Lord: I can see loyalty.

The expanded village of Bordeaux is busier than ever today.

This is because the lord has returned with the entourage that went to the capital.

"Xavier!" The girl, Zinnia, who had always been by Xavier's side in Broadbridge Village, made a rare appearance in Bordeaux Village, seemingly to welcome them.

Xavier walked up to her with a smile and patted her on the shoulder. "You haven't caused Lord Valentine any trouble lately, have you?"

Meanwhile, the elite militiamen—no, the knights—who had returned to the village were also searching among the crowd for their families who had come to greet them.

The knight embraced his wife, and the children rushed forward to hug their father's leg armor, whispering, laughing, and weeping with joy, their voices echoing in the village of Bordeaux, which had already grown into a town.

Half a day later, the noise gradually subsided, replaced by the fatigue of the journey. After settling the horses, organizing the equipment, and recording the rewarded gold coins into the treasury, the village quickly returned to normal operation.

As dusk fell, torches crackled and popped in the training ground deep within the village.

Jimmy Murphy stood on the high platform in the center of the arena, his back straight as a spear, with Vio standing beside him.

Before the two stood ten knight captains, including a group of Gertrude and Xavier who followed them. Further back were a hundred apprentice knights wearing armor, whose average swordsmanship level had reached the intermediate level of basic swordsmanship.

Vio looked at everyone on the training field with a calm and unchanging gaze. In his field of vision were panels.

Without exception, their loyalty was at least higher than [Loyalty: 90%], and their traits such as [Combat Experience], [Riding Skill], and [Resilience] appeared repeatedly.

"I've got it, everyone." Jimmy began, his voice echoing throughout the hall: "From this day forward, you are no longer members of the militia, but knights, members of the Azure Peak Knights."

He came down to the bottom, slowly walked through the queue, and his eyes swept over every face.

"Why you? Not because you're good fighters—though you're not bad either." He paused, then continued, "but because you have more than just muscles in your heads. You know who you should fight for and why you should die."

He stopped at the end of the line and turned around to face everyone.

"The meaning of the Azure Peak Knights is very simple: if the sky falls, we will be the first to hold it up."

Without uttering any grand pronouncements, Jimmy drew his longsword, turned to face Vio, and held it level, while behind him came the sound of swords being drawn in unison.

"Swear an oath to the lord," Jimmy began.

"With the honor and life of a knight, I will defend my lord and the glory of this place!" A deep vow echoed through the training ground, startling several neighs from the surrounding stables.

Vio nodded slightly on the panel, and Jimmy's trait column subtly changed: [Knight Commander], and his faction column changed to: [Azure Peak Knight Commander].

A few days later, in the early morning.

The central square of Bordeaux village was packed with people, not only from the village itself, but also from neighboring villages like Châteauneuf-du-Champaign.

The residents looked at the newly built, magnificent Château de Bordeaux not far from the Grand Place and discussed it amongst themselves.

Not only the Château de la Cité, but the entire village of Bordeaux has been renovated, and combined with the magnificent outer walls, it is even more impressive than the Nacaville Fortress.

Vio Rose, dressed in the count's robes bestowed upon him by the king on his journey to the capital, ascended the high platform, the insignia on his shoulders clearly visible.

The crowd gradually quieted down, and everyone's attention began to focus on one another.

"Everyone in Bordeaux Village, everyone in the Southern Territory," Vio began slowly, his voice not loud, but clear enough for everyone to hear, "We have returned from the capital with the King's approval, and Jimmy and the others have earned the title of knights through their loyalty and bravery."

Cheers erupted from the crowd, especially from the area where the knights' families were gathered.

Vio raised his hand, suppressing his voice.

"Our village, now the center of the Southern Territory, can no longer contain this responsibility and glory." He paused, then took a deep breath.

"Therefore, in the name of the count granted by the King, I hereby grant Bordeaux the rights of a town. From this day forward, the people of Bordeaux are no longer villagers of the village of Bordeaux, but loyal and free citizens of Bordeaux!"

The silence lasted for a moment.

