Half an hour later, the military banner was adorned with a constellation of crimson thumbprints, each one a mark of loyalty and resolve. At the center, Lucas's vivid blood-red handprint stood out, a bold and commanding focal point that seemed to pulse with the weight of the moment.
Lucas gazed at the blood-streaked banner in his hands, a satisfied nod breaking his otherwise stoic expression. This, he thought, could become a tradition—a sacred rite for new recruits, a tangible bond to the army's soul. The sight of the banner, marked by the blood of his soldiers, filled him with a quiet pride. It was more than cloth; it was a symbol of their shared commitment, a testament to their unity.
"Aiden," Lucas said, his voice calm but authoritative, "Find a sturdy pole and raise this banner. As long as we stand, this flag stands. It must never fall."
"Yes, my lord!" Aiden saluted sharply, his hands reverently accepting the banner as if it were a sacred relic. His eyes lingered on the bloodstains, a flicker of awe passing through them.
"Later, when we return to the castle, there are matters I need you to handle," Lucas added, his tone neutral but carrying an undercurrent of purpose.
"Understood," Aiden replied, his voice steady but his heart tightening. He knew what was coming—discussions about recruitment, about building the army further. The weight of his lord's ambitions was never far from his mind.
Lucas's gaze shifted to the soldiers below, standing in orderly ranks. Something had changed in them. The restless, unfocused energy that had plagued the recruits was gone, replaced by a sharper focus, a spark of determination in their eyes. Their spirits seemed to hum with newfound purpose, as if the act of marking the banner with their blood had forged a deeper connection to their duty. It wasn't perfect, but it was a start.
"Let's go," Lucas said, turning on his heel. "Back to the castle for breakfast."
Mina hurried to keep pace, her cat-like ears twitching as she followed closely behind.
Thud, thud, thud…
The sound of their footsteps faded as they boarded the waiting carriage, which soon rumbled out of the encampment, its wheels crunching over the dirt path. In the distance, Lucas could still hear Aiden's booming voice, barking orders: "Treat your wounds, eat your breakfast, and prepare for training!"
"Yes, commander!" The soldiers roared in unison, their voices carrying a vigor that hadn't been there before.
Inside the carriage, Mina sat across from Lucas, her eyes fixed on him with a mix of concern and reproach. She gently took his bandaged hand, her fingers brushing over the cloth. "Master," She said, her voice soft but tinged with a scolding tone, "How could you injure yourself like that?"
"It's a small wound," Lucas said dismissively, shaking his head. His voice grew quieter, more serious. "The banner needed blood to seal its meaning. My blood was the best way to start."
He believed, with unshakable certainty, that the soldiers would never forget this moment. The image of their lord drawing his own blood for the banner would be etched into their minds, a story they would pass down to future recruits. The banner's origin, steeped in sacrifice and honor, would become a legend in Sedona City's military.
Mina raised an eyebrow, her lips pursing. "Master, this is the first time you've been injured—and by your own hand, no less. The others at the castle are going to fret when they see this."
Lucas groaned, his shoulders slumping slightly as he imagined the scene awaiting him. "Ugh," He muttered, picturing Nicole, Annie, and the others making a fuss. "I just hope they don't overreact."
Mina giggled, her cat tail flicking playfully. "Good luck with that," She teased, her tone light. She wasn't truly worried about the wound—it was shallow, barely more than a cut through the skin—but she knew the castle's residents would turn it into a spectacle.
"By the way, Mina," Lucas said, shifting the topic as he lifted the carriage curtain to glance outside. The winter landscape was bleak, the fields beyond the city walls barren and desolate, with hardly a soul in sight. "Any progress on selecting candidates for the guard team?"
"There are a few promising ones," Mina replied, her voice brightening. "I'll meet with them personally to discuss it." Her tail swayed as she spoke, a sign of her confidence. "Sedona City has plenty of beastkins. Picking a few strong ones to train as guards won't be an issue."
"Good," Lucas said, nodding approvingly. He implicitly trusted Mina's efficiency. Her ability to handle tasks with precision and care was one of the reasons he relied on her so heavily.
Thud, thud, thud…
The carriage, escorted by the War Wolf guards, rolled smoothly toward the castle, its stone walls soon coming into view.
"City lord, we've arrived," Chris called from outside, his voice steady and respectful.
"Alright," Lucas replied, pushing open the carriage door and stepping down. His boots hit the cobblestone path with a soft clink, and he strode toward the dining hall, his stomach rumbling faintly. Mina followed, her light footsteps quick as she kept pace.
