Legacy ; Establishing Foundation

Discord ; Evilism 

Fb ; Blank Rai

The Dark Plain Forest—a cursed land where countless monsters roamed, their howls merging with the whispers of the dead.

Located at the southern border of the Great Holy Mother Kingdom, this forsaken territory was one of the most dangerous places mankind could ever tread. And yet, as always, the kingdom's military found itself locked in an endless battle against the tides of monstrosities.

A metallic clang echoed.

Clank.

Swords clashed, cleaved, and slaughtered. Blood ran like rivers, pooling into grotesque lakes of crimson. Severed heads rolled, lifeless bodies piled high, forming mountains of the fallen. The very earth was soaked in death, the scent of rotting flesh fusing with the cold, ominous wind.

The trees stood as silent witnesses, bathed in the blood of both man and beast, while the air itself trembled under the weight of despair.

Among the chaos, monstrous figures loomed.

Towering orcs—each fifteen feet tall, their muscular bodies wrapped in crude armor—wielded weapons carved from ancient trees, their strikes shattering human skulls like brittle glass.

Goblins, small but vicious, darted between the clashing warriors. Their razor-sharp blades glinted under the dying sunlight as they pierced hearts, ripped flesh, and danced through the battlefield like death itself.

And then—a voice.

Deep. Commanding. Filled with an ominous authority.

"War. Chaos. Destruction."

The battlefield seemed to tremble at the weight of those words. The voice alone carried power—undeniable and terrifying.

Emerging from the blood-soaked battlefield, a monstrous figure appeared.

A 35-foot-tall orc, clad in iron armor, stepped forward. A massive five-foot-long broadsword rested on his shoulder, its blade still dripping with human blood. His crimson eyes gleamed coldly as he surveyed the battlefield with a warrior's calm.

His name was Ironheart.

The undisputed leader of the monster army.

His gaze swept across the battlefield, pausing as he spotted a lone injured warrior standing amidst the carnage.

A man—tall and battle-hardened, clad in iron-plated knight armor. His scarred face, marked by years of war, was partially hidden beneath his battered helmet. His right eye—lost to battle—left only a single, piercing gaze to face the enemy before him.

The man stood 6'5 feet tall, wielding a longsword, its edge stained with the lifeblood of countless foes.

Ironheart's lips curled into a smirk.

"Humans talk of peace and harmony, yet they reject the idea of coexisting with us." His voice rumbled, shaking the earth beneath them.

He raised his fist—a mountain of flesh and power—and brought it down upon an unfortunate soldier.

BOOM!

The soldier's skull exploded upon impact, his body reduced to nothing but a pulpy mess of blood and shattered bones.

"They seek paradise," Ironheart continued, stepping over the fresh corpse, his smirk growing colder. "But only a paradise where they rule as kings."

His eyes narrowed as he locked gazes with the injured warrior before him.

"How narcissistic of them to speak of peace, don't you agree, Captain Wudi?"

Silence.

Then, a hoarse chuckle.

"Heh… I can't disagree with that," came the reply.

The man—Wudi Egun, Captain of the leading military battalion—shifted his stance. Despite the pain in his body, despite the blood soaking his armor, his grip on his longsword remained steady.

Ironheart's crimson eyes studied him for a moment before speaking again.

"Then answer me, Captain."

He took another step forward, his enormous figure casting a shadow over Wudi.

"You call us monsters… but tell me—"

His smirk faded.

"Are we the monsters? Or are you?"

Wudi Egun smirked, his scarred face partially illuminated by the eerie glow of the battlefield flames. His lone eye gleamed with a cold, unwavering sharpness—sharper than even the blade in his hands.

"It's not my place to talk about what humanity wants, nor what they are like." His voice was calm, devoid of hesitation. Unmoved. Uncaring.

"My duty is simple—"

He took a step forward, his grip tightening on his longsword.

"—to follow orders from those above me."

Ironheart's crimson eyes narrowed. A flicker of something unreadable crossed his monstrous features, but he remained silent.

Wudi exhaled, his breath visible in the chilling battlefield air.

"As for what they do—whether they kill, or get killed—" His smirk widened, but there was no warmth in it.

"I don't concern myself with such things."

And then, without warning—

He moved.

A burst of speed. A blur of motion.

Wudi dashed forward, his sword arcing like a silver crescent under the moonlit sky. The gust of his movement sent dust and blood-soaked debris flying, the sheer force of his charge ripping through the battlefield air.

CLANK!

