Chapter 503 - 397: The Strongest Knight Bloodline: Golden Blood
Chapter 503: Chapter 397: The Strongest Knight Bloodline: Golden Blood
「The next day.」
Raylo spent the entire day managing the various affairs of his territory.
Being a competent Lord was far busier than one might imagine.
It wasn’t until dusk, as the last rays of the setting sun were about to sink below the horizon, that he finally had a moment to breathe.
Holding a cup of black tea, he stood on the castle’s terrace, gazing out at the distant scenery.
Just then, a Personal Guard knocked on the door to his study.
"My Lord!"
The Personal Guard saluted.
"There is a Knight outside the castle who wishes to see you."
"A Knight? What’s his name?"
"He says his name is Sok," the Personal Guard replied.
"He didn’t say where he was from, but... he looks rather disheveled, as if he’s just escaped a pursuit."
Raylo nodded. He had asked Ed to keep an eye out for any young Knights visiting or passing through Black Stone Territory these past few days. He hadn’t expected this Knight named Sok to show up on his own doorstep before he even received a report from Ed.
In the side hall, a fire blazed in the hearth.
A young man was sitting in a chair by the fireplace. His right hand was wrapped in thick bandages, which were faintly stained with seeping blood.
His face was pale, but his eyes were exceptionally bright, like stars in the night sky.
He wore a suit of tattered Leather Armor covered in sword and dagger marks. Beside him lay a Knight’s Longsword with several chips in its blade.
Although he looked worn and haggard, it couldn’t hide his upright and dignified bearing.
This was Sok.
Seeing Raylo enter, Sok scrambled to his feet to salute, but the movement pulled at his wounds, causing him to hiss in a sharp breath of pain.
"Sit. There’s no need for such formalities."
Raylo waved a hand, gesturing for him not to move.
He took a seat in the chair opposite Sok, while Ed stood silently behind him.
"How are you feeling?" Raylo asked, his voice gentle.
"Much better, My Lord."
Sok’s voice was a little hoarse.
"Thank you for taking me in and treating my injuries."
"It was nothing."
Raylo looked at him and got straight to the point.
"Tell me, why were you being hunted? And why were you so determined to find me?"
Sok’s eyes dimmed, and he fell silent for a moment.
In the end, he chose to tell Raylo everything.
In a calm voice, he told the story of how he had fallen in love with a noble lady, only to face the fierce opposition of her father due to their difference in status. The father had even sent men to hunt him down.
It was an old, cliché story—the kind of hero-rescues-the-damsel tale that Minstrels loved to sing about.
But coming from Sok’s mouth, it carried an air of authenticity and helplessness.
"...I heard that you are an enlightened Lord who recruits talent without prejudice. That’s why I wanted to seek refuge with you, hoping I could find a path forward here."
After speaking, Sok looked up at Raylo with those bright eyes, which were now filled with both apprehension and hope.
Raylo listened quietly without interrupting him.
’This young man is said to possess the strongest Knight bloodline,’ Raylo mused. ’Just having him seek refuge isn’t enough. I need to find a way to make him commit his loyalty to me, to swear an oath of fealty. Only then will it be secure.’
"So, you came to me hoping I would offer you sanctuary, to help you escape the pursuit of the Count of Giant Stone?" Raylo asked.
"Yes, My Lord."
Sok nodded.
Raylo smiled.
He stood up, walked to the fireplace, and watched the dancing Flame within.
"Sok, let me ask you a question."
"Please, My Lord."
"Do you think, in your current state, that you resemble a hero?"
"A hero who draws his sword to protect love?"
Sok was stunned.
"You fell in love with a noble lady. That’s wonderful. It proves you have the courage to pursue love."
Raylo turned around, his gaze burning as he stared at him.
"But when you encountered an obstacle, you chose to elope with her, to run away."
"Have you ever considered whether doing this can truly bring her happiness?"
"A man who can’t even protect himself, who can only run from place to place like a stray dog being hunted—what kind of future can he give her? A life of hiding with you in the wilderness, never knowing where the next meal is coming from, living in constant fear?"
Raylo’s words were like sharp daggers, stabbing viciously into Sok’s heart.
Sok’s face grew even paler. He opened his mouth, but not a single word came out.
"You think you’re sacrificing for love, that you’re resisting injustice. But in my eyes, this is nothing but cowardly escapism."
"When a true Knight’s beloved woman is wronged, he shouldn’t run away with her. He should grip the sword in his hand and go out to win honor, to achieve great deeds, to gain the status and Power that will silence everyone!"
"And then, you walk up to that noble who looks down on you, proud and honorable, and tell him, ’I am marrying your daughter! You have no right to object!’"
Raylo’s voice was full of Power and incitement.
"But, My Lord..." Sok said helplessly.
"I am just an ordinary Knight. I have courage, but not the Power to protect the one I love."
"Not having it now doesn’t mean you won’t have it in the future..." Raylo said.
"You say you’re just a Knight, unable to protect your love. But what if you were a Sky Knight? Or even a Domain Knight?"
Sok’s breathing grew rapid. A Flame ignited in his bright eyes.
Seeing his reaction, Raylo knew the time was right.
He walked back to his seat and sat down again, his tone softening.