Lord: I can see loyalty.

I highly recommend "Lord: I Can See Loyalty"! Click to enter the story world.

Eagle's Beak Castle, the main hall.

The afterglow of the setting sun streamed through the windows into the hall, bathing everything in a warm orange-red hue.

The battle was over, and several traitorous nobles, singled out by Vio and with a loyalty level of less than 40%, were taken away by Marcus's men.

The flag of the South flies atop the highest point of the castle, the sea breeze sweeping across the land, signifying that the West has now come under the control of the Earl of the South.

Vio sat in the high-backed chair that once belonged to Ulysses, sitting upright as he glanced at everyone in the hall.

Jimmy and Ansque stood on the left, covered in sweat from the battle with the Great Knight, yet still standing ramrod straight.

Gina stood silently on the right, while Xavier led the militiamen outside to count the spoils of war, and Vincent also stood guard at the door.

Grand Knight Alec Stone stood in the center of the hall, his platinum armor covered in sword marks, yet still gleaming.

Marcus stood behind him with several old knights from the West, their robes disheveled, but their backs ramrod straight.

"Lord Alec," Vio spoke first, his voice steady, in the official language of the Kingdom of Rovia.

Alec bowed slightly. "Your Excellency, please speak."

"Although most of the pirates in the West have been wiped out, Finn is still hiding on the island, and the situation in the North is not peaceful either." Vio paused. "I can't leave the knights and militia from the South in the West indefinitely. We need manpower in the North, and we also need someone to keep an eye on the Blackwood border."

Alec was silent for a moment. "What does Your Excellency mean?"

"The solution is simple. I need to establish a new knightly order in the Western Territory." Vio's voice was not loud, but every word was clear. "I plan for you to train and lead it."

The hall fell silent for a moment.

Marcus's eyes flashed with surprise, which quickly turned into admiration. Jimmy and Ansquie exchanged a glance, both seeing agreement in each other's eyes. They both knew how much pressure the North was putting on them.

Alec did not answer immediately.

He stood there, as if deep in thought, or perhaps still recovering from the previous battle. After a long while, he finally spoke, his voice slightly hoarse.

"My lord, I have been trapped underground for five years and have not held a sword in a long time. Today's battle..."

"In today's battle, you single-handedly held off three warriors—Jimmy, Ansquie, and Gina—and even gave them a few pointers," Vio interrupted his polite refusal. "Besides, I've personally verified your skill level."

Alec paused for a moment, then gave a wry smile.

"You flatter me, Your Excellency."

"This is no compliment." Vio stood up and walked over to him. "The West needs you, the South needs you, and I need you."

Alec looked at him, and something flickered slightly in his calm eyes.

Finally, he knelt down on one knee.

"Alec Stone is willing to serve His Excellency the Earl."

Vio helped him up and patted him on the shoulder.

"Rise. As for the vice-commander of the Knights, I have other plans for him."

He turned around and looked at Marcus.

Marcus was taken aback, then stepped forward. "Your Excellency..."

"I've already had someone investigate. You're familiar with the Western Territory, as well as the other nobles there, and you have integrity." Vio looked at him, the investigation he mentioned actually coming from the panel.

"I plan to appoint you as the vice-commander to assist Alec in managing the affairs of the Knights. You will be in charge of personnel, equipment, and funding."

Marcus stood frozen in place, his lips trembling slightly.

He had thought that as a nobleman coerced by pirates, he would be lucky to even retain his territory under the Southern Earl, but he never expected...

"My Lord!" He knelt on one knee, his voice trembling, "Marcus is willing to die for you, My Lord!"

Vio helped him up, shook his head, and said, "You don't have to die for him, just do your job well."

The atmosphere in the hall relaxed a little, and Jimmy couldn't help but grin, while Ansquie nodded slightly.

"Your Excellency," Marcus stood up, wiped his eyes, and said solemnly.

"Our family can contribute some of the funds. Although the Western Region has been ravaged by pirates for so many years, it is still a force to be reckoned with. We can also find a way to provide the knights with equipment and manpower."

"Then it's up to you. I'll have Xavier send someone to make up the difference if it's not enough." Vio nodded.

"Yes!" Marcus clasped his hands in a deep fist salute.

Xavier also bowed in acknowledgment.

The hall was quiet for a moment.

"Oh, right, Your Excellency, there's one more thing," Marcus suddenly remembered something, "This knightly order needs a name, doesn't it? Could you bestow one upon us?"

Vio was silent for a moment, his gaze falling on the greatsword behind Alec.

On the sword, the giant whale leaping out of the sea is faintly visible in the candlelight.

"Let's call it the Giant Whale Knights," he said.

Alec paused slightly, looked down at his sword, then looked up at Vio, a hint of something indescribable flashing in his calm eyes.

"A giant whale..." he murmured repeatedly, his voice very soft.

"The western border is bordered by the sea, and whales are the most powerful creatures in the ocean." Vio looked at him. "Besides, isn't your sword engraved with a whale? Following the captain's insignia is a good choice."

Alec remained silent for a long time, then knelt on one knee, placed his right hand on his chest, and spoke solemnly.

"The Knights of the Great Whales, led by Alec Stone, will certainly live up to the Earl's expectations."

Behind him, Marcus and the other old knights from the West also knelt on one knee.

"The Giant Whale Knights are at the Earl's service!"

Vio looked at them without saying anything more. He turned around and looked out the window.

The sun had already sunk below the horizon, leaving only a dark red glow on the horizon. In the distance, the faint lights of fishing boats could be seen on the sea.

The longest night in the West is finally coming to an end.

…………

As night deepened, the commotion in the castle gradually subsided.

Gina walked out of the castle alone and came to the training ground in the West.

The moonlight spilled onto the sand, casting a cool glow, while in the distance, the waves crashed against the rocks, making a rhythmic sound.

She stood in the center of the training field, gripping her broadsword tightly.

She saw too much in that battle today.

The Earl's knightly aura, his composure as a Grand Knight, and the oppressive feeling brought by his third-tier power...

Although the Count had spoken of his talent, she understood that her skill level was falling further and further behind his.

"Your strength is good, but more strength is not always better. You need to learn to control it, when to exert force and when to hold back."

The Grand Knight's words echoed in her ears.

Gina took a deep breath and raised her broadsword.

She didn't use her full strength, but slowly swung the sword, feeling the weight of the blade, the contraction of her muscles, and the rhythm of her breathing.

One sword.

Two swords.

Three swords.

Her movements were slow, so slow it was like swinging a sword in water, creating resistance in the air, but each strike was incredibly precise, the blade cutting through the air with a slight whistling sound.

Gina's figure is very elegant, and her muscles look neither overly forceful nor artificial.

Her breathing began to become long and even, not by conscious control, but naturally slowing down.

The airflow circulated slowly within the body, as if searching for something.

She remembered what the Earl had said.

"I believe that with your talent, you will be the first to have an epiphany about breathing techniques."

Gina closed her eyes, trying to stop thinking about the pursuit and the gap.

Simply focus on your breathing, on the weight of the sword, on the flow of the wind.

The moonlight shone on her, casting a long shadow.

She swung her sword, sheathed it, and then swung it again.

Her movements became increasingly fluid and natural, as if the sword had become an extension of her body.

The action was repeated countless times.

After another sword swing, she felt the energy within her body suddenly accelerate, as if something had been broken.

A surge of heat gushed from his dantian, flowing throughout his body, causing every muscle to exert its strength and every bone to tremble.

She opened her eyes, not knowing what they were, but she knew she had become much stronger.