Metal met metal in a deafening clash.

Wudi's longsword struck against Ironheart's twin greatswords, the impact sending shockwaves through the ground beneath them. Sparks erupted like fireflies, illuminating the tension in the air.

Their gazes locked—one-eyed warrior against the monstrous chieftain.

The battle had truly begun.

CLANG!

The battlefield trembled as Wudi Egun and Ironheart clashed. Their weapons locked, the force of their blows sent violent shockwaves ripping through the ground. Soldiers and monsters alike were thrown off balance, their battles momentarily halted as they turned to witness the ferocious duel between the two titans.

Ironheart grinned, his massive frame towering over Wudi. A thirty-five-foot colossus of muscle and steel, draped in iron-plated armor, his presence alone was suffocating. The crimson glow of his monstrous eyes flickered with battlelust.

"Not bad, human," Ironheart sneered, his deep voice reverberating through the air like a war drum.

Without warning, he swung his twin greatswords, their massive blades carving through the air like falling guillotines.

BOOM!

Wudi barely evaded, his body twisting mid-air as the twin blades slammed into the earth, tearing a massive fissure into the battlefield. Chunks of earth and shattered stone exploded outward, sending debris flying.

Wudi landed several feet away, his iron-plated boots skidding across the blood-soaked ground. His lone eye gleamed with deadly focus.

"He's strong."

There was no denying it. Ironheart's sheer brute force was beyond any human knight. But strength alone wouldn't decide this battle.

Wudi dashed forward, his longsword gleaming under the moonlight, cutting through the thick stench of blood and war. He closed the distance in an instant.

Ironheart barely had time to react before—

SHIIING!

Wudi's sword sliced across Ironheart's left gauntlet, a streak of silver against steel. Sparks erupted, and a deep gash formed on the orc's armor.

"Hmph."

Ironheart grunted, but his eyes darkened.

Without hesitation, he swung his massive arm in a brutal counterattack.

WHOOOSH!

The wind howled as his fist tore through the air, faster than one would expect from a monster his size.

Wudi ducked at the last second, the fist barely missing his skull as it crushed through the trees behind him. The trees exploded into splinters, their trunks snapping like twigs.

Wudi retaliated, his sword flashing like lightning, aiming for Ironheart's exposed side—

But Ironheart anticipated it.

"TOO SLOW!"

A monstrous knee shot forward, smashing into Wudi's ribs.

CRACK!

The sheer force sent Wudi flying, his armored body skidding across the battlefield, tearing through the dirt and corpses.

A normal knight would have died on the spot.

But Wudi was no normal knight.

With lightning-fast reflexes, he twisted his body mid-air, slamming his sword into the ground to stop his momentum.

SHRRK!

His blade dragged through the earth, carving a deep trench before he came to a stop.

He exhaled sharply. Pain flared through his ribs. That last attack had been solid—if he hadn't reacted in time, his organs would have been pulp.

But there was no time to dwell on pain.

Ironheart was already charging.

His massive twin swords raised high, his bloodthirsty roar shaking the heavens.

Wudi smirked despite himself.

"Damn monster, you're making this fun."

He dashed forward to meet him.

Their weapons clashed once more, and the battlefield quaked beneath them.

BOOM!

A colossal explosion shook the battlefield as Wudi Egun and Ironheart clashed again. Their blows collided mid-air, sending out a massive shockwave that blasted dust and debris in every direction. The nearby trees trembled, their leaves shredded by the violent energy. The blood-soaked battlefield became a stage for their brutal duel, as neither warrior could overpower the other.

The soldiers and monsters, who had been locked in combat moments ago, found themselves entranced by the battle between their leaders.

A human knight, his face smeared with blood, gaped in awe.

"C-Captain Wudi… is fighting that monster evenly?"

On the opposite side, a goblin with jagged teeth cackled, his sharp ears twitching with excitement.

"Kekeke! Chief Ironheart is toying with that human! He'll crush him soon!"

The entire battlefield paused, as if time had frozen, with soldiers and monsters alike watching in bated breath.

Ironheart lunged forward, his monstrous speed defying his massive frame. His twin greatswords roared through the air, aiming to cleave Wudi in half.

Wudi reacted instantly. His Battle Qi surged, wrapping his body in a golden aura as he parried the attack with his longsword.

CLANG!

The impact sent a deep resonance across the battlefield. Sparks ignited, lighting up the air like scattered embers.

But Ironheart wasn't finished.

"EARTH PILLAR!"

