Lord blessed by the elves

Chapter 136 Malice
At exactly 2 p.m., the clock towers throughout Campo rang simultaneously, their deep tones rippling outwards like waves, announcing the arrival of this important moment.

In the southeast of the city, Count Campno's Golden Dragon Castle stands majestically. Its main castle gleams with a warm golden luster under the autumn sun. It is said that gold powder made from ground dragon scales was mixed in during its construction, giving it remarkable magic resistance, hence its name.

At this moment, a grand investiture ceremony is about to begin in the main square of the castle.

Around the square, flags embroidered with the Campino family's lion crest fluttered in the breeze.

The audience seats were filled with elegantly dressed nobles, solemn-looking officials, and distinguished generals.

The Reyes family and Viscount Martin sat in the reserved seats in the front row. Kruse stood tall and straight, while Elena kept her eyes wide open, trying her best to maintain her composure.

Count Campono, a middle-aged man with slightly graying temples but an imposing presence, walked slowly out of the castle hall in a formal dark purple suit trimmed with gold.

He held in his hand a golden scepter symbolizing power and law, with a large amber gemstone, said to have originated from a dragon's eye, set at the top of the scepter.

He stood on the high platform at the far end of the square, his gaze sharp and intense, sweeping across the entire area. The previously hushed conversations vanished instantly, and the square fell into complete silence.

"By the power bestowed by His Majesty the King, and by the glory of all the ancestors of Campono," the Earl's deep, resonant voice echoed across the square through a special magical device, "today, we will honor the loyal and valiant, bestowing upon them the honor and responsibility they deserve!"

The ceremonial officer, holding a sheepskin scroll, stepped forward and loudly announced the names:

"The first ten knights have been appointed!"

Ten robust men, dressed in brand-new chainmail and wearing uniform cloaks, strode out in order and knelt on one knee on the stone pavement in the center of the square, their movements perfectly synchronized.

They were all knights who had earned enough merit after this expedition.

The count walked up to each of the prospective knights and solemnly touched their left and right shoulders with his unsheathed sword.

"By sword and oath, I bestow upon you the name of knight. May you uphold the code of chivalry, be loyal, brave, protect the weak, serve the King, and safeguard Campnor!"

"We will keep our oath!" the ten people responded in unison, their voices echoing across the square.

They then received the seal of their identity and a small piece of land deed from the count, stood up and stepped aside, their faces beaming with excitement and honor.

Immediately afterwards, the ceremonial officer's voice rose again:
"Promoted to baronies, three to be enthroned!"

All eyes in the room instantly became focused.

Reyes took a deep breath and walked out with two other recipients who were equally distinguished in battle or in governance.

Although they were not wearing full armor, their formal attire was impeccable, and their steps were steady, displaying the fortitude of warriors and the solemnity of nobles.

Reyes stood in the middle, feeling the burning gaze of his children behind him and the silent encouragement from Viscount Martin beside him.

The count first conferred titles upon two other meritorious individuals, following a similar but more solemn process to that of knights. The seals bestowed upon them were more exquisite, and the land and rights represented by the fiefdom documents were far beyond those of knights.

Finally, the Count approached Reyes.

“Reyes!” The count’s gaze fell on him, scrutinizing and approving. “In the Battle of the Black Forest, you turned the tide, leading from the front and defeating an enemy several times your size, thus protecting our flank. Afterwards, you governed the border territories, reclaimed wasteland, and pacified refugees with remarkable success. Your bravery and loyalty are exemplary.”

The scepter gently tapped Reyes's shoulders. "Today, in the name of the King, you are promoted to Baron Lion, and you and your rightful heirs are granted an everlasting title and honor. May you and your family forever be loyal to the King and contribute to the prosperity and stability of Campino!"

"I swear by my life and honor that I will not betray His Majesty's and the Earl's trust!" Reyes' voice boomed, with a slight, almost imperceptible tremor—the excitement of a dream come true. He raised his hands high and received from the Earl the bronze seal representing his baronial status, the certificate of heraldry, and the more detailed land deeds.

At this moment, the Reyes family officially joined the ranks of the nobility, achieving a leap in social class.

After the investiture ceremony, the three newly ennobled barons turned to face all the spectators.

The count raised his scepter high and proclaimed, "In the name of Campino, let us congratulate the three new barons and the ten new knights! May glory be with you!"

"Glory forever!"

The nobles, officials, and soldiers all shouted in unison, their voices soaring into the sky.

Above the castle, the golden lion flag, symbolizing Campo, fluttered even more powerfully.

The echoes of the bells still lingered in the air. The grand awarding ceremony had just come to a close, and the crowd began to disperse, with greetings gradually rising among them.

Just as the commotion began, a chill suddenly ran down Kruse's spine; some cold, sticky malice locked onto him like a venomous snake.

He whirled around, his sharp gaze sweeping over the throng of heads behind him. However, the malice that had come was just as swift, vanishing into thin air in an instant, leaving no trace.

At this moment, he was wearing the Elf King's monocle on the bridge of his nose, the cool edge of the lens pressed against his eye socket, and a thin, pale gold chain hanging down behind his ear.

This accessory, which was out of step with the kingdom's mainstream aesthetic, added a touch of mystery and eccentricity to his appearance beyond his years, attracting curious or scrutinizing glances from several noblemen nearby.

Inside the lens, a barely perceptible stream of light slowly rotated, continuously monitoring the surrounding magical fluctuations.

The feedback was calm, and no unusual magical source was detected.

But Kruse was absolutely certain of his intuition; that hostile gaze was no illusion.

Nine times out of ten, it's the person the system task indicated was preparing to take his life.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the viewing platform.

The wolf-hair knight, Haynes, stood with his arms crossed, leaning against a stone pillar. He was tall and thin, and his eyes, like his name, had a wild and sharp look.

Standing beside him was Baron Marcus, a renowned old nobleman of Campnorshire, slightly overweight, with an air of arrogance that came from long-standing superiority.

Haynes nodded slightly toward Kruse, his voice low and deep:

“Baron Marcus, do you see that boy next to Reyes? That’s him, Reyes’ eldest son, Kruze.”

Baron Marcus squinted and followed the direction, his gaze landing on Kruze, especially lingering for a moment on the conspicuous monocle. He curled his lip, seemingly with some disdain.

"I've heard his talent for cultivation is indeed impressive; he's already reached the Bronze Knight rank before he's even eighteen. Hmph, Reyes is lucky to have such a son. His future achievements will probably not be inferior to his father, who was just promoted to baron." Haines continued, his tone unreadable, but he deliberately emphasized the words "future achievements."

(End of this chapter)