Dana repeatedly rubbed the Silvermoon Knight insignia in his hand, his eyes filled with both satisfaction and a hint of dissatisfaction.
Ang saw through his feelings and asked half-jokingly, "How does it feel?"
"It's just too rough. Couldn't you have polished it?" Dana frowned, his tone carrying a trace of disdain.
"It'll naturally become smooth once you've handled it enough." Ang smiled and shook his head, then changed the subject. "But for you, it might not take too long. Perhaps once you earn enough merits next time, a baronial title won't be such an unattainable dream."
Dana froze for a moment and said quietly, "But... I heard it's difficult for non-humans like me to truly be granted nobility."
Ang did not answer immediately. Instead, he asked, "Then who granted you your knighthood?"
"Wasn't it you..." Dana trailed off, then suddenly understood. "You mean...?"
"You earned this through your own strength." Ang spoke solemnly. "I merely acknowledged the honor you deserved."
After a pause, he added, "Also, your knight's fief isn't wasteland. It's a usable stretch of flat ground. You can have your people move there and manage it yourselves."
"Manage it? How? Build a town like yours?" Dana frowned, clearly having no idea about such matters.
"No need for a town. With so few of your people, there's no need to make it that big."
Ang smiled and waved his hand. "You can start with a small village, or simply set up an outpost. How it develops will be something you have to explore yourself. While things are peaceful, why not visit other people's territories, learn from their experience, and see which magical beasts are the most troublesome so you can prepare in advance?"
"That's not a bad idea." Dana nodded, his eyes now carrying anticipation and eagerness.
With that,