40 Head Guardian
Ethan stood on his balcony overlooking the city and a young man could be seen kneeling behind him. The young man's name is Ragnar, a 24-year-old man, who possesses an alluring and enigmatic appearance. Standing tall at six feet, his chestnut hair falls in tousled waves around a strong jawline. His piercing blue eyes hold a captivating intensity, while a well-groomed beard adds to his rugged charm. He was one of the eight men from the Guardians Order who has absolute loyalty to Ethan.
"From humble beginnings to a land of grandeur and prosperity. It's hard to believe how much has changed since those days of old.
There was a time when the castle was just a small fortress, barely able to protect us from the outside world. We were but a handful of people on the brink of death, hoping to survive. But look at us now.
Just when I became king, we had our fair share of problems but now we have grown so strong. You see, when I look outside or from this balcony, I see the hope that has been created. We worked hard to build this kingdom from the ground up. Each brick laid with determination; each stone placed with love.
The kingdom has grown, and i want to protect those people, to create a legacy that future generations will cherish." Ethan said without turning his back.
Ethan then turned around and faced Ragnar," Ragnar von Highkeep, will you be my knight and protect this kingdom with me?
"I will My King!" he shouted resolutely.
"Good, Ragnar von Highkeep today I grant you the sacred duty of Head Guardian of the Order and with it I bestow upon you the Guardian Cloth of Strength. With it may you serve and protect and forever remain a Guardian. Till the end of time." Ethan said as he knighted Ragnar. And as soon as Ethan had finished, he gave Ragnar the Cloth.
The armor, inspired by the color of lightning, envelops the upper body and legs in a grand display of power. The chest plate and pauldrons gleam with a metallic sheen, mirroring the electrifying hue of lightning. Intricate engravings of thunderclouds and jagged bolts adorn the armor, adding to its captivating allure. A regal cape, crafted from a fabric that mimics the crackling energy of lightning, cascades from the shoulders, completing the majestic ensemble.
"I shall remain loyal and vow to protect my King till the end of time." Ragnar kneeled once more and accepted the armor. After donning the armor, his whole appearance had improved, his piercing blue eyes matched his armor. He looked like the embodiment of lightning itself.
After handing the armor to Ragnar, Ethan was inspired by the idea of Guardian clothes and thought to build his own, for his Knight Order Heads, making another group which name will resound across the realm. They would be the ones to convene the Supreme council. Ethan thought that he would name the supreme council members, the Sacred Elders. And there would only be 6 Elders nothing more and nothing less.
He summoned Leo his finance minister as well as the best blacksmith in Verdant Vale. Not long after two men could be seen walking into the throne room, one of them was Leo and the other was a man named Oren.
Oren had silver hair that flowed down his broad shoulders, framing a face etched with lines of wisdom. His brown eyes sparkled with a hint of mischief, a piercing gaze that could penetrate armor. Oren's sinewy arms, marked with scars, bore witness to his years of hammering and shaping metal. He wore a leather apron, darkened by the forge's soot, over a faded tunic and patched trousers. A silver pendant hung around his neck, symbolizing the craftsmanship passed down through generations.
"Oren is your name, right?'' Ethan asked. "Yes, your Majesty" Oren said and bowed slightly.
"Very well, I heard that you are the best blacksmith in the whole of the Vale? Is that correct.'
"Yes, your Grace, at the moment it would be me." Owen replied. "Good then tell me, would you be able to make armors such as these in the near future??" Ethan asked and handed him the blueprints to the armors for the Sacred Elders. Ethan had bought blueprints for armors from the system.
Owen looked at it and was silent for a while before he gave his answer. "I am afraid not, your Grace. Firstly, the number of ores and metal we would need is immense and secondly the quality of such ores cannot be lacking in the slightest even the ores and metals from Frostfall is not near the quality needed. Lastly, I am afraid my skill is insufficient to create such masterpieces." Owen answered with a sad sigh.
"Tell me, who has the capabilities to create such armors then?"
"My Lord, I am afraid only kingdoms at Tier 2 and above have such blacksmiths, we in the community call them blacksmith Grandmasters. Only they would be able to create such pieces."
"Very well, Owen at the moment I do not have any connections, nor do I believe the Vale has the money to hire such artisans and metals. As such I will give you a mission. I want you to find a group of young men talented in forging weapons. Then you would groom them in the future. For every master smith you nurture I will give you a reward. I don't want us to ask and hire people from other kingdoms to help us. You shall be responsible for the nurturing of blacksmiths in Verdant Vale." Ethan decreed.
"As you wish, My Lord" Owen replied with an obvious delight etched on his face. "You are dismissed Owen." Ethan said and turned toward Leo.
"Now Council Head Leo, tell me, is there anything related to finances I should be concerned about?" he asked
"Everything is going smoothly my King; we are generating an abundance of money each month due to our trades with the neighboring kingdoms. We have even begun to expand our sea trade, many sailors have been trained and all four Oceanic Caravella's and the ten Sea Sprites have been set ashore or in the river. We even started trading with 2 new kingdoms across the sea, the Kingdom of Sunhaven which we trade our products for Sun-kissed Fruits and Wine which are rare here in the vale and surrounding kingdoms as well as the Kingdom of Stormhold which we trade for Stormwood and Lightning Crystals."
"Oh, forgive me my Lord I almost forgot, we have been losing money in one particular area. There have been constant attacks in the Eastern Mountains by bandits and we can't trade properly and as efficiently as we would have to travel around the mountains in order to go to the kingdoms in the east." Leo reported.
"I shall see to it that it is handled. Anything else?"
"No my Lord." Leo said. "Then, you may leave." Ethan said.
