Pirate Kingship

Chapter 380 - 317: The Seven Sacred Regalia of Authority and the Baron of Torrentfort_2

Chapter 380: Chapter 317: The Seven Sacred Regalia of Authority and the Baron of Torrentfort_2

Byron had no hope for this legendary supreme Holy Sword, simply because, despite its tight defense as a Zero-Level Sacred Relic, every Lancaster had tried their hand at it in the beginning. Including Byron himself, no one was able to pull it out. Now, with the Kingdom changing hands, it was clear that no member of the York Family possessed the "kingly virtue" necessary to earn the recognition of the Sword of Selection.

I suspect that the Holy Sword is not choosing a king, but that only the true monarch recognized by this land is worthy to pull it out. When I become a true Fifth Order Legendary Pirate King, I must try again.

As his thoughts wandered, Byron had already followed the servant into the grand banquet hall where the festivities had long since begun. Even though he was the number one contributor, the hero of the victory banquet did not seem to be him. When he received the message and arrived, the banquet was well into its second half.

Seeing this scene, Byron shook his head slightly. When inviting someone to a banquet, one should extend an invitation three days in advance, call two days in advance, and send a reminder one day in advance. Although my true body is far away in the Bantaan Archipelago, I was only asked to come when the banquet was halfway through. This shows that my path as a ’major shareholder’ is still long and arduous.

However, what happened next instantly negated his judgment.

Upon his entrance, the Royalist Party members gathered in the banquet hall suddenly cheered:

"Loyalty that is not absolute is absolutely not loyalty!"

"With calloused hands and feet, nothing is unconquerable!"

"Loyalty to His Majesty!"

This was, in fact, the loyal "heart’s voice" that the Star Chamber Court had perceived from his subconscious during his dream assessment.

At this moment, numerous gentlemen of noble status were collectively focusing their gazes on him in salute and clapping enthusiastically as though welcoming a hero. Even King Edward IV, standing among a group of Great Nobles, opened his arms enthusiastically towards Byron and laughed heartily.

"Hahaha, look, gentlemen, all of you, look who has come! Remember his face. This is our most loyal Governor of the Royal Port, Commodore of the Navy, Baron of Torrentfort, Mr. Byron Tudor. Cheer for the hero who has preserved our colonial interests!"

Amidst even louder applause and cheers, Byron too was momentarily taken aback.

Baron of Torrentfort? What does that mean?

Given his outstanding performance, removing "Acting" from "Acting Governor" was only right and proper. But what was this about being the Baron of Torrentfort? No one had informed him. Seeing Byron’s stunned face, King Edward IV laughed heartily again, and the surrounding dignitaries of the Kingdom also offered him friendly smiles.

A golden-haired, handsome young man dressed in ducal attire said with a smile, "Your Majesty, look, our newly titled hereditary Baron seems to be overjoyed by this surprise. What could be more glorious and joyful for a loyal subject than this moment? From now on, the Tudor Family will be listed in the House of Nobles. They will become one of the noble bloodlines of the Kingdom of Hightins, starting a hereditary line of Tudor Barons and becoming Your Majesty’s true vassal."

It was then that Byron seemed to wake from a dream. He quickly stepped forward to perform a subject’s obeisance, saying with deep gratitude, "Your Majesty, I thank you for your supreme grace. The Tudor Family and I will offer our hearts to you and your successors."

He finally got a close look at King Edward IV, and his brothers George and Richard—these three core members of the York Royal Family. Byron had already prepared himself mentally and showed no sign of discomfort, even when facing enemies against whom he harbored deep-seated hatred. His demeanor was completely in line with the normal behavior of a minor figure unexpectedly shown great favor.

Furthermore, from an impartial standpoint, King Edward IV had handled the situation quite beautifully as a monarch. He began by deliberately neglecting his loyal subject, leaving him anxious and unsure about what he had done wrong. Then, he suddenly presented a surprise he had previously prepared. Amid the emotional highs and lows, the subject would undoubtedly become even more devoted to him.

It is known that there are three main categories of honors in the Kingdom of Hightins. The first is royal honors, bestowed upon the Royal Family or the highest-ranking nobles. The second is noble honors, awarded to the general nobility, typically hereditary peerages. The third is merit honors, granted to individuals who have made significant contributions to the Kingdom, usually for life.

Byron, by earning second place in "exemption rights," had made a huge contribution to the Kingdom, and a lifetime honor would have been enough to commend his accomplishments. This "hereditary Baron" title was clearly an extra bestowal of grace.

Moreover, there were usually only two collective investiture ceremonies per year: one at New Year and the other on the King’s birthday. This time, this loyalist was specially conferred nobility. King Edward IV was not only militarily talented and extremely charismatic but had also perfected his methods of managing his subordinates.

In reality, Byron was being given Rapid Stream Port, which he himself had conquered. It simply transitioned from a company colony to a nobleman’s proprietary colony. It was a favor granted at no real cost, with the York Family merely awarding him an honorary title. King Edward IV, however, failed to realize that his series of manipulative tactics had not made the "Great Loyalist" more devoted. Instead, they had further fueled his murderous intent.

A formidable enemy! Byron’s mind raced, already plotting how to eliminate him sooner.

King Edward IV, none the wiser, held the ceremonial sword and completed the investiture for this Great Loyalist who had proven his capability and loyalty time and again. He believed he had recruited yet another strong and aggressive commander during this time of internal strife between the two parties.

After the ceremony, many dignitaries crowded around Byron to talk with him.

"Baron, I hear your Pioneer Guiding Colonial Trading Company is doing quite well. I wonder if you’re interested in finding one or two partners here on the mainland?"

"Baron..."

Some wanted to develop new trade routes, others desired immediate access to premium quality spices, and still others hoped he could procure for them exotic, non-human female slaves, a specialty of Bantaante. Among them were even those from fallen noble families, offering their daughters or sisters in marriage, seeking to become his in-laws. It was as if they wanted to stamp "Promising Prospect" on his forehead.

As a latecomer, the Kingdom of Hightins’s colonial interests paled in comparison to Castilia’s. The struggle for the Right to Protect was a great victory, stunningly complete, the likes of which had not been seen in the last decade. It symbolized the Harkins People’s counterattack against Castilian supremacy, finally tearing a hole in the iron curtain.

Carrying such achievements, paired with his maxims of loyalty, Byron had already become a rising political star. The image of him as loyal, strong, and decisive was gradually taking root in people’s hearts.

Moreover, nobility was not just about the rank of titles, but the extent of lands owned and the size of private armies. From this day forward, he could rightfully consider himself a regional lord.

Last but not least, obtaining at least a noble title on the surface also satisfied the final precondition for the [Ritual: Blood Feast Holy Grail] (Chapter 187).

—All [Night Demons] are nobles.

Due to a twist of fate, he had accomplished the goal in just half a year. This was the goal set out by his "teacher," the Swarm, which would normally have taken several years of painstaking effort to achieve. Byron could now proceed with the bloodline enhancement ritual without any further obstacles.

And just when he thought everything was a mere coincidence, a secret order from King Edward IV arrived. It caused the Decryption Rate of [Hidden: The Shadow Behind the Red and White Rose War, Influence 31] to quietly jump from 68% to 78%.