Chapter 26: The Selection of Servants
Introduction to Korrin Salazar
The grand hall of the Iron Fang Registry stretched out before them, its polished floors reflecting the soft light from crystal chandeliers overhead. Kitsaro observed the rows of potential retainers standing like statues. Their expressions were composed, yet there was a quiet intensity about them. Unlike common laborers, these individuals held a certain refinement, a potential that could be molded into something far greater. There was power here, hidden beneath layers of formality.
Cassian led the way, his relaxed yet commanding posture drawing the attention of those around him. Kitsaro followed closely behind, with Sylvara at his side, her regal air unmistakable as she carried herself with the confidence of someone accustomed to being in control. As they moved deeper into the establishment, a figure stood waiting by the entrance to an ornate room. He was a tall, broad-shouldered man with a presence that spoke of years spent mastering his craft. His sharp, dark eyes first took in Sylvara, then flicked to Kitsaro before finally settling on Cassian.
"Korrin Salazar," Cassian greeted smoothly, gesturing toward Sylvara and Kitsaro. "Allow me to introduce—"
Before Cassian could finish, Sylvara stepped forward, cutting him off with a quiet authority. "Sylvara Inari Veyra," she said, her voice carrying an unmistakable weight. Her gaze swept across Korrin with the grace of one who had long been accustomed to commanding respect. Without breaking her stride, she placed a hand on Kitsaro's shoulder. "And this is my son, Kitsaro Azreal Veyra."
Korrin's eyes widened ever so slightly, recognition flashing in his gaze. A low chuckle escaped him before he bowed slightly, more out of respect than obligation. "Lady Veyra. I had my suspicions when I heard the name Sylvara, but I didn't expect to meet the Monarch Rank beastwoman who walked away from the awakening of the Vaelthyr heir while still in partial Beastification."
Cassian raised an eyebrow, his amusement evident. "It seems you remember that moment quite well."
"How could I forget?" Korrin replied, standing straighter. "It's not every day that someone of your caliber simply walks away from a noble house after displaying such raw power. The moment you did, it left quite an impression on everyone in the region."
He shifted his sharp gaze to Cassian. "And yet, you never thought to introduce us before?"
Cassian smirked, a flicker of mischief in his eyes. "Let's just say the timing was never right."
Korrin exhaled a soft breath before turning his attention back to Sylvara, his posture now one of respect and deference. "It is an honor to have you here, Lady Veyra. Had I known you were seeking retainers, I would have ensured a more refined selection was prepared in advance."
Sylvara nodded once, her expression unchanging. "We require a capable household staff. Butlers, chefs, gardeners, and those proficient in maintaining an estate of our standing."
Korrin nodded thoughtfully, his mind already processing her words. "Of course. Please, follow me. We have a more private area for such matters."
They were led down a corridor, passing through a set of intricately carved doors into a VIP room. The space was luxurious, dark wooden panels lining the walls, with plush seating and a large, polished table in the center. High-backed chairs surrounded the table, lending the room an air of authority. Kitsaro quietly observed the opulence of the room, though his attention was more on the conversation at hand.
Sylvara settled into one of the chairs with composed grace, folding her hands in front of her. "We require a full staff, but I will not tolerate incompetence. The estate is large, and efficiency is a priority. I expect the highest standard of care."
Korrin nodded. "Understood. I have a selection of retainers who are well-trained. The lower-ranked staff—such as maids and general workers—are individuals with dormant bloodlines. These are at the Fledgling Rank. They have minor enhancements but lack fully awakened abilities. They are loyal and disciplined, trained to handle the day-to-day maintenance of an estate."
Cassian leaned back, his fingers steepling as he regarded Korrin. "And what of the higher-ranked staff?"
"For positions such as butlers, guards, and key estate personnel," Korrin continued, "we have individuals at the Awakened Fledgling Rank. Their bloodlines are more refined, and they possess enhanced strength, endurance, and even some elemental traits. However, for the chief butler position, I have a candidate who holds a Primal Hunter Beastial Rank bloodline. This individual has both experience and a bloodline that grants him superior reflexes and heightened senses."
