Nobles generally fell into two categories.
One kind consisted of kingdom nobles with territories.
The other consisted of honorary nobles without territories.
As the name implied, the former were nobles granted land by the kingdom. They used their territories as their base, ruled over them as lords, and regarded developing those territories as their duty.
Such nobles had the right to establish private Knights and armies. Their authority was immense, and they controlled virtually all affairs within their territories. Unless they committed serious crimes or failed to contribute to their territory's development for many years, resulting in their lands being reclaimed and their status stripped away, their authority within their territory was supreme. Other than handing over twenty percent of their territory's annual revenue to the kingdom, not even the royal family had the right to interfere as it pleased.
The latter received no territory, but they enjoyed the same rights as the former. Not only could they establish private Knights and armies, but they also received an annual stipend from the kingdom, the amount varying according to their rank.
Some took positions within the kingdom, becoming officials with authority over various matters in the kingdom and its other territories. Others chose freelance work, traveling everywhere. There were even quite a few honorary nobles who became adventurers.
For example, House Razahad, to which Migis and Ryley belonged, was an honorary noble house with the rank of marquis. It was responsible for the Adventurer's Guild, and had managed it for generations. House Elbain, to which Aridia belonged, was the same. Its assigned institution was the Knights, and it too was an honorary noble house with the rank of marquis.
Naturally, kingdom nobles with territories had deeper ties to the kingdom.
After all, they were connected through their territories. Even if they