Marcus was already by the old training grounds of his estate, waiting for his knights to arrive.
Beside him were 10 portable boxes that were filled with items his knights needed to awaken their hidden talents.
Out of his twelve knights, only ten of them possessed hidden talents… according to his [Inspect].
The other two, whom he had mainly left to guard the estate since his recovery, were average compared to the rest.
Marcus even suspected that they hadn't broken their oath because they could sense how bleak their futures would be.
But this was just him indulging in his pride.
Truthfully, they were honest men. And he respected that, but for now, he had no way to help them become powerful.
Marcus had used his [Inspect] skill on everyone in his estate save for one, Jeline. He had been trying to figure out who the spy was.
He hadn't inspected Jeline yet, not because he didn't want to, but because he wasn't sure if the skill would actually point out the spy to him.
But that doesn't mean that Marcus hadn't had his eyes on her movements.
He would sometimes roam the kitchen area of his mansion under the guise of "checking to see if everything was alright".
Moreover, Baron Reginald still wasn't back from where he had traveled to.
So whoever the spy is would likely lie low until he returned.
And if the spy was a knight of his…
At this point, ten knights alongside Bradley, walked into the training grounds to see Marcus waiting for them.
All of them bowed and greeted Marcus.
In their eyes, there were lingering questions, especially one that had to do with their salaries.
After all, they couldn't be earning less than commoners.
Marcus could tell that they had questions. "Does anyone have something to say?" He smiled faintly.
"Sir!" Brown stepped forward.
'Him again? He seems to be the most outgoing out of all of them.'
"Speak."
"Lord Viscount, I don't think that it's fair for us to be paid less than the commoners!"
Marcus nodded, "I know, and I don't think so either. So, I have also decided to reevaluate your salaries.
"I already owe each one of you over 1,600 silver, plus bonuses, 2000 each." He paused and scratched his chin.
Leaving the knights hopeful and anxious.
After half a minute, Marcus continued.
"I will increase your salaries to 1,600 silver coins a month."
For the second time in the day, the knights felt their knees go weak.
That was a gold coin and 600 silver coins!
Flowing Rank Knights that earn over a gold coin a month, that was unheard of in Ulha!
Even Brown had to bite his tongue to confirm whether he was awake or sleeping.
"Sir, isn't that a bit… too much?" Bradley complained, immediately earning side looks from the knights.
"It's just some cheap change, Bradley." Marcus laughed.
'Just some cheap change? Milord, you're basically penniless right now if we consider all the promises you've made so far!'
Bradley thought as he pressed his temples. He could feel a headache slowly seeping in.
"In fact, in the future, you all will not be treated unfairly. Even paying you all a thousand gold coins a month would not be too much." Marcus added.
This time, even one agreed with Bradley.
A thousand gold coins… that was too much!
Is the Lord saying this just to brag or keep our hopes up?
Most of them dismissed these words and focused on what was more realistic between the two. 1,600 silver coins a month.
Their hearts settled with this.
"But only the truly loyal ones will be paid well." Marcus's tone changed, becoming more stern as he spoke.
"As you can all tell, I have a big ego, and a bigger ambition. And this ambition of mine will put me in harm's way more often than not. I will make enemies at almost every turn, so my paying you very well isn't just about you, but about my well-being too. I'm buying your protection with money."
"We wish to serve the lord viscount! We will remain loyal to the lord viscount until death breaks the oath! Such is our way!
"Iron to flames, warriors to blade, death to our enemies, their lives we have forbade!"
All ten knights shouted with vigor, a chant that they hadn't uttered in such a way since leaving Duke Sirdi's lands.
Uttering these words filled them with such fighting spirit that they gripped their weapons tight.
They had forgotten the feeling that these words used to incite in their hearts.
Marcus had also forgotten these words. Hearing them once again, filled him with some melancholic feelings towards the past.
"For a knight of Sirdi is capable, and he shall forever be." Marcus completed the chant and the knights struck their weapons on the ground, raising a cloud of dust into the air.
Within this cloud, Marcus seemed to see a faint image of his father smiling at him…
He sighed.
He had wanted to cajole these knights into trusting him, however, it happened the other way around.
Don't doubt those you use, and don't use those you doubt…
'Father used to say that a lot.' Marcus smiled, feeling like he was getting carried away.
A few minutes passed before Marcus spoke again. "I have a few things for you guys. Your salaries will be paid today, in full. Secondly, I had asked Bradley to purchase a few things for me, or rather, for some of you."
Marcus looked at Joshua before calling out to him. "Knight Joshua,"
"Yes, Milord." He stepped forward and was handed a wooden box.
"As some of you know, I am a mage of some caliber. And after some observations, I have found that some of you possess hidden talents. One that could awaken your potential and take you to the Pinnacle of knighthood."
Everyone frowned, especially the two guards who had always been within the walls of the mansion.
They were more confused when they heard Marcus claim to be a mage. The two of them shared a look before turning to look at the other knights.
It was then that they realized that there was some truth to Marcus's words.
As for the rest, they couldn't help but wonder if it was possible for mages to see such things.
They wanted to doubt Marcus, however, it was a fact that he was a mage.
Haven't they seen with their own eyes as he cast a spell and took the lives of four men?
The scent of doubt was obvious in the air.
"Open the box, Joshua," Marcus said.
A bit curious, the young knight pried the top open to see a Bloodroot Sunflower.
This was a plant that was a bit uncommon, but rare.
The only thing Joshua could point out that was different was the root.
Rather than being red, it was purple.
"With this herb, you should be able to unlock your bloodline ability and your hidden potential."
The part about the hidden potential wasn't missed by the knights, but it was quickly dismissed.
Compared to a bloodline ability…
This was something that the Imperial Army would love to have in its soldiers.
A different breed of power that was independent and co-dependent on Blood Force.
"I-I have a bloodline ability?" Joshua was stunned.
As was everyone else. Marcus was doing too much today. Was he pulling a prank on them?
This was what a few thought.
"Eat the plant and circulate your Blood Force as you normally do. Whether or not I'm telling the truth, you'll find out after." Marcus smirked.
He needed them to trust his words, for this was only the beginning. He would say unspeakable and unbelievable things in the future.
After hesitating a bit, Joshua sat on the ground, holding the Bloodroot Sunflower in his palms.
With a deep breath, he folded it and threw it into his mouth, chewing it with some difficulty as his face scrunched up.
It was bitter.
Very bitter.
After swallowing, right before Joshua could start circulating his Blood Force, a powerful aura burst out from his body.
Dum!
The ground pressed down, creating a crater beneath the young man, raising more dust into the air.
Those around, including Marcus, felt as though the air had become oppressive.
It was even hard for him to stand straight.
Bradley had directly fallen to the ground, and other knights were circulating their Blood Force trying to curb the suppression coming from Joshua.
As for the man in question, he was still caught in the process of trying to understand what was happening.
Suddenly, a sharp pain assault led his heart, making him feel as though it was going to implode.
Something within him was trying to break free.
Then came thick veins that ran across his body.
Joshua quickly organized himself and circulated his Blood Force.