has risen by 1,000]
'What the fuuuuu....' Leon was shocked.
[Affinity with the Knight Order of Haethatea has risen by 800]
Leon stood Knight Daryon up, grinning in his mind, 'actions like this are what makes a true leader.'
[Affinity with Knight Daryon has risen by 500]
[Affinity with Knight Daryon has risen by 500]
[Affinity with the citizens of Tirianae has risen by 100]
"Prepare a large feast! to welcome the knights, let the city feast of it too!!" Leon shouted and immediately there was a loud shout of joy amongst the soldiers and the citizens.
"Your grace, we can't do that" Knight Oweyn replied but silently.
"Why not?" Leon asked.
"The city's treasury was emptied in order to sponsor the resources needed for the expeditions, we have been feeding of the people's tax, we can't afford a feast, at least not with the city included."
"Let's go inside first" Leon said, smiling. 'What on earth have I done'
They walked inside with the Knights, the whole city continued to rejoice at the announcement of the feast.