Chapter 5: Max Observing the Knights
The sun hung low in the sky, casting a golden hue across the grand courtyard as Max stepped out of the council chamber. His eyes fell upon the assembly of knights awaiting him, their black armor gleaming under the light. They stood in perfect formation, silent and unmoving like statues, a testament to their ruthless discipline.
Max (Internal): In the game, even a glimpse of these knights was enough to send players running.
He remembered it vividly. As a player of VV Fate's End, the Duke's knights were among the most feared enemies. Many players had faced their cold, calculated brutality in the game, and few had survived the encounters. Max himself had barely escaped their grasp in his playthroughs. Their discipline was legendary; their loyalty, unshakable. They had been designed to break players with sheer terror.
But now, as the Duke of Arenia, these knights were his to command.
Max (Internal): The irony… I used to fear these warriors, but now they stand at attention, waiting for my orders.
The sight was almost surreal. Max was no longer the outsider, struggling to survive the Duke's wrath. He was the Duke, and every one of these powerful knights would move at his command. Yet beneath that realization, a wave of doubt stirred in his chest. He couldn't remember the strategies, the methods, or the tactics that the Duke had used to earn their loyalty. Would fear alone be enough to keep them in line?
Max observed the knights more closely, noting the distinct ranks among them. Each knight bore different insignias on their armor—symbols of their position within the Duke's forces.
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The Knights of Arenia
At the head of the formation stood the Black Vanguard, the elite of the Duke's forces. These were the knights who had shattered armies and broken sieges. The rank was marked by a jagged emblem on their pauldrons, representing the chaos they unleashed in battle. Behind them stood the Iron Guard, stalwart defenders and strategists, whose loyalty to the Duke's house was said to be unwavering. They bore a smoother, more refined symbol of interlocking shields. Lastly, there were the Shadow Lances, knights who specialized in covert missions and assassinations—silent, deadly, and feared even by their comrades.
Max (Internal): The Black Vanguard. The Iron Guard. The Shadow Lances. I remember facing them all… and being utterly crushed.
It was strange to stand in front of the very soldiers he had feared in the game. These were the knights who had made even the best players tremble, and now they knelt before him.
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Knight Dialogue
One of the knights from the Black Vanguard stepped forward, his armor clinking softly as he moved. He was tall and broad, his presence alone commanding attention. He removed his helmet, revealing a scarred face and piercing eyes that carried the weight of countless battles.
Knight-Captain Darius: "Your Grace." He bowed deeply, his voice gravelly but firm. "The knights are assembled and prepared for deployment. We await your command."
Max studied Darius, the captain of the Black Vanguard, one of the most feared warriors in the entire empire. Even in the game, Darius had been infamous for leading devastating raids against players who dared to challenge the Duke. His presence now, so close and real, made Max's pulse quicken.
Max kept his face impassive, his hands clasped behind his back as he glanced over the ranks. Inside, his thoughts churned.
Max (Internal): I have to act like him. I can't let them see any weakness.
With a steady voice, Max spoke. "We march to the eastern borders at first light. The goblin and orc forces will be dealt with swiftly. Prepare the troops and the siege weapons."
Darius gave a sharp nod, and behind him, the knights remained eerily silent, their discipline almost unnerving.
Max could feel their eyes on him—watching, waiting. They respected him, yes, but there was more. A sliver of fear lingered in the air, hanging over every word, every breath they took. The Duke's reputation still held them in check, and for now, that fear was the only tool Max had to maintain control.
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The Knights' Fear
As Darius stepped back into the formation, another knight whispered softly to his comrade.
Knight A: "I heard the Duke once led the Black Vanguard in person, slaughtering hundreds on the battlefield without a second thought."
Knight B glanced over, his voice barely audible. "I was there at Stonefield. He didn't just lead us. He became the battle. The enemy didn't stand a chance. One word from him, and entire armies fell before us."
The first knight's grip on his sword tightened slightly. "Do you think he'll lead us again?"
There was a pause before the second knight answered.
Knight B: "If he does… I pity whoever stands in his way."
Max caught their hushed conversation, his stomach tightening. They expected him to lead them into battle again. They remembered the Duke's prowess on the field, but Max had no recollection of those battles. No memory of the strategies or skills that had made him a legend.
Max (Internal): I don't remember the battles or the bloodshed, but they do. I'll use that fear to keep control for now.
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Max's Uncertainty and Command
Max took a deep breath, his mind racing with the weight of expectation. He had no choice but to act like the Duke they remembered. His survival, and perhaps the survival of his entire house, depended on it.
Max: "Captain Darius."
Darius snapped to attention immediately, his gaze steady and focused.
Max: "Ensure the siege weapons are prepared. We'll need them to break through the orcs' defenses. And make sure the scouts report any movement along the eastern border. I want full control of the battlefield before we engage."
Darius nodded again, his respect for the Duke evident in every movement. "As you command, Your Grace."
Max watched as Darius turned to relay the orders, the knights springing into action with military precision. The courtyard filled with the sound of armor and weapons, as the elite warriors of Arenia prepared for war.
Max (Internal): These were the knights I feared… but now they're mine.
He stood still, outwardly calm, but inside, the pressure continued to mount. He had to keep up the act. They couldn't see that the man they once followed so fearfully had no idea how to lead them now.
Max (Internal): They expect me to be ruthless, cunning… the Duke they remember. I'll give them that—until I figure out how to become him.
As the knights continued their preparations, Max turned and made his way back toward the estate. His mind buzzed with the enormity of the task ahead. He needed to rediscover the Duke's power, the tactics, the memories. But until then, he would rely on the one thing he still had—fear.
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