"So you plan to go on a small journey to save Shizu's students as part of a promise you made to her. And that's why you asked me about the spirit stuff.".
"Yeah. I got Fuze to get me a meeting with Yuuki, the guild master.".
"Watch out for him. And I really mean it. Listen, you can be a bit too trusting towards people, but this is someone you really don't want to divulge too much information too. Don't trust him. Only use him for what you need and get out. He's not a good guy.".
"You haven't even met the guy, how can you say that?".
"Rimuru, when you see his face, you'll know what I mean. He has that look that screams 'backstabber' and 'bad guy'. His eyes tell everyone who looks at them that he's not trustworthy. He's all types of crooked. If he ate a nail, it'd come out the other end as a screw.".
"That is quite the visual, but what do you mean, Artoria? Are you saying he's some kind of bad guy in an anime where they're drawn to look like that or something?".
.
.
.
I leaned forward, narrowing my eyes, examining him as close as I could. 'Does he know?'.
"Well, case in point, keep your guard up with him. Also, DO NOT tell him about using spirits to solve the problem with summoned children dying after being summoned.".
"Ok.".
"No, not good enough. Promise me. If you tell him, that will lead to children being used as weapons and soldiers by the human nations. So promise me. I want to hear it from you.".
"Alright. I promise I won't tell him.".
"Good. Before you go, I recommend you evolve into a demon lord. Milim should be back soon with your souls. At least before you leave.".
"Yeah, I'll keep that in mind.".
"Alright cool. I'll be going then.".
/\\//\\//\
The time for Rimuru's trip is coming closer. Once he leaves, I'll be the one in charge of this place. That's a lot of power, but it has its advantages. One is that any decisions I make will be executed immediately without any sort of interruption. That's an advantage of a monarchy or a dictatorship. As long as it's done right. Something like Cincinnatus from the Roman Empire.
On another note, Milim still hasn't returned with the 10,000 human souls, but I have a feeling it should be soon. Rimuru better not be slacking off on getting new skills. He needs at least 1 more Unique Skill so it can be sacrificed if necessary. That power boost will be necessary.
And speaking of power, I'm starting a plan to start knighting some people. Only problem being that I need to come up with a knight code or oaths or something of that nature. I didn't want to, since it could become a weakness, but it's a requirement for the skill to work. So I need to come up with something as unrestrictive as possible. None of the stuff that would affect them in a fight negatively.
I have some ideas, but the next question is the people I'm going to knight. The obvious first choice is Benimaru. There's also Souei, Hakurou, and Shion. Gabiru…maybe? I'll think about that one. I'm definitely knighting Shuna. She might not fit the conventional image of a knight, but I'm the one making the rules and stuff here. She can be a magic knight or a knight mage or something.
Anyway, I should start a knighting ceremony soon, before we go to war and before Rimuru evolves. That will be a double whammy on the skills they will get. Alright, let me figure out the rules first.
/\\//\\//\
I walked to Rimuru's office and made my way into it.
"Alright, Rimuru, we need to make plans for a feast and festival. Also, I'm going to have the cathedral set up for a ceremony. I'm going to establish an elite knight order and I'm going to knight a few people as well. You got all that? CoolThankYouSeeYa.".
I told him some stuff and left the place. I also have to get ready. I have to make myself presentable. It's about time I put on my cloak and crown.
"Hey, wait a minute! You can't just say something like that and leave!".
I heard someone say something, but I ignored it.
/\\//\\//\
News spread very fast around the whole town. All the residents quickly got into celebration mode. It was always a good day to celebrate for them, but this occasion was something much more special. One of their leaders, Artoria Pendragon, was going to host a knighting ceremony that would establish an elite group of knights in this nation.
The cathedral was also being set up with a more ceremonial atmosphere than a festive one. This is where the knighting ceremony would take place. While it is an occasion to celebrate, it must be handled with care. The festive mood with all the food and everything else can come after.
While everyone was getting ready, Artoria stood in front of a mirror in her house along with Shuna. She put on a formal look with her armor, cloak, and crown. She had all her armor on except the helmet, allowing people to see the crown on her head. Her red cloak with white fur on the neck swayed a little bit. Shuna was nearby applying some touches here and there to make her look even better.
"Who are you going to knight?". Shuna asked Artoria.
"Well, so far the list is your brother, Souei, Hakurou, Shion, and maybe Gabiru. I don't know about Gabiru yet, but I'll see. Also…you as well.".
