Being a knight is not easy

Chapter 157 Baron
These soldiers and believers who had regained their humanity either knelt on the ground and cried bitterly, or beat their chests and stamped their feet. Their despair and regret permeated every inch of land in the north.

The atrocities of the past haunt them like nightmares, and the road to redemption in the future seems extremely long and difficult under this heavy sense of guilt.

Unfortunately, Robin didn't see all this, and now he is almost exhausted.

The moment I stepped out of the ruins of Nanshi Village, a howling cold wind carrying tiny ice crystals blew in my face.

Robin was about to raise his hand to block it, but he was shocked by the overwhelming pressure that suddenly came down from above his head, and his breathing was stagnant - five powerful men wearing cloaks with gilded emblems stood in the air, the silver hair of the old man in the lead moved without wind, and the power of order lingering around his body condensed into a translucent chain shadow in the void.

"Lord Baron!" Gareth's voice trembled with excitement, and the runes on the silver-white heavy armor flashed violently due to resonance.

The movement of him kneeling on one knee stirred up a cloud of snow, and his spear slammed heavily into the icy ground, making a crisp sound like metal hitting stone.

The old cat's skinny fingers suddenly clasped Robin's wrist, the warmth of his palm radiating through the fabric. "This is the ancestor of the royal family, a peak-level third-rank Order Knight, only one step away from becoming a Morning Star Knight."

There was an imperceptible awe hidden in the hoarse voice. The black cat on the shoulder also arched its back rarely, and its pure white pupils shrank into needle points.

Baron lowered his eyes and glanced at everyone's disheveled clothes and bloody wounds, and his gaze finally fell on the golden chain flowing on Robin's arm.

He raised his hand and waved lightly, and the invisible force of order instantly soothed the chaotic magic around everyone. His voice was as deep as a bell: "Thank you for your hard work."

Following this comforting word, the Sun and Moon Guards, who had just been in great pain, suddenly straightened their backs, and their damaged armor healed at a speed visible to the naked eye.

Baron's gaze was like a torch, slowly sweeping over everyone, and finally fixed on the Blade of Order in Robin's hand, which was still emitting golden light.

"Little guy, are you Robin who has become famous recently and has mastered the power of order?" His voice was calm, but it carried an irresistible pressure.

Robin took a deep breath, straightened his back, and met Baron's gaze firmly: "It is me."

Baron nodded slightly, a flicker of admiration in his eyes. "It's remarkable that you were able to break through such a difficult situation and thwart Archduke Frosthawk's plot. However, while the crisis in the North has been temporarily resolved, the remnants of the Mechanicum have yet to be eradicated. This battle is far from over."

As soon as he finished speaking, a powerful figure behind Baron stepped forward and respectfully reported, "Sir, we have discovered several remaining strongholds of the Mechanicus in the surrounding area. Although those believers have lost control, some of their devices are still operational, potentially causing a new disaster at any time."

Baron's expression was solemn. He turned to face north and said in a deep voice, "Immediately eliminate the remaining forces and repair the damage done to the northern border." He turned back to Robin and the others and said, "You should return to the capital to rest first. I will arrange the follow-up matters."

Gareth stood up and saluted. "As you command! However, the people of Nanshi Village who have been controlled by the Mechanicum..."

"I'll send someone to properly accommodate them," Baron interrupted. "They've been bewitched and have only just regained consciousness. They're vulnerable now, so we must comfort them."

Robin's heart moved. Thinking of the mechanical believers who had fallen into despair and regret after regaining consciousness, he said, "My lord, perhaps we could let them participate in the reconstruction of the North. Through labor, they can atone for their sins and perhaps find the meaning of life again."

Baron looked at Robin with interest, a faint smile playing on his lips. "That's a good idea. Let's do as you say." Then, with a wave of his hand, Baron illuminated a golden teleportation array beneath everyone's feet. "Let's return to the capital. Everyone in the capital is waiting to reward you handsomely."

The moment Robin and the others stepped into the teleportation array, they felt dizzy. When they opened their eyes again, they found themselves in front of the magnificent palace in the royal capital.

The brightly lit palace shone in the night. A large number of people had already gathered in the square. They cheered and shouted, expressing their respect and gratitude to the returning heroes.

Looking at the bustling scene before him, Robin was filled with emotion. From the moment he set foot in the North, he had experienced countless life-and-death trials, and now he had finally achieved a stage of victory.

The moment Robin and the others stepped into the palace, the brilliant light reflected by the crystal chandelier exposed their fatigue and bloodstains.

There was only awe in the eyes of the ministers in the palace - when the news of the fall of Grand Duke Frost Eagle was brought back to the capital, these nobles who had been floating in the vortex of power realized for the first time that this unknown young man might change the landscape of the entire kingdom.

The heavy gilded door burst open, and the Emperor, clad in a twelve-heraldic regalia, slowly descended the steps. His gaze passed over veteran warriors like Gareth and Old Cat, and fell directly on Robin. "Alan Wilk, you turned the tide of the battle in the North, single-handedly preventing the advent of the Machine God. I hereby declare this."

The emperor raised his hand, and the eunuch immediately unfolded a bright yellow imperial edict, "Grant him the title of Baron of the Western Territory, with fiefdoms adjacent to the Viscount Wilk's domain, hereditary and uninterrupted!"

Suddenly, exclamations rose one after another in the hall.

The baron title may not seem to be the highest level, but the location of the fiefdom is of great significance. It not only borders the territory of the Wilk family, but also controls the strategic route from the west to the north.

This meant that Robin had become an important new noble in the West, and it also showed the royal family's absolute trust in him.

A hearty laugh suddenly erupted from the crowd. Viscount Wilk pushed aside the nobles beside him and rushed to the steps, his face flushed, his beard trembling slightly with excitement. "As expected of my son!"

He put his arm around Robin's shoulders, completely ignoring his dusty clothes. "When you first came back, I told you that you would have a lot of potential, hahahaha!"

Viscount Wilk's eyes were filled with tears, but his voice resounded throughout the hall, "Let's go! We'll have a hundred banquet tables tonight, and we won't stop until we're drunk!"

The Emperor couldn't help but smile at this scene, raising his hand to signal silence. "Don't rush to celebrate." His expression grew serious. "The remnants of the Mechanicum are still lurking in the shadows. The Eastern Round Table Council and the Western Knights Guild suffered heavy losses in the last battle and need to recuperate. Baron Allen."

The Emperor personally handed Robin the sapphire-encrusted sword. The royal emblem on the hilt gleamed brightly in the candlelight. "This 'Conviction' grants you the power to protect the kingdom."

Robin knelt on one knee, and the moment he took the sword, he felt a cool touch on his palm.

He looked up at the gradually brightening sky outside the palace, and suddenly realized that this title and sword were not only an honor, but also a heavy responsibility. In his heart, he greeted the emperor's entire family.

Isn't this just pushing yourself towards the most dangerous place?

(End of this chapter)