Ten days passed in the blink of an eye.
Though sharing the same airship, Luosen hadn't seen Keth for quite some time—the man was clearly avoiding him. Most others aboard had grown quite familiar with Luosen by now. He'd insisted they drop formal titles and simply call him by name, as he found honorifics like "Your Excellency" or "Master" unbearably stuffy.
During this period, he'd obtained cultivation manuals from Carol to practice, but with disappointing results—his mana remained stagnant, while improvements in speed and spirit were negligible at best. Carol explained that Luosen's unique constitution likely required specialized techniques from the Starfolk for meaningful progress in mana cultivation. As for speed and spirit, their slow growth stemmed partly from insufficient practice time and partly from the manuals' incompatibility with his physique.
At one point, Carol mentioned a forbidden demonic technique that could rapidly boost power by absorbing others' essence—a suggestion Luosen immediately rejected, ordering its destruction. Though resentful, Carol had no choice but to comply due to their master-servant contract. Eventually, Carol recommended seeking metal-element cultivation techniques, which supposedly excelled at enhancing speed and spirit for those with strong bloodlines.
On the airship's open deck beneath a sunshade, Luosen casually asked between bites of cake, "Luna, any idea where to find metal-element cultivation techniques?"
Luna's expression turned troubled. "Luosen, those are closely guarded family secrets. Even noble scions rarely receive complete manuals, let alone outsiders." She hesitated before adding, "And you should know—law-based techniques are top-tier first-sequence manuals."
"There are sequences for techniques?"
"Yes," Luna explained. "The highest-grade manuals fall into three sequences: first-sequence law techniques requiring comprehension of natural laws; second-sequence world techniques needing special environments; and third-sequence life techniques relying on personal refinement. Common techniques don't even qualify."
With a sigh, she continued, "The Crimson Empire's best are only third-sequence. Even mine is incomplete, hence my slow progress."
Luosen nodded thoughtfully. No wonder Carol had hesitated before surrendering his shadow and darkness law techniques—without the contract's compulsion, he'd never have parted with such treasures.
"Then where does one find first-sequence techniques?"
"They're practically mythical," Luna shook her head. "Probably only available in sacred sects. Even first-rate empires possess at most second-sequence techniques." Gazing into the distance, she added, "Our empire exists only because an ancestor once studied under such a sect—though I hear even they only had second-sequence techniques."
Just then, the airship emerged from the forest, revealing a breathtaking vista.
"Look, Luosen!" Luna pointed excitedly. "The capital!"
Across the sprawling plains rose countless buildings dominated by a central castle, with airships and balloons crisscrossing the sky. Colorful banners fluttered in the wind as messenger birds weaved between them. The city gates teemed with merchants and travelers, while picnickers dotted the outskirts—a scene of vibrant prosperity.
"It's His Majesty's Royal Knights!"
"Lord Keth and Lord Alan!"
"So dashing! I want to be a knight too!"
Cheers erupted as the airship entered the city proper, confirming the knights' esteemed reputation. Yet Luosen, seated in the shadows, merely scoffed at Keth's triumphant appearance on the upper deck. The golden-haired youth might be handsome, but his vanity was insufferable.
"Making such a show of it!" Luosen muttered, lounging with crossed legs.
Luna giggled. "Why not? Thanks to your serpent core, we completed the mission—retrieving a sixth-tier Abyss Serpent core for His Majesty." Her smile faded slightly. "Originally, the elite Crimson Flame Knights should have handled this, but somehow it fell to us."
Luosen understood immediately—as the weakest royal order, the Platinum Knights had been set up to fail before the upcoming festival.
"Your help let just three of us succeed," Luna said gratefully.
"Wait—only three members? Out of all these people?" Luosen stared in disbelief. Besides these three, everyone else's stats were pathetically low.
"Seven total," Luna corrected. "The other four... remained on garrison duty."
"With so few, don't you recruit?"
"Easier said than done. The skilled won't join, the unskilled get rejected, and commoners never gain approval." She sighed. "I've been wondering how the Captain will convince His Majesty about you."
Luosen leaned back, watching Alan's equally triumphant display on deck. "He seems confident enough..."
The airship finally docked at a spacious compound bearing the Platinum Knights' insignia. After a brief tour of facilities—lounges, training grounds, armory, dining hall—Luosen noticed the absence of other knights, though Alan offered no explanation beyond a strained expression.
Soon, Alan settled Luosen in a sunlit villa. When offered servants, Luosen firmly declined.
"Luosen, free tonight?" Alan asked. "I'd like to hold a welcoming banquet to introduce you to the others."
"Sure. I'll explore the city and return by sunset." Luosen grinned. "But Captain... could I get an advance on my salary?"
Though puzzled by Luosen's worldly knowledge despite his forest upbringing, Alan simply handed over a black-gold card. "Just swipe this when shopping."
"What if merchants overcharge?"
"Receipts go to regulators—they'll handle discrepancies."
"How much is here?"
"Ten thousand gold. Should... suffice." Alan's eye twitched painfully.
Luosen nearly choked. According to Luna, the captain's monthly salary was about one thousand gold. Ten thousand represented a year's earnings for one hundred ordinary families—equivalent to roughly one hundred million back on Earth. With this, he could retire comfortably in this world.
"No income tax?"
"Your case is... special." Alan's mouth spasmed again. "I must rest now—leave requests at the front desk if needed."
As he walked away, Alan clutched his chest. The thought of future payments at this scale was literally heart-stopping. He could only pray the Crimson Festival would arrive soon, with Luosen's stellar performance transferring this financial burden to the emperor.