Chapter 100: The Rose Knight Order
David Bennett departed, retracing the path he had taken to arrive.
The Green Plains Duchy was not a great naval power. Compared to its formidable army, the Duchy's navy was as feeble as a toddler. So weak, in fact, that the concept of a "Duchy Navy" barely existed in the Green Plains Duchy. The original duty of David's small fleet was to patrol the coast, investigate illicit activities, and protect the Mellerfield family's merchant ships. It was less a navy and more a coast guard unit. Even then, the Green Plains Duchy possessed only a handful of such "coast guard units."
This situation couldn't actually be blamed on successive Green Plains Dukes for lacking ambition or neglecting naval development. The entire Aolan Empire was largely in a similar state. Setting aside the landlocked Bonan Duchy, Gatu Kingdom, and Kexin Kingdom, other renowned great lords also essentially lacked any respectable naval forces. Conversely, the former Duke of Panma, Madaki Tone, who had surrendered from the Edissa Empire, possessed a navy of two hundred warships, arguably "outshining all rivals," though it was stationed in the continental inland sea, the Liuen Sea. The Aolan Imperial family also had a considerable naval force, but it too was on the Liuen Sea.
On the outer seas and oceans, the Aolan Empire and its great lords were like a group of delicate little girls; even when they clenched their fists, they still managed to look adorable. To say that the Aolan Empire, currently the foremost power on the Eagle Continent and possessing a long coastline, lacked the capability to build warships on a large scale would certainly be absurd. It could only be said that the strategic focus of the Empire's nobility was entirely skewed towards the continent, neglecting the oceans.
Upon parting, David Bennett was full of reluctance, his heart brimming with a deep affection for this land. Neither the Empire's nor the Duchy's focus was on the outer seas. One could imagine the treatment David and his outer sea naval forces received. Poor equipment was one thing, but supplies were also intermittent. Being stationed on an island wasn't like being on the mainland, where one could go to nearby towns to buy provisions and improve living conditions. After a month on the island, David, who couldn't get any fresh fruits or vegetables, even had a ridiculous dream one night of himself on all fours, devouring every blade of grass on the island.
In David's view, being stationed on Swordfish Island or Clam Island made no difference, as the two islands weren't far apart. David had been to Swordfish Island many times; he knew very well how desolate it was. Charlotte swore an oath that she would build a port town on Swordfish Island within a year. Only then did David and his fleet reluctantly return to Swordfish Island. In the future, if Charlotte were to break her promise, David probably wouldn't say much. After all, he was not only a knight of the Green Plains Duchy but also an old retainer of Helen Mellerfield. But Charlotte wasn't foolish enough for that; improving living conditions on Swordfish Island was clearly an urgent matter.
One thing after another left Charlotte feeling somewhat mentally exhausted. To alleviate her fatigue, she relaxed with Nina and Sophia that evening. Renee protested that Charlotte was disturbing her evening practice, but Charlotte righteously argued that the two little slave girls hadn't seen her for a long time and surely missed her. With her own mistress being so brazen, what could Renee possibly do? However, the two little slave girls were indeed very skilled at serving people. When Charlotte woke up the next day, she felt refreshed and invigorated.
As previously mentioned, Charlotte introduced Heidi to Celine.
"The Thousand Faces Faction?" Celine looked doubtfully at the white-haired loli before her, her expression quite bewildered. Although the Thousand Faces Faction was renowned in Platinum City, it was far too obscure for a girl like Celine, who came from a rural knightly family.
"Mm..." Heidi nodded and then gave a more detailed introduction to the faction she cultivated. This wasn't just for Celine's benefit, but also for Charlotte's—the journey from Platinum City back to the Lanwan Viscounty had been so rushed that Charlotte hadn't had a proper chance to talk with Heidi.
In most supernatural factions in this world, a mage awakened a new ability with each additional wing. However, the Thousand Faces Faction was an anomaly. From one wing to nine wings, this faction had only one ability: disguise. At the mage stage, practitioners of the Thousand Faces Faction could alter their appearance by changing their hair, skin, muscles, and other such parts. High-ranking Thousand Faces mages could change their form by altering their pupils, fat, internal organs, bones, and more; this had already surpassed the scope of mere disguise. Legendary-stage Thousand Faces mages were even more exaggerated; they could completely control their bodies, transforming into various flying and walking beasts, and even other intelligent races.
