"Miss Eliza, according to Imperial law, if any of my men were to desert the Knight Order and join another country or a Lord, it would be considered high treason."
Vice Commander Sedon strolled with his hands behind his back. His leg armor was as bright and new as silver, and he wore a magnificent, dark red silk tunic. His posture was ramrod straight and his expression cold. He spoke with his chin slightly raised, the very picture of someone from the Upper Ranks.
The young woman walking beside him seemed especially petite.
She held her hands elegantly in front of her, and her smile revealed a hint of perfectly white, even teeth.
"The Vice Commander is correct. The laws of the Empire are not to be violated. However, the law also doesn't forbid ordinary Imperial Citizens from renouncing their citizenship to join another country."
Sedon's gaze was as grim as ever. He glanced at Eliza Hearn, then suddenly broke into a smile that was unnerving.
"As expected of a Great Lord's daughter, to be so well-versed in Imperial law."
Eliza gave a slight nod, a gesture of humility.
"A few years ago, when my father was traveling in the Imperial City, he happened to hear that Lady Saran is fond of art. He had someone send a few private pieces from our family's collection, hoping she might like them."
Lady Saran was the wife of Earth Knight Sedon. Born into the high nobility, she was a prominent socialite in the Imperial City.
While not a particularly affectionate couple, they had been married for a long time. Lady Saran's contributions were indispensable to Sedon securing his position as Vice Commander of the Steel Knight Order.
Sedon stopped in his tracks. He turned his head toward the training grounds, where impassioned youths were sweating profusely, and asked in a low voice, "How many people does the Great Lord need?"
Seeing the Knight Order's Vice Commander finally relent, Eliza felt a great weight lift from her heart. Bribing an Earth Knight to help her family select youths with Knight Talent from the Knight Training Camp was an incredibly difficult task.
Even though she was a Great Lord's daughter, in the eyes of an Earth Knight of the Radiant Empire, she was no different from a commoner.
When they learned last year that the Steel Knight Order would be stationed at Frostfire Fortress, her family began preparations early on.
They investigated the backgrounds of the three vice commanders, learned their personalities and preferences, and selected one to approach.
Even though the Hearn Territory and the Empire were blood-bound allies, and her father had already smoothed things over with the Empire's high command, getting a major figure at the Deputy Commander Level to risk treason still required a hefty price.
The collection, converted to its equivalent in gold, was worth twenty-three thousand, seven hundred and ten Imperial-issued gold coins. Of course, that was just the converted price; many of the pieces were priceless and unavailable on the open market.
Although these items were of little consequence to the Hearn Family, the process of getting them legally into the Radiant Empire, then transporting them through several provinces to the Imperial City, and finally having them arrive at Lady Saran's residence...
The painstaking effort involved was far beyond what most people could imagine.
Eliza smiled. "You jest, Vice Commander. All matters will be handled in strict accordance with the Knight Order's rules and regulations.
I trust you won't disappoint my father."
Sedon was around the same age as the other Vice Commander, Erich. Though his hair was graying, it was impeccably groomed. He gave the young woman beside him a serious look, an inexplicable anger welling up inside him.
Of course, this anger wasn't directed at Eliza Hearn, but at someone else entirely.
'The Great Lord's daughter is so young, yet already displays such remarkable diplomatic talent. Then there's my own worthless son back home, who does nothing but eat, drink, carouse, and fool around with women all day.'
His fists clenched.
Sedon stepped past Eliza to the edge of the training grounds. His brows furrowed as he bellowed, "Everyone! Fall in!"
Vice Commander Erich had always been in direct charge of the Steel Knight Order's Knight Training Camp. Even for urgent missions, he was the one who personally issued the orders.
Although Earth Knight Sedon was also a vice commander, in all these years, this was the first time he had ever come to the Knight Training Camp to give an order and demand a formation.
The youths running on the training grounds gradually slowed down and dropped their weights. They exchanged uncertain glances and hesitated for a moment before jogging over to Vice Commander Sedon.
'I don't know what the others are thinking,' Reinhardt thought, 'but I can guarantee that guy showing up at the Knight Training Camp with the young miss of the Hearn Family means he's up to no good!'
Reinhardt would never forget that it was Sedon who had tried, time and time again, to kick him out of the Knight Training Camp early last year.
If Knight An Jie hadn't found Vice Commander Erich to vouch for him, heaven knows where he would be right now, wandering and destitute.
'Every time I see that smug, superior look on Sedon's face, I can't help but want to punch him. I bet that would give my Knight Power awakening a nice boost.'
But then he remembered the man was a genuine Earth Knight, and even the normally fearless Reinhardt felt his courage wither.
Not only was his strength above that of an Official Knight, but those who advanced to become Earth Knights were, without exception, absolute powerhouses who had fought for years, crawling out of mountains of corpses and rivers of blood on vast battlefields!
It was an Extraordinary Power built from piles of Abyssal Demon corpses, pooled from the blood of countless conquerors, and forged in blood and fire!
He had also happened to hear from Knight Elias that to advance to Earth Knight, one needed to awaken a higher form of Knight Power that surpassed 'Power' itself.
But Knight Elias had never specified what that was, so Reinhardt had no way of knowing.
The youths on the training ground finished forming their ranks. Vice Commander Sedon stood with his hands clasped behind his back, his cold gaze sweeping over the eyes of every boy in the front row. None dared to meet his gaze.
Catching sight of Erich and his wife approaching in the distance, Sedon remained unmoved. He announced in a low voice, "Allow me to introduce you. This is the daughter of Lord Hearn, Miss Eliza Hearn."
Eliza took a step forward and offered the youths of the Knight Training Camp a reserved smile in greeting.
The girl's smile was beautiful. Her gentle eyes were like a small edelweiss blooming on the Northern Icefield; even the hardest ice and snow would melt before her smile.
Having not seen a girl in three years, the hot-blooded youths could hardly withstand such a smile. Even Robbie Hiling, who came from high nobility, found himself staring, transfixed.
Perhaps it was because the run had drained too much of their stamina.
The youths' breathing grew ragged, and a strange tension filled the air.
Sedon, of course, knew why Lord Hearn had specifically sent his daughter to the Knight Training Camp to discuss the matter of selecting followers with him. He continued, "It's cruel to state the facts, but next spring, many of you will be leaving this training camp and the Knight Order.
I'm sure some of you are unwilling to accept this.
Therefore, Lord Hearn has entrusted me to convey a message: for those of you who must leave the Knight Training Camp next spring, the gates of the Hearn Family will be open to you. They will offer you generous support on your path to pursuing Knight Power.
If you wish to continue pursuing Knight Power, you can step forward now and let Miss Eliza see you.
Next spring, I will personally write letters of recommendation for you to continue your service in Lord Hearn's own Knight Training Camp."
A harsh, cold wind swept across the land.
No one wanted to return to their hometown in disgrace.
As the choice was laid before these youths of humble birth and limited talent...
One path led to the Imperial Infantry Corps, an unknown future shrouded in the shadow of death and terror.
The other path led to the generosity of Lord Hearn and the supreme glory of Knight Power. A triumphant red carpet seemed to unfurl at their feet, with a beautiful girl in the distance showering them with passion and flowers.