308

Call Me the Lord

Brunnock's straightforward question caught Forseti off guard, prompting him to reply, "Well... let me explain the responsibilities of a Paladin to you. First, you must adhere to certain principles—not stringent, but necessary. Second, you must follow the Knights' orders."

"What exactly do the Knights do?" Brunnock, enamored with the Dragon Shield, asked nonchalantly, not even lifting his head.

"Forseti explained, "The Silver Hand Paladins' primary duty is to defend our homeland from any aggression."

"Do the Knights accept members from other realms?" Brunnock queried.

Forseti nodded, "Certainly. We already have an alien member, Beta Ray Bill from New Korbin. You must have heard of him."

"The Korbinian given the Thunder Hammer by King Odin?" Brunnock recalled.

"That's correct." Forseti placed a hand on Brunnock's shoulder. "But enough about that. You need to prepare yourself. In a few days, we're going to New Korbin where I'll infuse you with Holy Light. This will allow you to master Light spells and become a true Paladin."

Several days later, Forseti summoned Ander and Brunnock to accompany him to New Korbin.

"I never expected you, Brunnock, to be chosen as the Guardian Knight. We'll make a great team," Ander remarked with a smile along the journey.

"Of course it's me. You know I'm likely the best shield user in all of Asgard," Brunnock boasted, brandishing the Dragonman's Shield. "Look at this. The captain gave it to me. Crafted by the Dwarf King himself. Isn't it amazing? It's the most flawless shield I've ever wielded."

"Well... it's certainly impressive," Ander replied, though his expression betrayed a hint of unease.

As a human, a twinge of jealousy was inevitable. Seeing Brunnock with the Dragon Shield, Ander couldn't help but feel somewhat overshadowed.

After all, Ander had been with the Knights longer, yet he hadn't yet mastered Holy Light. Strictly speaking, he wasn't yet a true Paladin. And yet, here was Brunnock, a newcomer, already bestowed with such a prestigious weapon by Forseti.

"I should have been the one," Ander thought to himself, feeling slighted, as they continued along their journey in silence.

Approaching the teleportation chamber, Forseti suddenly interjected, "Oh, and don't call me captain anymore."

"What should we call you then?"

"Call me the Lord," Forseti declared. As a member of the Million Lords, he had chosen this title for his leadership role among the Knights.

Upon arriving at New Korbin, the process went smoothly as before, except this time, three individuals were tasked with infusing Holy Light, enhancing efficiency.

Days passed during the monotonous infusion process.

On a rare free day, Forseti decided to challenge the Seven Black Iron Sages' Experience Tome. He opened the Holy Deed and entered the realm of the Seven Black Iron Sages.

As the scene unfolded, Forseti found himself in a dim, reddish chamber surrounded by seven iron coffins.

Standing before each coffin was a translucent spirit resembling a Dark Iron dwarf—short, dark-skinned, and fierce in demeanor—the Seven Black Iron Sages.

"You dare challenge the Seven Black Iron Sages? Prepare to die!" Dumrel, their leader, shouted, pointing his staff at Forseti.

With his command, runes lit up on a pair of coffins, and the spirits of the dwarves moved into action. Angelel, a warrior, charged at Forseti, wielding a shield in his left hand and a warhammer in his right.

"Sword of Justice!"

Forseti swung the Demon Slayer Sword. Angelel blocked with his shield, the clash ringing out loudly as both combatants recoiled.

Retreating to his coffin, Angelel reassessed the situation.

Forseti seized the moment, attacking with swift strikes of the Demon Slayer Sword. Angelel was overwhelmed, eventually succumbing to Forseti's superior skill.

Throughout the battle, Forseti observed the remaining six Dark Iron dwarves. Despite their numerical advantage, they hesitated to attack together, allowing Forseti to defeat them one by one.

The last to challenge Forseti was Dumrel, the most powerful of the Seven Sages and a warlock who summoned three demons.

Forseti invoked the Wrath of Retribution, swiftly dispatching the demons with the Demon Slayer Sword.

The battle raged on until Forseti backhandedly struck a holy infused Arrow, piercing Dumrel's fading spirit.

*Boom!*

Dumrel dissolved into light and dust, signaling the end of the challenge. Forseti approached to inspect the loot.

**Forging Blueprint: Hammer of Gifts**

**Experience Tome: Emperor Thaurissan**

Both items were impressive, particularly the Hammer of Gifts, a standard warhammer for early Holy Knights, perfect for Ander.

However, Forseti's attention lingered on a third item.

**Forging Blueprint: Sulfuron Warhammer**

The Sulfuron Hammer!