Chapter 60: The Hunt continues

"The First Dragonknight."

That heavy, monumental declaration reverberated off the thick stone walls of the Audience Chamber, freezing the air inside the grand hall.

Every eye pivoted toward Damian Blacksun.

Shock and disbelief rippled across the ranks of assembled nobility, while a sharp, burning envy flickered in the eyes of several veteran knights.

To many present, Damian was merely a foreign rogue warrior—a commoner who happened to reach the tier of a Sword Runner, no different in rank from the seasoned officers standing along the carpet.

Ranker or not, did an unaffiliated commoner from the frozen North truly deserve to hold a title bearing the revered dragon name of the Darkstar bloodline?

Even Ser Hughway felt a complex rush of mixed emotions regarding his liege’s sudden declaration.

Throughout the storied history of the Darkstar family, the title of ’Dragonknight’ was a legendary honor traditionally reserved for elite dragon-blooded champions.

Yet, because the Duke had granted Craig full, unrestricted authority to establish his own independent Private Military Company, the young Seventh Successor possessed the absolute legal right to bestow such a title upon his private vanguard.

The decree was completely legitimate.

Damian remained on his knees, his hands pressed tightly against the cool marble floor as his heart hammered wildly inside his chest.

He had expected the high position within the private military company—Craig had already detailed that offer back at the Silver Feather Inn.

However, being named the First Dragonknight was an extraordinary, terrifying honor he had never anticipated.

It bound his life, his blade, and his reputation directly to the dragon’s shadow.

Yet, looking up at the crimson-haired youth sitting upon the throne, Damian knew there was no reason in the world to reject such a gracious, life-changing title.

"Rise, Dragonknight," Craig’s voice boomed, carrying a resonant, divine weight.

Ser Damian raised his head, exhaling a slow, steadying breath as he pushed himself up from the floor.

Standing tall, he slammed his right fist over his chest, his icy-blue eyes burning with absolute, unwavering resolve.

"My blade, my blood, and my soul belong to my paramount liege!" Ser Damian declared with unbending loyalty.

Craig nodded approvingly, a subtle smile touching his lips as he settled back into his iron-and-oak throne.

He crossed his legs, his golden eyes shifting toward the young teenage girl standing beside the newly appointed Dragonknight.

"Annie," Craig addressed her gently. "Since you are not an ordained knight of the realm, you are not permitted to remain inside the formal military council.

You may take your leave and freely stroll around the inner courtyards and gardens of the castle as my guest."

Annie’s eyes lit up with excitement. She dropped into a graceful curtsy, bowing her head toward the dais.

"Thank you for your immense grace, Lord Viscount!"

With a bright, charming smile on her face, Annie turned and walked out of the Audience Chamber, her purple gown swishing softly against the marble floor while her elder brother remained standing in the center of the hall as an official commander.

The moment the heavy double doors clicked shut behind Annie, the atmosphere in the room instantly returned to a strict, tense state of readiness.

Craig leaned back against his throne, turning his dark golden gaze directly toward the leader of the Viscounty’s standing forces.

"Ser Gunther... proceed with your military report."

Ser Gunther took a heavy step forward, slamming his gauntlet over his breastplate as he addressed the throne.

"As you command, Lord Viscount! Yesterday, as the sun was setting over the western ridges, our long-range scouting units detected explicit mana signatures and corrupted tracks deep within the wilderness.

A 2nd-Tier Abomination has been spotted making its way directly toward the central core of the Jeju Forest."

Gunther looked up, his tone growing grave.

"Based on the physical size of the tracks and the shedding scales recovered by our scouts, the beast appears to be the corrupted Alpha leader of the Red-Scaled Deer herd."

Hearing the report, Craig inhaled deeply, letting the cool castle air fill his lungs.

A sharp, thrilled glint flashed across his golden eyes.

A 2nd-Tier Abomination!

This was the absolute, perfect opportunity he had been waiting for to test his true physical limits and refined sword art against a higher-tier monster.

While a select few 1st-Tier Abominations—like the Three-Headed Rhino he had slain previously—could occasionally manifest embryonic Traits, all 2nd-Tier Abominations possessed fully developed, lethal Traits.

Indeed, manifesting a dominant, active Trait was one of the fundamental prerequisites for an Abomination to successfully evolve beyond the 1st-Tier.

Even Dark Sister possessed a terrifying, high-tier Trait of her own—though she rarely bothered to trigger it simply because nothing in the surrounding territory was strong enough to pose a threat to her massive frame.

The entire Audience Chamber remained dead silent, every baron and knight fixing their gaze upon the young Viscount, eagerly awaiting his strategic command.

Craig lightly tapped his boot against the raised dais, the rhythmic sound echoing off the stone walls.

"There are only two days remaining before the regional Harvest Festival officially draws to a close," Craig spoke, his tone sharp and decisive.

"Following the festival’s conclusion, I must personally evaluate, select, and formally appoint new ministers to oversee the civil administrative branches of the Viscounty.

Therefore, our time is exceedingly limited."

He leaned forward, resting his forearms on his knees as he issued his directive.

"We will bring a swift, decisive end to the Jeju Forest operation tomorrow by hunting down and slaughtering this 2nd-Tier Abomination.

All forces will rest and replenish their supplies today to prepare for tomorrow’s grand offensive. I expect to see double the total count of hunted Abomination carcasses brought back to the processing pit."

Before the knights could shout their obedience, Craig raised a hand, sweeping his eyes over his military leadership to announce a massive restructuring of the territorial high command.

"Furthermore, to ensure flawless coordination across all military branches, I hereby announce new official appointments," Craig declared smoothly.

"Since Ser Hughway has assumed the supreme duty of Lord Commander over the Myrain Viscounty and my personal Guardian Knight, Ser Gunther shall officially take the position of General of the Viscounty’s Military Command!"

Ser Gunther’s eyes widened in pleasant surprise before he bowed his head with immense pride.

"I shall serve with my life, Lord Viscount!"

"Ser Hetos and Ser Merlyn shall support General Gunther as Rear Commanders," Craig continued effortlessly, restructuring the entire chain of command.

"However, this leaves a vital vacancy at the top of our standing forces—the position of Captain of the Myrain Knight Corps is currently open."

Craig’s lips curled into a sharp, competitive smirk as he looked over the eager faces of the assembled Sword Runners in the hall.

"The Sword Runner who claims the highest number of confirmed Abomination kills during tomorrow’s grand operation shall be officially awarded the title of Captain of the Knight Corps..." Craig paused, his golden eyes gleaming.

"...and his monthly salary shall be permanently doubled."