Chapter 42: Grand Master of the Blood Rose

With the last beast's surrender, peace returned to Ostria. Kilian had his soldiers gather the corpses and remains of the deceased and store them in the castle's undergrounds. Of the 60,000 victims, only 200 were nobility. The rest managed to survive beneath the comfort of their massive walls. Half of Ostria's population decimated in less than 24 hours. Once they emerged from seclusion, the magnitude of the slaughter left even the most aloof of nobles quivering in fright.

At first, many wondered how the city prevailed over the seemingly invincible insurgents. News then passed that a mysterious man managed to take control of the fehl beasts and tame them to the last. Now, they took residence within the viscount's castle, with their "monster lord" serving as the true power and shadow master of Ostria.

With 3,000 fehl beasts at his command, Kilian took absolute control of the city, placing his "men" in key positions to maintain control over the city's information channels and resources. At the same time, Kilian had the 3,500 remaining soldiers, and the 42 golems at Olaf's disposal, destroy the slums to prepare it for the Celestial Garden project.

Meanwhile, in the comfort of Olaf's study, Jezebel posed for Kilian. She lounged on the sofa, resting her cheek in her right palm while his brush moved in swift yet meticulous arcs—painting a flawless picture of her divine beauty. But as she watched the passionate focus within Kilian's eyes, Jezebel couldn't stop her smile from growing brighter.

To make this perfect representation of Jezebel, Kilian infused his every stroke with dra and guided his hand with the Eye of Revelation.

"The average net worth of a count is 5,000 qraftas. Yet that Olaf hoarded more than 7,000. In the arts of fraud and embezzlement, I'm afraid that throughout Arcadia, not many can contend with him," Jezebel jested while Kilian added the finishing touch of the painting.

"But now that you not only have his wealth and resources at your disposal, are you still going through the original plan?" She asked.

"But of course. Ostria has just experienced the darkest moment of its history. The whales are still waiting for me to provide them with entertainment. How can I disappoint them? More than a source of revenue, the Celestial Garden is my gate to information and remote control of Olroth's various forces.

Once we open Ostria's gates and spread the news of the Celestial Garden, nobles of nearby towns and cities will undoubtedly make the trip to experiment the fairy tale. If our advertisment campaign is efficient enough, reaching the entirety of Orloth is quite feasible.

Who knows, we might even cater to royalty," Kilian stated, and lowered his brush to appraise his work. Vanishing in a crimson haze, Jezebel reappeared on Kilian's thigh, appraising the painting alongside him. Startled by the enrapturing sight, her eyes widened, and she blinked in disbelief.

"Impressive skills. My Lothario is indeed the master of all trades. Well done! The number one painter of Orloth would be honored to call you brother." The art of using dra in drawings, paintings or sculptures was a trick reserved for magi. Commoners couldn't have access to it, and therefore could never compare to those magi that took the arts as their hobby.

But even among arcane-gifted artists, Kilian's representation of Jezebel would appear as a marvel. The strokes were so lifelike that the onlookers would find themselves drawn into the painting and experiencing the scene through Kilian's eyes and senses.

"My skills are ordinary. It's my feelings that held the brush," Kilian whispered and kissed the right corner of Jezebel's lips. But having grown accustomed to his teasing, Jezebel merely lowered her temple onto his.

"By the way, the number one painter of Orltoh calls me son." Taken aback by the statement, Jezebel arched her eyebrows and turned to face Kilian.

"Klaus von Karsten is your father?" She asked.

Jezebel was on a leisure trip within the Wailing Sea when Ashera made her part of the contract, and summoned her to assist Kilian. She'd only received brief information and knew nothing of his past circumstances. However, her knowledge of Arcadia's various powers would lose to none.

"Indeed. I suppose it's time we discuss the in-laws," Kilian leisurely replied.

…

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Meanwhile, within the Imperial City, an unprecedented event occurred. Following a one vs. one battle, under the gaze of the emperor, the grand masters, the various kings, princes and dukes, Klaus von Karsten crushed the Grand Master of the order of the Blood Rose, and took over his seat.

For the first time in 3,000 years, a non-citizen of the Imperial City took over a Grand Master seat. Although the Blood Rose ranked among the lower four orders, its strength transcended that of the various kingdoms.

In truth, the Seven Grand Orders were military forces and monitoring devices at the service of the von Skoll emperors. The order of the Blood Rose oversaw the Kingdom of Orloth and ensured its obedience to the empire. And while the seat lay in Ravaria, Orloth's capital, the grand master always came from the top-level Archons of the Imperial City.

None expected that Klaus, who'd barely turned 42, already possessed the strength to crush a top-level Archon! With this growth pace, surpassing the top three grand masters was just a matter of time. And perhaps one day, even the emperor wouldn't be his match!

But though many held the same thought, none dared voice it. Drenched in the blood of his predecessor, Klaus crossed the stadium's 300 stairs to kneel before the emperor. The 13th Emperor of Arcadia, as he held the jeweled broadsword destined to Klaus, Niklas von Skoll appeared as a stern man in his early thirties.

But naturally, in Arcadia's arcane circles, physical traits rarely mirrored true age. 160 years old, with broad shoulders and an imposing frame, Niklas stood at 1.87 meters, about the same as Klaus, with short black curls and a massive beard hanging below his chest.

His amber-colored eyes stared into Klaus' cold blue hues with an intensity that made many wonder if the Duke of Kars would live to enjoy the honors of his new function. Though just and impartial in all matters, throughout his 50 years of rule, Niklas von Skoll made one thing clear: he had zero tolerance for threats or insubordination.

Ancient noble houses were wiped out for offending his sovereign dignity. And as the strongest of Arcadia's nine Exarchs, none could oppose him—yet. All believed that since Klaus showed his potential, his untimely death was inevitable. Still, here he was, alive and thriving.

But as many presumed that Klaus finally stepped over the threshold Niklas couldn't tolerate, the emperor lowered the jeweled sword into his hand and declared:

"Arcadia's ancestral laws decree that only the seven strongest magi under the age of 300 may hold the office of Grand Master. Klaus von Karsten, today, before the eyes of Arcadia's elite, you've again proven that across three generations, you know no rival.

It is our privilege to bestow upon you the nine-jeweled sword and name you, the 32nd Grand Master of the Blood Rose. We hope that from this day onward, you shall wield this sword in defense of this land, in defense of its people, of the crown, and in opposition to all abominations threatening the rightful sovereignty of our holy race.

Rise, Grand Master, and may you honor this office till your dying breath!" Niklas proclaimed as Klaus received the sword. On the scene, the top three Grand Masters and Klaus aside, there wasn't one man that didn't gawk in disbelief.

But even as many of his peers debated the true nature of his relationship with the emperor, Klaus clenched his hands around the blade, drenching it in his blood - like the rites demanded - and while his blood rained on the ground, he replied:

"I hereby make the solemn vow to cleanse the Wailing Sea, entomb the Undying Horde, exterminate the Chiropteran Dynasty, and wield this sword in the defense of our holy race!" Klaus made the ancestral pledge and rose from the ground.

For a second, Klaus and Niklas maintained eye contact, but in that mere second, countless emotions intertwined. Niklas turned heels and in a dazzling beam of light, vanished from the scene.

Klaus didn't linger. Headed by Wilfried, his retinue welcomed and led him into a flying vessel that took them all back to Kars.

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