Mercedes

"We can't even ask for their forgiveness, we have way passed that point"

"therefore Mercedes I release you of your duties, go and help those Red Knights who were betrayed by their own Empire" Emperor said and then Mercedes exclaimed but eventually looking at Ash, She nodded.

"As for you, I bestow you title of Earl, and you will inherit late Earl Zebra territory"Emperor said to Ash, 

"do you pledge allegiance to Imperial family?" He asked.

"is it okay? I am from Eternal Kingdom after all?" Ash said.

"it's okay, Earl is less than what you deserve but this is the only position I can currently grant you, but as you regain your power I will bestow a sufficient Nobility to you" Emperor shook his head and said.

"also I will allow you to form your own Knight order too" Emperor said and then Duke Limit intervened " I don't think it's appropriate your majesty,"

"his contributions are still questionable and also it will breaking the rule passed down the Empire from generations" Duke Limit said and then Emperor looked at him.

"get out" Emperor said calmly but the pressure accompanying his words made Limit kneel, 

Kyle looked at him and then appearing beside Limit he grabbed him by neck and throws him out.

Emperor nodded seeing this and then looked at Ash, "do you pledge allegiance to Imperial family?" He asked.

Ash nodded and said " I, Ash, Pledge Loyalty to Emperor"

Emperor and others narrowed their eyes, especially the Princes and then Emperor let it go, 'I don't care anymore' he thought the pain of him losing his love and his best friend are now resurfacing causing him to not think properly.

And Ash used such emotional instability of him to get himself an advantage.

While others seeing emperor not saying anything, they let it go too.

"what about Asmophel?" Duke Basara suddenly asked.

"he is as much as victim as others" She said and others Dukes supported her, while Diworth scoffed but didn't say anything remembering Emperor is in bad mood currently.

"he is....broken" Ash said, remembering Asmophel state.

"he wants to kill himself after apologising to Piaro" Mercedes added.

"Let him do whatever he wants" Emperor said while feeling jealous of Asmophel, he can at least cry and atone but him, he can't.

Soon Emperor left along with some Pillars, Diworth also left without talking to Ash.

While others reached Mercedes and thanked her and Ash, for clearing Piaro name, all of them are friends of Piaro, they tried to help him but wasn't able too, and now someone helped him clear his name, they are eternally grateful to Ash. 

[Affinity with Sky King Rigal reached 80]

[Affinity with Spear Saint Rachel reached 80]

[Affinity with Immortal King Grenhal reached 80]

[Affinity with Beast King Morse reached 80]

[Affinity with Golden Crown Basara reached 90]

Ash smile reached his ears as he saw the notifications, after all, all of them are Named Npcs while few of them are Super named.

"We will help you regain your powers" all of them said and Ash nodded.

"Come with me, I will allow you to pick one Wyvern as pet from our nest" Sky King Regal said, as he put his hands around Ash shoulder.

Ash nodded and then seeing this, everyone to started showering him with gifts too.

***

"All of them were like hungry wolves" Ash sighed as he got a chance to move away from them.

giggle giggle

Mercedes laughter reached his ears and She said " Earl Ash can you employ this poor Wandering Knight?"

She asked with a mischievous glint in her eyes.

"Are you sure? , what if I force you to become my wife" Ash hugged her firm waist and said.

"oh!, what else can this poor wandering knight can even do, I will become your wife, if that's what Earl Ash wants" She said as she hugged him back.

"then be ready to become mine my wife,oops I meant my Knight" Ash said staring in her eyes.

"cough." suddenly a coughing sound pulled them from their fantasies.

They looked and saw Lorex smiling foolishly along with others.

and oddly Basara was there too, "If a wife all you need, how about me?" 

Ash gulped as Basara reached him, and others exclaimed seeing this.

"Duke Basara , it's inappropriate" Mercedes said protecting Ash behind him like a hen protecting her chicks.

"hmm why though?" Basara put her finger on her cheeks and cutely asked.

