Chương 801: [762] - Y03.062 - Path To South Port I

The fort of the Order of the Floral Sun watched over the sprawling village around it, the group arriving at the fields still at least an hour away from the fort. As they trekked along the road, they noted the villagers glancing their way, which was not out of the ordinary, but they noted the large number of soldiers around, something which was new. A half dozen riders trotted their way up to the large group made up of Iyrmen, Aswadians, and large wolves.

The riders were heavily armoured, carrying blades at their sides, revealing their true nature as foot combatants rather than mounted warriors. The horses were armoured too, wearing thick scaled barding which added to their already imposing stature.

"Halt," called a voice full of authority from the central knight who rode upfront. She wore a breastplate which was heavily engraved with all manner of flowers across the front, carrying a banner with a hand, resting up against her shoulder, while her free hand held a rein of her horse. The banner was quite simple, white background with seven pink petals spiralling to form a circular flower.

Adam glanced towards his companions, realising quickly he shouldn't open his stupid mouth, feeling the intense pressure of the knights before them. The knight pulled up her visor, revealing an older, wizened face, her green eyes glaring down at the group of newcomers who were all so heavily armed and armoured.

"I am Commander Elizabeth Grovepetal by authority of King Harold Merryweather. State your business at once!" Upon hearing her name, Jurot placed a hand on Adam's shoulder, before nodding to Sir Vonda to step forward. The young woman removed her helmet, smiling politely at the Commander, before bowing her head lightly.

"I am Sir Vonda Eastlake of Life's Rose." The Commander dismounted from her mount, stepping forward to meet with the young noblewoman, who just so happened to be a member of Life's Rose?

"May we speak to one side?" Sir Vonda asked, still smiling politely. Taking the hint, the pair of women stepped aside so Sir Vonda could explain the situation in a way which would end the matter cleanly. Meanwhile, Adam glanced at the five heavily armoured mounted knights, before glancing across to the minor fort which had been created near the village's edge, full of soldiers of the new kingdom. He guessed there to be at least two hundred soldiers, each of whom were heavily armoured.

"Adam," Jurot called, breaking him out of his thoughts.

"We must be careful."

"Yeah," Adam replied. It was rare even Jurot would warn him so overtly.

'What's going on?' The Commander returned with Sir Vonda, before the group were allowed to make their way to the minor fort, where they were watched with a keen eye, but left be. Commander Elizabeth understood the awkward spot she was put in thanks to their arrival, especially considering the fact they walked around with two demons, which wasn't going to help the rumours of the King consorting with demons.

However, since Sir Vonda promised to keep them within her sights, as well as the rest of the group, she relented to allow them to stay nearby, under the condition they would be overtly watched. Adam noted the way the Iyrmen were keeping an eye on some of the older soldiers, each holding the rank of captain, but were not like the captains of the other minor fort. Each soldier was heavily armoured, while many wore full plate, even those who did not hold a higher rank.

"Commander Grovepetal holds a high rank within Petal Grove," Jurot said.

"Any relation to the Petalgrove family?" Adam joked.

"Yes. Commander Grovepetal is the aunt of the Countess." This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

"Oh." Jurot exchanged a look with Kitool, and even Jaygak, who found the politics of the area difficult to keep in mind, understood the severity of the situation. King Harold Merryweather was considered to be a more than competent military general, with the previous Elder Wrath also commenting how difficult it would be to deal with him, and though King Justinian was also a genius in military matters, there was one thing which set the King of Floria apart.

While the pair of Kings had the ability to move the proper pieces into position, the difference was the diplomatic cost of such. King Justinian needed to deal with a great many different families over the kingdom, especially the duchal families who held similar authority to himself.

However, King Harold, who was held in such reverence in the south, was able to leverage his reverence in such a way it would be awkward for the other nobles to refuse, especially after how effectively, and cleanly, he had seized power from the Goldport family. He had not only moved a Peachgrove, but a Grovepetal too? To move one of the Twin Blades of Petalgrove was difficult enough, but to wield both blades was an extremely difficult feat.

It was especially telling that the King was able to move the family against the Order of the Floral Sun, with apparently no consequence from the villagers who revered the order. Jurot thought about how he had come to spar with such a brilliant figure, and his entire body tingled. An impressive story he could pass down, due to no small part of his brother.

"Do they have their own Storm Petal Knight?" Adam whispered.

"The Blazing Petal Knight," Jurot replied.

"Of course they do."

"She is watching us."

"Who? The Blazing Petal Knight?" Adam asked. Jurot bowed his head, his eyes glued to an older woman in plate armour, who was eating a buttered bun as she stared at the group, before her eyes met Jurot's. She could see the question in the young man's eyes, the question of whether to get up and meet with her, or to keep out of trouble. Adam eyed up the woman, who seemed to look like any older woman in the Iyr, that was to say, well built and ready to fight.

Her hair had been cut short, her wrinkled face unmarked from any scars, though her armour hid much of her body so he wasn't certain if she wore scars elsewhere. The blade at her seemed so normal except the hilt was made of what looked to be brass. Jurot let out a sigh. He closed his eyes, realising he, too, shouldn't act up. Jaygak walked over to the woman, having doffed much of her armour, save her breastplate, while also carrying her blade at her side.

"It's my honour to meet you, Blazing Petal Knight," the young Iyrman said. The Blazing Petal Knight bowed her head.

"I greet you too, Iyrman."

"My grandaunt always mentioned she wished to face you when she was younger," Jaygak said.

"The previous Blazing Petal Knight defeated my greatfather, her father, and she wished to test her mettle against you, but she was busy in Aswadasad." Lady Gladys Grovepetal, who was in her sixties, narrowed her eyes slightly, bowing her head.

"My mentor faced many Iyrmen, and always spoke of your people kindly."

"I know it's rude to make a request, especially considering our circumstances, but would you be willing to draw my blade?" Jaygak asked.

"I would like to pass the story to my younger siblings."

"Very well," the woman replied, standing and taking the weapon from the young Iyrman. However, upon clasping the blade, she paused. She could feel the magic tingling through her fingers. She drew the blade, noting it was well made, the blade dark, like the shadows within an alley.

"Does this blade have a name?"

"Great Moon," Jaygak replied.

"It is a good blade," the older woman said.

"It is."

"How did you come across this weapon?"

"I work for a business by the name of United Kindom, which works alongside the Enchanter, who enchanted such a blade for me," Jaygak said.

"You are blessed with great fortune." Gladys held the blade within her hand for a long moment, feeling its weight.

"Is it a Greater Enhanced blade?"

"Yes."

"…" Gladys held it tight in hand for a long moment, before returning it back to the young woman, who held the blade by clasping her fingers along the blade rather than the hilt. Gladys undid her sword belt, and held her sheath up, offering the hilt of her blade to the young woman.

"You may draw the blade." Jaygak smiled.

"It is my honour." The Iyrman reached out for the blade, feeling the intense stares from the nearby soldiers, but she drew the blade calmly, feeling the great magic within the blade. She could feel it was a Greater Enhanced Blade too.

"How does it feel?"

"Light," Jaygak admitted, daring not to swing the blade.

"It was a blade enchanted by a brass dragon centuries ago for a now dead Aswadian family," Gladys explained.

"It was won in conquest by the first Blazing Petal Knight, Lord Oscar."

"The Nadar family fell into irrelevance after losing the blade and the brass dragon in such quick succession," Jaygak said.

"The family held so much sway in the Red Desert, but no more." Gladys raised her brows.

"You know of the tale of this blade?"

"Lord Oscar killed my ancestor, Rogak, with this blade," Jaygak said, her eyes glued to the blade.

"It was a good fight."