Chapter 81: The Black Dragon Company

The morning sun bathed the capital in gold.

Citizens lined the streets as soldiers returned through the eastern gate.

Word had already spread.

Prince Kael had restored Ironridge Fortress.

Merchants whispered.

Children pointed excitedly at the black-armored soldiers.

Some recognized Commander Aldric's name after the Emperor's decree had been posted throughout the city.

Others simply stared at the disciplined formation marching behind the Tenth Prince.

Unlike many noble entourages...

No one laughed.

No one shouted.

The fifty soldiers marched in perfect synchronization.

Each carried themselves with quiet pride.

Homecoming

Kael's estate was far from the grand palaces occupied by some of his siblings.

It wasn't the largest.

Nor the richest.

But it was alive.

The servants smiled as they saw their lord return safely.

The stable workers rushed to take the horses.

Several children from nearby villages waved enthusiastically at Walter.

Walter proudly waved back.

"I'm famous."

Leon rolled his eyes.

"They're waving because they know Kael."

Walter ignored him.

"They definitely know me."

Kael quietly entered his study.

He carefully placed the mysterious black egg onto a cushioned stand beside the window.

Morning sunlight reflected across its smooth shell.

Thump...

The heartbeat echoed softly.

Kael rested his hand on it.

"I'll figure out what you are."

The egg remained silent.

A Summons

A knock came at the door.

"My Lord."

One of the servants bowed.

"The fifty soldiers have assembled."

Kael nodded.

"Bring them to the training grounds."

The Beginning of Something New

The estate's training field had never held so many people.

Fifty soldiers stood in neat rows.

Some were former mercenaries.

Some were commoners.

Some belonged to forgotten branch families.

Others had once served minor nobles.

Their backgrounds differed.

But now...

They all wore the same black cloak bearing the dragon emblem.

Darius stood at the front.

Walter leaned against a post with his helmet tucked under one arm.

Leon remained expressionless.

Grom quietly observed everyone.

Kael stepped onto the wooden platform.

His eyes swept across every face.

"I asked each of you to follow me."

"No one forced you."

"You came because you believed we could build something different."

The soldiers listened in silence.

"I've fought beside you."

"I've bled beside you."

"And after Ironridge..."

"I know exactly what kind of soldiers you are."

He paused.

"An army without order..."

"...is only a crowd carrying weapons."

"So today..."

"We stop being fifty individuals."

"We become one company."

The soldiers straightened.

Promotions

Kael unrolled a parchment.

"These appointments are based on merit."

"Not wealth."

"Not bloodline."

"And certainly not family names."

Several branch family members looked up in surprise.

"Darius."

The veteran stepped forward.

"From this day forward..."

"You will serve as Commander of the Black Dragon Company."

Darius knelt.

"I accept."

"I swear my sword to this company until death."

"Walter."

Walter blinked.

"...Wait."

"Seriously?"

A few soldiers chuckled.

"You are appointed vice commander."

Walter scratched the back of his head.

"...You're making a terrible decision."

Laughter spread through the formation.

Even Kael smiled.

"I expect you to grow into it."

Walter grinned.

"...Then I won't disappoint you."

"Leon."

"You are appointed Operations Officer."

"Your responsibility is logistics, discipline, and battlefield coordination."

Leon bowed.

"It will be done."

"Grom."

"You will command reconnaissance."

"No one moves through unfamiliar territory without your knowledge."

The goblin placed a fist over his chest.

"I won't fail."

Squad Leaders

Kael continued reading.

Ten experienced soldiers stepped forward one after another.

Each was assigned five soldiers.

Every appointment surprised someone.

A former commoner.

A branch family knight.

A veteran mercenary.

No one had expected promotions based solely on ability.

One young soldier couldn't hide his disbelief.

"...Your Highness..."

"My family..."

"...we're only a branch family."

"My father said we'd never command anyone."

Kael looked directly at him.

"What matters here..."

"...is what you accomplish."

"Not what you're born into."

The young man's eyes reddened.

He slammed his fist against his chest.

"I won't disgrace your trust!"

Several other branch family soldiers exchanged glances.

For the first time...

Someone had looked beyond their surname.

The Company's Rules

Kael rolled up the parchment.

"There will be rules."

"Break them..."

"And your rank won't protect you."

He raised one finger.

"First."

"Loyalty is earned."

"I expect mine to be earned just as yours will be."

A second finger.

"Second."

"No innocent is to be harmed."

"We are soldiers."

"Not bandits."

A third finger.

"Third."

"No soldier under my command will be abandoned."

The training ground became completely silent.

"If one of you falls behind..."

"We all return."

"If one of you is captured..."

"We bring you home."

"If one of you dies..."

"You will not be forgotten."

Walter lowered his head.

Several veterans exchanged emotional glances.

Those words...

They were almost unheard of among noble armies.

"And finally..."

Kael looked across the entire formation.

"From this day onward..."

"Promotion belongs to the capable."

"I don't care if you're born a prince..."

"...or the son of a farmer."

"If you prove yourself..."

"You'll rise."

The response shook the estate.

"YES, COMMANDER!"

Their voices echoed beyond the walls.

Servants stopped working.

Nearby villagers looked toward the estate.

Something new...

Had just been born.

Dragonspire Palace

Far away...

Inside the Imperial Palace...

An elegant woman stood before a large window.

She wore a gown of white and gold.

To the servants...

She was the picture of dignity.

Graceful.

Refined.

The perfect Empress.

A maid entered quietly.

"Your Majesty."

"The Tenth Prince has returned."

The Empress did not turn around.

"I know."

"The city won't stop talking about him."

The maid hesitated.

"The nobles are praising his handling of Ironridge."

Silence.

Then...

The Empress smiled.

A beautiful smile.

Cold enough to freeze a room.

"How wonderful."

"Another prince earning admiration."

She dismissed the maid with a wave.

When the door closed...

The smile disappeared.

Her expression became unreadable.

She walked toward a hidden bookshelf.

Pressed a concealed mechanism.

The shelf slid aside.

Behind it...

A narrow staircase descended into darkness.

Without a word...

She walked below.

The hidden passage closed behind her.

Deep beneath the palace...

Someone was already waiting.

Only a voice echoed through the darkness.

"Has he become a problem?"

The Empress answered calmly.

"...Not yet."

"But he will."

The unknown figure chuckled.

"Then we'll simply make sure..."

"...he never reaches the finish line."

The chamber fell silent.

Above them...

The Imperial Palace continued its daily routine.

No one knew that beneath the heart of the Empire...

A conspiracy had just begun to move.