Chapter 132: The First Subordinate

The man hurried until he stood beside Kael, then bowed with deep respect, far deeper than Kael’s bow.

"I greet the Seventh Banner Bearer." He then turned slightly toward the old man, his tone shifting to tense reverence. "And I greet Lord Saint Cedric!"

Malrik wasn’t particularly surprised when he heard the man call Cedric a Saint.

He had already suspected that Cedric was a Saint. It had taken Malrik three full days to reach Blackthorn, yet Cedric had brought him and Eliza here in less than ten seconds.

Whatever method the old man had used, it was far beyond anything an ordinary Awakened or Ascendant could accomplish.

Cedric’s features did not change. He merely looked at the man with a calm gaze, completely devoid of emotion.

"I haven’t seen you in a long time, Reinhardt. You have grown much older... and it seems you possess troublesome children as well."

From Cedric’s words, Malrik identified the man.

Reinhardt Blackthorn, the current Baron of the Barony of Blackthorn.

Malrik observed their interaction in silence, finding a strange irony in the scene.

Reinhardt was officially a Baron and a noble. Even if he held the lowest of the noble titles, he remained a noble. Cedric, on the other hand, despite his status and power, was ultimately nothing more than a servant to the Duke.

And yet, Cedric’s nonchalant way of speaking, coupled with Reinhardt’s cautious tone in front of him, made the scene look as if their roles had been reversed—as if Cedric was the noble, and Reinhardt was the one standing before him seeking his favor.

Malrik smiled inwardly.

In this world, power was the only title that truly mattered.

The Baron wiped his forehead with a nervous gesture, then smiled awkwardly.

"It is wonderful to see you too, Cedric. Please excuse my son’s ignorance if he has offended the Banner Bearer or the Duke... I will personally ensure that he is punished."

Cedric’s face remained calm, and he did not answer for several seconds before saying coldly:

"Your son has already caused some trouble. But determining his punishment falls entirely to the will of His Grace the Duke... not you."

The Baron merely gave a quick nod.

He knew very well that the only reason he and his son still kept their heads attached to their necks was due to the Duke’s leniency with him, especially after the foolish mistake his son had committed.

Reinhardt cleared his throat, trying to change the subject, then turned to Malrik.

"How may I assist you, Lord Banner Bearer? Just tell me what you need, and I will provide it immediately."

Malrik smiled to ease the tension.

"Thank you, Baron. I came today specifically to reward the soldiers and mercenaries who fought by my side and defended these walls. Could you gather everyone, including the residents as well?"

The Baron’s face brightened instantly. "Of course, My Lord!"

Reinhardt signaled to one of his aides, giving him some quick orders, and the man dashed off to execute them.

The Baron then turned back to Malrik and cleared the way for him. "This way, My Lord. Everyone will be waiting for you in the main square."

Malrik nodded, then began walking accompanied by Eliza and Cedric, while Kael walked by his side, his features still carrying traces of tension and dismay.

Malrik tilted his head slightly toward him. "Kael, tell me... did Ronan and his squad leave?"

Kael snapped out of his daze and answered quickly. "Ah... no! They are still here, Banner Bearer. You will find them in the training grounds."

Malrik felt an internal sense of relief.

When the Duke asked him to form a squad of living warriors subordinate to him, Ronan and his team were the first to cross his mind. They had proven their strength and resilience when they faced the first wave of the Morvyth.

But Malrik wasn’t entirely sure they would accept his offer.

Ronan and his squad had originally come to Blackthorn to support Kael, not Malrik. Therefore, he wasn’t certain they would accept his offer to join his legion, especially since Ronan was the squad leader, and their decision would ultimately rest on him.

On the other hand, Malrik didn’t want to use his status or authority to force Ronan to make a choice.

He could easily do so, but he didn’t want to turn his only friendship into a relationship based on orders.

For this reason, he remained hesitant to bring the matter up to him.

Malrik looked at Kael, and a wicked smile formed on his lips.

"Your position might be difficult, Kael... but perhaps I can find you a way out."

Kael stopped walking and looked at him with intense interest. It was clear he was waiting to hear what Malrik had to say.

Malrik continued in a calm tone. "But in return, you must do me a favor."

Kael’s heart skipped a beat, and hope mixed with anxiety in his eyes. Malrik’s smile did not bode well for him getting this way out for free.

"I... please tell me, Banner Bearer. I will do anything."

Malrik stopped walking and turned to face him completely.

"The matter is simple. I am now the Baron of Dreadmoor, and I am currently working on forming a legion under my command. Join my new legion as one of my subordinates. Since you will be under my command, I will speak to the Duke on your behalf."

Kael’s eyes widened in sheer disbelief.

Even Baron Reinhardt, who was walking a step ahead of them, spun around the moment he heard Malrik’s words, looking even more enthusiastic than his son.

After all, becoming a direct subordinate to a Banner Bearer was no small matter. It was a position that opened up countless opportunities for its holder within House Vesperion.

If Malrik had offered the position to Reinhardt himself, he probably would have accepted without hesitation. But Reinhardt could not leave his post; the Duke had appointed him responsible for commanding Blackthorn Castle, and this was a responsibility he could not easily abandon, even if he wanted to.

Kael, however, did not have this restriction. The offer Malrik presented him was an opportunity to escape his current predicament and, at the same time, a fresh start under the command of a member of House Vesperion.

"Of course!" Kael shouted with overwhelming joy, bowing until he almost touched the ground. "I accept, Banner Bearer! This will be the greatest honor of my life!"

Malrik stepped closer to him, leaning in slightly to whisper in his ear with a voice only the two of them could hear. "Very well then. Your first task as one of my subordinates is to... recruit Ronan and his squad into my legion."

Kael’s back instantly went rigid upon hearing that.

Malrik continued in a wicked tone. "But... you must make him come to me and ask to join himself. Do not, under any circumstances, tell him that I ordered you to do this."

Malrik patted Kael’s shoulder lightly, then walked away to resume his walk toward the square. Just before stepping fully away, he cast a quick glance over his shoulder.

"Work hard. This is your first task, so don’t disappoint me, Kael."

Kael was left standing rooted to the spot, his mind racing as he tried to process the monumental task that had just been dumped on his shoulders.

How in the hell am I supposed to convince the heir to a Marquisate and the leader of an elite squad to drop everything and come personally beg to join the legion of a Baron who just got his lands?!