"I didn’t expect you would summon me so early. I didn’t even get the chance to relax," Breeze said casually.

Garrick glanced between the two of them, a trace of confusion settling on his face. His blade was still held just centimeters from Breeze’s neck. After a brief pause, he turned toward Floki.

Floki shook his head slightly.

At the silent command, the massive runic war knight retracted his blade.

"Least I forget..."

Breeze dropped lazily to the ground. He summoned a fresh longsword, its surface gleaming as though forged from a rare, refined steel. Driving it gently into the ground, he gave his oath, which Floki accepted in the same manner as Garrick’s.

[ Your Summon: Nightblade Knight, Breeze, accepts your authority. ]

The same magical sensation Floki had felt during Garrick’s oath surged through him once more.

’Nightblade Knight and Runic War Knight... there seem to be different types of knights. What are the differences?’ he wondered.

[ You’ve reached the limit of Knight Summoning. Upgrade the skill to summon more knights. ]

[ Would you like to learn more about your knights? ]

’Not yet.’ Floki rejected the offer deliberately. He preferred learning directly from them. That way, he could build a deeper connection.

He gestured for them to follow and led them into the living room behind them.

Garrick moved at once, striding close behind Floki in a protective stance. Despite learning he would be co-knight with Breeze, he still cast suspicious glances in his direction.

Breeze, on the other hand, remained his usual nonchalant self. He strolled alongside them with his hands behind his head, completely at ease.

Floki took a seat and motioned for them to sit beside him.

Garrick stepped forward quickly and took the seat on his right. Breeze sat casually on the left.

Floki began the conversation.

He asked about their origins, their previous worlds, their abilities, and the meaning behind their titles. As they spoke, he found himself grateful he had chosen this approach over the lifeless explanations the system would have provided.

"I came from a world of war, known as Xion. I started fighting at the age of six, after my family was slain.

I became a silver-rank knight by sixteen, a gold-rank before thirty, and a few years before I was summoned here, I broke through to platinum-rank, earning my title and receiving the blessing of the legendary runic war knight," Garrick narrated in a steady tone.

He gestured toward the tattoo etched across his face.

"These are the blessings. In combat, they grant me an almost limitless supply of stamina," he explained.

’So the tattoo wasn’t for fashion. I half expected that.’ Floki smiled faintly.

He then commended Garrick’s valor.

"You’ve walked a hard path," Floki said.

His tone remained calm, but the approval within it was clear.

"Starting that young and reaching that level... that’s not something just anyone can achieve. You’ve done well, Garrick Voss."

Garrick did not move, but his posture straightened slightly at the praise.

Floki then turned his attention to Breeze.

"What about you?" he asked.

"Me.." Breeze pointed at himself, as though he had not been paying attention.

"Well... nothing much. I was born into a wealthy family, got bored of all that comfort, so I made my parents disown me and left.

I lived on the streets for a while. Became an assassin.

Then a princess took an interest in me. Made me her knight.

That same night, her own brothers killed her. I killed them right after... and that’s when I got this title, Nightblade.

You’ve already seen what I can do at night.

Darkness makes me stronger."

Floki pieced the information together.

His eyes widened slightly.

"Was that why I was able to defeat you?" he asked.

"Yes," Breeze replied blankly.

Garrick’s confusion deepened.

He looked between the two again, studying them carefully. He could sense a stronger presence from Breeze than from his master. Yet Floki claimed to have defeated the Nightblade.

And more importantly, how had he done so if he had only just summoned them moments ago?

He felt completely left out of the situation.

Before the conversation could continue, three rapid knocks sounded at the door.

It was his three captains.

They seemed troubled.

Garrick reacted instantly, equipping his weapon. The tattoos on his face glowed faintly as he stood ready, awaiting Floki’s command.

Floki quickly explained who was outside before moving to open the door.

Jabba, Anton, and Cale stood at the entrance.

For a moment, they were at a loss for words as they took in the two figures behind their master. One was a massive, imposing knight. The other was dressed in dark clothing like an assassin.

Though Garrick’s presence was clearly threatening, it was the black-clothed figure that drew a stronger reaction.

"Y-you died!" Anton blurted.

Jabba and Cale echoed the same disbelief.

"I summoned him," Floki said quickly. "He is now a knight of Ironside." 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

"This... but Baron Floki..."

The three looked ready to protest.

Floki raised his hand, stopping them before they could continue.

Then he proceeded with introductions.

Garrick stepped forward confidently and extended his hand in greeting.

Cale looked at it but did not respond. Anton did the same.

Jabba, after a brief hesitation, gathered his courage and accepted the handshake.

It quickly proved to be a mistake.

"Greetings, fellow subject of my master," Garrick said, forcing a friendly smile that somehow made his already stern face seem even more intimidating.

"Ouch..."

Jabba winced loudly as pressure tightened around his hand. He could feel his fingers straining under Garrick’s grip.

He was not a small man, yet the strength behind that handshake was overwhelming.

Realizing the issue, Garrick immediately released him and offered a small bow in apology.

Jabba pulled his hand back, wincing as he flexed his fingers carefully, trying to ease the pain.

"It’s... fine," he muttered, though his strained expression suggested otherwise.

Garrick gave a short nod, his posture stiffening again as he stepped back beside Floki.

Breeze, who had observed the entire exchange, let out a quiet chuckle.

"Careful with that one," he said lazily. "He forgets not everyone is built like a fortress."

Garrick cast him a brief glance but said nothing.

Floki shifted his attention back to his captains.

"Is there any problem?" he asked.

"Not necessarily, Baron. There is a caravan at the marketplace demanding your presence."

’Ohh...’

Floki reacted inwardly.

So soon?