"it's just wrong" Mercedes said and then started dragging Ash away from Basara.

Basara smiled seeing this but didn't chased after them.

"are you really interested in him?" Rachel asked coming near her.

"yes, he is strong and handsome, a perfect husband candidate" Basara opened her eyes for the first time, they were like red jewels filled with red Energy, shining beautifully, making her look even cuter.

Rachel nodded "he indeed is handsome"

Basara looked at her and shook her head.

***

 While Mercedes dragged Ash to her mansion, "We are not married yet you know" Ash said.

Mercedes glared at him, "well what can this weak guy can even do" Ash sighed seeing her glaring at him.

"please go easy on me" Ash said as he started undressing, showing his sturdy body, Mercedes gulped and then stopped him.

"I didn't meant that" She said.

"you can rest here" She said pointing at her house.

Ash nodded and then entered Mercedes bedroom and laid on her bed.

"that's my bed" Mercedes said with a red face seeing him sleeping on her bed.

"yes, my wife bed" Ash nodded and then Mercedes face flushed more.

"I- i will instruct others to made some food" Mercedes said and left hurriedly.

"I guess, I teased her too much" Ash smiled and then looked around the room.

It is a big room filled with flowery scent, and various paintings on wall " She like paintings I guess"

Ash looked around and dismissed the maids..

Ash then said to Madra "I am ready, Madra"

-Very well

[Acquired Second Class undefeated King Successor]

[Super Sensitivity Stat opened]

[Indomitable Stat opened]

[Martial King (Passive) Skill generated and mastered]

[Complete Weapon Mastery (Passive) skill generated ]

[All terrain Adaptability (passive) skill generated and mastered]

[Madra's Swordsmanship acquired]

[Madra's Swordsmanship upto 100,000 army swordsmanship unlocked]

[Perfect Status resistance strengthened]

[Undefeated King valor (Passive) Acquired]

[You have changed to legendary class as second class]

[A massive achievement]

[Glimpse of Myth acquired]

[Error..you already have qualification of Myth]

[Glimpse of Myth changed to Luck stats +500]

[This is the second lucky thing happened to you]

[First Evil Jake is interested in you]

[Due to second class you will acquire 2 extra free stat points each level up]

[You are the first to acquire a Second class]

[You will gain additional 2 stat points for each level up]

-You are my successor I look forward to your journey

Ash nodded and then checked description of each of them.

[Complete Weapon Mastery (Passive)]

Allow the creation of Active skills of all martial category (5/5)

*Can use all weapons, and bring out their hidden potential

*have ability to see weakness of all skills up to legendary level

[Madra's Swordsmanship]

The fabled swordsmanship which symbolized the Undefeated King Madra is extremely simple and complete, And has the reputation of strongest Sword Art in both West and east Continent.

Increases physical attack by 40%, critical hit rate by 50%, and critical damage by 80%.

* This effect is only applied when a sword type weapon is equipped.

*All of Madra Swordsmanship

Currently unlocked : 100,000 army swordsmanship

Next Swordsmanship :

200,000 army swordsmanship :

requirement :

Strength stat : 2,500 or above]

[Martial King (Passive) ]

Can learn all martial skills regardless of any condition

*limited to Legendary grade

*Can copy others martial skill, once per month]

Ash nodded seeing this and then 

"this is troublesome skill" Ash sighed looking at the last skill description.

[Undefeated King valor (Passive)]

*For each time user overcame a powerful opponent all stats will increase by 10%

*10 levels above player level is counted as powerful opponent.

-limit is 50%, after that each victory in battle will result in random stat increase by 10 points

*If user is defeated to someone equal or less than 10 levels above him, all stats reduced by 10%

-limit is 50%, after that each lost will result in random stat decrease by 10 points

current accumulated stats : none

*Applied only after defeating a intelligent type being of any race.]

It was a both good and bad skill, Ash just have to make sure he isn't defeated and all be be fine.