Chapter 65: The First Knight (Part 1)

The heavy iron grate of the primary sewer entrance lay open at our feet. The dark, damp smell of the lower tunnels drifted up to greet us.

’Ah! My Evolution can’t save me from this stink now, can it? I should ask Nyssa develop some kind of gas masks for the workers who work in these conditions.’

It was a foul mixture of stagnant water, rotting industrial waste, and something far more sinister underneath.

Rolf stood ready at the edge. His massive werewolf frame was tense.

Nyssa and Kaelith dropped down silently behind him, their respective auras humming with lethal preparation.

Before I gave the order to push deeper into the labyrinth, I raised my organic hand to pause the group.

’We are walking into an entrenched enemy stronghold,’ I thought, my eyes scanning the darkness ahead.

’House Vane has been funding this cult for a very long time. I need to make sure we are using every single resource at our disposal before we start breaking down doors.’

I closed my eyes and opened the System interface. It was time to check my reserves.

Ever since my grueling evolution in the arcane foundry, I had not taken a proper moment to review my new biological baseline. The holographic screens materialized in my mind, glowing with a brilliant, finalized clarity.

{

[Host Status Panel]

[Name: Grik (Earth Soul Integrated)]

[Species: Goblin Lord (Apex Variant)]

[Rank: Honorary Knight of the Forge]

[Level: 20 (Stage 2 Ascension Complete)]

[Core: C-Grade (Stabilized)]

[Class: Lord Sovereign / System Administrator]

[Core Attributes: Physical]

[Strength (STR): 240 (Grade: B)]

[Agility (AGI): 210 (Grade: B-)]

[Vitality/Endurance (VIT): 250 (Grade: B+)]

[Mana Capacity (MP): 300 (Grade: B+)]

[System Mechanics & Currency]

[Available Lust Points (LP): 58,450]

}

’My physical stats have skyrocketed to terrifying new heights. I am a C-Grade powerhouse now. All that hard work of ploughing my girls straight for three months paid off. 58,450 LPs. I am proud of myself.’

Amassing nearly sixty thousand Lust Points was no small feat. But the economics of the System had shifted drastically in my favor over the past few weeks.

’Nyssa and Kaelith both reached 100% Devotion. The system also rewarded my efforts by giving me an increase in points generation. Just holding hands and even teasing them in public romantically provided double the points.’

I had the control of the upper sewer districts and my reputation had also increased due to my feats and connections with the Prime Minister.

’It is no secret that I am quite close to his daughter as she sees me and Nyssa as her Savior. Maybe, I am more than a Savior. Who knows?’

’It is time to spend it,’ I decided.

I navigated past the standard attribute upgrades and opened the System Shop.

I scrolled through rows of expensive weapons and consumable potions.

’I was eying this Unique Skill for a long time. If I want people loyal to me and grow stronger with me, then this skill was the perfect fit. My women grew with me as I was able to influence their growth with the help of the System. But for men....’

A very disturbing image of Rolf on the bed appeared in my mind!

’OH GODS!! NOOOOO! WHAT THE HELLL! NOOOO!! NEVER!! HELL NOO!! KILL ME!!’

A mental outburst. And I never thought about it again.

Never!

A skill icon shimmering in regal gold pulsed slowly on the holographic screen.

{

[Unique Skill Discovered: The King’s Men]

[Cost: 50,000 LP]

[Description: A Sovereign’s power is absolute, but a Kingdom cannot be held alone. This skill allows the Host to formally bind a willing subordinate. The bound target will receive a drastic increase to their growth rate, a shared passive resistance to mental interference, and a direct stat multiplier scaling with the Host’s own power.]

}

This was exactly what we needed.

Rolf and I were quite close. He had given up his future for his friendship with me.

He chose me. And he decided to trust me with his future.

It was time I truly rewarded that loyalty and elevated him to stand beside us.

I purchased the skill hesitation.

Fifty thousand LP drained from my account instantly.

A warm, golden surge of authority flooded my C-Grade core, traveling down my arms and settling into my palms.

I opened my eyes and looked at the towering werewolf.

"Rolf," I said, my baritone voice echoing with absolute command in the quiet tunnel.

"Come here."

Rolf turned, his golden amber eyes filled with unwavering respect.

He stepped away from the edge of the catwalk and stood before me.

"What is it, Boss?" the werewolf asked.

"You have fought by my side against nobles, assassins, and monsters," I began, my tone turning incredibly serious.

"You have never once questioned my orders. Tonight, we are declaring war on the ancient purists."

I paused, letting the weight of my words sink in.

"But before we step into the dark, I need to know if you are ready to bind your fate to mine completely."

Rolf did not hesitate for a single second. The massive beast dropped to one knee on the slick stone, bowing his head in total submission.

’Is this truly what I think it is?’ Rolf was surprised.

"Do you seriously want to knight me in these sewers? I should have gotten a grand procession dude!" asked Rolf.

"It’s ’My Lord’ to you now. And I can stop if you don’t want to. Do you want to wait for a grand procession, huh? Alright, let’s move ahead then."

I got ready to move. Suddenly...

THUD

He dropped to one knee with solemn grace, awaiting the honor that would raise him into knighthood.

I turned back.

"I am yours to command, My Lord," Rolf stated. His voice was filled with utmost respect.

"My claws are yours to command. My fangs are your executioners."

I drew my heavy trench coat back. I placed my organic hand firmly on Rolf’s broad, muscular shoulder.

"Hmm... it seems this Lord of yours is not in the mood for a knighthood ceremony. What shall we do?"

I was only playing.

"Alright, I’ve got an idea. Tell me a joke. If I laugh, you earn your knighthood."