Sylvara met Korrin's gaze, her expression thoughtful. "We are interested in the strongest, those who will not falter under pressure. Show us what you have."
Korrin gestured toward the doorway, and within moments, a procession of individuals entered. The first group was composed of maids and housekeepers. Their movements were synchronized, their postures impeccable. They stood in an orderly row, eyes trained forward, awaiting the assessment.
"These are our general staff," Korrin explained. "They have undergone extensive training in estate management and noble etiquette. Though they lack fully awakened bloodlines, their discipline is second to none."
Sylvara observed them with sharp eyes, her gaze scanning each face. She nodded after a long pause. "They will do."
Next, a group of guards entered. Their physiques were noticeably stronger, their postures more relaxed but still poised. Some bore faint traces of their awakened bloodlines—glimmers of power flickering in their eyes, the subtle shift of energy in their auras.
"These are the security personnel," Korrin continued. "They have all undergone rigorous combat training. They serve as both guards and enforcers if needed. Though most of them are at the Fledgling Rank, they possess the potential to grow further."
Sylvara's gaze hardened, her scrutiny intense. "I require a force that can handle unexpected threats. Can they stand against something truly dangerous?"
One of the guards—a tall woman with piercing red eyes—stepped forward. Her voice was calm, yet strong. "We are not warriors in the traditional sense, my lady, but we are trained to handle intrusions and protect those under our care."
Sylvara's expression softened slightly, her gaze still unwavering. "Very well."
Finally, a single man entered the room. His posture was flawless, and his uniform was immaculate, every detail of his appearance indicating precision and control. He bowed deeply, then raised his head, addressing them directly. "Galen Everard, at your service."
Korrin smiled, his tone filled with pride. "This is our chief butler candidate. Galen is a Primal Hunter Beastial Rank bloodline holder, known for his heightened perception, reflexes, and a well-honed sense of danger. He is one of the finest in his field."
Sylvara's gaze sharpened, studying him for several long moments. "Do you understand what serving in our household entails?"
Galen met her gaze steadily, unflinching. "Loyalty, discretion, and efficiency, my lady. I understand perfectly."
The room fell into a brief silence. Kitsaro could feel the weight of the moment, the tension in the air as his mother evaluated each candidate with her customary calm. After what felt like an eternity, Sylvara nodded.
"Then welcome to our service, Galen Everard," she said, her voice as cold and commanding as ever.
After the selection of retainers was completed, the focus shifted back to the matter of purchasing the remaining servants, each one essential to the proper functioning of the estate. Korrin led the group back toward the main chamber, where the financial arrangements would be finalized. As they walked, Kitsaro observed his mother's composed demeanor, sensing the weight of her decisions. These weren't just purchases; they were investments, laying the foundation for the future of their household.
The price tags continued to astound him. Though Sylvara's wealth was practically limitless, the scale of this transaction was immense for normal people. He could feel the weight of each Silver Mark and Gold Mark exchanged, as if each one carried the promise of a larger future.
Korrin laid out the remaining costs as they entered the registry's vault-like room. "For your Fledgling Rank servants, the price is standard: 1000 Silver Marks per servant. They are the most common and reliable choice. They've shown minor enhancements in their bloodlines, though their abilities are still under development."
Sylvara nodded without hesitation. "Add them to the list," she said firmly.
The discussion continued, Korrin's voice low and respectful as he moved on to the next tier. "For the Feral Initiates at the Beastial Rank—individuals who have unlocked their first significant bloodline abilities—these will cost around 35,000 Silver Marks each. Their power is greater, more refined, with elemental traits and stronger endurance."
Sylvara tilted her head slightly, contemplating the numbers. She was already considering how each of them would be used, where their strengths would fit within the grand design of her household. "We'll take 10 from this group," she said, her tone decisive.
