"..."
The great hall fell utterly silent.
No one dared speak. One by one, eyes drifted to Venti sitting on the other side.
But Venti only stared at his nose, his nose at his heart—zen-faced, offering no opinion.
Seeing everyone pin their hopes on Venti, Rowan waved a hand, signaling they'd picked the wrong person.
"Don't look at him.
"Since he's entrusted Mondstadt to this king, all decisions will be made by this king."
As Rowan said it, Venti cooperatively shrugged.
Message received: he wasn't in charge—he was here to watch the show.
"Of course, I'm not without leniency. These decrees take effect tomorrow. Seamus, you're in charge.
"The first violation gets a verbal warning and proper instruction.
"The second brings a week in confinement. And the third… you all know what to do.
"There's a saying in my homeland: 'Three strikes, and that's it.'
"It means if someone repeats the same mistake more than three times, they're doing it on purpose—and such people deserve no sympathy.
"We try them for treason, straight away."
Rowan paused for a moment, then spoke again.
"Next—historical leftovers. From this day on, the Lawrence family is permitted to join the Knights of Favonius.
"So long as they fight for Mondstadt and guard Mondstadt—
"They may take the recruit trials. Pass them, and they are glorious Knights of Favonius.
"If anyone still dares to use 'history' to target the Lawrences, I expect you to enforce the law impartially."
Eula's eyes widened. She stared up at Rowan in disbelief.
She'd thought his earlier order—banning public slander of high-ranking Knights—was just him being unable to stomach the harassment aimed at her.
But from the look of it, this Knight-King truly intended to pull the Lawrence clan back into the light.
Under everyone's stunned gaze, Rowan looked down at Eula and noticed the astonishment on her face.
"Eula—Vice Grand Master of the Knights of Favonius, bearer of the Lawrence clan's Cryo Sigil, wielder of Song of Broken Pines.
"It's time for the Lawrences to serve Mondstadt again. Don't stay weak.
"Bring those Lawrences who refuse to keep sinking into decay back into the Knights of Favonius.
"Otherwise, when New Mondstadt sets sail, those who cling to the past will simply be cast aside.
"You understand what I mean."
The Cryo Sigil and Song of Broken Pines were symbols of the Lawrence patriarch.
Right now, the clan's power-holder—Eula's uncle, Schubert—was only acting as patriarch.
Since ancient times, to become head of House Lawrence, one had to possess the clan's core power: the Cryo Sigil.
It is the ability a patriarch must have—power that runs in Lawrence blood.
In this generation, Eula awakened it. Because of that, she obtained the patriarch-only divine armament: Song of Broken Pines.
Which meant that, if she wished, she could claim the title of the new patriarch at any time.
But the Lawrences are never short on the ambitious—like Eula's uncle, Schubert.
He was the very image of Lawrence ambition. When Eula decisively cut ties and joined the Knights, Schubert was first to "support" her—
Not out of conscience, not to help the Lawrences walk in the sun again,
But to leverage Eula to seize influence within the Knights and resurrect the old nobility's "glory."
Big appetite. Small bowl.
Eula not only refused—she severed all contact with the clan.
That enraged Schubert.
And there was nothing he could do.
In the end, he wasn't a legitimate patriarch. If Eula actually cared about the title, Schubert wouldn't have the standing to keep that seat.
Now, with Rowan's reminder, if Eula still refused to choose—
If the Lawrences still refused to decide—their end would match that of the old, rotten Lawrence line.
"Eula understands. I will handle the Lawrence clan.
"Anyone who stands in the way of Mondstadt's rise—I will treat as an enemy!"
Eula had clearly grasped Rowan's intent. She half-knelt and swore her oath.
"Good. See that you keep your word.
"Otherwise, don't blame me for being ruthless."
Satisfied, Rowan nodded. Much of his earlier anger at Mondstadt's listlessness had faded.
His tone eased.
"All right. The new Knights' standards came at you fast.
"I can relax the window—three months.
"New recruits have three months to meet the requirements on my sheet. Fail, and you're out.
"Active Knights have one month. Miss the mark—out.
"This king needs an iron-blooded force that obeys orders—not Knights who loaf even on sentry duty.
"Understood?"
"Understood!"
"Understood!"
With Rowan already easing the timeline, not a single Knight voiced objection.
Even the loudest complainer from before didn't dare speak.
"Then let me announce a private matter.
"This king will select twelve Knights—those who have contributed greatly to Mondstadt, regardless of birth or station—to form the Knights of the Round Table.
"Do you have recommendations?"
Frederica blinked. "The Round Table?
"Men and women both?"
Rowan's mouth twitched. He was speechless.
"Of course. It's a knightly order, not this king's harem!
"What are you people thinking?"
Frederica offered an embarrassed smile. At first, she really had thought Rowan was using this as a pretext to pick a harem.
Turns out it included men and women.
Everyone else shot Frederica a look. Their new Grand Master's thought process… was unique.
"I recommend Jean!"
(End of Chapter)
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