novelraw Chapter 45: My Knight Father
Chapter 45: My Knight Father
After the unconscious guard was carried away, Scarface Oki examined Henwil: "I'm quite curious about what you did before! Those combat techniques just now were excellent! All practical killing moves! Don't worry! I'm just curious! I don't care about your past experiences or your true identity. I'm starting to believe you could actually kill a bandit soldier - your combat skills are ruthless enough, and you fight with decisive determination. Now, I'd like to know, can you do anything else? I'm talking about killing techniques, like weapons!"
Henwil nodded: "Yes! I know some swordsmanship!"
Scarface Oki drew the longsword from the guard beside him and tossed it to Henwil: "Show me!"
Catching the longsword, Henwil began demonstrating his swordsmanship with precise, formal movements. The great sword danced in his hands - chopping, slashing, thrusting, and lifting - though it didn't look particularly impressive visually.
Yet Scarface Oki's eyes showed increasing interest. He clearly recognized that these seemingly unspectacular sword techniques were genuinely practical killing moves.
When Henwil finished his demonstration, Scarface Oki gently applauded: "Excellent, excellent, excellent! Military swordsmanship! The person who taught you must have experienced real battlefield combat - these are all practical combat techniques. However, your footwork is somewhat disordered, probably because you haven't had opportunities to practice it! Footwork must coordinate with sword techniques to produce effective killing power."
Henwil certainly knew this - it was the flaw he intentionally left. Henwil's swordsmanship and footwork foundation were actually quite solid. For one-on-one combat, he had Kavizé's teachings. For battlefield melee situations, the swordsmanship taught by Fabio proved extremely effective. What Henwil demonstrated now was just the standard swordsmanship practiced by regular Allied Forces soldiers, which he was actually quite proficient in. Though not particularly refined, it represented condensed essence - pure killing techniques.
Responding to Scarface's comments, Henwil nodded: "I lost my longsword, so I haven't been able to train recently. My father is a knight - these are techniques he summarized from battlefield experience and taught me since childhood."
Scarface Oki nodded: "Just as I thought! Alright! You don't need to train with them anymore! I'll create a separate training plan for you, kid. Don't embarrass me! Don't think your high starting point means you'll get special treatment here. I simply apply different processing methods to different goods - from now on, things won't be so easy for you!"
Just as Henwil reluctantly accepted, preparing to face even harsher training, the War of Six Kings finally officially ended. The Allied Forces suffered slightly more losses, ceding some territory. But to save face, the Allied Forces provided a sum of money as war reparations. Thus, both sides declared themselves victorious.Within the Ika Kingdom, to boost public morale and mitigate the impact of territorial concessions, the capital was holding a grand medal ceremony.
"Obian, are you willing to bear the kingdom's responsibilities, uphold noble honor, protect sacred territory, and safeguard the people under your governance?"
"I pledge to dedicate everything to the kingdom! I swear to protect the kingdom and its honor unto death!"
After the medal ceremony, Viscount Theodore found Obian: "Congratulations! You're a knight now!" This viscount was the same baron Obian had saved during the initial phase of the War of Six Kings. Now that the war had ended, he had been promoted to viscount due to outstanding military achievements. During this war, Obian had saved his life multiple times, and they had developed a close relationship. It was Theodore who had recommended Obian to join the Night Falcon Knights.
After consecutive bloody battles, Obian not only possessed knight-level combat ability but also received a knighthood title.
After chatting for a while, Theodore suddenly changed the subject: "Obian, what are your plans next? I heard you haven't responded to the Night Falcon Knights' formal recruitment yet?"
Obian nodded: "I need to search for my family members. Some of them might still be alive."
Theodore smiled: "They really didn't misname your nickname - Lucky Obian indeed! As you wish, I've already found traces of your family. They're currently in Xiashan City. You know how easily defensible that place is - those bastards never attacked there. They've been safe all along. I've already arranged for people to bring your wife and children here. They should reach my territory in a few days."
Hearing this, Obian grabbed Theodore excitedly, forgetting the etiquette he'd just learned: "Really? Are you telling the truth?"
Theodore patted his arm: "Of course it's true! My people have verified it repeatedly - all the details match. My brother, rest assured! They're safe now!"
Obian stepped back and immediately started to kneel, ready to pledge loyalty to Theodore. Theodore quickly pulled him up: "Brother! We've crawled out of piles of corpses together. Without you, I would have died countless times already. Our bond doesn't need oath-sworn loyalty - we've already tested our protective vows between life and death! I'm genuinely happy for you that we found your family! Even though you can't become my brother-in-law anymore!"
Finally, Theodore made a joke, then turned serious: "Obian, you currently have no fiefdom and aren't a hereditary knight. Originally, I wanted to invite you to my new territory so we could continue working together. Your personal character, abilities, and wisdom all qualify you to become my capable assistant, which would make managing my territory much easier. But as brothers who've survived life and death together, I can't be so selfish. Now that better opportunities await you, I can't keep you tied to my side."
Obian understood his meaning: "You mean the Night Falcon Knights?"
Theodore nodded: "Yes! The Night Falcon Knights' formal invitation to you! I have information that the knight order will expand soon. There are even rumors that the kingdom plans to establish a new knight order based on the Night Falcon Knights! Whatever the outcome, this is an opportunity! You were already a squad leader in the knight order. Now with knight-level combat ability and an official title, during expansion or establishment of new orders, knights like you who've risen through proper channels will receive important appointments. You'll likely become a centurion, which will form the foundation for your nobility transformation. Eventually, the Legion Commander, the Marquis, will make you a hereditary knight, perhaps even a landed knight. Additionally, the Night Falcon Knights' network will help you integrate smoothly into noble society. Brother! You're different from us! You're a natural warrior! You were born for the battlefield - your future achievements shouldn't be limited to being my guard captain!"
Obian hesitated slightly, and Theodore added: "I'll arrange things for your family. Don't worry about household matters, and don't talk about repayment! Setting aside our life-and-death friendship, just having a centurion friend in the knight order will bring me many benefits."
Obian didn't refuse further. He now felt quite confident about his future. He just didn't know that among the family members being recovered, his cherished eldest son was not included.