Swordbearer.
It's an ancient term, so ancient that the Empire's younger generation, whether nobles or commoners, has never heard of it.
But Shiayar, having spent half his life immersed in ancient ruins and the Great Library as an archaeologist, was no stranger to this term.
The Fresta Empire owed its strength to the 8 Great Oath-Sworn Families, yet it was also constrained by them.
At the inception of the Empire, the alliance between the oath-sworn families and the Royal Family was relatively solid.
But as time passed, while some families might have indeed adhered to their original intentions, faithfully remembering their initial vows, many more changed.