A deep rumble shook the ground beneath Wudi's feet. The earth cracked open, and a massive stone pillar erupted upward, aiming to impale him.

Wudi's reflexes saved him.

With a single step, he vaulted over the rising stone, flipping mid-air. As he descended, his sword glowed with golden Battle Qi, radiating an intense heat.

"BATTLE QI STRIKE!"

He swung his sword downward.

SLASH!

A golden arc of energy tore through the air, slicing straight for Ironheart's chest.

But the orc chieftain reacted just as quickly.

He crossed his swords in defense, his Earth Magic forming a barrier of solid rock around his body.

BOOM!

The golden energy collided with the earthen shield, creating a violent explosion of dust and debris. The sheer force shattered the ground beneath them, forming a massive crater.

As the dust settled, Ironheart emerged, his armor slightly cracked, his lips curled into a grin.

"You're strong, human," he rumbled, rolling his shoulders. "Most would be dead by now."

Wudi smirked, wiping the blood trickling down his forehead.

"You're not bad yourself," he admitted. "But I can't afford to lose here."

Ironheart roared, his twin swords raised high. "EARTHQUAKE STRIKE!"

He smashed his weapons into the ground.

BOOOOOM!

The entire battlefield shook violently as the ground fractured apart, sending cracks and tremors rippling across the land. Soldiers and monsters alike were thrown off their feet, struggling to maintain balance.

Wudi, however, stood firm. His Battle Qi pulsed through his legs, stabilizing his footing.

Then, in a blink, he vanished.

"Tch!" Ironheart barely had time to react before—

Wudi reappeared right in front of him.

His fist, wrapped in Battle Qi, smashed into Ironheart's jaw.

CRACK!

The impact sent the massive orc staggering backward, his feet digging trenches into the ground. Blood sprayed from his lips.

But Wudi wasn't done.

He charged again, his sword flashing.

SHING!

A deep gash appeared across Ironheart's chest. Blood seeped from the wound, staining his iron armor.

Yet, the orc only grinned.

"Not bad."

With a fearsome bellow, he retaliated.

WHAM!

His colossal fist collided with Wudi's ribs.

CRACK!

Wudi's eyes widened as he felt two ribs snap. Pain exploded in his body, but he clenched his jaw and refused to let out a sound.

Instead, he spun mid-air and landed gracefully, ignoring the burning pain in his chest.

The fight was fierce. Both warriors were bleeding, both wounded, yet neither could gain the upper hand.

The soldiers and monsters watching grew restless.

A human soldier, his hands shaking, clutched his sword tightly.

"Captain Wudi… is going toe-to-toe with that beast!"

Another knight, sweat rolling down his forehead, muttered in disbelief.

"No… he's not just surviving. He's matching that monster in strength!"

On the other side of the battlefield, the orcs and goblins stamped their feet, howling in excitement.

"CHIEF IRONHEART! KILL THE HUMAN!"

"CRUSH HIM, CRUSH HIM!"

The energy of the battlefield ignited. Soldiers banged their shields. Monsters roared. The fight between Wudi and Ironheart had become the heart of the war itself.

But neither warrior paid them any mind.

Both were too focused on each other.

Ironheart licked the blood off his lips, his eyes gleaming.

"This is getting interesting."

Wudi tightened his grip on his sword. His breath was ragged, but his spirit burned like a wildfire.

"Yeah," he admitted, his lips curling into a grin.

"Let's finish this."

The battlefield trembled under their relentless exchange, yet neither warrior showed signs of backing down.

Both were injured, their bodies scarred with deep cuts and bruises, but their fighting spirit blazed brighter than ever.

Ironheart rolled his shoulders, his lips curling into a dangerous grin.

"I admit, human," he said, gripping his twin greatswords tightly, "you're stronger than I thought."

Wudi Egun exhaled sharply, tightening his grip on his sword. Blood trickled from the corner of his lips, yet his golden eyes gleamed with unwavering determination.

"Likewise," he replied, his voice calm despite the pain coursing through his body.

But both warriors knew—this battle couldn't last forever.

It was time to end it.

Ironheart's massive muscles tensed as his Ancestor Blessing activated.

"[Rampage!]"

A crimson aura burst from his body, his strength skyrocketing tenfold in an instant. The ground beneath his feet cracked violently, unable to withstand the sheer pressure of his power.

"HAHAHAHA!" Ironheart laughed madly, his eyes gleaming with savagery.

"Let's see how long you last, human!"

