The room's pressure grew heavy as Rage's Aura fought Robin's as they stared each other down, Rage nonchalantly reached out to a cold drink that was sitting on the table between them taking a sip before setting it down on his hip.
"So, sir first knight, let's get straight to business" Rage said locking eyes with Robin who was visibly displeased trying to avoid eye contact.
"What business do I have with a demon?" Robin replied glaring at Rage who was casually leaning back on his chair.
Rage put the drink back on the table before putting one leg over the other and resting both his arms on the chair's handles as he relaxed back with a smile, "A deal with the devil"
Robin appeared visibly agitated as he looked the other way.
"I know you complied with my request to not put the lives of your knights in danger but if this is the order of knights that protects the empire I'm greatly disappointed, sir first knight" Rage smirked as he didn't expect an answer.
He knew the average level for the knights outside was around 120, it was extremely high even compared to Rage and the rest of the Highthorn members who were now around level 70, moreover their gear was of the highest quality, the only thing that made up for that gap was the Highthorn guard ability to use demonic energy, it allowed them to use a vast set of skills that was far superior to the traditional techniques of normal sword masters and knights of the eastern continent that he has seen so far, moreover it also enhanced the physical capabilities and reaction speed of each individual, so it wasn't far to say that the actual capabilities of Rage and the rest were around double their levels.
"I would never join hands with a demon, when the empire hears about this they will dispatch the-" Robin tried to say before Rage interrupted him with a loud laugh.
"First Knight Robin, I'm sure you noticed the abnormal growth rate and exceptional prowess of my fellow countrymen, whether they are adventures or knights, moreover, around 1 billion of us have made their way into your continent whether you like it or not, it's not like we weren't forced as well, the circumstances of our home will not be disclosed at the moment, although I doubt you would grasp the situation even if I tell you" Rage relaxed more retracting his aura as Robin's started to feel calmer as well.
"You think mere adventures can stand against the empire's knights?" Robin retorted, "That's absurd, how can mere peasants who know nothing but fight wolves and goblins be on par with knights who trained for more than half their life"
"Do you think I'm the only noble who came here? As we speak my First Knight Adrian has already secured the region of Frostholm, we already have two regions in our hand, I don't know about the others who made their way here but first knight Robin, do you think you can survive the amount of powerful individuals that are currently gaining influence and eating away at your empire?" Rage stated, this time waiting for an answer.
"You said you were a second prince, wouldn't it be safer if I join hands with your father or even the crown prince?" Robin smirked.
"You're welcome to try, that's if you are willing to venture into our realm, where I assure you that you won't last a day in, tell me sir Robin, isn't it weird that I am a second prince with a first knight and a whole order of knights under me?"
"It is not weird for a noble to have his own faction, but I do admit that it is usually nobles siding with each other from under the table, not commanded directly by a second prince" Robin rubbed his chin thinking for a second.
"That's because where I came from, might makes right, if I'm more powerful than my father or the crown prince, I can just take the throne, but that's not something I'm interested in"
Robin's eyes widened in shock at the lack of order that Rage described, his image of the western continent as Rage called it, was now a lawless land where the strong feed on the weak.
"I know what you're thinking, and yes, my home isn't the best, that's why I decided to relocate here, and rather than expanding my influence back home, I'd use my power here"
"Is that a threat?"
"Rather a proposal, there are two more realms that connected to your empire that we have no information on, and we are also unsure of their intentions"
"We have heard about other adventurers that arrived in different neighbouring empires and kingdoms as well" Robin replied with an annoyed tone.
"What makes you think that they won't help or rather take over the other empires and start threatening you?" Rage leaned forward resting his elbows on his hips, "You need an equal power to not only control and stabalize the internal affairs of this empire, but also keep the balance of power with other countries"
"Why are you so confident in your abilities and prowess, why do you speak as if the empire will surely fall?"