Even before they reached the dining hall, the lively voices of the castle's residents carried through the air. Ayesha's distinctive, slightly anxious tone was the loudest. "Annie, the Master was gone all day yesterday and didn't come back last night. What if something happened?"
"Don't talk nonsense!" Annie's crisp voice shot back. "He's fine, absolutely fine. He was just inspecting the army. He'll be back soon."
Nicole's gentle voice chimed in, soothing as always. "Ayesha, calm down. Mina sent someone to the castle this morning to fetch a brush, remember? Everything's alright."
"No need to worry," Elisa's cool, composed voice added. "Lord Lucas is right outside." Her sharp ears had caught the familiar rhythm of his footsteps approaching.
Creak…
The dining hall door swung open, and Amelia's small head poked out, her emerald-green eyes locking onto Lucas and Mina as they approached. Her gaze swept over them, sharp and assessing, and landed on the bandage wrapped around Lucas's hand. A glint of cold fury flashed in her eyes.
"Amelia, what are you doing out here?" Lucas said, smiling warmly as he reached out to pat her head. "Did I keep you waiting again?"
"Who hurt your hand?" Amelia demanded, her voice icy as she tilted her head up, her green eyes boring into him with a dangerous intensity. "Tell me, and I'll kill them."
Lucas nearly choked on his own breath. "Kill them? What—me?" He sputtered, caught off guard by her fierce protectiveness.
Mina stifled a laugh, her lips curling into a mischievous smile. "Amelia, no one hurt the Master," She said, her tone teasing. "He did it to himself, accidentally."
Amelia's eyes narrowed, flicking to Lucas with a look of disdain. "Clumsy," She muttered, turning on her heel and stalking back into the dining hall. In her mind, echoed her sister's words: anyone who injures themselves is a fool.
Lucas's mouth twitched, and he shot Mina a mock glare as she stuck out her tongue playfully, her cat-like charm disarming his irritation.
"What? The Master's hurt?" Annie's panicked voice rang out. The petite fox-eared girl burst out of the dining hall, her eyes wide with worry as she rushed toward Lucas.
"It's nothing, don't panic," Lucas said quickly, stepping into the dining hall to meet her. Annie's small hands darted to his bandaged palm, inspecting it with frantic concern.
"Let me see how bad it is," Nicole said, hurrying over, her skirt swishing as she moved. Her face was etched with worry as she gently took Lucas's hand, her touch soft and careful.
"Who hurt you, Master? I'll crush them!" Ayesha bellowed, her voice booming as she brandished her massive Overlord Spear, pushing her way toward Lucas.
"I'll get the first-aid kit," Helen called, her long legs carrying her swiftly toward the door. The rabbit-eared girl, taller than the others, had spotted the bandage first and was already moving, though her haste nearly sent her stumbling.
"It's just a small cut, calm down," Lucas said, raising his voice to cut through the chaos. He glanced at Helen, who wobbled precariously, and stifled a chuckle.
Nicole tugged him toward a chair. "Master, sit down," She insisted, her voice gentle but firm. She began unwrapping the bandage with delicate precision, her brow furrowed in concentration.
"It's really just a minor wound," Lucas said softly, his gaze softening as he looked at the worried faces surrounding him. Their concern warmed his heart, a reminder of the bonds he'd forged in this strange, new world. He decided not to argue further—letting the beast-eared girls fuss over him was the only way they'd settle down. Otherwise, they might stir up some absurd, tearful commotion.
"Lord, Lord, I'll blow on it for you! That makes it stop hurting," Hazel piped up, her small head popping out from behind Annie's arm. Her wide, innocent eyes sparkled with enthusiasm. "When I fell, Sister Helen did that for me, and it worked!"
Lucas chuckled, his heart lightening. "Thank you, Hazel, but it doesn't hurt anymore," He said, his voice warm with affection.
"Lord Lucas, was this caused by your sword?" Freya asked, her voice cool and analytical. She leaned closer, inspecting the bandage Nicole had just removed, instantly recognizing the clean, precise cut of a blade.
Lucas gave a wry smile and nodded. "Yes."
Mina stepped in, her voice bright as she explained, "This morning at the camp, the Master…" She recounted the events of the ceremony, describing the blood oath and the creation of the banner, her words painting a vivid picture of the soldiers' newfound resolve.
Elisa's face grew solemn, her eyes gleaming with determination. "Lord Lucas, I would fight to the death for you," She declared, her voice unwavering.
Lucas met her gaze, then looked at each of them in turn. "Living," He said firmly, his voice carrying a quiet strength, "Is the greatest way to repay me."
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