Every being in the Crimson Castle stood gathered at the announcement ground. Civilians and fighters alike waited in tense silence for their new lord.
They did not have to wait long.
Ethan appeared, dressed in the usual imperial attire. The dark, richly embroidered fabric clung to his frame with an air of quiet authority.
"As you all know, I am Ethan Frost, your new lord," he addressed the crowd without wasting time on unnecessary pleasantries.
"I am not here to make your lives more difficult or to oppress you. Rather, I am here to make things easier."
His voice carried clearly across the gathered people. "Operations will continue as they are, except for a few immediate changes."
"Nicholas," Ethan called, turning toward his most trusted aide.
Nicholas stepped forward, dragging a bound guard behind him.
This was no ordinary guard.
He was the same man who had ignored them when they first arrived at the castle.
Ethan's gaze settled on the prisoner with calm intensity.
"The first thing I will address is discipline," he said, his tone steady and measured.
"This is the Crimson Castle. The dangers lurking around us are immense. A lack of discipline will simply lead to our deaths."
He paused briefly, letting the words settle.
"That is why the actions of this guard, who ignored a direct order to do his job, will not go unpunished."
Ethan's voice grew colder. "And above all, he dared to commit treason by insulting royalty. For that, the penalty is death."
A heavy silence followed his declaration, soon broken by murmurs and shocked gasps rippling through the crowd.
Frowns creased many faces. Sadness mixed with disbelief filled the eyes of the civilians. Ethan noticed every reaction, yet he remained unmoved.
In fact, this was exactly what he had been counting on.
For now, he could only rule the citizens of the Crimson Castle through fear. He needed time to build a stronger reputation.
People obeyed a leader when they either feared him or respected him. As the bastard prince, respect was not an option yet.
He would use the risky path of fear temporarily, until he could earn genuine loyalty.
"I didn't know it was the new lord! I'm sorry!" the guard pleaded desperately, his voice cracking with terror.
"Nicholas. Kill him."
Nicholas, ever the dutiful aide, did not hesitate. With one swift motion, he was about to behead the guard.
A horrified silence gripped the crowd for a moment.
"This is wrong!" a man suddenly burst out from the midst of the people, his voice thick with rage.
His voicd, stopped Nicholas from severing the guard's head.
"Bingo," Ethan thought, a faint smile touching his lips. He had known someone would take the bait.
"You can't just kill anyone on a whim!" the man protested loudly.
His words found silent support among nearly every subject present. The tension in the air thickened.
"So treason should go unpunished?" Ethan asked, his tone deceptively calm. "You look like a leader. You should understand how important hierarchy is."
"I do," the man replied, "but—"
"But what?" Ethan cut in sharply. "Is this how you have been leading the Crimson Castle? Well, there will be changes. Starting from now."
His voice shifted, becoming decisive and commanding. "I want the expedition units and all armed forces to report to the strategy room right now!"
The sudden change in Ethan's demeanor left everyone stunned. One moment he had been in full kill mode, cold and ruthless. The next, he was focused entirely on the expedition team.
It took only an instant for Ethan to gather his composure again, his expression returning to one of controlled authority.
"There will be another way to prove your worth around here."
Ethan spoke calmly, his voice steady and clear. "You will join the expedition team and pay for your sins with the corpses of monsters," he directed his words at the still not yet dead guard.
His earlier change in tone had not been random. It had come from a sudden monochrome message that flashed vividly in his mind.
[Congratulations on reaching 18 and becoming a lord!]
[You have awakened your bloodline - Legend system.]
[Open your instant newbie pack?]
Ethan felt a wave of confusion wash over him. He could not understand what was happening at all.
He had never heard of anyone experiencing something like this before.
"Thank you, my lord," the guard said as he bowed deeply, his body shaking inside his boots.
"Don't thank me," Ethan replied. "Thank your leader. I hate indiscipline. But there is one thing I value even more than my hatred for it: camaraderie."
With those words, he had taken full control of the situation once again. The tension around them began to ease.
He still did not fully understand what the voice in his head had said. Yet if it was what he suspected, then he needed to change his plans right away.
With everything settled for now, Ethan rushed toward his private chamber. He needed to figure out exactly what that voice was.
Reaching his room, he locked the door behind him with a firm click. No one would disturb him at this moment.
"Hello? Who was that?" Ethan asked into the quiet space.
[Welcome. You have gained the Legend system. A system belonging only to you across the entire universe and cosmos.]
[Choose the direction you want your system to follow.]
[Independent]
[Lord]
[Dual]
Ethan stared at the glowing information in complete silence. The words hovered clearly before his eyes, impossible to ignore.
From simple common sense, he knew the best choice was the one that combined both paths.
"I go with Dual," Ethan informed the system firmly.
[Open your newbie pack?]
"Go ahead."
A rush of notifications flooded his mind at once.
[Congratulations! You have received the Legendary bloodline - Apex Devouring Bloodline LV 1.]
[Congratulations! You have received the Omniscient Eyes. Anchored only to your territory.]
[You have received the Legendary Territory Blessing - Blessing of Snow LV 1.]
[You have received the Legendary Physique - Infallible Physique LV 1.]
[You have received the Legendary Trait - Absolute Defence LV 1.]
"Crazy."
That was the only word that echoed in Ethan's mind. Before he could stop himself, a wide smile blossomed across his face.
He could not deny the thrill rising inside him. Things were about to become far more interesting than he had ever imagined.
"Accept!" Ethan commanded, claiming the rewards without hesitation.
[You can call for the status window to check your information. Good luck!]
"Status window," Ethan called out clearly.
The system responded instantly.
[Ethan Snow]
Race: Human
Profession: Lord of the Crimson Castle
Rank: Null
Class: Null
Bloodline: Apex Devouring Bloodline Lv1
Trait: Absolute Defence Lv1
Blessing: Blessing of Snow