Celine wasn't a fool. After hearing Heidi's introduction, she more or less understood why the Thousand Faces Faction was so "obscure." It was entirely a supernatural faction prepared for assassins. Individuals and factions possessing its cultivation methods would certainly not want to spread them, and mages who had cultivated it would definitely not want others to know they were Thousand Faces practitioners. Over time, the faction became increasingly unknown.
However, what made Celine's jaw drop even more was Heidi's next sentence.
"The Thousand Faces Faction is compatible with many other supernatural factions. For example, a mage who has first cultivated the Thousand Faces Faction can perfectly well go on to cultivate the Royal Griffin Knight Order's faction, or other supernatural factions," Heidi said.
"It can actually do that?" Celine was dumbfounded. That a person could cultivate two supernatural factions simultaneously was something she had never heard of. "Isn't that too amazing?"
Charlotte, however, didn't feel much about it. Cultivating even one faction was difficult enough. Supernatural individuals on the Eagle Continent were as numerous as ox hairs, but those who could truly reach the legendary stage or above were few and far between. If one had to divide their attention, a mage's path of growth would only become more arduous. The true essence of the Thousand Faces Faction lay in disguise. The characteristic of being able to cultivate two factions simultaneously was likely designed by its creators to reduce flaws in their disguises.
"I intend to have Doris, Lola, and Julia cultivate the Thousand Faces Faction," Charlotte stated her purpose.
"Julia and Lola are fine, but Doris is still too young. She's only seven this year. It's better to wait another two years," Celine said.
In this world, awakening as a mage wasn't a case of the younger, the better. Very young children could easily suffer incurable injuries during the spiritual awakening ceremony. Many supernatural factions had similar records. Although the reason wasn't yet certain, the mainstream view was that it was due to the incomplete physical development of young children.
"Mm, then let Julia and Lola try," Charlotte decided impulsively.
"Now?" Celine asked in surprise.
"Of course, now. I've already prepared the three sets of supernatural materials needed for the spiritual awakening ceremony," Charlotte nodded as if it were a matter of course. She had purchased these materials during her stay in Mai Port and brought them all the way here.
Doris, Julia, and Lola were summoned to the platform atop the castle tower. The gazes of the three little girls towards Charlotte were filled with an indescribable reverence and adoration. Charlotte called the eldest, Lola, before her, reached out to rub the little girl's cheek, and asked, "Lola, have you missed me?"
"Mm." Lola's body tensed as Charlotte caressed her, and she answered without hesitation.
"How much did you miss me, roughly?" Charlotte raised an eyebrow slightly and pressed further.
Lola's cheeks flushed red, and it took her a while to whisper in reply, "Every night, I must recite your name to fall asleep, and in my dreams, I always look forward to... meeting you. Please forgive my impertinence."
"It's alright, I forgive you."
It seems she's a girl who already understands certain things, Charlotte thought, offering her finger to Lola's lips. Indeed, Lola hardly hesitated before gently kissing Charlotte's knuckle. The little girl's body trembled with excitement, as if being able to kiss Charlotte's finger were an immense blessing. Julia and Doris, standing behind, also showed envious expressions.
A smile touched Charlotte's lips. It seemed the compounding "Heart's Allure" effect was working very well. Even after half a month, the three little girls' affection for her hadn't noticeably weakened. Charlotte planned to train these little girls as assassins and spies. In that case, quantity and strength were secondary; the most important consideration would be one thing only—loyalty. These three little girls' loyalty to her was clearly maxed out.
Unfortunately, man proposes, Heaven disposes.
Under Heidi's guidance, two rounds of the spiritual awakening ceremony concluded. Lola succeeded, Julia failed. The little girl who failed also suffered a slight injury.
"C-can I try one more time?" Julia, who had a somewhat stubborn nature, cautiously asked the Viscount, whose expression showed regret.
Charlotte smiled, ruffled the little girl's hair, and comforted her, "Don't worry. You're only eleven. Rest and recover first; there will be other opportunities in the future."
Julia's eyes reddened, tears almost spilling over.
