Lord: Starting with Biological Modification

Chapter 120: Chapter 115: Ennobled as a Baron

The office fell deathly silent, the only sound Banaby’s ragged breathing. The eight guards of the Marquis exchanged glances, the ferocity on their faces long since replaced by terror and bewilderment.

Velin casually placed the document from the Noble Council on the table, where it landed with a soft THWAP.

Fifty thousand mu!

The shock in Caroline’s eyes quickly gave way to admiration. ’So that’s what he was waiting for!’

He had dared to play games with the Marquis’s envoy, dared to put his entire territory at risk, all because his true ace was direct authorization from the apex of power in the Royal Capital.

Kael was inwardly reeling. ’A fifty-thousand-mu fief!’

Even if it was barren, saline marshland, that was still the size of a standard barony.

The way he looked at Velin now held a new, genuine awe.

The color drained from Banaby’s face, going from white to ashen, then to a deathly gray.

He began to shriek incoherently, "A forgery! This must be a forgery! How could the Council possibly issue a direct fief decree for a Pioneer Knight in some backwater province!"

Before his words had faded, a resounding dragon’s roar tore through the sky.

The majestic roar pierced the walls, making everyone’s eardrums buzz.

Every piece of glassware in the room trembled, and violent ripples spread across the surface of Caroline’s cup of black tea.

The light from the window suddenly dimmed as a massive, sky-blotting shadow fell over the room, enveloping it completely.

Everyone’s expression changed drastically. Even the wind-whisper albatross on the windowsill puffed up its feathers in alarm.

"It’s... It’s a Sub-Dragon!"

A guard who saw the scene outside the window stammered, his voice trembling with fear.

Velin, too, raised an eyebrow in surprise.

Then, heavy, muffled thuds echoed from downstairs, each step seeming to land on everyone’s heart.

A Knight walked in. He was clad in full heavy armor forged from enchanted steel, which shimmered with a faint luster. A sigil composed of a tulip and thorns was branded on his chest.

He didn’t even spare the Marquis’s guards a glance, yet a mountain-like pressure bore down on them, making it hard to breathe.

The Knight walked straight up to Velin and stopped with a SCRAPE of metal plates grinding against each other.

"Edmund Red, Captain of the Third Sub-Dragon Knight Order, directly under the Council. By order of the Speaker, I am here to deliver the latest edict to you, Your Excellency."

The Knight presented a magnificent scroll bound with golden thread. It was sealed with a personal stamp bearing the emblem of intertwined roses and scales—it belonged to the Speaker himself.

This Sub-Dragon Knight carried far more weight than the document from before!

Velin took the scroll but did not hurry to open it. Instead, he raised his eyes, his gaze passing over the scroll to land on the dumbstruck Banaby.

The Sub-Dragon Knight took the hint, straightened up, faced the crowd, and solemnly declared.

"By resolution of the Noble Council, in recognition of Velin’s unparalleled merit in vanquishing a Level 4 Magical Beast and pioneering new lands, Velin Klein is hereby promoted to the enfeoffed Baron of the Grey Marsh Territory, a title to be held hereditarily and in perpetuity."

Baron!

Hereditary!

In perpetuity!

Every word was like a slap across Banaby’s face.

He was just a minor civil official under Marquis Minas Hill, a baron in title only, with no fief of his own. Even his stipend depended on the Marquis’s charity.

But this young man before him, whom he had always regarded as a country bumpkin, was now a noble of true power, holding fifty thousand mu of land and enfeoffed directly by the kingdom’s highest authority!

The instantaneous reversal of their power and status left Banaby’s mind a complete blank.

He recalled his own actions over the past few days.

The humiliation in the town square;

The threats and temptations at the banquet;

The extortion and roaring in the office.

He had actually tried to blackmail a newly promoted, enfeoffed Baron who was directly under the Noble Council’s jurisdiction!

According to the Noble Law, the other party now had every right to challenge him to an honor duel to the death on the grounds of "damaged reputation."

Or, even simpler, file a complaint with the Noble Council.

To smooth things over, Marquis Minas Hill would not hesitate to cast him, a distant relative, aside like a pawn, and have him and his entire family struck from the peerage rolls!

THUD.

Banaby’s obese body could no longer support him. His legs gave out, and he collapsed heavily to his knees.

A foul, acrid stench filled the air as a dark patch quickly soaked through the crotch of his expensive silk trousers.

He had lost control of his bladder.

Like a dog with a broken back, Banaby crawled toward Velin on all fours, his fleshy body trembling violently with fear.

"Lord Baron... no, Lord Velin... I... I was blind! I was a complete fool!"

"I... I was bewitched by a demon! I’ll never do it again! Please spare me! Spare me like you would a dog!"

Velin couldn’t even be bothered to look at him again.

But this indifference terrified Banaby more than any furious roar ever could.

Velin carefully rolled up the promotion edict and turned to the Dragon Knight. "Lord Edmond, the air here is foul. Let’s find somewhere else to speak in detail."

Half an hour later, the reception hall of the Lord’s Mansion had been quickly cleared and arranged into a temporary venue for the enfeoffment ceremony.

Velin’s core members—the people from Newly Town and the Golden Sail Commerce Association—stood solemnly on either side, their expressions grave yet excited, all present to witness this historic moment.

The Dragon Knight, Edmond, stood in the center. He had removed his helmet, revealing a weather-beaten but exceptionally resolute face.

He drew an ornate ceremonial longsword from his waist. Its scabbard was also inlaid with the Council’s sigil.

"Your Excellency, Velin Klein, please step forward."

Velin, having already changed into a set of formal attire, walked calmly before the Knight and knelt on one knee.

Edmond raised the longsword high, his voice echoing in the reception hall. "In the name of the Noble Council of the Duchy of Haiti, I ask you: are you willing to swear fealty to the Duchy of Haiti, to guard its lands, protect its people, fulfill the duties of a noble, and never forsake your vows?"

"I am," Velin’s voice was firm.

"Very good."

Edmond lightly touched the longsword to his left shoulder, then his right, before finally resting it on the crown of his head.

"Then, from this moment forth, in the name of the Council, I dub thee hereditary Baron of the Grey Marsh Territory. May honor be with you, Baron Velin Klein!"

"And may honor be with you," Velin replied, his head bowed.

When he rose to his feet, his entire demeanor seemed to have undergone a transformation.

It was not just a change in title, but the assumption of authority and responsibility.

After the ceremony, Edmond sheathed his longsword, his stern expression melting into a gentle smile.

"Baron Velin, congratulations. As it happens, your uncle, Count Leman Klein, and I are old friends."

He took a private, wax-sealed letter from his breast pocket and handed it over.

"Leman asked me to give this to you. He’s proud of you."

Velin took the letter, surprised.

’Since when was his "dear" uncle so kind? This letter is less an expression of concern and more a new business proposal, or perhaps... this promotion to Baron is a gift with a hidden price tag.’