Fate Online: Shadow

Chapter 562: Baronet

"No freaking way! We look like we're of the same age!"

Like his butt was on fire, Maverick had stood up so fast when he heard her words.

"What are you talking about? She's clearly way past her thirties"

Shadow stared at Maverick, his face literally saying the words; what the heck are you talking about?

With a dubious expression on his face, Maverick looked at Shadow.

"She's an Easterner. They look like they age backwards compared to us in the West" Shadow let out a chuckle.

Haruka smiled when Maverick turned to look at her. Like other women of her age, they like it when they are complimented because of their age, especially if it came from good looking men.

"Ohh, ohhh shoot!"

As he kept staring at her, Maverick finally realized something and he let out a yell.

"Does that mean those people who came with you are around thirty years old too?! Damn, what sorcery did you guys do?!"

Looking at his reaction that looked like a kid that just discovered something incredible, Haruka chuckled.

"Shut it. You're being an embarrassment here" Shadow did not let the topic continue and immediately interjected as he saw that the purpose he called them here for is skewing in another direction.

Maverick quickly shut his mouth and once again sat down.

"They are Easterners. Sometimes, they don't look their age. And yes, the people who came here with her are older than us"

Though Shadow had berated him, he still gave him a proper answer to his question. Since he too was once like him, he also had a hard time distinguishing their ages from their looks when he was still working on the field.

"Alright. Enough with the small talk. I know you came here due to the announcement I had made recently. But I'm not going to hand it to you just because you successfully found your way here since your guild hasn't made enough contribution to my territory, more so that we're not even familiar with each other and I still have one more requirement before I can entrust those titles to you, but…before we proceed to that. How about you take your guild for a tour around the village or maybe accept a Quest or two while we wait for the other guilds to arrive?" Shadow proposed while looking at Haruka, a moment before he took a sip of his tea.

"It's no problem. We already expected that it wouldn't be so easy to get it. I'll take my leave then, sir" Haruka smiled as she slowly got up from the chair and started making her way out the door after a nod from Shadow.

"Oh before you go, I want to remind you to prepare your Gold"

Just as she was about to leave through the door, Shadow quickly stopped her and reminded her about future expenses that they might incur later.

"We will"

Haruka stopped and turned his head to Shadow and lightly smiled, before she continued on her way out.

"Damn, she's just my type"

That murmur from a certain someone in the room didn't escape Shadow's ears and he turned to Maverick with a meaningful grin on his face.

"What~?! I just like my women that are mature and thick!"

Shadow just smiled with a curt reply, "So you're a man of culture huh"

Maverick just replied with a smirk and gave Shadow a thumb up.

"I thought you had a girlfriend"

"Ohh, we broke couple of weeks ago"

"I see. Anyway, enough chit-chat. Are you the one who will be receiving the Baronet title?" Shadow quickly halted the conversation from straying further and instead, redirected to an even more important subject.

Finally done with the small talk and back on the main track, Maverick assumed a serious expression before giving a reply, "Ugg, it was supposed to be handed over to your friend instead of me. Unfortunately for me, I died during the first skirmish against the Sea Race. So Tada, I guess I am"

"I understand. Come on then, let's finish what you came here for" with that said, Shadow immediately had someone summon the Old Village Chief, the Leader of the Militia and a couple of the respected vassals in the village as witnesses for the upcoming ceremony.

"My Lord"

"Lord Count"

The young and old simultaneously entered and sent their greetings to Shadow upon their arrival. Shadow just nodded at them and gestured for them to stand near him and with their arrival, a hastily arranged ceremony was held.

"Take a knee before me"

Shadow gestured, and Maverick was quick to comply as he slowly took a knee before Shadow like those knights in movies while the Old Village Chief handed Shadow a ceremonial sword.

Shadow held the ceremonial and, in a solemn voice, he declared:

"…In recognition of your great deeds and by the authority vested in me by the Realm, I, Shadow, first of my name and the only Noble of the Realm of Neverwinter, hereby grant you a small land of your choosing and the title of Baronet. You shall pledge undying loyalty, protect the people and the weak, and uphold the law and justice with all your strength for the rest of your days…"

The tedious declaration continued on, and when asked if he would give his all, Maverick gave a half-hearted response, thus bringing the rushed title-bestowal ceremony to an awkward close.

The people present offered their heartfelt congratulations in a joyous atmosphere as they knew the significance of a new noble taking root here, albeit a minor one.

Beyond the cabin's open windows, players, militias, and most of the villagers had gathered, all watching with curious expressions.

It seemed word had quickly spread throughout the village that one of the recent arrivals was being granted a title.

Congratulations! The Count of Neverwinter hadn't forgotten your efforts and contributions and had bestowed you the title, Baronet!

You have become a Baronet and unlock the Lord's System!

You have received +2 Intellect!

You have unlocked the attribute: Leadership (+10)!

Server Announcement: Congratulations on Maverick for being the first player to become a Baronet!