The Falor of Khaleus: Blade of the Empress

Chapter 7

I sat across from Lord Ashford, the room filled with an air of formality that made me feel slightly out of place. His gaze was sharp, studying me with an intensity that suggested he could see straight through any façade I might put up. I took a deep breath, meeting his eyes as confidently as I could.

"So, Adrian," he began, leaning back in his chair. "Tell me a bit about yourself. I need to know what talents and skills you have before I can place you anywhere."

"Well," I started, choosing my words carefully, "I grew up in London. Lived there my entire life. I worked in a restaurant with my grandfather. It wasn't much, but I learned to cook, serve customers, and manage things... you know, basic restaurant skills."

Lord Ashford nodded, but there was a slight narrowing of his eyes, as if waiting for more. I hesitated, then decided to go for it.

"I'm interested in the Royal Knights," I admitted quickly. "The Ogygian Royal Knights, to be specific. I'd like to become one. I don't know if I will have any specific talent for any specific branch but I'll train to become a great knight."

That seemed to get his attention. He raised an eyebrow, a hint of curiosity replacing his stern expression. "The Royal Knights, you say? That's no small ambition for an outsider like yourself." He leaned forward, fingers steepled. "Do you even know what that entails? The Knights are divided into seven branches, each with its own specialty and purpose."

I nodded, sitting up straighter. "No, sir. I don't know much, but I want to learn."

"Let me educate you, then," he said with a slight smirk. "There are the Sky Legion, or the Ogygian Air Guard—they are the knights of the sky. They are trained in air combat, riding their steeds into battle with speed, agility and bravery that gave them the nickname Pegasus Knights"

He paused, letting the words sink in before continuing. "Then you have the Imperial. They are the backbone of the Royal Knights, the Imperial specializes in conventional warfare, sieges, and fortifications. Whether defending strongholds or leading assaults, they form the core force of Ogygia's military might. Their tactics and strategies have made them legendary across the land.

Triton's Fleet, on the other hand, are the commanders of the seas, Triton's Fleet controls Ogygia's naval power. Their warships and aquatic mounts secure trade routes, launch seaborne raids, and patrol the vast coastal territories. With a mastery over both ship-to-ship combat and amphibious operations, they embody maritime supremacy."

I listened intently, as he took out a stack of folders laying each one down as he explained the different branches. Each folder had a different symbol etched into the folder's front.

"The Arcane Knights," he went on, "are masters of arcane combat, infusing their weapons with runes and mastering every spell they can get their hands on. Then there is the Titan Guard, they are an elite force specializing in handling large-scale threats, such as giants, dragons, and other monstrous beings. Equipped with powerful siege weaponry, massive war machines, and enhanced armor, they are Ogygia's answer to any titanic threat that ordinary knights cannot overcome."

I blinked, amazed at the sheer diversity of these branches. But he wasn't finished yet.

"The Nightshade Legion are exactly what they sound like," he continued, his voice dropping slightly. "They operate as Ogygia's most secretive and deadly force, specializing in gathering intelligence, eliminating high-value targets, and executing covert missions that no other branch can accomplish. They are known as the "Nightshade Legion" because their presence is like a poison in the dark, unseen and lethal, ensuring that threats to the kingdom are snuffed out before they even emerge.."

He paused again, and I sensed a change in his tone, a faint hint of disdain as he moved on to the last group.

"And finally, there's the Vanguard, the Knightmare of Ogygia's Military. To be frank, nobody likes them." He sighed, shaking his head slightly. "They're a mess, really. Disorganized, ineffective... they haven't accomplished anything noteworthy ever since they were made a branch in the army. No one knows what to do with them, and most of the time, they're seen as a dumping ground for those who can't make the cut elsewhere. They are the Black Sheep of the Knight Corps"