Chapter 24 : Chapter 24
Chapter 24. The Knight Ceremony, Slaves Who Cannot Be Assimilated
The Queen’s Residence was covered with thick cashmere carpets. Candlelight flickered on silver candlesticks, casting shifting reflections across the tapestries hanging on the walls.
The First Prince sat on a cushion, watching his mother play with a pigeon-blood ruby ring in her hand. Unable to hold back, he spoke.
“Mother, does Marquis Tuso truly harbor rebellious intentions?”
The Queen raised her eyes, her fingers gently stroking the gemstone.
“My son, I cannot guarantee it.”
“But that night your father read Tuso’s memorial in the study, smashed a cup, and spent half the night cursing his ‘insolence.’ That much is true.”
She paused, her tone becoming more certain.
“Besides, there have long been rumors that he has been secretly expanding his military forces. The western region’s tax payments have also been delayed for three months.”
“And that youngest daughter of his is a complete ordinary person without any talent. A marriage alliance would normally be absurd—yet this time your father actually agreed.”
“Then having Fourth Brother marry his daughter...” The First Prince frowned slightly. “Is it to cut off his chance at the throne?”
“What else could it be?”
The Queen let out a cold laugh.
“A prince who marries the daughter of a marquis who relies on his army to assert independence—how could he still dream of touching the throne?”
“The court officials would be the first to oppose it.”
“As for Tuso, if he truly dares to rebel, the royal family’s Legendary-level power is not just for show.”
“Suppressing a few jumping clowns would not even shake the royal family’s foundations.”
The First Prince tapped the armrest unconsciously, but the unease in his heart refused to fade.
“But Father… his thoughts are always deep and difficult to measure. If Tuso dares to act like this, could it be that he has no backing?”
“And since Father was so furious, why did he not deal with him directly? Why agree to this marriage instead?”
The Queen set down the ring and walked over, patting his shoulder.
“Your father has his own considerations. Perhaps he wishes to stabilize Tuso first and deal with the northern rebellion.”
“We only need to do our part. Your fourth brother becoming the sacrifice of this marriage will only benefit your claim to the position of Crown Prince.”
The First Prince nodded, but something still felt wrong.
His father was not someone who tolerated insolence. If Marquis Tuso dared to delay taxes and expand his army privately, he must have some form of support. Yet the King’s tacit acceptance—and even agreement to the marriage—felt more like deliberate indulgence.
“Mother, should I send people to investigate the western region again?”
The Queen pondered for a moment before shaking her head.
“There is no need. The royal family’s hidden agents have been watching that place for a long time. If anything happens, we will hear about it immediately.”
“Focus on preparing for next month’s Knight Ceremony. That is the most important matter right now. Your father will also take time to return, after all, this is an important festival for replenishing fresh blood in the royal forces.”
The First Prince responded with a “Yes,” but his gaze drifted toward the dark night outside the window.
This game of chess seemed clear on the surface, yet his father’s unfathomable attitude always made him feel that there were hidden moves yet to appear.
Perhaps the marriage behind all of this was far more complicated than his mother imagined.
The candlelight flickered, casting the shadows of mother and son onto the wall—one filled with certainty, the other burdened with unease.
Early the next morning, William took an Exit Authorization and left the palace in a carriage accompanied by dozens of Palace Knights.
The morning fog had not yet dispersed, and dew still lingered on the stone roads of the Royal Capital. As the horses passed, droplets of water splashed beneath their hooves.
His destination was the manor in the suburbs.
The slaves he had purchased were undergoing training there, and he intended to visit regularly.
Those slaves needed to know who they were fighting for—who was feeding them and providing them with Cultivation Resources. If he remained too distant and lofty, they would never truly risk their lives for him.
When they passed the largest Slave Auction House in the city, William suddenly ordered the carriage to stop.
“Let us take a look inside.”
The interior of the auction house was dimly lit, and most of the slaves inside the iron cages had dull, lifeless expressions.
William scanned the area and noticed that they were mostly the same faces as before. He frowned and beckoned the owner, Gray.
“No new stock?”
Gray quickly bowed with a smile. “Your Highness, I am afraid there will not be any new slaves arriving for the time being.”
“In half a month, it will be the Knight Ceremony. Young and able-bodied men from all over are focused on that opportunity. Only after the ceremony ends will new slaves be transported here.”
