Vladmund started out as an infantry aide, the lowest rank in the kingdom. Despite the scornful looks and cruel words of his peers, he always maintained his composure and never once retaliated in anger.
On the contrary, his demeanor was very respectful and polite; he never used his strength or showed arrogance toward anyone.
He could only think of King Lombardo; he was his only goal, and although he was dying to fulfill his promise at all costs, he did everything he could to keep those emotions at bay.
Despite that, fortune favored him, as his race physical trait allowed him to quickly rise above his peers.
In every organized duel, Vladmund consistently emerged victorious; his unmatched strength allowed him to quickly climb the ranks.
His peers, although many were filled with hatred and envy, could only cast resentful glances when he was distracted. No one dared to challenge him.
Vladmund was brutal in battle and seriously injured many aspiring knights, who were unable to pursue their quest to serve the kingdom.
Vladmund continued to climb higher and higher; suddenly his misfortune turned into a spiral of constant success until one day a messenger arrived with news for him.
"Congratulations, Sir Vladmund, you have been promoted to the rank of knight," said a man clad in silver armor.
Vladmund couldn't hide his joy; many thought it was simply excitement, but in reality they did not know what was going through his mind: 'Finally, I will have my revenge!' Vladmund looked at the sky while thinking, 'Watch me closely, Dad; I will keep my promise.'
The moment had finally arrived; Vladmund headed to the castle where the king was, Crimsom Bloom. There, a ceremony would take place, attended by knights, royal knights, and people very close to the kingdom, such as viscounts, nobles, etc. The most important thing is that the one who would confer the title of knight to Vladmund would be none other than the king himself.
Vladmund passed through different areas of the castle, eventually arriving at the main hall.
In a large hall full of tall pillars, there was a long red carpet that stretched all the way to the stairs leading the way to the king's throne.
On each side of the carpet stood knights with their weapons raised, and right at the end of the carpet was King Lombard with his back facing the hall.
Vladmund quickly put his trembling hand on the dagger he had inside his robes, but he quickly retracted it. 'Not yet,' he thought. 'I'm not close enough.'
The knights signaled with their swords, and Vladmund understood that this was a silent command to walk towards the king.
Vladmund began to walk towards the king; with each step he took, his heartbeat increased, his anticipation grew, and so did his excitement.
Like a tiger that stealthily observes the back of its prey, that was how Vladmund slowly approached the king with cautious and deliberate steps.
It was clear the presence of the knights would make this task difficult; however, Vladmund only cared about finishing off the king, and the consequences for him afterward were irrelevant.
Vladmund was just a meter away from the king when the two knights on both sides lowered their weapons to indicate that this was as far as he could go.
Vladmund instinctively crouched down as he lowered his head. "My lord," he said, although it was hard to utter such words, Vladmund was able to do so, knowing that was the last day the king would walk the earth.
"From this day forward I declare you a knight in the service of the kingdom," the king said, his voice deep and steady, his way of speaking calm and unhurried.
Vladmund, hearing this, took his dagger with trembling hands once again.
He was ready to strike the king the moment he turned around.
Lizardmen are a very strong species; their large muscles allow them to jump a very far distance at an overwhelming speed. Therefore, what appeared to be a single gesture was actually just a calculated move to build momentum and take the King's life.
At such a distance it was more than certain that no human could evade the powerful attack.
"Do you swear loyalty to me?" The king asked, this time he turned his face to the right and in that position looked at Vladmund from the periphery of his vision.
Vladmund could see a menacing red eye filled with malice.
"Yes, my king," he replied, although he felt disgusted at such an announcement. Vladmund pushed away that disgusting feeling; after all, these were the last words the king Lombardo would ever hear anyway.
However...
"..."
"Huh?" Everything had faded away in an instant, but soon Vladmund was able to regain his composure; he was on his knees, his hands resting on the red carpet.
'What happened to me? I was just now...'
Vladmund slightly raised his head to see the scene around him but only met the terrible gaze of the King.
The King was in front of him, on his throne near the stairs.
"I have your first mission, Sir Vladmund," announced the King.
The King's gaze filled Vladmund with a level of anxiety like he had never experienced before; he had to look down once more, yet that feeling did not leave his body.
What Vladmund did not know is that one of the King's skills makes anyone who swears loyalty to him become his slave for life. This ability is known as the Blood Pact.
He tried with all his might to get up from that position, but his body refused to obey. As if it were under the King's control.
There was Vladmund, on his knees, defeated and forced servant of the person he despised most, the man who almost annihilated his race.
"I need you to find a boy," the King said.
"I expect many things from you, Commander."
"Yes, sir..." As if in a nightmare, the voice echoed within him, and at the same time the scenery around him began to fall apart. Vladmund's eyes did not leave the King's until he finally woke up from that bitter dream.