Alarms blared across Winston Castle as armored knights rushed toward them, weapons drawn.
"Well, this escalated quickly," Euphemia muttered, flipping a dagger between her fingers.
"Let them come," Dave said with a smirk, rolling his shoulders as he stepped forward.
The first wave of knights lunged at him, swords gleaming under the torches. Dave didn't even draw his own blade. Instead, he sidestepped the first attacker and slammed his fist into the knight's chest, sending him flying into the others like a bowling pin strike.
Boa moved fluidly, her whip coiling around a knight's arm before she yanked him off balance. With a sharp twist, she sent him crashing into the stone wall.
Diana, her staff glowing faintly, raised her hand. "Bind."
Golden chains of energy erupted from the ground, wrapping around the approaching knights and immobilizing them.
Euphemia, preferring stealth over brute force, slipped past the chaos and dashed toward the castle interior. "I'll find Grid while you guys keep them busy," she called out.
"Fine, but hurry up!" Dave shouted, delivering a spinning kick that sent another knight sprawling.
More knights flooded the courtyard, some carrying crossbows. Dave narrowed his eyes as they took aim.
With a flick of her wrist, Boa's whip lashed out, coiling around a crossbow and yanking it from the knight's grasp. Diana conjured a barrier just in time to block a volley of bolts aimed at them.
Dave sighed, annoyed. "Enough of this."
Dave drew his sword and looked at the knight. "You are all good men. Don't waste your lives defending a worthless scum like Valmont," he said as the knight hesitated.
"I am Knight Leo. I have sworn to protect the lord of Winston," the blond knight declared firmly.
Dave smirked. "Well, that makes things easy. Lord Earl Steim has already removed Valmont from his position."
Knight Leo looked at him, dumbfounded. Then, he slowly raised his sword, which was blazing with fire.
"A Magic Knight? Cool. But yes, we can wait here until Lord Steim arrives," Dave said as he casually sat near the stairs, relaxing.
"I'm not going anywhere. Lord Steim will be here any moment," he added.
Leo's flames slowly faded as he gestured for the other knights to lower their weapons.
"Fine, I will wait," Leo said, before adding, "Who are you?"
"What do you mean?" Dave asked.
Leo sighed. "I was ready to die just now."
Dave smiled. "No wonder they call you Northern Nova. You have good sense."
Leo was only Level 185, while Dave was now Level 208. The difference was more than enough for Dave to defeat him—even without using a sword.
"By the way, why did you believe me so easily?" Dave asked as Leo sat across from him.
"There is no need for someone as powerful as you to assist a terrorist like him. No need for you to scheme against the lord of Winston," Leo replied.
Dave nodded. "Well, that's true. I'm only here to save someone who is not a criminal," he said.
Just then, the sound of galloping horses filled the air.
"I guess Lord Steim is here," Dave remarked. It was Rabbit who had informed Lord Steim about the misconduct happening here, prompting the Earl to arrive with his army to execute Valmont.
Soon, the gates opened, and in the forefront was Earl Steim, accompanied by two knights. However, upon entering, he slowed his steps as he saw soldiers and knights sitting while discussing matters inside the castle.
"What is happening here?" he asked, his gaze fixed on Dave.
Leo immediately stood up. "Knight Leo greets my lord," he said, bowing deeply.
Earl Steim nodded. "Rise," he commanded, and Leo straightened before beginning to explain the situation.
"So, it was you who informed me?" Earl Steim asked, looking at Dave.
Dave shook his head. "No, it was Rabbit—Valmont's former advisor. After witnessing his master's depravity, he decided to stop him. That's why he sought my help to rescue the innocent while he personally informed you. Perhaps he knew he wouldn't escape punishment either, so he chose not to mention his own name in the letter," Dave explained.
Earl Steim listened carefully and then nodded in understanding.
"Go and drag that bastard out!" Earl Steim commanded his knights.
One of the knights immediately dismounted from his horse and rushed inside the castle. Moments later, he emerged, dragging Valmont by his hair.
"Release me! I am a noble, you filthy commoner!" Valmont screamed, struggling.
"Release me this instant!" he cried, his voice filled with rage and desperation.
The soldiers and knights watched in silence as Earl Steim's knight dragged Valmont toward the Earl's horse.
"We will execute him in front of all of Winston," Earl Steim declared, his voice firm and unwavering.
Valmont's face paled as he realized the gravity of the situation. Falling to his knees, he pleaded, "Please, Lord Steim, listen to me—"
His words were cut short as Earl Steim struck him down with the hilt of his sheathed sword, silencing him instantly.
"Your name is Dave, right?" Earl Steim asked.
The Earl looked at him thoughtfully.
"You are powerful and righteous. You didn't kill the men and knights here for simply doing their duty. Instead, you reasoned with them, sparing them from needless slaughter. You have the qualities of a good leader," he said.
Then, with a firm voice, he declared, "By my authority as the Earl of the Eternal Kingdom, I bestow upon you the title of Baron."
"Come and kneel, Baron Dave," he said, awaiting Dave's response.
At that moment, a system notification appeared before Dave.
[Kneel before Lord Earl Steim and accept the noble title]
[Or reject and deny the title]
Dave nodded, stepping forward before kneeling.
Earl Steim placed his sword lightly on Dave's shoulder and proclaimed, "From this moment forth, you are a Baron, the Lord of Winston."
The knights watching immediately followed protocol and knelt.
"We greet the Lord Baron Dave!" they shouted in unison. Even Leon knelt in respect.
"Thank you," Dave replied.
Earl Steim nodded approvingly. "You deserve it."
Then, turning toward the bound Valmont, he commanded, "Executing the former lord is now your duty."
He pointed at the disgraced noble, who struggled in vain.
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