Arthur hung the corpses of Edgar, and his son, along with the head of the guards, and his deputy as a warning to everyone.
The screams of the servants pierced his chaotic mind, making him frown and shout, "Silence!"
His words thundered through the air, silencing everyone and making them hold their breath.
Then he began to speak. "It seems so of you did not understand the Duke’s intention when he declared the new ruler of this Barony. And look where that misunderstanding has taken us. So, I’ll ask again, will you swear loyalty and obey , or do you have a different opinion?"
Everyone trembled with fear. After a brief mont of stillness, a seasoned soldier knelt and said, "No, my lord. We will not repeat the mistake of our ignorant peers and rise against our lords. I offer you my loyalty, my life, and my wealth. Give the order, and I will follow."
Seeing a clear example before them, everyone else knelt simultaneously and cried out, "We offer our loyalty to the lord and swear to uphold our word, even if it ans our death."
Arthur observed everything with cold eyes. He didn’t truly believe the servants’ words. He knew they would likely stab him in the back at the first opportunity. He couldn’t bla them. They feared him—feared his madness—and unlike his recruits, they hadn’t gained anything in return. Even though he couldn’t read their minds, he knew most of them were like dogs: offer them a bone with so at, and they’d pledge real loyalty.
He could do that. He was ard with knowledge beyond anyone in this world. But he didn’t have the ti, or the mood for it right now.
Quietly, he raised his hand and said coldly, "Your words are like useless barking. But I will pardon your miserable lives... for now. You have one chance, use it wisely. Those who follow will achieve glory they never dread of. Those who oppose will be buried in the deepest pit of this world."
So sighed in relief at his rcy, while others began plotting their escape, believing their future would only be hellish.
"Leave. Return to your duties. Wait for my orders. Things will change from this point onward."
"Your will is ours, my lord!" The crowd quickly dispersed, returning to their tasks. But Arthur remained, staring at the empty courtyard with a mysterious gaze.
He stood frozen in place for nearly ten minutes before sighing and giving Octavia a command.
"Call Brent, Isolda, Leopold, Selene, Alvin, Otieno, and Brock to gather before my room."
"As you command, my lord," Octavia replied. She quickly left and gathered the people he asked for. Within half an hour, they had assembled at his door.
He stood before them, inspecting them closely. They were his elite followers, and unfortunately, they were not enough. Otieno had broken through to Level E about a week ago. Despite his high potential, he would need at least a month to reach Level D. Brock and Alvin had both advanced to Level D, but due to their lower potential, they had no hope of reaching Level C in the coming months—unless they underwent extre training and took so insane elixirs. The sa applied to Brent.
As for Isolda and Leopold, they were promising individuals who had reached Level E faster than their peers with average potential, but they were still just beginning. Lastly, Selene had learned a fire control spell, but she hadn’t yet reached Level E.
The four remaining promising recruits had also reached Level E, but Arthur had no current need for them.
After reviewing the actions he intended to take, Arthur looked at his loyal followers and praised them. "Good work. I’m proud of you."
Everyone sighed in relief and felt a swell of pride and satisfaction. Otieno responded quickly.
"My lord, it is your guidance and strict training that made this possible. All credit belongs to you." Though he said it seriously, he could barely suppress his smile.
Arthur nodded and revealed a faint smile. It was a smile none of them had ever seen before—free of sarcasm, free of coldness. It held only quiet joy and contentnt, and that alone astonished them.
"My instructions are important, but it all cos from you. Still, I’ve seen your mistakes. Alvin, Brent, Brock, you three hesitated to take my side. I will be rciful this ti and overlook it. But if I see even a hint of hesitation again, the punishnt will not be light."
"As for you, Otieno, you weren’t vigilant enough and allowed so recruits to act on their own. You’re planned to beco the leader of this squad in the future, and I’ve taught you that unity is everything. I don’t want to see this mistake again."
They all bowed their heads. The joy in their hearts dimd, but none of them felt resentnt. They were simply filled with a great desire to improve.
"We will make sure never to disappoint you again, my lord."
"That’s not why I gathered you all. Listen carefully. All the important figures are in the dungeon, and the Baronet is dead. I will now implent so changes."
"First, Brock—you are to assu the position of Guard Captain temporarily. You have authority to choose forty recruits and assign them to guard the castle and its surroundings."
"Thank you for this honor, my lord. I won’t let you down this ti." Brock knelt and spoke with genuine gratitude.
"Get up. Go do your job."
"Second, Otieno there’s a task I want you to carry out. Are you up to it?"
Otieno stepped forward and knelt. "I am ready to jump into fire if you command it, my lord. Just say the word, even if it’s beyond my limits, I’ll burn myself to accomplish it."
"Good. Gather all the remaining soldiers in the castle. Strip them of their weapons and armor. From now on, they’ll undergo re-education. Prepare housing for them inside the castle and keep them under your sight. Simply put, train them as you were trained, but reduce their food rations and don’t provide any enhancent elixirs. You may choose four people to help you supervise. If any of them rebels or shows discontent, send them to the dungeon imdiately."
"As you command, my lord," Otieno responded with a spirited grin and quickly left.
"Leopold, Isolda—I want you both to take twenty recruits and patrol the entire Barony. Observe everything and listen to everything. You have authority to kill or imprison any objectors. If anyone tries to leave, imprison them imdiately. You may use the few remaining horses."
Fortunately for Arthur, the Thornsreach Barony was extrely isolated. No rchants or strangers ever ca, so no news about him had spread. He planned to keep it that way. If he could, he would completely seal off the Barony, allowing no one in or out. Given his situation, democracy was not an option. Bit by bit, he was becoming a controlling dictator.
"As you command, my lord," Leopold and Isolda both left quickly to carry out his orders.
After that, Arthur assigned Brent and Alvin to hunt down the few remaining soldiers scattered across the Barony and bring them to the castle to be imprisoned with the rest.
He then appointed Selene as the head of the servants, tasking her with closely monitoring them. As for Octavia, she was officially made his personal assistant.
That day, the castle witnessed a flurry of activity. However, due to Arthur’s strict decisions, no information leaked into the city.
Night fell over the castle. Even so, Arthur couldn’t sleep. Every ti he closed his eyes, he saw the faces of those he’d killed. He tossed and turned in bed, sotis hitting his head against the pillow. He argued with himself. Rebuked himself. Understood himself.
And by dawn... he had changed.
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