Chapter 75: Knights Yet Uncrowned
The study was silent save for the gentle scratching of quill against parchment. Volundr sat at his desk, a series of scrolls and records scattered in front of him.
The flickering light of an oil lamp cast long shadows across the room, highlighting the intricate maps and documents strewn across the surface. His focus was sharp as he reviewed the most recent intelligence reports, analyzing the strength and potential of the individuals he had been watching.
Jeanne's name stood out most prominently on one of the papers before him. Volundr's fingers hovered over her file, considering the data with a critical eye.
Her swordsmanship, her leadership, her unyielding sense of purpose—everything about her spoke of a future knight, a commander capable of far more than just battle.
He had already observed her with the scrying pool, but now he was putting together a full analysis of her abilities, comparing her style and traits with those of the knights in his own peerage.
Her movements, he noted, were disciplined and graceful, a perfect balance of offense and defense. She was quick, yes, but it wasn't just her speed that impressed him.
It was her ability to anticipate her opponents' moves, to read the battlefield with an almost supernatural awareness. Her sword was not merely a weapon; it was an extension of herself, wielded with a precision that few could match.
As Volundr considered these traits, he made his decision.
He marked her with a small, deliberate stroke on the parchment—Knight Potential. She was the embodiment of what a knight should be.
But what made her stand out from others was her heart, her unwavering sense of duty and justice. These qualities, although admirable, also made her predictable. She could be relied upon, but her predictability could become a limitation in certain situations.
Still, Volundr was not one to overlook such raw potential. She would be a powerful asset in his peerage—a knight who could wield not just a blade but also command the respect of those around her.
Turning his attention to another file, Volundr now considered Siegfried. His combat style was less refined than Jeanne's, but it was no less effective.
Siegfried fought with raw power and agility, wielding multiple demonic swords with an ease that seemed unnatural. His skill with blades was exceptional, but Volundr noted that his greatest strength lay in his adaptability. Siegfried's ability to shift between offensive and defensive strategies with fluidity marked him as a special kind of fighter.
While he could serve as a knight in the traditional sense, Volundr saw him as something more—a special combat asset, a warrior capable of adapting to any situation and using his multiple blades to overwhelm foes in ways that others could not.
Volundr leaned back in his chair, hands steepled before his face as he weighed the options before him. Jeanne would be a perfect knight, but Siegfried had a different kind of power—a chaotic, unpredictable kind of strength that could disrupt even the most well-laid plans
. The question remained: should he recruit Siegfried as a knight, or as a specialized combat asset for more strategic engagements?
As Volundr mulled over this, a voice interrupted his thoughts.
"Too noble for this world," Caelum said, stepping into the study with a quiet, almost reverent tone. He had been watching from the doorway, sensing his master's concentration.
Volundr raised an eyebrow, the corners of his lips curling slightly. "You speak of Jeanne?"
Caelum nodded. "Her heart… it's like something out of a fairytale. There's nobility in her actions, but this world isn't kind to such ideals."
"Perhaps," Volundr murmured, "but that is exactly why she's perfect for the world I'm building."
Caelum's expression shifted to one of curiosity. "You think so?"
Volundr's gaze returned to the file in front of him.
"Yes. In a world where power often blinds people to what truly matters, someone like Jeanne can inspire loyalty and respect. She could lead with honor, and that is something I want in my peerage. Her knightly potential isn't just about swordsmanship; it's about the strength of character. She will be a beacon for those who follow her, not just a weapon."
Caelum watched his master, the weight of his words sinking in. He understood, though his own inclinations toward pragmatism had made him doubt such ideals in the past.
But Volundr's vision was different. It was a vision of strength tempered with purpose, where loyalty and respect were not just earned through force, but through integrity.
As for Siegfried, Volundr knew that his potential could not be dismissed either. His adaptability would make him a useful asset, one that could change the tide of battle in a single stroke.
Yet Volundr had never been one to rush decisions. He would wait. Both Siegfried and Jeanne had their parts to play, but they needed to be placed in positions where they could grow into their roles.
"I will watch them," Volundr continued, "and when the time is right, I will bring them into my fold."
Caelum nodded, but there was a hint of unease in his expression. "You're not worried about their loyalty?"
Volundr's eyes flickered, his gaze turning sharper.
"Loyalty is something you earn, Caelum. It's not given freely. And it's not something that can be forced. But if they choose to stand with me, it will be because they see the strength in my vision."
He paused for a moment, letting the weight of his words settle.
"And when that day comes, I'll have knights—uncompromising, unwavering—who will fight not just for power, but for a cause."
Caelum remained silent for a moment, his eyes studying Volundr's profile. He had never known his master to act without reason, and he trusted his judgment.
But there was something deeply calculated in Volundr's words, something that suggested that the peerage Volundr was building would be far more than just a group of warriors.
These were individuals who would become something more. They would become a part of a greater machine—a kingdom, a dynasty, something the world had never seen before.
Volundr's voice cut through the silence again.
"I will mold them into knights, Caelum. But not just any knights. Knights who will shape the future."
Caelum nodded slowly, understanding at last.
"And we will be there with them, as their strength and support."
"Exactly," Volundr said, his gaze returning to the records before him.
"Knights, yet uncrowned. But soon, they will see the crown's weight and the power it offers."
With that, Volundr made his final note on both Siegfried and Jeanne's files. The future of his peerage was taking shape, and with each passing day, his plans were solidifying.
The knights of his vision were not simply warriors; they would be pillars, foundations of the strength he would soon command.
As Volundr closed the file on Jeanne, his eyes lingered on the last word he had written. Knight Potential. The ink was still fresh, but the future was clear in his mind. She would rise. And with her, the others would follow.
The world would see their strength, their dedication, their nobility—and they would answer.
End of Chapter 75.