Korrin made a note and then glanced up at her. "Understood, Lady Veyra. For the main butler, as I've introduced to you a while ago is the finest candidate. He is a Primal Hunter, a Beastial Rank with a true bloodline. His abilities are beyond compare for someone of his station. His reflexes, perception, and control of his bloodline make him a rarity among even high-ranking servants. The cost for such an individual is... 5 Gold Marks."
There was a brief silence as the price hung in the air, but Sylvara didn't flinch. Without a second thought, she reached into the pouch at her waist and produced the ten Gold Marks, offering them to Korrin in a smooth motion. The weight of the gold in his hand was not lost on him—this was the purchase of a lifetime.
"I trust you understand," Sylvara said, her voice unyielding, "that if any more exceptional individuals are brought to your attention in the future, I expect to be contacted immediately."
Korrin's expression softened with respect. He bowed his head, the gesture conveying more than mere obedience. "Of course, my lady. You have my word."
With the exchange complete, Korrin directed the servants who had been selected to step forward. There was a momentary stillness in the air as they filed in, their eyes trained on Sylvara, waiting for their fate to be sealed. The time for pleasantries had passed; it was time for loyalty to be sworn.
"Swear your allegiance to Lady Veyra and the Veyra household," Korrin instructed, his voice steady but firm.
Sylvara rose from her chair, her presence commanding the room. She surveyed each servant with a glance, her gaze sharp as she assessed their readiness.
"Swear your loyalty to me, and in return, you will serve this house with honor. Discretion, loyalty, and efficiency are the foundation of your service. Betray me, and there will be no forgiveness."
As the servants knelt before Sylvara, the weight of the moment settled heavily in the air. Korrin's command echoed in the room, and one by one, each servant, from the lowliest maid to the most refined butler, swore their loyalty to the Veyra household. Yet, there was something about the atmosphere now that made the air feel thicker, almost suffocating—a palpable tension that hung in the space like an unseen force.
Sylvara's gaze swept over them, the intensity of her presence sharpening the silence. Kitsaro, ever watchful, noticed the faintest shimmer of energy around her, a barely perceptible aura that had been building as the oaths were sworn. Then, without warning, she released it.
A surge of power rippled outward from her body, like the sudden release of a dammed river. The room seemed to pulse with her authority as her a fraction of her Monarch Rank Aura, which she had so carefully restrained during the awakening of Zion, erupted into view. The very air grew heavy, charged with an energy that seemed to bend the room itself.
Her aura swept out in a magnificent, invisible wave—an overwhelming presence that made the servants' heads dip lower, even though they had already knelt. It was as though the weight of her bloodline was a tangible force, and it made even the hardened Korrin Salazar, who had witnessed countless displays of power, take a subtle step back, his eyes widening ever so slightly in reverence.
Kitsaro felt it too—the overwhelming pressure of his mother's true power. His body tensed in response to the immense aura, his heart beating faster as the room seemed to shrink under her influence. It was the same feeling he'd sensed when he first realized the depths of her strength—the authority of a Monarch, a being capable of bending even the strongest to her will.
And then, with a quiet flick of her wrist, five ethereal tails sprouted behind her, each one made of shimmering silver energy, the tails flickering like flames caught in the wind. They seemed to move with a life of their own, twisting and curling in midair, as if to punctuate her power. Each tail exuded an aura of divine majesty, representing her bloodline in its purest form. The sight of them—so graceful, so effortlessly beautiful—was enough to steal the breath from those present.
The servants, unable to control their reactions, felt themselves overwhelmed, their hearts pounding in their chests, their loyalty solidified through sheer instinct. Sylvara's Monarch Rank Aura was not something easily defied, nor was it something easily ignored. It demanded submission, respect, and unwavering loyalty.
Her voice, when it finally came, was as calm and composed as ever, but it rang with the power of an ancient monarch. "Swear your allegiance to me, and your loyalty will be rewarded. Betray me, and there will be no escape."
Each servant bowed lower, their voices shaking with the weight of the oath. "We swear our loyalty to you, Lady Veyra, and to the Veyra household."