"There's still one set of ritual materials left. Cecilia, do you want to try?" Charlotte turned and asked Cecilia, who had been observing from the side for a long time.
Cecilia gave a helpless, wry smile. "Miss, rather than wasting expensive supernatural materials on me, you might as well have Sophia try, as long as you trust her."
"Sophia?" Charlotte was a little puzzled.
"Mm," Cecilia nodded and said, "I've tested the aptitude of both your Nina and Sophia. Sophia's aptitude is at least rank four. Her probability of awakening is much higher than mine."
"Then let her try."
Charlotte naturally trusted her two little slave girls. They had been the subjects of Charlotte's "Heart's Allure" practice for a long time. They held no secrets from Charlotte, and their loyalty was no less than Lola's, perhaps even higher. The third set of supernatural materials was not wasted. Under Heidi's guidance, Sophia successfully awakened.
Charlotte was reasonably satisfied with this result.
Celine and Heidi first took Julia and Doris back to be treated and to rest. Charlotte, along with Cecilia, Sophia, and Lola, spoke as they descended the tower, "Cecilia, Sophia's and Lola's curriculum needs to be slightly adjusted."
"Eh? They're already supernatural practitioners. Do they still need to be my students?" Cecilia pointed at her own nose in surprise.
"Mm. I want to form a secret department specifically responsible for gathering intelligence, probing for information, and assassinating important enemy figures. In the future, girls like Sophia and Lola, who cultivate the Thousand Faces Faction, will be placed in this department. This department will be called..." Charlotte paused for a moment, then continued, "Let's call it the Rose Knight Order. You need to teach them more things, such as multiple languages, various etiquettes, and cultural knowledge of different countries."
"Yes," Cecilia nodded, then said with some doubt, "But don't you already have the Grey Robe Knights? Aren't their duties also reconnaissance and assassination? Won't this lead to an overlap of responsibilities?"
"No," Charlotte said, shaking her head. "The Grey Robe Knights operate in the open; the Rose Knight Order operates in the shadows. The Grey Robe Knights are for external affairs; the Rose Knight Order is for both external and internal affairs. The Grey Robe Knights are to be regarded with a degree of skepticism; the Rose Knight Order is what I can completely trust."
Saying this, Charlotte smiled again. "Cecilia, as my territory and subjects grow, the destabilizing factors will only increase. Don't let your guard down too soon."
"I haven't relaxed," Cecilia sighed with a smile. "I just didn't expect your vigilance to be so high."
This Rose Knight Order Charlotte spoke of undoubtedly had internal surveillance of their own people as one of its duties, possibly even including assassination. It was a deadly dagger pressed against the backs of her own people. The Lanwan Viscounty had only just begun to show improvement, yet Charlotte was already planning to this extent. Cecilia couldn't help but feel a little uncomfortable.
"Tsk, of course, it's not that I don't trust anyone," Charlotte seemed to see through Cecilia's thoughts. She smiled and put her arm around Cecilia's waist, saying, "Take you, Cecilia, for example. If I couldn't completely trust you, I wouldn't have told you directly about the plan to form the Rose Knight Order. We share a common ideal. I will establish my legacy, and you will prove that you are more outstanding than the vast majority of people in this world. Therefore, I believe that as long as I don't betray you, you will absolutely not betray me either."
Encircled by Charlotte's arm, Cecilia bit her lip and said nothing, but her expression showed she was moved, clearly persuaded by Charlotte.
"Alright, these two girls are yours to train. I'll wait for them to complete their apprenticeship," Charlotte released Cecilia, said with a smile, and then returned to her study.
Cecilia watched Charlotte leave, then, suddenly curious, asked Sophia and Lola, "What does awakening feel like?"
Lola said somewhat dazedly, "It's hard to describe the feeling. It's like there's something extra inside your body."
Sophia suddenly said, "I can make myself look almost exactly like Sister Nina now, you know? I wonder if Miss Charlotte would like to try it?"
"Try what?" Cecilia didn't understand.
"I heard that enjoying a pair of identical twins at the same time gives a very special feeling," Sophia blurted out.
Cecilia's face gradually flushed red. "Don't use supernatural powers for such absurd things!"