New Eden: Live to Play, Play to Live

"General Enzio. I was told the reason for your visit in the first place was to enquire about my current allegiances. I believe you are running for the next Grand Marshall election and want my support. Is that correct?"

"Please, Baron, call me Hakim. We are still under your roof. But yes, it is indeed the reason for my visit."

"Very well. Although I owe everything I have to the current Grand Marshall, I believe he will understand the circumstances. You have my full backing."

"I couldn't ask for more," The General said, doing a curt bow.

"As for you, adventurer. I was told you already have an S-rank license, so completing quests for ranks is no longer a problem you have. I will pay you a handsome reward for saving my wife's life. But what else can I do for you?"

"Sir, the reward is already more than I can ask for. I wouldn't want to abuse your generosity."

Astaroth guessed this was the end of the quest, and the gold was already plenty for him. He didn't want to ask for more and possibly lose all the rewards.

"Very w--"

"Just a moment, Baron Duncan."

"Yes, Hakim?"

"I believe his deeds today deserve at least some form of reward other than monetary, don't you agree, Lady Duncan?"

The Baron almost growled at the mention of his wife, but stayed silent.

"I believe he has earned at least some recognition," the lady agreed with a nod.

The General smiled at her response.

"Then how about this? You can make him a knight under your service. Would that not be a just reward?"

"Giving out knighthood seems a little overboard, Hakim."

"Excus--"

"I disagree, Amal. I think he deserves as much."

"Um, Exc--"

"Aren't you just trying to find an extra vote for your elections, General?"

"Pard--"

"Nonsense! I simply want the young man to be rewarded justly."

Astaroth was starting to understand how Violette had felt in the dungeon. His face was getting hot, and he was about to shout, when silence took the room.

When he looked up, Astaroth saw that Lady Duncan had raised her hand, silencing the bickering men.

"I believe the young man should have an opinion on the matter, do you not?"

Both men snapped their heads toward Astaroth, and he could feel their opposing opinions on the matter with the differing looks they held.

"Far from me the idea of being rude and refusing such an honour. But I would prefer to keep my freedom, and I think a knighthood would be extremely restrictive."

The General had a disappointed look, but the Baron seemed more than glad he was refusing it.

"Then it's se--"

"Then an honorary title would suffice, right?" the General asked, refusing to let up.

Astaroth sighed.

'Dude! Stop butting in!' Astaroth screamed in his mind.

Seeing he had no way out without agreeing, Astaroth nodded his head. The baron gave up, since his wife was smile-staring at him.

"Very well."

Amal had a guard bring him all the required documents from the nearby administrative office, as well as a knight's crest from his personal vault.

The General was happy he had won, but he had other places to be. He excused himself, making Astaroth promise to visit him at the castle when he had time before leaving.

The ceremony to knight him was short and unimpressive, much to Astaroth's pleasure. It ended with the Baron officially giving him his crest.

"Now rise, sir Astaroth."

The Baron offered his hand to help him get up, and Astaroth took it. When the Baron's hand latched on his, he pulled him in for a soldier's embrace.

He whispered into his ear while they were close.

"If you ever look at my wife, or think of her, in any fashion other than reverence, I will track you down and flay you myself."

Astaroth gulped as the Baron pulled away, smiling widely, like he had not just threatened his life. He gave a solemn nod in response.

Astaroth saw Lady Duncan shaking her head in disapproval from the corner of his eyes. He could easily guess she had heard everything, since the Elven senses were keen.

After paying him his gold, the Baron sent him away, so he and his wife could rest. He was quite happy, since he couldn't wait to rest himself.

He got his notification on the way out.

*Ding!*

*Quest complete!*

Quest: Find A Cure (Updated).

Objectives:

Find out what is ailing the Baron's wife. âœ"

Find a cure or solution to her illness. âœ"

Slay the demon apparition alone. x

Rewards:

Reputation in Sunpeak +1000 âœ"

Reputation with Baron Declan +5000 âœ"

Gold +1000 âœ"

Honorary Title, Knight âœ"

??? x

The new objective made him frown a bit. He guessed it would have been possible for maybe a cleric or paladin player to achieve it, but he couldn't deal any damage to the apparition.

It saddened him a bit to not know what reward came with defeating it, but it wasn't really a loss if he didn't know. Astaroth walked back to the inn, since many hours had already passed.

He was exhausted, and couldn't wait to go to sleep for a few hours in his bed. But before he tapped the log out button, he started receiving messages from his friends list.

Most of them were congratulatory messages, with a few having mocking undertones, calling him 'Sire'. He didn't quite understand why they were congratulating him until he thanked one and saw the name next to his response.

Sir Astaroth, Honorary Knight of Sunpeak.

When Astaroth saw that, his heart stopped beating. He quickly opened his status window to see if it was there, too.

And there it was, black on white, his title. The game automatically equipped it.

Astaroth was at a loss for words. He had decided not to equip the title, since it sounded so cringe to him.

But it seemed the game had taken that choice from him.

'God dammit! There goes trying to be low key. This game is sabotaging me, I swear!'

"Log out!" Astaroth shouted in displeasure.