’Sometimes, I swear this friend of mine is an absolute idiot,’ Rolf thought.

"Fine. A woman asks a man, ’Why don’t you clean the hair on your backside?’ The man, surprised, replies, ’Why would I? You don’t clean the house if you’re not expecting guests.’"

Silence.

"....."

Then it broke.

"HAHAHAHAHA!" Rolf and I burst out laughing, unable to hold it in.

"Alright then," I said, catching my breath. "Prepare yourself."

The golden energy of the new skill pooled in my palm. It transferred a radiant, undeniable warmth directly into his body.

"Then in the name of the Forge, I charge you to be brave," I spoke as the ancient weight of the oath settling over us like a physical mantle.

"In the name of the Pack, I charge you to be just."

"In the name of the Blood we have spilled, I charge you to defend my queens and our territory."

"Rise, Rolf."

"Rise as the First Knight of my Kingdom."

WHOOSH!

A blinding flash of golden light erupted from where my hand met his shoulder.

The System chimed aggressively in my ears.

Rolf gasped loudly as the golden energy rushed into his core, forcefully expanding his mana channels.

His muscles bulged against his leather armor.

His silver fur took on a sharp, metallic sheen under the dim light of Nyssa’s staff.

He stood up, towering over me.

The aura radiating from his body had easily doubled in density.

It carried the distinct, heavy pressure of a high-tier predator.

{

[Target: Rolf]

[Species: Dire Werewolf]

[Title: The King’s First Knight]

[Designation: Royal Vanguard]

[Stats:

[Strength: 190]

[Agility: 180]

[Vitality: 210]

[Mana: 100]

}

’Incredible,’ I thought, looking at his spiked attributes.

’He is closing the gap toward the C-Grade threshold rapidly. The stat multiplier is working perfectly.’

"I feel unstoppable," Rolf growled, clenching his massive, clawed fists.

The air around him practically hummed with kinetic energy.

"Let us go tear them apart."

I nodded, turning back to the dark tunnel.

"Lead the way, First Knight. Sniff them out."

’With this Oath, I have also expressed the desire to build my own Kingdom. It was never a secret. I simply did not express it to anyone. But looking at them, they knew I wouldn’t just stop here. I will live up to your trust.’

We descended deeper into the pitch-black tunnels.

The smell of the lower sewers was a foul mixture of stagnant water and rotting waste.

But Rolf effortlessly leaded the way.

’This stench would have been a hard struggle for other werewolves as they have a sensitive nose. It was a double-edged sword for them.’

"Rolf. Does this sewer smell not bother you?" I asked genuinely surprised.

"Oh! Well, it did at first. You know when we first entered to kill those damn rats." said Rolf as he kept leading the way.

"At that time, I also struggled a bit there. But, while fighting I developed a technique. A technique that will filter the smell that I inhale."

This discovery made all three of us surprised.

Nyssa exclaimed, "That’s surprising Rolf! How did you do it?"

Rolf continued, "Well, remember you tried explaining me the workings of the steam Engine you developed. At that time, you also explained how this world is made of tiny particles called atoms and molecules."

"Right! I did explain it to you. But, how were you able to develop this technique?" Nyssa asked curiously. The gears in her brains were started cranking.

"Well, I thought if atoms are everywhere, then this smell must be made from atoms as well. So, I tried using mana. I covered my nose in a bit of mana. My nostrils, mostly."

A thin layer of mana enveloped his nose.

"See this! I articulated mana in such a manner that it would work as a semi-permeable membrane. so, when I inhale only Oxygen atoms are allowed to pass and when I Exhale everything is released."

"I am good, aren’t I?" Rolf asked with genuine innocent eyes.

Me, Nyssa, and Kaelith were utterly shocked. Our jaws dropped to the floor.

Nyssa exclaimed, "Oh my God! Rolf, you’re a genius. I cannot believe you were able to make this intricate technique. The theory sounds so simple, but you have to be a really sensitive person regarding mana handling. You have to patent this technique. I have so many ideas to implement this technique in the machines, you know?"

Kaelith praised him, "Congratulations, Rolf. You’re a brute with brains now."

"Yeah! This was really a surprise for me as well. You must have faced a lot difficulties making this spell. I am proud of you, my First Knight!" I said, my eyes filled with pride.

"HA!HA!HA! Of Course, Grik! You don’t know how many times I blasted my Nostril doing that. But it worked out in the end!" Rolf portrayed a shocking truth.

Our jaws were on the floor again.

"Just how many times did you burst your nostrils again?" I asked.

"Something like 20 or something! I don’t remember. I fainted a few times and forgot to count." Rolf replied with a wide grin.

"I take it all back. You are indeed just a brute." Kaelith said. She had given up on making sense.

I hit his head with a fist.

SMACK

"Try to take care of yourself, Rolf! If Sheila knows this happened to you, then she would have butchered you!" I threatened him with his Receptionist girlfriend’s name.

"Oh! Please NO! Just don’t tell her!" Rolf exclaimed.

Suddenly, his eyes pierced the gloom, and his nose flared constantly. He was tracking a very specific scent. He signaled us to Halt.

We halted our steps.

"I smell them," Rolf whispered, pointing toward a wide, intersecting tunnel ahead of us.

"It is the coppery, metallic tang of illegal blood magic. And beneath that, I smell the sterile, arrogant scent of High Elf purists."

"We have perimeter guards ahead," Rolf continued.

"Three dozen mutated Slag-Crawlers, and four Elven handlers in bone masks."

’They know we are coming,’ I thought, feeling the hostile mana signatures pressing against the edges of my perception.

’Or they are simply deeply paranoid.’

"Break their line," I commanded, my voice a cold whisper.