The words hung in the air, reverberating with the power of the Monarch's aura. The effect was almost immediate: the loyalty, once a mere formality, became a binding contract. Kitsaro could feel it too—the rawness of it, the sense that something had irrevocably shifted in the air. These servants were no longer just workers; they were bound by a force far greater than themselves.
And then, just as quickly as it had come, the pressure of Sylvara's aura began to recede. Her five tails flickered and vanished into nothingness, leaving behind only the faintest trace of their ethereal presence. The air lightened, the weight lifting from the room as Sylvara retracted her power.
As Sylvara's Monarch Rank aura slowly receded, the room's atmosphere shifted back to a more subdued calm, but the air still hummed with the residual energy of her display. The servants, now fully bound by their oaths of loyalty, rose at her command, their expressions mixed with awe and reverence.
Korrin, standing slightly to the side, gave a respectful bow, though there was a glint of admiration in his eyes. "Lady Veyra, I will ensure the servants are delivered to your estate without delay. You have my word."
Sylvara nodded, her gaze steady and unwavering. "I trust you'll handle the transition with the same efficiency you've shown here today."
Cassian stepped forward, a grin playing at the corners of his lips as he handed Korrin a small parchment sealed with Sylvara's personal crest. "This is the address for her estate. Ensure the servants are delivered directly there, and make sure they are settled in immediately. We expect no delays."
Korrin accepted the parchment with a respectful nod, glancing at the seal before tucking it carefully into his tunic. "Of course. The servants will be delivered within the day. I'll personally oversee their transport."
Sylvara's lips twitched slightly, a subtle approval in her gaze as she regarded Korrin. "Good. If any further exceptional servants are presented to you, I expect you to contact me directly. I won't entertain any delays on that front."
Korrin bowed again, this time with a deeper respect. "It will be done, Lady Veyra."
With the formalities concluded, Cassian turned to Sylvara and gave a slight nod. "Shall we?"
Sylvara responded with a cool but graceful nod, her posture exuding a quiet command. She turned toward the door, Kitsaro following closely behind, still feeling the weight of the moment pressing upon him.
As they reached the threshold, Cassian paused, his usual grin widening as he turned to Korrin with a more relaxed tone. "We'll be expecting the servants at the estate within the day. Don't make us come back."
Korrin's lips curled into a smile, not one of obligation, but of camaraderie. "You have my word, Lord Cassian. They will be there without fail."
Cassian chuckled, giving Korrin a playful clap on the shoulder. "Good. Don't keep us waiting too long."
Sylvara, who had remained composed throughout the exchange, glanced over her shoulder as she paused in the doorway. Her gaze softened, and she offered Korrin a nod of appreciation. "Thank you, Korrin. I trust you'll handle everything with the utmost care."
Korrin gave a small bow, his smile genuine. "It's a pleasure, Lady Veyra. You can count on me."
With a final exchange of respectful nods and a shared, understanding glance between Cassian and Korrin, the trio made their exit. The soft echo of their footsteps faded as they departed, and Korrin remained in the grand hall for a moment longer, watching them go with a thoughtful expression.
Once alone, Korrin straightened his posture, his professional demeanor returning. He turned to his subordinates and began issuing commands, ensuring the servants would be gathered and prepared for transport without delay. His mind was already calculating the logistics and anticipating the precision required to meet Sylvara's expectations.
As the final preparations were made, Korrin stood by the large window of the registry, watching the hustle and bustle outside as his thoughts briefly turned inward. The Veyra household had gained more than just servants today—they had added to their ranks the very fabric of power that would shape the coming days. With a small smile, Korrin allowed himself a moment of satisfaction, knowing that his part in this process had been executed flawlessly.
Korrin allowed himself a small, satisfied smile. "Well, that went smoothly," he murmured, knowing full well that he would carry out his next steps with equal precision.
With the servants' delivery in motion, he turned and made his way to oversee the final touches, confident that the Veyra estate would soon be filled with loyal hands ready to serve their new masters.