Chapter 59: Crimson Dragon Order

Ser Hughway stepped forward to give his formal military report regarding the deep danger zone, but before he could open his mouth to speak, a sharp metallic click echoed through the grand hall.

The heavy oak doors leading into the Audience Chamber swung wide open.

Every knight, baron, and commander turned their heads simultaneously toward the entrance to see four figures stepping past the threshold.

The moment Craig’s dark golden eyes fell upon the incoming group, his face lit up and a gentle, satisfied smile appeared on his lips.

Beside the throne, Ser Hughway let out a soft, knowing sigh. Observing his liege’s pleased expression, the veteran Guardian Knight shifted his gaze to inspect the newcomers.

The reason for Craig’s smile was simple: two of the four people who had just entered the hall were Damian Blacksun and his younger sister, Annie Blacksun.

Damian was clad in his pristine, dark leather battle suit, his posture remarkably straight and his sheathed arming sword resting cleanly against his waist.

Standing right beside him was Annie, her sleek, night-black hair cascading down past her waist in a glossy sheen.

She wore a modest, beautifully tailored purple gown that highlighted her youth and delicate features, though her crystal-blue eyes darted nervously across the ranks of heavily armored Rankers lining the carpet.

The remaining two figures were castle sentries who had escorted the pair through the keep.

A harsh frown instantly creased Ser Gunther’s face.

He took a heavy step forward, his hand resting on his sword pommel as his voice boomed across the marble floor.

"What is the meaning of this?! Who are these commoners, and who gave you soldiers the authority to breach the Lord Viscount’s private council?!"

The surrounding knights and landed barons murmured in agreement, their glares sweeping over the two young strangers.

One of the escort sentries trembled under the collective pressure of the room.

He stepped forward, dropping to one knee before the dais and bowing his head low.

"P-Pardon us, Lord Commander! I offer my deepest apologies to Ser Gunther and the Lord Viscount! These two travelers arrived at the main gate claiming to be personal guests of our liege. I initially intended to turn them away and bar their entry..."

The sentry paused, turning his head toward Damian.

"...but then this young man produced this token."

Damian reached into his leather tunic and held out his hand.

Resting flat within his palm was the heavy, silver-plated token intricately carved with the ferocious dragon crest of the Darkstar bloodline.

A collective, sharp gasp rippled through the Audience Chamber.

The knights instantly recognized the item—it was an official Darkstar Silver Warrant, an absolute pass of passage directly owned and issued by a true Successor of the ducal house.

Every eye in the room pivoted from the silver token directly toward the seated Viscount, eagerly waiting to see his reaction.

Ser Gunther immediately drew back his aggressive posture the second he caught sight of Craig’s relaxed, smiling face.

"I gave that token to them," Craig spoke calmly, his smooth voice effortlessly cutting through the tense atmosphere.

"Though I must admit, I am quite pleasantly surprised to see that you two have arrived so early."

Craig turned his dark golden eyes toward the trembling sentries. "You two are dismissed. Leave us."

"Understood, my Lord!" the sentries gasped out in immense relief.

They scrambled to their feet and rushed out of the Audience Chamber without a second’s hesitation, pulling the massive double doors shut behind them with a heavy thud.

Left standing in the center of the grand carpet, Damian took a deep, steadying breath.

He dropped straight down onto both knees, slamming his right fist against the marble floorboards and bowing his head deeply before the throne.

"I greet my paramount liege—Craig von Darkstar, Lord Viscount of Myrain Viscounty and the Seventh Successor of the Rynchester Duchy," Damian declared, his voice ringing with absolute, unwavering clarity that echoed against the high vaulted ceiling.

"I, Damian Blacksun, and my sister, Annie Blacksun, report ourselves before thy service!"

Ser Gunther’s eyebrows furrowed in utter bewilderment.

He turned back toward the dais, his tone laced with confusion. "Lord Viscount... what is the meaning of this? Who are these commoners claiming to offer their service?"

"They came early, and for that, I am truly glad," Craig said gently as he slowly rose from his iron-and-oak throne.

Standing tall upon the marble dais, Craig spread his arms slightly, formally introducing the siblings to the assembled nobility and military vanguard.

"Members of the court, landed barons, and valiant knights of Myrain... behold Damian Blacksun and Annie Blacksun. From this day forth, these two shall serve as the official founding members of the Crimson Dragon Order."

Baron Ludwig, one of the seven landed barons governing the Viscounty’s outer sectors, stepped forward with a hesitant look.

"My Lord... if I may inquire... what precisely is this ’Crimson Dragon Order’?"

Craig exhaled a soft, quiet sigh.

He glanced sideways at Ser Hughway, catching the veteran knight’s subtle nod.

Receiving the signal, Craig casually sat back down onto his throne, crossing his legs as Ser Hughway took a step forward to address the court.

"Allow me to clarify the Lord Viscount’s decree," Ser Hughway announced, his authoritative voice instantly commanding the attention of every noble present.

"Prior to taking governance of the Myrain Viscounty, the Lord Duke formally granted the Seventh Successor an exclusive, legal charter to establish and command his own independent private military company.

Under the authority of the ducal seal, there are zero restrictions regarding the size, recruitment scope, or operational authority of this force."

Ser Hughway gestured toward the kneeling siblings.

"The Crimson Dragon Order will establish its primary fortress base here within the Myrain Viscounty. Leading this new military branch as its founding commanders will be Damian Blacksun—a certified Sword Runner Ranker—and Annie Blacksun, a talented Mana Apprentice Ranker."

Ser Hughway’s formal explanation sent absolute shockwaves through the entire Audience Chamber.

The barons and knights looked at one another in sheer disbelief, widespread whispers breaking out among the ranks.

To grant a completely independent, unrestricted military charter to a fifteen-year-old Seventh Successor.

And to have commoner Rankers placed at its head—was an extraordinary development that completely altered the power balance of the territory.

Craig raised a single gloved hand, and the murmurs died down instantly.

The hall fell dead silent once more.

Craig looked down at Damian, who remained bowing on his knees, a sharp, delighted curl returning to the young Viscount’s lips.

"Since you, Damian Blacksun, have formally accepted my offer to serve me as your supreme and undivided lord..." Craig’s dark golden eyes flashed with immense authority.

"...I officially declare you an ordained Knight of the Myrain Viscounty and the first Commanding General of the Crimson Dragon Order."

Craig leaned forward slightly, his gaze piercing into the young warrior. "Do you accept this duty?"

Damian bowed his head even lower, his hands pressing firmly against the cold stone floor as he answered with absolute, ironclad devotion.

"I graciously accept, my Lord!"

"Very good" Craig’s eyes flickered, he rose from his throne once again, slowly descending down the stairs.

Standing before Damian, Craig unsheathed his sword, placing his blade on Damian’s shoulder.

"I anoint you Ser Damian Blacksun"

"The first Dragonknight...."