As Clobber gazed upon the familiar castle of Flower Crown City, an indescribable warmth welled up inside him. This was only his second time setting foot in the city, yet it felt as though he were a traveler returning home after a long absence. The sense of belonging was so vivid it nearly startled him.
Only a month ago, Clobber's life had been starkly different. As the second son of a penniless baron, he'd struggled to scrape together enough for even the most basic equipment. His prospects of acquiring a proper breathing technique—let alone breaking through to become a full-fledged knight—had seemed hopelessly distant.
But now, barely thirty days later, everything had changed. The wheel of fate had turned dramatically, and Clobber now bore titles that would make any young noble envious: a full knight, the personal messenger of the Duchess, and—most dazzling of all—a member of the prestigious Dragon Breath Knights. These accomplishments, shining like stars in the night, were a testament to his newfound glory.
If Clarl Oatman from Deepwater Manor were to cross paths with him now, the once-proud baron would be the one bowing to Clobber.
"Even a third-ranking official at the prime minister's gate commands respect."
This old saying rang true in every corner of the world, and nowhere was it clearer than here. Being a close attendant to the Duchess carried far more weight than the title of a minor baron.
But enough reminiscing—back to the matter at hand.
The patrol squads of Flower Crown City had spotted their convoy long before it reached the gates. The golden dragonhead emblazoned on their banners left no doubt about the group's identity. The presence of the Dragon Breath Knights, surrounding the Duchess's carriage like a living fortress, was further confirmation. The patrols wasted no time rushing back to the castle to report the arrival.
Count Daniel, having already received letters from the Golden Fortress, was fully prepared to welcome the Duchess. By the time the convoy approached, the gates of Flower Crown City were already wide open.
The citizens had also caught wind of the arrival of an important figure. They gathered along the main streets, forming a loose crowd on either side, their faces showing varying degrees of excitement and curiosity. Some wore genuine smiles, while others displayed expressions that were perhaps a bit too rehearsed.
These reactions weren't entirely spontaneous. The head steward of the Golden Rose family had personally trained the city's populace in the art of welcoming nobility. When important guests arrived, the townsfolk were instructed to line the streets, cheer enthusiastically, and toss flowers in celebration.
There was even a small incentive: the ten best performers among the crowd would each receive a gold coin as a reward.
For the residents of Flower Crown City, a gold coin was no small amount—it could represent months of wages for some of them. And so, they waited with mounting anticipation, rehearsing their smiles and gestures in the hopes of catching the steward's discerning eye.
Time seemed to stretch endlessly, but eventually, the sound of hooves on cobblestone and the rhythmic clanking of armor echoed through the city gate. Sharp-eyed onlookers immediately recognized what was happening: the nobility had arrived. Their rehearsed smiles brightened into something closer to genuine joy, and the air buzzed with excitement.
The Duchess had divided her convoy into two groups for the entry.
The first group, comprising the Dragon Breath Knights and the Duchess's opulent carriage, took the lead. These were the vanguard of the procession, presenting a display of military might and splendor that announced the arrival of someone important.
The second group followed at a distance, consisting of servants, attendants, and a large portion of their supplies.
From the perspective of the citizens, the procession was a spectacle to behold. Leading the way was a squadron of armored knights, their polished plate glinting under the sunlight. Each bore themselves with a discipline and grace that left the crowd in awe.
Behind them came the Duchess's carriage, a masterpiece of craftsmanship and wealth. Its intricate carvings and golden emblem drew murmurs of admiration from the onlookers. While the residents couldn't quite identify the symbol—it appeared to be a dragon's head—they understood it signified power and prestige.
This, clearly, was no ordinary noble.
As the carriage passed, the crowd erupted into cheers. Hands flung flowers toward the carriage, a symbolic offering of welcome and respect.
But the flowers never reached their target.
One of the knights, a strikingly handsome figure in full plate but without a helmet, casually drew his longsword. With effortless precision, he sliced through the airborne blossoms, scattering petals before they could touch the Duchess's carriage.
The crowd gasped, momentarily stunned into silence. The knight's swift and deliberate action sent a clear message: no one, not even the well-meaning citizens of Flower Crown City, would be permitted to breach the sanctity of the Duchess's presence.
Clobber, riding just behind the carriage, couldn't help but smirk. That particular knight—Luther—was infamous among the Dragon Breath Knights for his showmanship. While the flower-slicing act might seem excessive to some, Clobber had to admit it was effective. The crowd quickly resumed cheering, their earlier enthusiasm tinged with a newfound respect for the Duchess's protectors.
The procession continued through the streets, the cheers of the citizens growing louder with each passing moment. For many in the crowd, this was the most exciting event they'd witnessed in years.
As the convoy neared the grand palace at the heart of the city, the gates swung open, revealing a retinue of Flower Crown City's officials and nobles waiting to greet their liege.
Count Daniel stood at the forefront, his expression a careful balance of respect and pride. Behind him, a line of advisors, stewards, and prominent citizens waited their turn to pay homage.
Clobber dismounted his horse, his boots landing softly on the stone pavement. He moved to assist the Duchess as she stepped down from her carriage, her elegant demeanor commanding the attention of everyone present.
The cheers of the crowd faded into a reverent hush as Veronica ascended the steps of the palace, her head held high. Behind her, Clobber and the Dragon Breath Knights formed a protective formation, their watchful eyes scanning the area for any signs of trouble.
For Clobber, this moment felt like the culmination of their ten-day journey. Yet he knew it was only the beginning. The challenges that awaited within Flower Crown City—and beyond—would test their loyalty, courage, and resolve in ways they could scarcely imagine.
