Clobber relayed the Duchess's orders word for word to the Dragon Breath Knights' commander, Odyssey.
This was the first time Clobber had interacted directly with his so-called superior since joining the order.
Commander Odyssey appeared to be an ordinary, middle-aged man, plain and unremarkable, especially when compared to the other young, handsome, and graceful knights of the order. His appearance was a stark contrast to the typical knightly image.
However, it was precisely this lack of distinction that made him stand out in an order where looks mattered. He was a unique figure among the sea of attractive knights.
Clobber knew better than to judge someone by their appearance alone. Odyssey's true strength, that of a Sky Knight, stood tall and solid like a towering mountain, impossible to ignore.
As soon as Clobber entered the room, he felt that mountain-like presence. It was a pressure he had only felt before from Count Daniel, though slightly different.
This was the real reason why the Duchess had chosen Odyssey to lead the entire knight order—appearance was important, but true strength was what truly mattered. Even the ceremonial guard needed knights who could uphold their prestige, or they'd just be for show.
Odyssey didn't seem surprised by Clobber's arrival or question the legitimacy of the orders. He merely nodded to show he understood and instructed Clobber to report back to the Duchess.
He also told Clobber that he didn't need to attend the knights' afternoon gathering, and could stay by the Duchess's side instead.
Clobber nodded in acknowledgment, saying nothing more. After all, as the messenger, he was expected to stay close to the Duchess. At this point, it was becoming second nature to him. The Duchess wasn't as stern as he had originally imagined.
Later that afternoon, the knights gathered in the training field. Each knight squad lined up to form a square formation, five rows of ten, for a total of fifty knights.
At the front of the formation stood Commander Odyssey and the vice-commander. Unlike the other knights, they wore golden capes, and their plate armor was intricately designed, marking their higher rank.
At that moment, Duchess Veronica stood proudly on the platform, her posture regal and commanding.
Below her, Odyssey was delivering an impassioned speech:
"Brave and fearless knights! We are about to set out on our journey to the western frontier, where we will wage a campaign of conquest!
In this war, you must remember two things— First, we will fight to the death to protect the Duchess's safety. Second, we will fulfill every duty we can in this war."
With those words, Odyssey unsheathed his sharp sword with a swift motion. The blade glimmered coldly in the sunlight, reflecting the determination in his face.
He raised his arm high and shouted, "Now, I want to hear your voices, true knights!"
"Are you willing to fight for the Duchess? Are you ready to give everything for the Duchy?"
As soon as he finished, the knights shouted in unison:
"We swear loyalty to the Duchess unto death! We are ready to sacrifice ourselves for the Duchy!"
"Long live the Duchess! May the Golden Duchy endure for eternity!"
The roar echoed across the field, a sound so powerful it seemed to shake the heavens and earth. It was meant to be stirring, rousing, inspiring—a moment of unity and passion.
At least, that's how they had imagined it would be.
Clobber, however, was left cringing. His toes were practically curling in embarrassment.
Clearly, this had been rehearsed, and while rehearsals were fine, who came up with the word "long live"? It sounded so out of place, so contrived.
And that one guy—on the second-to-last row—why was he just mouthing the words without actually speaking? Did he really think no one would notice his little stunt?
Clobber struggled to keep his face neutral, glancing sideways at the Duchess, curious about how she would react to this scene.
To his surprise, she didn't seem bothered at all. If anything, she appeared to enjoy the spectacle. There was no sign of annoyance on her face. Maybe this was just how things went.
After an impassioned "speech" by Commander Odyssey, the Dragon Breath Knights began their escort of the Duchess on her journey to Flower Crown City.
Typically, the Duchess would not ride the Golden Dragon during her travels. The relationship between dragon riders and their dragons was one of partnership, not master and servant. The dragons were highly intelligent creatures with personalities and preferences of their own, and they were more like equals than pets.
Each dragon had its own quirks, some of which were known only to their riders. Take, for example, Vivian, the Golden Dragon. Vivian had a strong liking for beautiful and noble things, detested dirt, and had an intense aversion to anything that was unclean touching her. In short, she had a severe case of obsessive cleanliness, was extremely narcissistic, and had a deep appreciation for beauty—whether it be in people, objects, or even entire races. She could discern the aesthetics of everything around her, and she always demanded that her surroundings reflect her sense of grace and elegance.
While Veronica, the Duchess, was able to ride Vivian during battle, in everyday situations, Vivian preferred to fly alone through the skies. She hated carrying her knight around on long journeys, especially when she had to deal with a bunch of people tagging along.
