Chapter 9

Cyrus's scratches and swelling had mostly healed, but his right arm was temporarily immobile and hung from a sling across his chest.

While he sat in a chair as Judas fed him, a servant came in to report that the twelve knights sent by His Majesty the King had arrived at the castle.

"I'm full, Judas."

Cyrus swallowed the last bite of softened white bread and told the servant, "Bring them into the hall to wait for me first. I'll be there shortly."

"Yes, my lord."

After tidying himself up a little, Cyrus went over and saw twelve knights standing neatly in the hall.

One of them stood at the very front. He was tall and straight, handsome and dashing. His helmet had been removed and tucked into the crook of his left arm, while his right hand rested casually on the hilt of the greatsword at his waist.

His eyes were curiously sweeping over the surroundings when he heard footsteps. He turned and smiled at Cyrus. "Walker William reporting for duty, my lord."

After Walker William took the lead, the knights behind him announced their names one by one.

It seemed he was the knight commander who had been sent to Visas for some unknown reason.

As Judas carried Cyrus over and seated him in the high chair, Cyrus thought for a moment before saying, "You must have had a tiring journey."

"I've already had accommodations arranged for you. You may rest first, then gather in the hall tomorrow morning."

Walker William said, "As you command, my lord."

After the twelve knights left,

Judas asked, "My lord, what do you intend to have them do?"

Cyrus said, "Visas currently has too small a population, and too few knights as well. Without talent, there is no way to develop."

"They dared to bully me without restraint because Visas is poor and backward, with no cavalry force to oppose them... They look down on me."

Judas's heart ached for his pitiful little count.

The young count curled up in his chair, pouting miserably. His soft, pale cheeks puffed out, and his long curled lashes drooped slightly. "I need knights to serve in my territory. I need more commoners to move to Visas... What do you think, Judas?"

Judas said, "That won't be easy, my lord."

Cyrus blinked. "I know. But profit drives everything. As long as we offer enough benefits, those tempted will willingly take the bait. Don't you think?"

Judas smiled. "It seems you already have a plan."

Cyrus said, "Let's go to the study and discuss it properly."

The next day.

Walker William brought the other eleven knights to gather in the hall.

"What are your orders, my lord?"

Cyrus gestured for Toby to hand over the items he was holding.

Toby trotted forward and gave each of them a sheet of parchment.

"This is..."

Walker William's smiling expression showed a trace of confusion. When he saw what was written on the parchment, his brows rose in surprise. "Visas Recruitment Requirements and Visas Tax Regulations?"

From behind him, Taylor Kennedy could not help reading aloud the first recruitment condition. "...Recruiting males aged fourteen to twenty for voluntary service. They must be healthy, free of physical disabilities and mental defects... Their status may include, but is not limited to, commoners and slaves. All may undergo preliminary screening."

On the Western Continent, males came of age at fourteen.

What astonished Taylor Kennedy and the other knights was that slaves could actually apply?!

Bana Larry immediately said, "My lord, this is against the rules!"

"I've never heard of slaves being allowed to become knights. Such conditions insult the honor of knighthood!"

The other knights wore expressions of agreement as well.

Walker William offered no opinion. He did not seem especially disgusted or resistant, and instead continued reading the parchment with great interest.

Cyrus said, "I understand. Not just anyone can become a knight."

"Knights must learn all manner of knightly etiquette from childhood, undergo various forms of training, and learn the knightly spirit. Knights must possess the Eight Virtues, uphold justice, complete a formal investiture ceremony, and make a declaration before the Creator God..."

"Am I right?"

Interest flashed through Walker William's eyes. "You are entirely correct, my lord."

Cyrus said, "But even after undergoing such a strict process to become knights, can you guarantee that every one of you will steadfastly abide by the knightly spirit, virtues, and justice?"

The honor of knighthood was not so absolute.

Walker William curled his lips. "Of course not, my lord."

Taylor could not help thinking of Keith William. He certainly did not possess a knight's virtues!

Bana Larry said, "My lord, I also know that not everyone can become a qualified and perfect knight. But lowly slaves are even less likely to do so. The honor of knighthood must not be tarnished."

Cyrus said, "That is why the recruitment requirements state that slaves may only become reserve soldiers after screening, while commoners become regular soldiers. Neither are knights."

The military system on the Western Continent was underdeveloped, with unclear divisions between troop types. In war, they basically relied on knights.

But knights did not engage in production, and maintaining them was extremely expensive.

For example, even Duke Bass Riches had only a little over a hundred knights and two small cavalry units under his command.

By comparison, it was obvious how few knights Visas could possibly have.