"Look around you, the order of knights you brought with you must be the best of the best, judging that they are the escorts of the first knight, but my guards, who didn't even use half their strength easily kept them at check, imagine what they can do at full strength"
"But the empire has well over 200,000 soldiers, you can be easily outnumbered"
"Quality beats quantity dear, if I have 1 7-star knight, and you have 10 5-star knights, who'd win?"
Robin contemplated Rage's words for a little as he weighed his options, "I'll have to speak to his Majesty about all of this information you gave me, but that doesn't change the fact that you are still an untrustworthy demon"
"You're wrong sir Robin, I'm not just a demon" Rage smirked, "I'm the monarch himself"
"You're too cocky"
"I just know how far I can go, anyways, let us speak of Oakbrook for a minute, now that it is a small city it is not right for the governor to be a mere Steward of the empire"
"As the first knight I have been given authority to promote Cedric, but there is a limit on how far he can go, Oakbrook is still a city within the county of Silvergate, and he isn't a part of the count's family so the title of viscount is off limits, he should be happy with the title of baron for now"
"That's good enough, now sir Robin, I'll trust your judgement, if you decide to take in Highthorn as an ally, I'll come to the capital to speak to the emperor myself"
Without a word Robin stood up heading for the door, he made his way outside the guest house where his knights were nervously waiting on the opposite side of the street as Sylvora was staring them down from where she stood, Cedric saw Robin out the window so he quickly made his way out to the gate where Robin was standing.
"Kneel steward Cedric of the eastern empire" Robin said raising his sword.
Cedric knelt down in front of him as Robin put his sword on Cedric's shoulder, "By the authority given to me by the eternal sun of the eastern empire his imperial Majesty emperor Galatius Aurelius third of his name, I name you a Baron of the empire, may you continue to server the empire and remain loyal to our eternal sun his imperial majesty"
Robin lowered his sword offering it to Cedric, a knight approached Cedric from the side with a dagger that Cedric took and cut his finger, dripping some of his blood on Robin's sword, "I swear an oath by my blood that I will continue to serve the empire until the day I draw my last breath, may the sun of the empire burn for eternity"
"I will be taking my leave now" Robin said heading for the stables.
"But my lord you've only just arrived at least have some rest" Cedric said quickly following Robin who just grabbed his horse.
"I'd rather not linger around where this unpleasant energy exists" Robin said eyeing Rage who was stood behind Sylvora, Sylvora grit her teeth plunging her sword deeper in the ground in anger at his remark but remembered the orders of her lord.
Robin took off followed by his knights quickly making their way out the gate before Cedric turned to Rage, "Dare I ask?" He slit his eyes in disappointment as Rage chuckled to himself.
"Don't worry, we're on good terms"
"Hey you've just been promoted, doesn't this call for a celebration!" Madeen called out approaching them with a tankard of ale in his hand.
"I guess you have to hold a banquet then, who knows, maybe we can find you someone who can give you an heir" Sensei smirked before letting out a heartfelt laugh putting his arms over Madeen's shoulder.
"Adrian should be arriving soon, we should go back to the castle, we need to discuss our next move"
After a short walk the Highthorn members accompanied Cedric into the newly built throne room, to the side was a meeting room with a large table and multiple sophisticated chairs, each of them took a seat with Rage heading the table before he sat down with a smile, "Cedric I need to know the geography of your continent"
Cedric opened a nearby drawer then grabbed a large map spreading it on the table, "This is the eastern empire" Cedric pointed to the east most part of the map that was also the northernmost part on that end "It's the third largest empire on the continent out of the only existing three, the three empires are the major super powers of our continent, after them comes the 12 kingdoms then the free states of the north, that includes Frostholm where you were"
"How about the empire itself?"
Cedric took out another map that showed the empire's regions in detail.
"The eastern empire consists of 7 duchies, Oakbrook follows the county of Silvergate that lies within the duchy of Verdant ruled by Duke Sebastian Versant"
"Well, Cedric, how would you like being the duke, then?" Rage smirked looking at Cedric from across the table.