Way of the Knights

---

Two weeks after that whole incident, waves upon waves of shock crashed through every corner of the kingdom.

First of foremost was grand opening of the Sacred Leaf Tavern.

No one had forgotten about their little show of force back then, even if they stayed on a pretty low profile and focused on training their members, a lot of people were still observing their movements.

Many have lost their patience and tried infiltrating their headquarters but none of them came out ever since. No one has any clue as to where they were or what happened, whether they're still alive or not. In the end, they could only helplessly stare as the officers and members of the tavern took their time in preparation, there was nothing they could do to stop or hinder their rise.

The grand opening was a complete surprise, no one outside of the officers and members of the tavern was informed about it. And what a huge explosion that was because it wasn't only the headquarters of the Sacred Leaf Tavern but also several branch sites, that opened at the same date.

This took everyone by surprise, no one knew that the Sacred Leaf Tavern was building branches under their noses. This must've been planned from the very beginning, everyone thought that Chief Director Richard was a very clever guy. But contrary to their beliefs, Richard wasn't the one who came up with this nor Jacob. All of it was Raven's idea.

The total number of branches they managed to build was at least twenty, scattered across the whole kingdom. Every branch site was carefully chosen and the materials used for the buildings were top notch. Every single branch was armed with a couple of cultivators who pledged wholehearted loyalty to the tavern. There's also several array formations guarding each site so that the safety of the alchemists and consumers are guaranteed.

And if that wasn't enough to faze the people who had their greedy eyes off the tavern and wanted a slice of pie so bad, then the announcement of a direct Alliance with the Crown Prince and the Royal Guards, should be enough to stop them at their tracks.

Raven honored his words despite being tortured by the prince two weeks ago.

The alliance meeting occurred in a discreet manner, the people who knew about it before the announcement could be counted by hands. Balmung was incredibly generous about his offer and showed his wholehearted desire for a long and steady alliance with the Sacred Leaf Tavern. He also disclosed information about the true Eternal Horizon Clan and their true purpose.

Though he wasn't present during the negotiations, Raven heard everything the Crown Prince discussed with Richard using the link he had with Richard and Jacob. In the end, both parties were satisfied with the negotiations and signed he alliance.

Now, every branch site is heavily guarded by the Royal Guards while their service is properly compensated by resources that the alchemists made.

The first day of the Grand Opening was a massive success, the hard work and patience that the alchemist endured during the past few weeks of training and concoction was all worth it. With pockets full of gold, every Apprentice Alchemists were elated and sighed upon thinking that they made a great choice by choosing this path.

Richard always told them that every Alchemist should hold their heads high and become proud of their chosen path. At the same time, always seek improvement on their skills because if they do so, then their dreams about a wonderful future would be within reach. The beginners etched these words onto their hearts from this point on and went back to work with hearts full of enthusiasm for their futures.

In just a week after the Sacred Leaf Tavern's grand opening, the heated discussions about them was still going on in every corners of the kingdom.

"These pills… how miraculous! Thank you Sacred Leaf Tavern! You're doing god's work!"

"Hey, stop being so dramatic!"

"You're one to talk, ever since you consumed the Limit Breaking Pill, you haven't stopped smiling."

"Am I that obvious."

"Che! Yeah you are! But I understand what you feel though. Just as when we thought that we could no longer advance with our cultivations, the Scared Leaf Tavern came and blessed us with their grace."

"I fully support that statement. The pills are incredibly potent yet cheap, I heard there are petitions to rise their prices since many are afraid that the tavern might go out of business."

"That's correct, I heard my cousin talked about this during our family gathering. They received a lot of letters pertaining to that topic. He said that Chief Director Richard won't raise the price for now, the reason is because he wanted to help the weak become stronger, if they raise the prices of the pills them no commoners would be able to buy the pills and the situation will turn into the strong gets stronger and the weak becomes weaker. Director Richard didn't want that to happen."

"Right, I forgot your cousin is an alchemist now!"

"Yeah, and because of that his status in the family shot through the roof. I am so envious! Who knew that the little turd that can't even do things right without me helping him was now the first in line for the position of Clan Head. Sometimes, the work of fate is extremely hilarious."

"Come on don't sulk like that, I know your cousin as well, he's a righteous man. He won't forget those who helped him before and most certainly he won't forget about you! You supported him in the past now he will do the same."

"Thanks, I'm incredibly touched by your words but I know you want something in return so out with it."

"Hehe, you really know me so well, brother. Nothing much, just a bottle of Moonshine would do."

"Oh? I thought you're going to ask for some expensive liquors instead."

"It's the Moonshine's fault dude! I know it's not alcohol but man, the state you enter after one sip is heavenly that I always feel at a loss whenever I'm not in that state."

"Damn, now I want to drink Moonshine as well. Come! Let's drink!"

"Hell yeah!"

***

"Mom, Dad. Consume these pills will you?"

At Luis' office, Raven could be seen sitting in front of the dining table with his parents.

He decided to take a break from all of his training and visit his dad at his office to give him something, he wasn't expecting that his mom was there as well but he wouldn't have the another way. He spent time with them and they caught up with the events of their life.

Raven told them the general trend of his life, Eva and Luis felt endless pride and happiness hearing how hardworking and reliable their son turned out to be. After they enjoyed a meal together, Raven placed a pill on their hands and told them to consume it.

Both of them glanced at the golden round pill at their hands, they looked at each other, then towards Raven. Luis then asked: "Son, what does this pill do?"

"Just consume it, you'll understand afterwards." Raven mysteriously said while sipping a glass of Moonshine.

His parents had a confused expression on their faces yet they knew that Raven won't bring them any harm. Both of them swallowed the pill at the same time and then a miraculous scene occurred.

The wrinkles on their skin disappeared, the while strands of their hair turned dark once more. Eva's eyesight became better, the healthy and youthful glow returned to her face, if someone were to look at her current appearance they would never think that she is a mother of a fourteen year old child already, she looks like a fair maiden right now.

Luis also felt his youthful vigor return, his mind was clear and his back became straight once more. Both of them placed a hand on their chests and felt their hearts pounding not because of cardiac arrest but because of excitement.

"Son! This is…" Luis can't even explain what just happened, he didn't need to look at his current appearance to know what kind of transformation occurred to his body.

"It's called Longevity Pill. Like it's name suggests, it restores and extends your longevity. The pill I gave to you should extend your lifespans by at least 1700 years, that's the highest quality I could concoct right now."

"Then you should've provided it to someone else, we have no need for such a high quality pill just yet." Eva said with worry.

"Who deserves to consume the pill and who doesn't, all depends on me. You're my parents, as the Holy Child of the Sacred Leaf Tavern, if I can't even do this then I might as well quit."

Both of his parents were stunned by his words, they looked at their child lovingly thinking that he's growing up so fast and afraid that he might endanger himself with how fast he's going.

"Mom, Dad.. I want to deal with the clan."

62d67767f92eb560e77c9100