From the moment Clobber completed the oath of fealty, he was officially inducted into the ranks of the Dragonbreath Knights—now, he was one of them, in every sense of the title.
Throughout the duchy's storied history, each knight who swore allegiance to the Golden Duke was granted the title of Court Knight. Though purely honorary, with no land to their name, the title came with a generous monthly stipend.
Clobber was no exception. Upon completing his oath, he was formally named a Court Knight of the Golden Duchy, sworn to serve directly under Duchess Veronica.
Now, he found himself following a maid down a quiet corridor, headed toward his new quarters. With the rest of the day free, Clobber had plenty of time to settle his affairs, including arranging accommodations for the attendants who had accompanied him. First, though, he needed to see his room and claim the equipment befitting a Dragonbreath Knight.
The journey to his room was surprisingly short—so short, in fact, that it caught him off guard.
Out of the throne hall, a right turn, a dozen steps... and they were there.
What?
The room was directly adjacent to the throne hall.
What's the meaning of this?
Clobber frowned in confusion. According to Dylan, Dragonbreath Knights were allowed to live in the inner castle, but their quarters were usually along the outer edges. The central section of the inner castle, where the throne hall was located, was reserved exclusively for the Duchess and her personal maids.
Technically, Clobber's room wasn't even within the Dragonbreath Knights' assigned area.
The maid stopped in front of a sturdy wooden door and offered a polite bow.
"Sir Clobber, this is your room. Your equipment has already been placed inside, and I assure you, the armor fits perfectly."
She hesitated for a moment before adding, "Oh, and the Duchess mentioned that the knights' roster now stands at fifty-three, with the captain and vice-captain often attending to administrative duties in their rooms. The other five squads are fully staffed, so your primary responsibility will be guarding the throne hall. Please report there tomorrow morning to begin your duties."
With a final curtsy, the maid excused herself, her footsteps echoing softly as she disappeared down the corridor.
Clobber returned her bow before pushing open the door and stepping inside.
The room was spacious but modestly furnished, lacking the elegance of the chambers Lilith once occupied in Crownflower City. Not that Clobber cared—luxury was never his priority. Compared to his accommodations in Deepwater Territory, this was a significant upgrade. At least this room had a proper bed.
He set his belongings on the bed: a few changes of clothes, his monthly cultivation resources, and roughly three hundred gold coins—his entire fortune. The coins were a mix of Lilith's inheritance, stored at the castle, and a sum given to him by Earl Daniel. His personal savings had been drained buying his old equipment.
To the right of the room stood a three-meter-tall rack, holding both armor and weapons. On it rested a gleaming set of plate armor, an expertly crafted longsword, and a shield emblazoned with the Golden Dragon's head.
The longsword alone was leagues beyond the generic weapon he had previously purchased.
Clobber walked over, picked up the sword, and gave it a few test swings. Its balance was impeccable, the blade feeling like an extension of his arm. He grinned. Without hesitation, he removed the old sword from his belt, carefully setting it aside, and strapped on his new weapon.
Next, his attention turned to the armor.
The polished plate glimmered with a silver sheen so brilliant it seemed to capture the light of a thousand stars. Running a hand across its cold, unyielding surface, Clobber could feel the craftsmanship behind every joint and curve. This was no ordinary armor—it was an investment, a testament to the Dragonbreath Knights' prestige.
His smile widened as he imagined the formidable presence he would cut while donning the armor, his hand lingering on its surface.
And this was only part of the reward. The Dragonbreath Knights were also entitled to warhorses—high-tier steeds with the blood of magical beasts coursing through their veins.
Clobber shook his head, letting out a soft chuckle.
"Not bad. Not bad at all."
With his old sword retired, his new equipment ready, and a mission awaiting him tomorrow, Clobber felt the weight of his new role settle on his shoulders. For the first time in a long while, his future didn't feel like a question mark—it felt like a challenge he was ready to meet head-on.
Upon closer inspection, the surface of the armor revealed an intricate tapestry of gold-plated engravings. These patterns, meticulously crafted, sprawled across the entire plate like a network of ancient sigils.
Each line flowed naturally into the next, weaving a mesmerizing design. Some patterns resembled ancient totems, carrying the weight of forgotten histories. Others bore the semblance of arcane runes, pulsing faintly with an enigmatic energy.
Under the sunlight streaming through the window, the armor shimmered brilliantly, exuding a majesty that commanded awe. Yet, its grandeur wasn't merely skin deep. The aura it radiated—an undeniable presence of power and authority—was almost palpable.
This plate armor wasn't just ornamental. Its true strength lay in its sheer resilience. Nearly a centimeter thick, the armor was impervious to most attacks without the aid of battle qi. Even for a seasoned knight, cutting through such protection would be a near-impossible feat.
At the same time, its weight was formidable. For an ordinary person—or even a knight's squire—simply wearing it would be an insurmountable challenge. Most wouldn't even be able to stand, let alone move. Only a fully trained knight, bolstered by their own strength and qi, could bear its burden.
Despite its heft, the armor was remarkably practical. With some effort, Clobber could don it himself if the situation demanded it.
To a knight, a set of well-made plate armor wasn't just equipment—it was a symbol of pride and survival. Every knight dreamed of owning such a masterpiece, their ultimate safeguard on the battlefield.
In this world, metals were steeped in the essence of dragon breath, forming veins of rare minerals far more precious than those of Clobber's previous life. A suit of armor of this caliber wasn't just valuable—it was a treasure, often passed down through generations. As the saying went: The man may fall, but the armor endures. One suit, ten heirs.
Clobber couldn't suppress his excitement any longer. He approached the armor and began methodically strapping it on, piece by piece.
To his astonishment, the armor fit him perfectly. It wasn't just close—it was as though the suit had been tailor-made for him, every curve and joint conforming flawlessly to his body. It felt less like armor and more like a second skin.
The weight, though substantial, was perfectly balanced. It offered him unparalleled protection while still allowing him the mobility and agility a knight needed to perform at his best. Every segment of the armor was crafted with precision, enabling him to move freely and wield his strength to its fullest potential.
Standing there, fully armored, Clobber let out a breath of admiration.
"Impressive craftsmanship," he murmured, running a gauntleted hand over the polished surface.
But as his gaze wandered across the room, a thought nagged at him.
"Strange… How does the Duchess seem to know everything that happens in this castle? Could it be magic?"
Unaware of Vivienne, the Golden Dragon's watchful eyes, Clobber could only piece together hints from Dylan's behavior, the Duchess's uncanny awareness, and the maid's cryptic remarks.
With his new gear securely in place, Clobber now cut an imposing figure. A fully armored knight clad in gleaming plate and carrying a noble longsword was a sight to behold.
He turned to the crystal floor-length mirror, scrutinizing his reflection. The sight brought a smile to his face.
"Not bad. Definitely my style."
Satisfied, Clobber slung his coin pouch over his belt and secured his shield to his back. With his longsword sheathed at his side and clad in the armor of a noble knight, he left the room.
His first task? Find someone to arrange proper accommodations for his attendants. After all, even as a knight of the Dragonbreath Order, logistics were still part of the job.