Shuna stopped a bit. She was a little surprised about such a statement. As far as she knew she didn't fit that kind of image.
"Relax, Shuna. Knights are more than just swords and armor. They're more like a title, someone who represents certain ideals. A knight can use any weapon they like in my eyes, it doesn't have to strictly be a sword or something. As long they show themselves worthy to uphold the oaths and codes a knight takes, then its fine.".
"And what are those oaths?".
"Nothing too complex. I've tried to make it simple and concise. Just some basic ideas and promises to undertake. Stuff related to loyalty, courage, faith, service, combat, and whatnot. I don't want to talk bad about someone behind their back, but I think you know that everyone will take their oath a bit too seriously. It's not that I don't appreciate it, but it could be a problem if I give them certain oaths to take. They can be a little too loyal at times.".
Shuna smiled, knowing what she meant. She had seen how the residents act sometimes. They tend to take things a bit too seriously when given orders. She realized what she was trying to say. These oaths could become a weakness.
"Do you want to become a knight, Shuna? It will make you stronger and you'll get a unique skill bestowed upon you. I won't treat you any differently if that's a worry in your mind. Our relationship will be the same. I don't see us as master-subordinate, I see us as equals.".
"What would I need to do and do I also have to take those oaths?".
"You would have to kneel and you'll have to swear on those oaths on my sword, but I think I can make an exception for you, if you wish.".
"Really? How would you make an exception?".
"It'll just be a small talk. Trust me. We can do it here now, or you can do it in the cathedral with everyone else, but it'll be a bit different compared to everyone else.".
"I want you to try it then. Tell me if it works.".
"Ok, give me a moment.".
Artoria summoned Excalibur and held it in both her hands horizontally. She started to communicate with it.
'Alright, Excalibur. I want Shuna to become a knight. I fully support this and want to see it happen. Now do your thing.'.
Artoria got a response from Excalibur, but she furrowed her brows after hearing the response.
'What do you mean? Of course she's worthy. If this is about the oaths, she doesn't need to take them. She can become a knight as is.'.
'What do you mean it doesn't work like that? I'm asking that you make an exception for her.'.
'Why? Because I love her that's why. I don't need another reason. Now do your thing and let's make her a knight.'.
A few seconds passed by. Shuna observed the whole thing. She saw Artoria's closed eyes and the little changes in her face when she was "talking". From the looks of it, it didn't seem to be going well, but just then, Excalibur started glowing. The blade of Excalibur was outlined in a yellow glow, the fairy letters started glowing a bright light green color.
Artoria smiled seeing this. She looked up at Shuna and told her, "Alright, Shuna, kneel down in front of me. I'll place the blade on your shoulder.".
Shuna kneeled down in front of her. Artoria tapped the flat part of the blade on both of Shuna's shoulders.
"In the name of Artoria Pendragon, Excalibur, Avalon, and Rhongymyniad, I dub thee knight.".
A bright glow was cast above Shuna, casting rays of yellow light. Like a mist, small motes of light showered down on her being absorbed into her being. Green whisps of light circled around her very fast before also being absorbed into her. At the end of the process, there was only a yellow misty fog surrounding the area.
Shuna got up and looked at her hands. She put out her hands and spread out an area of magic. She looked around and saw that the environment around her was perfect for practicing, studying, and improving her magic skills. It was still the same house, but the area of magic she created made it into something much more personal.
Artoria looked around and also felt the same change. She wondered what was going on, but she remembered something.
"Shuna, what skill did you get?".
"Well, I got a few skills. Just three. One Unique and two extra".
'What? I thought it was only supposed to be a Unique Skill.' Artoria thought about it. Maybe, something extra happened for it to be this way, but she wasn't so sure. "What are they called?".
"My Extra Skills are Territory Creation and Item Construction. My Unique Skill is called Rule Breaker: All Spells Must Be Broken.". She said with a smile.
"Really? That's...um...uh...give me a second to think about that.". Artoria thought about it, but let it go. She reasoned that this was just some kind of coincidence. Maybe something having to deal with her memory and knowledge of her past life influenced the skills that the ones she knights get. Shuna getting a caster skill was in line with Shuna's abilities focusing more on the magic side. If it meant Shuna being able to get stronger then she was all for it.
"Alright, Shuna let's do a last check before we go.".
Shuna and Artoria did some last-minute checks before the ceremony and when Shuna was about to leave, Artoria held her hand and gave her a kiss. She looked into her eyes and smiled at her reaction.
"Now we can go.".