After some time, they arrived back at Cynthia's manor. Opal stepped out first, holding the carriage door open for Cynthia before closing it behind her. Together, they made their way inside. Upon entering, they were greeted by Mavis and Clementine, who both bowed in delight at their return.
Cynthia acknowledged them with a nod and continued walking when Clementine suddenly called out.
"Young Miss."
Cynthia halted. "Yes? What is it?"
"Your designated Draethon Knights have arrived."
At these words, Opal's expression flickered with bewilderment. "Draethon Knights?" she repeated, as if trying to process what she had just heard. "As in the Draethon Army? The smallest yet most revered military force in the world? The same knights whose individual strength can suppress entire armies?"
Clementine nodded. "Yes, the very same."
Cynthia narrowed her eyes slightly. "I was to be assigned a knight?"
"Two, actually," Mavis corrected. "Each Draethon Council member is assigned a pair."
Cynthia hummed in acknowledgment before giving a simple command. "Lead me to them."
"Yes, Young Miss," both maids replied, moving ahead to guide her.
They soon arrived at a well-appointed chamber, where Mavis stepped forward and opened the door, revealing two imposing figures standing at attention. Their rigid posture suggested they hadn't even considered sitting while awaiting Cynthia's arrival.
Clementine gestured towards them. "My lady, these are the knights assigned to serve you. Please allow them to introduce themselves. You now stand before Lady Cynthia Rochester, newly ascended Draethon Council member."
The first figure stepped forward. "My name is Sir Eryndor Starforge."
The second followed. "And I am Dame Lysara Shamrock."
Cynthia took a moment to observe them closely.
Sir Eryndor Starforge stood tall and commanding, clad in golden armor etched with celestial runes that shimmered faintly under any light, as if imbued with the essence of starlight itself. His greatsword scabbard pulsed with shifting constellations, a weapon seemingly alive with cosmic power. A flowing silver cloak trailed behind him, enhancing his regal presence. His emerald eyes, piercing and vibrant, seemed capable of looking through one's very soul. Silvery hair framed his face like a crown of moonlight, adding to his ethereal, otherworldly aura.
Dame Lysara Shamrock, in contrast, was draped in sleek obsidian armor that melded seamlessly with the shadows. Her presence was both dangerous and elegant, exuding a quiet intensity. Intricate carvings of twisting vines and thorns glowed faintly with an eerie green hue across her armor, hinting at a deep connection to nature's raw energy. Her longsword hummed softly at her hip, its scabbard laced with pulsing emerald veins, as if breathing with a life of its own. Raven-black hair, streaked with white, cascaded across her shoulders like ink spilling over parchment. Her piercing sapphire eyes, tinged with sorrow, held a haunting depth.
Cynthia, arms folded, studied them thoughtfully. "I must apologize in advance, but neither of your names are familiar to me. What are your current ranks? I've never seen your names on any known ranking list."
Eryndor responded smoothly. "That is understandable, Councilwoman. No Draethon Knight is registered on any ranking lists. Those lists are merely tools for identifying potential Draethon Knights, not those who have already been chosen."
Cynthia made her way to a single-seater cushioned chair and sat gracefully. "That implies you were once on the list. And yet, I don't recall ever seeing your names, not even in passing."
Eryndor met her gaze steadily. "That is because, my lady, you along with everyone else have simply forgotten my existence. That is the most likely explanation."
Cynthia raised an eyebrow. "And what gives you such confidence in that theory?"
His answer was immediate. "It is most likely the handiwork of Statesman Aristotle. He possesses the trait of Memory Manipulation."
Cynthia's fingers tapped against the armrest of her chair. "Memory Manipulation? Explain."
Eryndor inclined his head. "There are times when certain knowledge is deemed unfit for the world to remember. When that happens, Statesman Aristotle is called upon. Throughout history, many events have been erased, forgotten not by accident, but by design."
Cynthia exhaled slowly, rubbing the bridge of her nose. "I see. Then answer me this, why would they erase you? Wouldn't knowledge of your existence bring prestige?"
Eryndor gave a slight bow before responding. "Forgive me, my lady, for answering your question with another. Can you name a single Draethon Knight with certainty?"
Cynthia's lips parted slightly, but no answer came. Eventually, she shook her head. "No… I cannot."
Eryndor nodded. "Yet, despite that, does the world not fear and revere the strength of the Draethon Knights?"
Cynthia's expression remained neutral, but her voice held a note of understanding. "The order is indeed feared."
A small smile touched Eryndor's lips. "Then that is all the world needs to know, my lady."
Cynthia leaned back in her chair, considering his words before finally nodding. "I can see your point."
Eryndor dipped his head slightly, satisfied that he had conveyed his reasoning.
Shifting her focus, Cynthia turned to Mavis and Clementine."See to it that they are provided proper lodging, they will be staying here."
The maids bowed in acknowledgment.
She then addressed Opal. "Check if there is a laboratory within the manor. If not, come to me so I can design one for the space."
"As you command, Lady Cynthia," Opal replied, before hurrying off to carry out her task.
Finally, she turned her gaze back to the knights. "You two, follow Mavis and Clementine to your rooms and familiarize yourselves with the estate."
"Understood, my lady," both knights responded in unison before departing.
As they left, Cynthia recalled that she had never received a direct answer about their ranks. However, upon closer inspection, she could sense the subtle yet undeniable fluctuation of their suppressed auras. It was clear they were powerful. That was enough to satisfy her curiosity for now.
With that thought, she made her way to her room, intent on meditating and assessing her current capabilities with the assistance of Veseran, who had remained silent all this time, focused on the task she had assigned him.