Translator NoteSeal-Bearer changed to Imprinter, all previous chapters have all instances of Seal-Bearer replaced. If you read the novel before the change, then you can ignore this message
Three days later.
Igor once again stepped into the city lord’s manor.
Under the gentle gaze of Baron Leslie, his face wore an expression of resolute determination born from difficult struggle as he knelt on one knee and said in a deep voice:
“My lord Baron, I have made my decision. I am willing to pledge my loyalty and serve you and the Leslie family.”
“Good! Very good!”
A genuine smile bloomed on Baron Leslie’s face as he personally stepped forward to help Igor up:
“Igor! You are precisely the kind of talent our Gray Harbor needs most!”
The young man took a deep breath, seeming to finally accept reality, and his posture gradually grew more respectful:
“It is also my honor to be able to serve the Leslie family.”
The Baron laughed heartily, patted the other’s shoulder with satisfaction, his words carrying a note of confidence:
“My Knight Bolo, you will absolutely not regret the choice you made today!”
…
Several days later.
A grand knightly enthronement ceremony was held in the plaza of the city lord’s manor.
On this day, the daylight was just right. Under an azure sky, flags fluttered in the plaza. Blue banners embroidered with the Leslie family’s lighthouse and anchor crest snapped and fluttered in the wind.
A red velvet carpet was spread from the high platform all the way down, flanked by guards in gleaming armor holding their swords at solemn attention, reflecting cold, sharp glints in the sunlight.
The plaza was packed with people. Officials, wealthy merchants, notable figures from all walks of life in Gray Harbor, and the Baron’s other six vassal knights were all in attendance. Further out, the space was crowded with citizens who had come to witness the ceremony, their hushed whispers filled with curiosity and anticipation.
Igor wore the shining silver knight’s armor bestowed by the Baron, draped in a dark blue velvet cloak. His posture was straight and imposing, his blue-grey eyes as calm as a deep pool, as sharp as a hawk’s.
To the long, solemn calls of the master of ceremonies, he walked slowly along the red carpet towards the high platform, then knelt on one knee before Baron Leslie.
The Baron, dressed today in ceremonial robes symbolizing power and status and holding an ancient ritual longsword, allowed his deep voice to carry clearly across the entire plaza with the slight assistance of wind Mana:
“In the name of Leslie, by the authority bestowed by the Count of Shadowgrove Bay, here, under the witness of the 【North Wind God】, I confer upon you, Bolo Leslie, the title of Knight…”
Then, he raised the ritual longsword in his hand. Its tip, carrying a touch of icy coldness and weight, first lightly tapped Igor’s left shoulder.
“May your left shoulder bear the weight of loyalty.”
Next, it moved to the right shoulder. Get faster updates on g.com.
“May your right shoulder shoulder the responsibility of protection.”
Finally, the tip of the sword hovered over his head.
“May your will be like a guiding lighthouse, forever shining upon the glory of Leslie!”
With these three taps, it was as if an intangible force was infused. Igor could feel a slight fluctuation in the wind Mana in the surrounding air, and a crest of the Leslie family manifested on his armor.
“Arise!” the Baron’s booming voice rang out.
Igor responded, raising his head and standing up.
The moment he stood straight, Baron Leslie stepped forward, personally fastening a knight’s sash set with sapphires onto him, and placed into his hands a silver seal symbolizing his status as a vassal and an ornately decorated longsword.
“From this day forth, you, Bolo Leslie, shall be my knight, the sword and shield of the Leslie family!”
The Baron gripped his hand and raised it high, facing the entire assembly.
“Knight Bolo!”
“Long live Leslie!”
Thunderous applause and cheers instantly erupted across the plaza, the sound wave soaring straight to the sky.
Sunlight shone upon Igor’s silver armor, reflecting a dazzling light, making him seem the very center of the entire plaza.
At this moment, he was no longer that illegitimate child fleeing desperately through the Blackwood Forest, but a legitimate and proper extraordinary knight. He had formally stepped onto the starting point of nobility, possessing a place to stand of his own.
After the ceremony concluded, within the more intimate setting of the banquet hall, Baron Leslie amiably placed an arm around Igor’s shoulders as he introduced him to several important guests.
Moreover, Baron Leslie publicly announced that he would grant to Knight Bolo as his fiefdom the territory in the north of his lands, near the edge of the Northern Ruins. It included an estate named Snow Vow Manor and the attached Frostwhisper Village, encompassing nearly 20 square kilometers of land.
Upon hearing the Baron’s grant, quite a few nobles were momentarily taken aback, some looking at the young man with envy, some with amusement, and others with a slight sense of strangeness, but no one said anything more about it.
Igor took note of all this, guessing internally that there might be some particular circumstances behind it.
However, he wasn’t overly worried.
The Baron’s regard for him was genuine, at least for now he would not harm him.
Whatever hidden circumstances lay behind this grant, he would naturally learn of them once he traveled to his fief.
Burying his doubts deep in his heart, Igor, utilizing the social skills honed through years of mercenary life, soon skillfully and swiftly blended in with the guests.
Wine flowed and food was plentiful, the guests gradually dispersed.
Everything was settled.
Now a knight, Igor stood beside Baron Leslie, watching the last guest depart. He seemed to hesitate, wanting to speak.
“What is it, Bolo? You look as if you still have something on your mind?” asked the slightly tipsy Baron Leslie kindly.
Igor hesitated for a moment, then said in a low voice:
“My lord Baron, about my elemental spirit…”
The Baron showed a look of sudden understanding, then said with a smile:
“Ah, I almost forgot.”
“Bolo, regarding the origin of your Ice Elemental Spirit, I have made the appropriate arrangements.”
“From today onwards, your identity will be that of a collateral branch of the Leslie family, a bastard mercenary named Bolo Leslie. Your father was my long-departed uncle.”
“For many years, you have been exploring frost ruins in the north on behalf of my Leslie family, only recently returning to the family and obtaining the status of a legitimized bastard, becoming a true noble.”
“Your contracted spirit originates precisely from the Northern Ruins. Several years ago, relying on your own talent and perseverance, and utilizing your knowledge of ice-type contracts, you successfully formed a contract with an ancient Ice Elemental Spirit slumbering within the ruins!”
“Just like… the famed White Knight of old.”
He patted Igor’s shoulder, his tone carrying a note of indisputable finality:
“This explanation has historical precedent, is reasonable and logical, and is sufficient to silence other people’s mouths.”
“Later, I will also have someone transcribe for you a copy of the fragmentary texts concerning those ruins and ancient ice-type contract rituals from the family’s collection of books. Consider it adding a bit more credibility to your… fortunate encounter, and perhaps it may also be of some help to your future cultivation.”
“Oh, and one more thing. I will also have someone send you a copy of my Leslie family’s genealogy. Remember to memorize it early, so as not to slip up in front of others.”
Hearing this, Igor’s face showed an expression of gratitude, and he bowed deeply:
“Thank you, my lord, for taking such pains to plan on my behalf! Your grace, Bolo will remember it in his heart!”
The Baron laughed heartily, waved his hand, and strode away.
…