"Seriously, throwing flowers? Don't you people have better things to do with your money?"
Clobber grumbled under his breath as he deflected yet another barrage of flowers with his longsword. The petals fluttered harmlessly to the ground, their intended target—Duchess Veronica's carriage—remaining pristine. He glanced up, wishing the procession would hurry to its destination.
Finally, the convoy passed through the gates and entered the castle grounds.
Inside, Count Daniel and a throng of nobles awaited them, their polished manners on full display. The nobles bowed deeply toward the Duchess's opulent carriage, their movements precise and practiced.
"Daniel of the Golden Rose…"
"Byron of the Sunflower…"
"We humbly greet Your Grace!"
As one of the duchy's two primary strongholds, Flower Crown City was host to at least half the realm's nobility. Standing to the side of the carriage, Clobber let out a low whistle as he observed the sea of bowing figures.
"Damn," he muttered, surveying the crowd. "This is basically the duchy's power base. Look at the ones in the front—Sky Knights, every one of them. And that beast beside the guy in gold armor… Is that one of those legendary phantom beasts? The final evolved form of magical creatures?"
Even Count Daniel, the host of this grand event, stood humbly in the second row. The first row was entirely reserved for the elite Sky Knights, while behind them stretched a seemingly endless line of Earth Knights.
Earth Knights—normally a rare sight in the duchy—seemed as common as blades of grass here. And as for grand knights?
Forget it. They weren't even qualified to stand near the front. They were relegated to the back, bowing at a respectful distance as vassals of the more powerful nobles. Ordinary knights? Aside from members of the Dragon Breath Knights, their presence was virtually nonexistent.
As Clobber marveled at the display of power, a sudden movement from the Duchess's carriage caught his attention. A pale, delicate hand emerged from the window, gesturing toward him.
The meaning was clear: she wanted him inside.
Clobber's brows furrowed slightly. The last thing he wanted was to draw attention to himself in front of this assembly of nobles. But an order from the Duchess wasn't something he could ignore. Suppressing a sigh, he dismounted and approached the carriage, his steps steady and purposeful.
Once inside, Clobber was momentarily stunned by what greeted him.
A pair of flawless, alabaster feet rested elegantly on the plush carpet. The toes were long and well-proportioned, each one like a tiny pearl. The soles were smooth, without a single blemish, and the ankles curved gracefully, exuding an almost hypnotic allure.
For a moment, Clobber's mind went blank.
"Damn it… Have I become a foot fetishist?"
Shaking himself out of his daze, he cursed inwardly and quickly averted his gaze. Forcing himself to focus, he bowed his head and asked, "Your Grace, what are your orders?"
Veronica chuckled softly, clearly amused. She had caught his reaction and was quietly pleased.
Still got it, she thought. Even after all these years, after battles and hardships, my charm hasn't faded one bit.
She stretched out her hand and gently touched Clobber's cheek. His skin, despite ten days of harsh travel, remained smooth and fair. Her fingers lingered for a moment, and she felt the slight warmth rising in his face.
"You're blushing again, my little rose," she mused inwardly. Knowing better than to tease him further, she withdrew her hand and adopted a more serious tone.
"Sir Clobber," she began, her voice commanding yet warm, "relay my orders to the nobles. They are to prepare for dinner with me this evening. Afterward, we'll convene a military meeting to finalize our plans. At dawn, we march for Hild Fortress."
Clobber nodded, her words sparking a flurry of thoughts in his mind. Over the past few days, he had begun to notice something unusual about the Duchess's behavior toward him.
It wasn't love—that much he was certain of. A ruler and Dragon Knight of her caliber had no shortage of admirers. He was merely an ordinary knight, and the duchy was filled with more accomplished men.
No, it was something else entirely. Perhaps she found his golden hair and handsome features appealing, a match for her aesthetic preferences. To her, he might simply be a pet—a beautiful and obedient companion to keep at her side.
And if that were the case, it explained the special treatment he'd received. The thought was unsettling, but Clobber knew better than to dwell on it.
"Understood, Your Grace," he replied crisply, bowing before stepping out of the carriage.
His expression unreadable, Clobber addressed the gathered nobles.
"The Duchess commands that you prepare all necessary details for the upcoming war effort," he announced. Turning to Count Daniel, he continued, "Count Daniel, has the dinner been prepared? Her Grace intends to dine with all of you this evening."
Count Daniel, who had been observing Clobber with wide eyes, was momentarily speechless. His grandson had only recently joined the Dragon Breath Knights, and now here he was, speaking on behalf of the Duchess herself.
Gathering his composure, the count replied, "The feast is ready, Sir Clobber. We await Her Grace's arrival."
"Good," Clobber said with a nod. "After dinner, prepare for a military meeting. The Duchess wishes to review all intelligence and assess our forces before finalizing our strategy."
With that, he returned to the carriage to escort the Duchess out.
This time, Veronica wore her boots, a formality for the public eye. As Clobber extended a hand to assist her, she grasped it lightly, stepping down with regal poise. Her strength made the gesture unnecessary—she could easily dismantle the carriage with one hand if she wished—but traditions demanded such displays.
The Duchess's appearance drew cheers from the nobles, their voices rising in unison. Veronica smiled graciously, exchanging a few brief words with those closest to her before leading the procession toward the banquet hall.
Clobber followed closely, his mind already shifting to the tasks ahead. If serving as a handsome figure in the Duchess's entourage earned him the resources and time to grow stronger, so be it. After all, the game of power was about survival, and Clobber intended to play it well.