Rebirth (2)

Before they knew it, the group had reached the end of the road, where the main hall, cast in steel, stood before them.

This palace is completely out of step with the style traditionally worn by Northern Nobles. It lacks any so-called aristocratic luxury, instead brimming with a simple and straightforward aesthetic of violence, creating a powerful visual impact and a sense of oppression. It can make ordinary people tremble before its gates, deeply aware of their own insignificance.

Fred turned to observe the carefully selected teenagers, only to find that Anthony was somewhat distracted again.

"Everyone, snap out of it."

"What you are about to meet is the sole master of this land."

He actually thought highly of this boy named "Anthony".

Just seven months ago, the Kavan Family, led by Earl Brandon, was wiped out by the Tiefling army. When the Tiefling pursued Earl Brandon's second son, Solly Calvin, the Baron was found dead in the basement of the Baron's Manor, his clothes disheveled.

A sharpened splinter was lodged deep in his throat.

Along with the body, a thirteen-year-old boy was also found.

He was shirtless, clutching a broken wooden stick tightly in his hand. His body trembled with extreme tension, and his handsome face was covered in blood. His eyes revealed a determination beyond his years—that was the former Anthony.

Freed had to admit that he had some personal biases and paid extra attention to Anthony.

Because the "White Lion Knight" Tarick, who had treated him like an older brother, had also killed the inhuman orphanage director in the same way and escaped with him from the orphanage, that memory was so unforgettable that he still remembered it now, and Anthony's experience undoubtedly awakened his memories.

Fortunately, Anthony did not disappoint him. Through relentless training, he became the most outstanding teenager in the selection process.

"But what does that have to do with me?"

"It's just completing a mission."

Freed chuckled almost imperceptibly as he thought to himself.

With a heavy thud, the main hall doors slowly opened to them.

"Keep up."

Freed led the way, with the boys following behind him, carefully forming a neat line.

Freed knelt on one knee before the steps and said respectfully, "Master, I have followed your instructions and found a suitable candidate who can receive this great gift. I hope you will be satisfied."

As he knelt down, the boys behind him followed suit, kneeling on the ground and bowing their heads.

Anthony was breathing rapidly; he seemed to smell Sulfur Scent.

The air inside the hall was much hotter than outside, causing beads of sweat to stream down his forehead, but he remained kneeling, not daring to make the slightest movement.

"Good, everyone raise your heads."

A commanding voice rang out from above, echoing throughout the empty palace.

Anthony, kneeling on the ground, raised his head slightly, cautiously, and finally saw once again the majestic figure that was already engraved in his memory—the huge and strong dragon body was rather lazily coiled on the Iron Throne, its surface revealing ripples like flowing magma.

On that ferocious dragon's head, golden vertical pupils were filled with majesty, and the sweeping horns resembled a crown.

That was the symbol of absolute power, and the existence that shattered the old order of the the North, the creator of the kingdom's order— the Embers of the Burned King, Keosius.

Anthony's heart pounded. He had never been so close to this powerful being. The thought of possessing great power, an unparalleled glorious identity, and completely overcoming his humiliating past fueled his ambition and anticipation.

The voice from above rang out again.

"May I have your name?"

Seemingly sensing the scrutinizing gaze from above, Anthony's heart began to pound wildly, and he thought excitedly, "Is he... is he calling me?"

His past humiliations had left him with a deep-seated inferiority complex, making it almost impossible for him to believe that he had gained the attention of His Majesty.

He quickly bowed his head and replied, "Your Majesty, my name is Anthony."

"Oh? You're Anthony?"

A hint of surprise crept into Keosius's voice.

He knew of Anthony's plight. This story was used by the kingdom's cultural Propaganda Department as a typical case of "Northern Nobles harming commoners, and the kingdom's order saving them." It appeared on the propaganda leaflets that the kingdom distributed to the North countries and became an important weapon for propaganda.

But Anthony himself was clearly unaware of this.

The boy was overjoyed, even flattered. "He actually knows me!"

He never imagined that someone as lowly and insignificant as himself, someone who could be considered nothing more than livestock in the old order of the the North, would be remembered by this emperor, while the other youths were even more envious.

This is how superiors bestow favors upon inferiors. When the gap in status and power is too great, every action of the superior is seen as an immense blessing. However, Keosius has become quite accustomed to this.

If he could win the loyalty of his subordinates with just a few words, why wouldn't he do it?

After a few perfunctory questions and compliments, Keosius yawned and commanded:

"Freed, let's begin the ceremony."

"Yes, Master."

Freed and stepped forward, facing the boys, and calmly recited the oath:

"Extinguish the enemy's flames of hope, enforce order with an iron fist, the Dragon Lord is above all else."

The boys loudly proclaimed their vows.

Anthony, also deeply moved, knelt on the ground and recited the oath word by word, following the steps he had rehearsed countless times in his mind:

"Extinguish the enemy's flames of hope, enforce order with an iron fist; the Dragon Lord is above all else!"

"Very good."

"Feeling the power of the contract," Keosius said.

His body surface rippled like magma, releasing tiny Kindling light.

Now, possessing the Progenitor Dragon Blood, he no longer needs to bestow favors through primitive means like "bloodletting." He only needs to expend negligible power to release the bloodline Kindling with magical essence, which is enough to grant mortals the violent Red Dragon bloodline.

The flickering flames entered the boys' bodies.

They transform mortal blood into dragon blood brimming with elemental power, which flows freely through the veins.

Despite having mentally prepared himself, Anthony still clenched his teeth so tightly during the transformation of the dragon blood that he almost broke them. He could even hear his companions around him screaming in pain.

It's so hot! It's unbearably hot!

My body felt as if it were being immersed in magma, about to burst into flames.

Anthony was writhing on the ground in pain, rolling around, his skin red and steaming hot.

In an instant, Anthony seemed to return to that unforgettable afternoon, and Baron Solly appeared before him again, the man reaching out his evil claws to his younger self.

"But I need this power!"

"So what if I become a monster? So what if I become a follower of dragons? At least I won't be treated as livestock for people to vent their desires."

"I want to be a real person!"

He roared inwardly.

This time, instead of being harmed as in reality, Anthony spewed out raging flames, burning that despicable fellow to ashes.

Faint scales emerged beneath his skin, and a row of scale horns appeared on his back. His originally thin body greedily absorbed the surrounding energy and grew stronger.

When the smoke cleared, Anthony could vaguely make out that he was human, but he had already transformed into a form with Dragon Vein Traits.

The same applies to the remaining eleven teenagers.

Without exception, all twelve who received this blessing successfully transformed into Dragon Oath Paladin.

However, apart from Anthony, the others could not withstand the impact of this powerful force and were unable to control their newly formed dragon vein bodies. They temporarily fell into a coma and were unconscious.

Only Anthony, supporting his body with his dragon-scaled arms, slowly got up, then knelt down again.

His lips trembled slightly.

"Dragon Lord."

At this moment, he was finally reborn and bid farewell to the boy who used to cower in the dark corner.