Wudi Egun's eyes narrowed. He could feel the dangerous shift in the air.

If he took one direct hit from Ironheart now, he would be obliterated.

But he wasn't going to just stand there.

"[Enhancement!]"

A golden light erupted from Wudi's body as his strength and speed doubled instantly. His armor and sword glowed with divine radiance, their durability reinforced fivefold.

Then—

"[Blood Energy!]"

A deep crimson mist swirled around Wudi, his muscles bulging as his power tripled. His veins glowed red, his body brimming with raw power.

For five minutes, he would be stronger than ever.

Ironheart charged first.

His giant foot stomped down, launching him forward like a cannonball. His twin greatswords screamed through the air, aimed to cleave Wudi in half.

"DIE!"

Wudi vanished.

WHOOSH!

In the blink of an eye, he reappeared above Ironheart, his sword shining with golden and crimson light.

"[Battle Qi Strike!]"

BOOOOOM!

The impact tore through Ironheart's shoulder, slicing through his iron armor like paper.

Blood exploded into the air, yet Ironheart merely grinned.

"[Self-Healing!]"

The deep wound closed almost instantly, his stamina draining but his body restored.

Then—

"[DESTRUCTION!]"

Ironheart thrust his palm forward. A concentrated wave of energy shot toward Wudi like a meteor.

Wudi's instincts screamed.

He barely managed to activate—

"[PROTECTION!]"

A golden shield materialized around him just as Ironheart's attack struck.

BOOOOOOM!

The explosion erupted like a volcanic blast, vaporizing everything within a hundred meters. A massive shockwave swept across the battlefield, sending soldiers and monsters flying.

When the dust settled, a massive crater had formed where Wudi once stood.

And yet—

Wudi stood there.

His armor was cracked, his left arm badly burned, but he was alive.

Both warriors panted, exhaustion finally creeping into their bodies.

Wudi's Blood Energy was running low.

Ironheart's Rampage was nearing its limit.

The battlefield grew silent.

The watching soldiers and monsters held their breath.

Would this battle finally reach its conclusion?

Wudi and Ironheart locked eyes.

Then, without a word—

They charged one final time.

*******

The grand Throne Hall of the Great Holy Mother Kingdom was alive with majestic splendor, the air thick with the scent of burning incense and the weight of history. Pillars of gold and silver lined the chamber, their surfaces etched with ancient inscriptions, narrating the lineage of the Celestial Family, rulers of this kingdom for nearly a century. The ceiling shimmered under the glow of countless chandeliers, their candlelight flickering like stars in the heavens.

At the heart of this royal magnificence, seated atop an elevated throne, was King Maelstrom III.

An old yet powerful figure, his long silver hair and thick beard gave him an air of wisdom. His golden eyes, sharp as a falcon's, glowed beneath the weight of his golden crown, exuding the presence of a true ruler. Though his body showed signs of age and wear, the aura he emanated was nothing short of domineering.

A red carpet, embroidered with the royal insignia, stretched across the hall, leading toward the kneeling soldiers—their heads bowed, their armor still stained with the dirt and blood of war.

Among them, one stood out.

The nobles lined the chamber walls, their lavish garments of silk and fur draped over their well-fed bodies, their piercing eyes locked onto the soldiers.

When the king spoke, his voice carried absolute authority, reverberating off the marble pillars.

"Since the founding of my kingdom, countless noble souls and brave heroes have fought to protect its honor and glory."

The knights flanking the throne stood at rigid attention, their polished armor reflecting the grandeur of the hall.

"And you, my brave soldiers, have risked your lives countless times for the kingdom, the people, and our way of life."

A solemn silence fell upon the court as the nobles and warriors listened intently.

Then the king's gaze settled on one man.

"Captain Wudi Egun."

The moment his name was spoken, an undeniable tension filled the hall.

The nobles stiffened, the knights clenched their fists, and the soldiers held their breath.

Everyone knew Captain Wudi Egun—but what the king said next shook them to their core.

"Your contributions to the kingdom this time were no small matter. You have participated in 356 wars, 4,670 territorial battles, and 9,776 missions where the death rate exceeded 90 percent."

A wave of shock swept through the chamber.

Murmurs erupted among the nobles.

"Preposterous!"

"Impossible! He survived that many missions?"

Even Wudi Egun's fellow soldiers, men who had fought alongside him, felt disbelief in their hearts.

How was this even possible?

But the king wasn't finished.