As a result, the Duchess usually traveled in a carriage, and the knights had carefully planned the military strategy for the journey.
The first squadron was tasked with guarding and escorting supplies, positioned at the rear of the procession. The second squadron acted as scouts, leading the way and keeping an eye out for any potential threats. The third, fourth, and fifth squadrons were assigned to patrol the left flank, the center, and the right flank of the convoy respectively, keeping watch over every angle.
And, of course, there was Clobber, now the Duchess's official messenger. He rode on horseback beside the Duchess's carriage, ever vigilant and ready to relay any orders from her at a moment's notice.
Thankfully, the Rose Avenue was a masterpiece of engineering. The road was wide and smooth, with a team of workers maintaining the flowerbeds and trees along the path. The well-manicured flora not only added to the road's beauty but also helped calm the nerves of travelers. The soft, fragrant scent of flowers lingered in the air, providing a refreshing and peaceful atmosphere. It was a perfect setting for such a journey, with nothing but rolling hills and flowering fields stretching out as far as the eye could see.
The convoy had set out from the Golden Fortress ten days ago. The long stretch of time had passed relatively uneventfully, with only the occasional stop for supplies or to allow the horses to rest. But now, at long last, the convoy reached the walls of Flower Crown City.
The city loomed large in the distance, its towering walls a symbol of strength and stability. The spires of the castle were visible even from this far away, and the golden flags fluttered proudly in the wind. Veronica had visited many times before, but every time she saw Flower Crown City, she couldn't help but admire its grandiose design. It was a city that represented everything the Duchy stood for—power, wealth, and prosperity.
As they approached the gates, Clobber could feel the anticipation in the air. He had heard stories of the city's beauty and its strategic importance, but seeing it with his own eyes made him appreciate it in a way that words couldn't capture.
Clobber glanced at the Duchess, who was sitting in her carriage, her expression unreadable as usual. He was beginning to understand that Veronica's emotions were often difficult to read. She was a woman of strength, and her calm demeanor always made it hard to tell what she was truly thinking.
But even so, Clobber couldn't help but wonder what she was feeling at this moment. Was she excited to be back in Flower Crown City? Was she anxious about the upcoming military campaign? Or was she simply focused on the task at hand, as usual?
The convoy slowed as they approached the gates, the sound of horses' hooves echoing on the cobblestone road. The guards at the city entrance stood at attention, their armor gleaming in the sunlight. As the gates opened, Clobber couldn't help but notice the wide range of expressions on the faces of the guards. Some looked curious, others nervous, and a few looked downright intimidated by the presence of the Duchess and her knights.
It was clear that news of the Duchy's impending military campaign had already spread. The entire city seemed to be on edge, and the citizens watched in hushed silence as the procession made its way through the gates.
Clobber rode ahead of the carriage, keeping his eyes peeled for any signs of danger. Although the city seemed peaceful on the surface, Clobber knew better than to let his guard down. This was a city of political intrigue, and there was always the possibility that someone might try to undermine the Duchess's authority.
As they moved deeper into the city, Clobber noticed a few familiar faces. The city's nobles and military leaders had gathered at the main square to welcome the Duchess. Among them was Count Daniel, who had been a crucial ally to Veronica in the past. His presence was a sign of the importance of this visit.
Clobber felt a slight sense of unease as they approached the square. Although he trusted the people around Veronica, he knew that politics could be a dangerous game. The whispers of rebellion and discontent had reached his ears in recent days, and he couldn't help but wonder if there were factions within the city that would try to take advantage of the Duchess's absence.
He quickly shook off the thought. For now, his job was simple: to stay by the Duchess's side and carry out her orders. No matter what challenges lay ahead, he would remain loyal to her and ensure that she was always protected.
As the carriage rolled into the heart of Flower Crown City, the atmosphere seemed to shift. The people lined the streets, cheering as the Duchess and her knights made their way through the city. The cheers were loud, but there was something forced about them. Clobber could sense the tension beneath the surface, the uncertainty in the air. The city was on the brink of something, and whether it would be a moment of triumph or disaster remained to be seen.
The procession came to a stop in front of the grand palace, and the gates opened wide to welcome the Duchess and her entourage. Clobber dismounted his horse and helped the Duchess out of the carriage. As they made their way into the palace, Clobber couldn't help but feel a sense of foreboding.
The next few days would be crucial. The Duchy was on the verge of war, and Flower Crown City would play a central role in the campaign. The politics of the city, the loyalty of the nobles, and the strength of the knights would all be tested in the coming days. Clobber could only hope that the Duchess's leadership would see them through the challenges ahead.