Count Engel Dreyrosa

Creak!

The wooden door sounded as it opened, and Thor stepped inside. His gaze quickly fell on a middle-aged man standing before the bookcase.

This was also the first time he had seen his nominal father since transmigrating.

—Count Engel Dreyrosa.

Also Dressrosa IV.

Yes, the Fourth. Unlike other nobles, the Dreyrosa Family did not possess a long history. Counting from the First Patriarch, the Dreyrosa Family had existed for only three hundred years. Three hundred years ago, the Dreyrosa Family had risen through the Kingdom War, and in just three centuries, it had established its current illustrious status as Counts.

It was a miracle throughout the entire Tulip Kingdom.

Among dukes, marquises, counts, viscounts, and barons, counts were already considered high-ranking nobles.

Many noble houses with histories spanning over a thousand years were merely counts.

Of course, none of that had much to do with Thor at the moment. His attention was focused more on his father.

Engel Dreyrosa gave off an initial impression of steadiness. His burly build, slightly graying temples, and bright, piercing eyes all carried an oppressive air, not to mention the mysterious aura surrounding him.

As a peak Earth Knight, Engel Dreyrosa was a renowned figure even throughout the entire Frost Moon Province.

He was one of the most powerful figures in all of Frost Moon Province.

That sense of oppression was entirely real.

"Greetings, Father."

Thor took a deep breath, forcefully suppressing his pounding heart as he bowed respectfully.

"Not bad, you actually broke through!"

"Looks like you won't become the Dreyrosa Family's 29th Exiled Child!"

Engel Dreyrosa spoke with a trace of surprise. His expression was initially somewhat startled before returning to calmness.

An Apprentice Knight alone was not enough to draw much of his attention.

Naturally, it could not be called a pleasant surprise.

"It was all thanks to Father's guidance!"

Thor's heart skipped a beat, but he hurriedly spoke.

"I have never guided you, nor did I ever think you could break through to Apprentice Knight!"

"You need not thank me either."

Count Engel Dreyrosa waved a hand, then fell into brief contemplation.

Thor did not disturb him and simply waited quietly at the side.

"Thor, I originally thought you would not be able to become an Apprentice Knight, so I had prepared a parting gift for you. But since you have become an Apprentice Knight, you will most likely have no use for those things. You now have two choices."

After pondering for a moment, Count Engel Dreyrosa slowly spoke.

"Please speak plainly, Father!"

Thor straightened inwardly, and his tone became even more respectful.

"My Dreyrosa Family originated from the Kingdom War. Our present territory was all earned through the struggle of the family's descendants. Since the First Patriarch three hundred years ago, the Dreyrosa Family has given every family descendant one chance to choose. You are no exception!"

"Starting today, you may choose to remain with the family and become a Guardian Knight. You will receive one gold coin every month. Or you may choose to become a Pioneer Knight. Twenty years ago, the kingdom established the Northern Province at the Northern Border. The family will give you a certain amount of support, and you may go there to become a Pioneer Knight."

Engel Dreyrosa's words slowly rang out.

Two choices, two different paths.

Listening to his father, Thor could not help falling into thought.

He truly had not expected there to be two choices. He had already prepared himself to become a Guardian Knight for the family, but now there was another option.

Yet faced with this choice,

he could not help hesitating.

The first option was undoubtedly extremely stable, but its upper limit was also clearly fixed. As a son of Dreyrosa, he could not inherit the title. At most, he could become a Knight Captain, and no matter how distinguished a Knight Captain was, he was not a true noble.

It could be said that in Frost Moon Province, unless another Kingdom War erupted, this would be the extent of his future.

The latter option undoubtedly had a much higher ceiling.

Thor knew something about Pioneer Knights.

They were a special class that had emerged within the kingdom. Any knight could become a Pioneer Knight. So long as he could occupy sufficient territory and possess enough subjects, he could be granted the title of Baron.

Though it was only the lowest rank of Baron, a baron was still a noble. Not only would the Tulip Kingdom recognize him, other kingdoms would as well.

Yet the danger of the second option was equally difficult to predict.

The key to being a Pioneer Knight was pioneering.

The Northern Province had been established for only twenty years. It was filled with countless monsters and chaotic disorder. Even from the mouths of traveling bards, one could hear that many Pioneer Knights died every year. If he went there, he might very well become one of them.

Faced with Thor's contemplation, Count Engel Dreyrosa did not urge him. He simply waited quietly, his gaze returning to History of the Continent.

Time slowly passed.

Until, a moment later,

Thor suddenly raised his head.

"Father, I have decided. I will become an eagle of the Dreyrosa Family, spread my wings, and win new glory for the family!"

The words left his mouth.

As he spoke, Count Engel Dreyrosa shifted his gaze and looked at Thor. A smile then appeared on his face.

Seeing that smile, Thor's heart stirred, and he seemed to understand something.

"Thor, you truly are the Eaglet of our Dreyrosa Family. As your father, I am proud of you!"

"Go. You may remain in the castle for one month. After one month, I, your father, will prepare a generous gift to help the Dreyrosa Family's Eaglet spread his wings!"

Count Engel Dreyrosa spoke with a smile, then waved his hand.

"Thank you, Father!"

"Your son will not disturb you any longer, Father!"

Thor nodded, then left the room.

Only after watching Thor depart did Engel Dreyrosa return his gaze to History of the Continent.

A moment later, Butler Charlie entered.

Count Engel Dreyrosa pondered briefly before raising his head.

"Have Michael come here."

"Also, go to the storeroom. Bring the fourth box on the third row to the left. No, the third box on the second row instead."

His thoughts turned, and then he spoke.

"Yes!"

Charlie looked somewhat surprised, but he quickly responded respectfully and departed.

Before long, Michael arrived at the study.

"Count!"

Michael spoke respectfully.

"Sit."

"Michael, how many Formal Knights does the Blazing Knight Order have now?"

Count Engel Dreyrosa pondered slightly before asking.

"Two hundred and thirty-four, Count."

Michael nodded, thought for a moment, and gave a number.

"Two hundred and thirty-four?"

"Good. In the next few days, select thirty of them. Also select three hundred from the Fledgling Knight Order. The Eaglet of our Dreyrosa Family is about to spread his wings, and as his father, I must give him a gift!"

He spoke with a soft chuckle.

"Yes!"

Michael was somewhat shaken, but he quickly nodded and accepted the order.