Maelstrom III continued reading through the thick stack of documents before him, his brows furrowing.

"Not only that," he continued, his voice now tinged with genuine admiration, "among these missions, many were rescue operations where you single-handedly saved thousands of lives… in one of which you lost an eye."

The nobles gasped.

Some turned to look at Wudi, their eyes darting to his left eye, now covered by an ornate black eyepatch.

The knights exchanged glances, their rigid expressions betraying their astonishment.

And yet, the captain himself remained stone-faced, his posture unshaken.

The king swallowed, flipping to the next page.

His hands trembled slightly.

"You infiltrated our enemy kingdom, disguised yourself as a war prisoner, lived among them for three months, and successfully retrieved critical national intelligence—intelligence that led to the destruction of over 60 percent of their military power."

Gasps filled the throne hall.

"One man did all that?"

"Three months in enemy territory? As a war slave?"

"And he returned alive?"

Even the king himself had to pause, wiping his sweat-drenched brow.

Yet what came next shattered the room.

"In another mission," the king continued, his voice now tinged with deep respect, "you disguised yourself as a knight of the enemy kingdom… and even had to slay our own captured knights in order to maintain your cover."

The room turned dead silent.

Some nobles flinched, some palmed their faces, while others stared at Wudi in pure horror.

For a knight, slaying their own countrymen was the ultimate sin.

And yet—

"But because of this act," the king added, "you successfully infiltrated their ranks and poisoned their food supplies, leading to the death of over ten thousand enemy soldiers in a single night."

The tension in the hall reached its peak.

And yet—there was more.

The king turned another page.

What he read next made him physically shudder.

He had to pause.

He had to breathe.

He had to ask for a glass of water.

A knight rushed forward, handing him a goblet.

The nobles leaned in, desperate to hear what had shaken their king so thoroughly.

And when he finally spoke again—

The entire court erupted in shock.

"You… you pretended to be a sex slave to the Demi-Humans for an entire year… before you found an opportunity to assassinate their king, a pseudo Demi-God, and dismantle their entire empire from within."

One noble fainted on the spot.

Another dropped his goblet of wine, the liquid staining his lavish robes.

The knights stood frozen, their hands gripping the hilts of their swords as if needing support.

Even the king, the ruler of this land, had to put down the report and breathe deeply.

He wiped the sweat from his brow again.

"This… this is ridiculous."

He turned to Wudi, who had remained completely silent this entire time.

"You—what the hell kind of human are you?"

The Weight of a Legend

At last, Wudi Egun lifted his head.

His single black eye gleamed beneath the grand throne hall's light.

Despite all the honors, despite all the glorious achievements, despite all the whispers of awe and fear surrounding him…

He simply said—

"I was merely following orders."

…..

The grand Throne Hall was engulfed in an air of solemnity as the king's words echoed throughout the vast chamber.

 The golden chandeliers above gleamed softly, illuminating the royal red carpets and intricate engravings on the marble pillars.

 Every noble, knight, and court official present was still reeling from the sheer weight of Wudi Egun's achievements—feats that seemed too absurd to belong to a single man.

Yet, before them, kneeling with unwavering resolve, was the very man responsible for those unbelievable acts.

King Maelstrom III, still seated on his elevated golden throne, leaned forward slightly, his deep golden eyes carrying a mixture of admiration and exhaustion. He had read through countless military reports in his lifetime, but never before had he encountered a knight whose legacy was carved so deeply into history.

He exhaled, placing a firm hand on the throne's armrest.

 "Here it states that you have requested to be freed from your sacred duty… to retire."

The words were spoken not with disdain, nor with hesitation, but rather with a tone of genuine understanding.

A ripple of murmurs ran through the hall. Some nobles were still too shocked to speak. Others, particularly the military commanders, looked at Wudi Egun with conflicted gazes—both respecting his decision and lamenting the loss of such a warrior.

Amidst the whispers and stunned silence, Wudi Egun raised his head, his single left eye burning with clarity.

 "Your Highness," he began, his deep voice unwavering, "now that I have fulfilled my sacred duty to my homeland, I wish to step away from the battlefield."

His words were firm, yet there was an undeniable trace of exhaustion in them—not of weakness, but of a man who had carried war on his back for far too long.

 "I have fought, killed, and bled for this kingdom."

His fingers curled into a fist against his knee.

 "But I am still a man."

He inhaled deeply, as if grounding himself, before continuing:

 "My blade has defended countless lives, yet my hands have never held my own child."

A pause.

