The spellbook can cast a blessing spell on knights, granting them lasting honor and ensuring they are always favored by the goddess of victory.

Van is about to become a knight, a royal knight with the highest honor in the kingdom.

The master opened the grimoire to the page on the seal of rites and began to read its contents.

His voice, as powerful as light, resonated throughout the palace: "The Holy Book first asks: What are your honors?"

As the questions, answered in strict accordance with the sacred text, rose into the hall, swirling and concentrating on the highest dome. The scene of the knight's baptism was so magnificent that even the royal army was stunned.

Fan replied to his master with unwavering resolve: "I swear to be loyal to my country!"

Upon hearing this reply, the light swirled continuously, radiating a sun-like brilliance in all directions.

This is Brahman's eternal aspiration: to live for the Kingdom and to die for the Kingdom. This sublime and sacred goal will never change in this life or the next. As long as the Kingdom endures, Brahman's honor will always be with him.

Vanrexor smiled with satisfaction and asked the prospective knight his second and final question: "Who is your lord?"

"King of the Kingdom of Valentino, Ruler of the Continent!"

A tiny ray of light, as light as a feather, fell upon his body.

Then let his body be enveloped in a gradually brightening glow.

His unwavering faith earned him the extra protection of the power of light.

Since light and fire share the same origin, Brahma can also readily accept this blessing from Vanexor.

Van Rexor nodded, closed the book, and the first part of the simple yet solemn sealing ceremony came to an end.

"Then, let us proceed with the next baptism, the 'Blood Oath.' Brahma, extend your right arm, adorned with the dragon's crest."

The master also instructed his subordinates to bring the most important item in the baptism of blood—a small bottle of extremely rare ancient dragon blood.

Vanrexor will merge the dragon's bloodline into Van's body, maximizing the power of the emblem.

The dragon head emblem on Van's arm faced upwards, towards the radiant light of the dome. The surge of magic within it was strikingly visible, as active as a newborn snake. Vanexor himself stepped forward, carefully opening the bottle and dripping dragon blood into the emblem.

When dragon blood comes into contact with air, its color changes from dark to bright red, instantly radiating the brilliance of life as if it were reborn.

Upon contact with the emblem, it rapidly vaporized into magical particles that seeped into the patterns, merging with the original flame magic possessed by Van. At that moment, everyone present felt a powerful surge of magical energy, almost causing them to dizzy.

Fan also felt a mysterious power constantly stirring and adapting within the demonic veins of his body.

It was as if a wild, fiery dragon was being nurtured within his body. In no time, the demonic veins and dragon blood adapted to each other, and Fan felt comfortable, his meridians becoming smooth again.

"It seems the 'Blood of the Ancient Dragon' suits you perfectly. Having completed the 'Blood Oath,' from this moment forward, your honor will endure with the Royal Knights, with the Kingdom of Valentino, and with your master. I hereby declare that Grand Master of the Royal Knights, Van Titeren, is officially inaugurated!"

Above the royal capital Gransis, a massive vortex twisted the calm night sky, like a bottomless black hole capable of swallowing all stars and the moon.

The wind, clouds, thunder, and lightning were shifting and flashing restlessly.

"Celestial phenomena reflect fortune and misfortune, and the spirit of the earth connects the past and present." This saying comes from an ancient sage in Valentino.

Yes, this bottomless, greedy black hole has begun to open its gaping maw to devour all the sun, moon, and stars.

-

Several days later, a woman skillfully leaped over the palace perimeter and successfully infiltrated the palace.

She used her Instant Step technique to quickly move through the royal backyard.

The woman's black cloak was adorned with mysterious runes, and she was imbued with visual impairment magic, making her an undetectable presence.

When she brushed past the night patrol guards, they would only think she was one of the thousands of gusts of night wind.

Although she was confident that no one would notice her for the time being, she still didn't like to show her face. The loose hoodie covered half of her face, revealing only her thin, red lips with a faint smile.

The woman carried a pile of objects on her back. They weren't treasure, nor stolen equipment. These were her favorite cold weapons.

I carry it with me at all times.

Knives, swords, clubs—single-edged, double-edged, and even bladeless—were all present. If she were truly an assassin, she wouldn't be carrying so many cumbersome weapons to commit murder, would she?

Her truly terrifying killing skills and methods lie in her familiarity with various cold weapons and her ability to use them flexibly to deal with enemies.

One moment he's wielding a nimble short sword, the next he's switching to a deadly scimitar, and who knows when, perhaps just before he's about to pierce the enemy's heart with a sharp weapon, he'll transform into a deadly rapier.

-

It was late at night. Van Rexor was about to sign a contract document containing special clauses.

Once the contract is announced and takes effect, the Royal Knights will officially replace the old Royal Army and become the newest national army with the highest authority.

At the same time, this "contract" was also a "law." The Imperial Cavalry once again conscripted a large number of soldiers nationwide, requiring all non-disabled males over the age of sixteen to join the army and serve their country loyally.

In order to rapidly expand his army, broaden his territory, and implement his grand ambitions, Van Rexo deliberately drafted this brutal conscription system and prepared to implement it unilaterally.

At this time, the late king's ministers were waiting in the palace for Van Rexor to complete the signing.

Although, this young Valentino successor does indeed bear the shadow of the late king.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!