Then, a tremendous cheer erupted like a volcano, the jubilation of the people drowning out all other sounds.

Vio looked down at the jubilant crowd below, his status on the panel filled with joy, and his loyalty level rose once again.

But he wasn't too excited. Although the city walls were erected and the people's hearts were united, the real threat deep in the desert had not yet been resolved.

……

On the first evening after the declaration, Poledo, which had been upgraded to a city, was filled with a festive atmosphere.

Smoke from cooking fires mingled with the aroma of roasting meat, long queues formed in front of makeshift wine stalls, and people talked about the city walls, the market, and the future.

Vio Rose walked through the crowd without a grand procession, accompanied only by two knights from the Order of the Azure Peaks and his personal guard captain, Vincent.

Rather than calling it his first inspection, he preferred to treat it as a regular shopping trip.

The people cheered sincerely for Vio's arrival, peasant women stuffed warm, soft bread into his mouth, and old craftsmen excitedly suggested the necessary defenses for the city gates.

Captain Vincent of the bodyguards was reporting in a low voice to his side on the security arrangements and the flow of supplies.

"...Overall, things are going smoothly, sir. After the initial excitement wears off, there might be some minor frictions, but they're all under control."

Vio nodded, his gaze sweeping over the faces. The information on the panel flowed by like water, mostly around [Loyalty: 90%].

But just as a melodious bugle call sounded and people were shouting their hearts out, a sudden change occurred.

On the right side of the crowd, a burly figure who had been hunched over and seemed to be tidying up a stall suddenly sprang up!

His movements were faster than a human's; his twisted arm shot out like an invisible crossbow bolt, and a glint of cold light from a short knife pierced Vio's neck.

The crowd was stunned. Before they could even cry out, the guards and knights beside them tried to step forward to stop them.

But no matter how fast the assassin is, how can he outrun Vio, a master of Dune swordsmanship?

He pivoted on his left foot, his body sliding smoothly backward half a step like quicksand. The short knife grazed his face with a foul stench, and at the same time, his right hand was already on the hilt of the sword, and he saw the assassin clearly.

The assassin's eyes flashed with fanaticism and a familiar golden light. He twisted his body and stabbed again, his speed even faster!

But Vio's sword was already drawn, and he precisely struck the assassin's wrist with the hilt.

"Crack!" The faint sound of bone breaking was drowned out.

The assassin's dagger slipped from his hand, but instead of screaming like a human, he tried to struggle, but the knights and guards on both sides had already pounced on him.

Vincent slammed Bao Tie's elbow into the assassin's face, while another young knight swept his knee with his scabbard.

The assassin's strong body crashed to the ground, instantly pinned down by several longswords pointed at his vital points.

Vio slowly sheathed his sword, his expression as calm as before. He walked to the subdued assassin and squatted down. The man was still screaming and struggling, his eyes unfocused.

On the side of his neck, a thin, familiar, twisted line faintly glowed beneath his skin.

Name: Carl Astor

Race: Human

Age: 28

[Faction: Under the command of the God of Eclipse]

Hobbies: None

[Characteristics: Physically strong, withdrawn, and easily angered]

Loyalty: Not loyal to you

[Status: Under control, unconscious]

A person manipulated by the God of Eclipse? Vio raised an eyebrow slightly. It came faster than he had expected. This was the God of Eclipse's congratulatory gift to the new city.

"My lord, what should we do?" Vincent asked in a deep voice, gripping the hilt of his sword tightly.

Vio stood up, dusted himself off, while the surrounding crowd was still in shock.

"Take him to the dungeon," Vio said calmly. "He's beyond saving; his consciousness has been completely manipulated."

He took one last look at Karl's empty eyes; this was not the first, and it would certainly not be the last.

Although it's unclear how the Eclipse God managed to do it, it seems we must deal with him as soon as possible.

"Strengthen security within the city," Vio instructed Todd, his gaze fixed on the depths of the desert. "Also, inform Jimmy and Ansquie to increase patrols by the Sky Peak Knights and regular militia."

"Yes, Your Excellency!"

Vio turned and left, but the city's jubilation continued.