Cyrus said, "In the army, strength speaks for itself."

"Slaves can become free citizens by accumulating merit, then continue accumulating merit to rise through the ranks. The same applies to commoners."

"Knights can hold important positions in the army, evaluating and determining whether soldiers are qualified to become knights."

He had not put all of his ideas onto the parchment.

The highest position written on it was knight commander.

But yesterday, he had exchanged reputation points for a book called Army Rank Classifications and Titles.

Visas needed to develop slowly, and he needed time to grow up as well. For now, he would keep his ambitions tucked away inside.

Bana Larry still seemed hung up on the matter of "slaves becoming knights."

Cyrus said, "It is my territory, and I make the decisions. You only need to obey and follow orders."

Bana Larry shut his mouth resentfully.

Walker William asked, "My lord, are you certain you want to do this?"

"Once the contents of this parchment are released, I'm afraid they will cause a tremendous reaction. As far as I know, this is unprecedented in the Gadayat Kingdom..."

It was probably unprecedented across the entire Western Continent as well.

Cyrus said, "Of course. I'm certain."

"Very well, as you command." Walker William smiled. "What would you like us to do?"

Cyrus said, "I want you to find people to copy the contents of the parchment several times, then go to Komoy Fort and post notices about Visas recruitment and tax reductions in conspicuous places throughout the city. You will also explain and publicize them."

"No matter what methods you use, make sure everyone in Komoy Fort learns of this."

"Remember, everyone."

The smile on Walker William's face widened.

The other eleven knights looked at one another, utterly confused.

As they passed Par Mountain on the road to Komoy Fort,

Bana could not help saying, "Lord William, why do you think the count wants us to go to Komoy Fort to post... post these recruitment requirements and tax regulations? Posting them is one thing, but why do we have to explain them too?!"

He had thought they would be doing this within Visas.

Walker said, "The count naturally has his reasons. We only need to do as instructed."

Bana looked thoroughly miserable.

Did he really have to explain the parchment's contents to a group of commoners and slaves? He did not even know whether he would be able to open his mouth when the time came.

Taylor Kennedy urged his horse up beside Walker William. "My lord, what do you think of Count Desinia?"

"Very interesting."

Walker William seemed to think of something, and the smile on his lips deepened again. "Don't you think this little count is very cute?"

Fair, soft, and round.

Taylor Kennedy fell silent.

There was really no way to refute that statement.

He said, "The little count seems to have some conflict with the lord of Komoy Fort..."

He was even recruiting people in the other man's territory.

"Perhaps. Who knows?" Walker said indifferently.

Taylor could not help saying, "But the count sent you and us to Komoy Fort... Ahem, to do something so likely to provoke resentment. He must know that, given your status, Count Bevis Elliot would not dare make things too difficult or stop you."

If Visas's own knights had gone instead, they would probably have been driven out in the end.

Walker raised a brow. "So doesn't that make Count Desinia quite clever?"

"...You're right."

After a while,

Taylor spoke again. "Lord William, are you happy to have come to Visas? If you had the chance, would you want to return to the royal capital?"

Walker William stopped humming aimlessly and looked at him. "If the little count stays this interesting, I don't want to return to the royal capital."

"...Yes, I understand."

After that, Taylor Kennedy said nothing more.

Komoy Fort.

After Bana Larry remarked that the city was indeed wealthier and more prosperous than Visas, he stopped and waited for Walker William's orders.

Walker said, "First, find a few literate commoners. Once you have explained everything clearly, hire them to lead the way. Each person will choose a direction, starting from the outskirts of Komoy Fort and moving inward through the city, spreading the word in a sweeping manner. Understood?"

"Understood, my lord!"

The eleven knights answered in exceptionally loud voices.

That day, Komoy Fort was "forced" into turmoil.

Shock, astonishment, disbelief... such emotions swept through every corner of the city, leaving no inch untouched.

Komoy Fort erupted.

After Count Bevis Elliot finally learned the full story, he was so furious that his lungs, liver, heart, and entire body ached.

What infuriated him was that Desinia had openly sent knights into his territory to publicize recruitment and slap him in the face.

Yet there was nothing he could do.

After all, Walker William was not only a knight commander, but also the son of a marquis.

Count Bevis Elliot did not realize how dangerous Visas's recruitment requirements were to Komoy Fort. Instead, he mocked Desinia for accepting lowly slaves and lowering taxes within his territory.

He was practically pushing money away.

But he did not know that forming a merchant association to sell salt would be Cyrus's greatest source of support.

—Settling population, using commerce to sustain the army.