Embarking on the "Where Loyalty Lies" quest marks a pivotal moment in Blood of Dawnwalker, as it signifies your decision to align with a specific faction. Before this, your journey might have involved independent skirmishes against Brencis or humanitarian acts like freeing Mert. However, to officially join the Manumits, you must first accumulate a significant level of infamy, a game mechanic that now becomes central to your progress.

Attaining the rank of "Notorious" on the court's infamy track, which is the fourth tier visible in your game menu, is essential for Manumit membership. There are several efficient ways to increase your infamy. One primary method involves engaging in specific Vrakhir-related quests, such as "Ambrus's Cellars," "Ambrus's Transports," "Ambrus's Collectors," or "Ambrus's Prisoners." These missions are typically found in regions accessible shortly after departing Laslea, including areas like Briar Sloughs, Maragir Wealds, and St. Tyna's Grove. Other Vrakhir boyars also offer similarly structured quests in different territories. Another effective approach is to confront and defeat Vrakhiri boyars directly. Successfully completing their quests escalates their animosity, which you can monitor by hovering over their portraits in the court menu. Achieving this often requires systematically completing all tasks within a given node, such as eradicating all of Ambrus's blood cellars. Once a boyar's anger reaches a critical point, a specific quest to defeat them, like "The Gilded Gauntlet" for Ambrus, will become available. Furthermore, destroying Soldier Camps and Soldier Pickets provides a highly efficient way to accumulate infamy. These objectives consume only a single hourglass in-game, making them excellent for rapid gains, and often reward players with valuable items like Swordsmastery manuals. Military Checkpoints, which emerge once you reach infamy level two, offer similar time-efficient benefits.

A balanced strategy that combines these methods is recommended. Focus on dismantling Soldier Camps in Ambrus's territories to acquire new abilities, while also disrupting his operations to provoke a confrontation and secure a substantial boost in infamy. Alternatively, exploring new regions and antagonizing other boyars is an option, though these encounters may present greater challenges. Upon reaching the "Notorious" infamy level, you can proceed to Svartrau to meet Sara and advance the Manumit questline.

By strategically navigating the intricate world of Blood of Dawnwalker, players not only achieve their faction goals but also gain a deeper understanding of the game's mechanics and narrative. This journey emphasizes the importance of calculated actions and resource management, transforming challenges into opportunities for growth and loyalty. Embrace the path you choose with conviction, and your efforts will undoubtedly shape the destiny of Dawnwalker.