 "My armor has shielded my comrades, yet I have never stood before my parents as a son, without the burden of war."

A sharp sting of emotion filled the air.

Some nobles exchanged glances. Others clenched their fists. Even the battle-hardened knights present in the hall found their throats tightening.

 "Before it is too late… I want to experience what it means to live for myself."

His voice did not waver.

 "So please, allow this humble servant to retire."

The moment the final words left his lips, the hall plunged into complete silence.

King Maelstrom III remained still for a long moment, his golden eyes locked onto Wudi Egun's scarred face. There was no fear in his gaze, no regret—only a warrior who had given everything.

The old king slowly leaned back, his expression unreadable.

Then, he did something unexpected.

He smiled.

It was a rare, knowing smile, filled with a warmth that contrasted sharply with the dignified grandeur of the throne room.

"If retirement is all you seek, then it is not a difficult matter for me."

His deep, authoritative voice carried through the chamber.

 "A warrior like you has earned not only the right to retire but the right to be honored."

The tension that had settled over the nobles began to ease, replaced by looks of understanding and respect. Some even nodded in silent agreement—even those who initially wished for Wudi Egun to remain in the military.

 "However," the king continued, his golden eyes narrowing slightly, "it would be a waste for someone of your caliber to simply fade into obscurity."

Wudi Egun remained still, awaiting the king's next words.

 "Therefore, in recognition of your unparalleled service, I shall grant you two things."

He raised a single royal finger.

 "First, you shall receive the title of Viscount, elevating you to the ranks of the nobility."

A viscount!

The nobles stirred in astonishment. This was not merely a ceremonial honor but a noble title with land, power, and influence.

Even Wudi Egun, who had remained composed throughout the meeting, could not help but widen his eye slightly in surprise.

The king, however, was far from finished.

 "Second," he raised another finger, "I shall bestow upon you the rank of Special Captain."

The hall once again buzzed with shock.

Special Captain—a title above all captains. A position that held authority over every other captain in the military, answerable only to the Majors and above.

 "Should you ever choose to return to the battlefield, no ordinary officer may command you."

The weight of the title settled upon the room like a heavy decree from the heavens.

Wudi Egun bowed his head deeply.

 "Your Highness is too generous."

The king chuckled, rubbing his beard before his expression turned serious once more.

 "Your accomplishments go beyond mere service, Wudi Egun."

He gestured toward the royal attendant, who stepped forward with a scroll. The king took it and unrolled it before speaking:

 "In recognition of your unparalleled contributions to the kingdom, the royal court has agreed to grant you command over five Companies of knights to safeguard your newly acquired land."

An audible gasp spread through the hall.

Five Companies.

Five Elite Knights.

This meant five hundred well-trained soldiers under his direct command.

Even for a noble of viscount rank, this was a staggering level of military power.

Wudi Egun remained silent for a brief moment before a smirk slowly formed on his lips.

 "Your Highness, I do believe this is too generous."

The king let out a low chuckle.

 "Nonsense."

He tapped the armrest of his throne lightly before adding:

 "Since these soldiers are assigned by the kingdom, their salaries shall be paid directly from the royal treasury."

This time, even Wudi Egun's composure faltered.

The nobles erupted into hushed discussions, their voices filled with disbelief.

 "To think he would be granted soldiers whose wages are covered by the kingdom itself…"

"A retired knight with land, authority, and an army at his command… this is unheard of!"

Yet, the greatest shock had yet to come.

 "Furthermore," the king continued, "the royal treasury shall reward you with ten million gold for your services."

Dead silence.

A sum so great that even seasoned nobles blinked in disbelief.

 "And lastly…"

The king gave a satisfied nod before delivering the final decree.

 "You shall be bestowed the honorary title of Knight Mentor. From this day forth, you are permitted to train the knights of our kingdom at your discretion."

Wudi Egun knelt lower, bowing his head deeply.

 "This humble servant thanks Your Highness."

In the crowd, two figures stood trembling—an elderly couple, their eyes glistening with tears.

 "That's… our son…"

They were simple farmers—never in their wildest dreams had they imagined their child would rise to nobility.

As Wudi Egun finally rose to his feet, his scarred face carrying a rare look of satisfaction, he turned his gaze toward the nobles.

Among them, his parents—his true source of pride.

"Mother… Father… today, you stand among nobles as well."

His words, though simple, carried the weight of a lifetime.

And for the first time in years, Wudi Egun—The Legendary Captain—allowed himself to smile.