“The Knight Ceremony?” William raised an eyebrow and looked at Tos behind him. “Why have I never heard of it?”
Tos stiffened and quickly explained, “Your Highness, the Knight Ceremony is a festival held by the King to replenish the Royal Legions and attract high-ranking knights to swear loyalty to the royal family. It takes place once a year… I assumed you already knew, so I did not report it specifically.”
William shot him an annoyed glance. Tos always seemed to falter at crucial moments.
But his attention was quickly captured by those two words—Knight Ceremony—and a gleam flashed in his eyes.
“So that means many commoners and even fallen nobles will attend the trials?”
“Yes, Your Highness,” Gray replied with a nod.
“It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Those with talent might be noticed by the royal family and even directly recruited into the Royal Knight Orders.”
A faint smile appeared on William’s lips. Events like this were the easiest place for overlooked talent to appear.
Those with talent but no background were exactly the kind of people he needed.
“Very good.”
He turned and walked out, speaking to Tos as he did so.
“After we return, prepare several dozen Soul Contracts—make them the highest grade. Your prince has money now. Supporting a few dozen more knights will not be a problem.”
Tos froze for a moment, then immediately understood and bowed.
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Mounting the carriage again, William looked toward the direction of the manor, already forming plans in his mind.
The slaves at the manor were the foundation, but the “missed fish” from the Knight Ceremony might become unexpected allies.
The carriage soon left the city gates and arrived at the manor.
Two knights at the entrance immediately knelt when William stepped down from the carriage. He waved his hand and walked straight inside.
The manor was bustling with activity.
On the eastern training ground, more than four hundred slaves were practicing basic sword techniques, sweat pouring down their bodies as faint traces of Dou Qi circulated within them.
In the stone buildings to the west, more than eighty others sat cross-legged under the guidance of Instructors, attempting to sense magical elements. Most of them had not yet grasped the method, but their expressions were focused.
William slowly walked around the grounds. Seeing that everyone was performing their duties and their auras were steadier than during his last visit, he nodded in satisfaction.
He summoned the three Instructors responsible for indoctrination training and asked, “How have things been recently?”
The middle-aged Instructor leading them bowed.
“Your Highness, things have been progressing smoothly overall. They are gradually accepting the teachings.”
Another Instructor added, “However… there are three slaves who seem somewhat unusual.”
“Oh?” William raised an eyebrow. “Explain.”
“On the surface they follow the training. They perform the prayers every day and never slack off, but there is always a sense of detachment in their eyes.”
The Instructor lowered his voice.
“We tried tempting them with benefits and even applying punishment, but they remain unmoved, as though something in their hearts is more important than freedom or power.”
The third Instructor continued, “I suspect they have their own faith. People like that possess extremely strong willpower. It is very difficult to truly make them submit.”
“If we keep them, they may influence the others—especially since the minds of the slaves have not fully settled yet.”
William pondered for a moment.
What he needed were absolutely loyal chess pieces, not hidden dangers that might backfire at any time.
If those three truly had unshakable beliefs and could not be assimilated, keeping them would only invite disaster—and might even awaken the others.
“Take me to see them.”
The Instructor led him to the northern training ground and pointed at three slaves practicing sword swings.
Their movements were smooth and powerful, but upon closer inspection, their eyes were empty—as if they were merely completing a task rather than striving to change their fate.
William watched them for a moment before raising his voice.
“Everyone stop.”
All the slaves halted and looked toward him.
His gaze swept over the three men.
“You three. Come here.”
The three exchanged glances before walking over and bowing. Their movements were precise, yet devoid of warmth.
William stared into their eyes.
“Tell me, do you want freedom?”
The tall slave on the left lowered his head. “Yes.”
“Do you want power, so you will never again be at the mercy of others?”
The thin man in the middle answered, “Yes.”
Their responses were flawless, but there was an unnatural obedience within them.
William already had his conclusion. These men were not pretending—they simply resisted being “tamed” at their core.
He waved his hand.
“You may leave.”
After the three departed, William said to the Instructors, “Keep a close watch on them. If there is no change within three days, deal with them.”
“Yes, Your Highness,” the Instructors answered in unison, a trace of understanding flashing in their eyes.