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"I think we need to talk, Nicholas Jiang, Her Highness the Princess's Special Advisor, the Governor of Fenris Isles, and the Earl of the Kingdom." Old Mograine, who was transitioning from middle age to old age, was still vigorous. With one foot in the Legendary rank, his prestige grew stronger every day. As a great nobleman whose family had been passed down for generations, his status and position were far above Jiang Jie's.
But that was in the past.
Although Jiang Jie's status and position are not as high as his, as a true minister of the kingdom, he has the right to speak with him on an equal footing. Therefore, at this moment, when Old Mograine spoke, he immediately mentioned Jiang Jie's political titles, but completely ignored his other titles.
In the eyes of this great nobleman and Highlord, titles such as "the genius thief" or " the Murloc King of Lordamere " were meaningless; he valued bloodline and the dignity of lineage more.
In the eyes of these old nobles, nobles are nobles, and commoners are commoners.
Unless one joins the ranks of the nobility, no matter how great one's achievements or how high one's position, it is meaningless.
"Let's talk here, Highlord. Princess Calia has ordered me to go to the palace immediately to discuss something. I think... you have five minutes." Jiang Jie raised his hand and glanced at his watch.
This is a precision watch from Gnomeregan Gnomes Technology, worth hundreds of gold pieces.
Jiang Jie wasn't that extravagant; he wouldn't spend a hundred gold coins on a little gadget for telling time. This was a spoil of war obtained by the soldiers of Chillwind Camp after they breached the Scholomance. They handed it over to Fenna, Fenna then gave it to Jiang Jie.
"I have arranged a bright path for Darion. He will soon undergo basic training with the Order of the Silver Hand, and a year later, he will be baptized by me personally to become a noble Paladin. He will then gradually advance through the ranks, and after my death, he will succeed me as the Highlord of Tirisfal Monastery."
Old Mograine showed no emotion, no anger, not even a hint of sarcasm. He maintained the decorum befitting a high-ranking nobleman when addressing other nobles and important ministers of the kingdom. "He should not choose another path, nor can he choose another path. The path I have chosen for him is the best one."
No one can question his sincere heart.
An old father is bound to have high expectations for his child, and everything he does for his child is the best, or at least what the father thinks is the best. Others may question or criticize, but they cannot blame him.
Jiang Jie had to admit that if it weren't for the tragic murder of his father, Old Mograine's training method would have produced a qualified successor, Highlord. This was the tradition of nobles continuing their bloodlines and titles. Jiang Jie had no intention of challenging this tradition, but he would never give up on Darion!
"As far as I know, you also have an eldest son. Renault is very talented and is already a mid-level Paladin. He'll probably be promoted to high-level paladin in a few months, right? Darion might not even be able to reach his current level at his age, would he?"
Jiang Jie shook his head, looked the other person in the eye, and said neither humbly nor arrogantly, "Why can't you focus your attention on Renault more? You should know how hard he works and how much he wants your approval! According to noble tradition, Renault is the first in line to inherit the Mograine family, isn't he?"
Jiang Jie genuinely felt sorry for Renault.
The reason Renault later betrayed his country and committed patricide might be because deep within him lay a dark shadow, making him easily influenced and controlled by the Dreadlord. But where did this shadow come from?
To put it bluntly, it was given to him by Old Mograine!
Although both were his sons, he was excessively strict and demanding of his eldest son, while showing great expectation and affection for his second son. Although Jiang Jie believed this was a common problem in many families, Old Mograine's differential treatment was excessive and inhumane.
My approach to children's education,
"There's no need for the Earl to offer guidance." Old Mograine frowned slightly. A man like him wouldn't repent for his past actions, because he firmly believed he had his reasons.
Jiang Jie certainly didn't expect to change Old Mograine's mind; no one could change him, absolutely no one.
So he nodded and said, "Let's make a deal, Highlord."
"What agreement?" Old Mograine frowned, not understanding what Jiang Jie was up to.
" Darion will be training with me for six months. After six months, let's see how he performs. I think by then, you'll change your mind. I'll show you that the path he chose will take him further than the path you paved for him!"
Jiang Jie raised his hand, glanced at his watch again, and said, " Highlord, you're about to become a Legendary, aren't you? Legendary Paladin have long lifespans, so you don't really need to rush to train a successor. Arthas only received the Holy Light baptism during his coming-of-age ceremony, Darion is only 15 years old this year, isn't he?"
Half a year...
It's not really that long...
Moreover, at this very moment, Old Mograine had another thought in his mind:
Compared to Tirisfal Monastery, which was surrounded by the Undead, Fenris Keep, located in the heart of Lordaeron, was clearly much safer. Darion was still young and not strong enough, and he didn't want Darion to be harmed, or even to perish in the Scourge!
Half a year!
Six months from now, the Undead in Tirisfal Glades should be cleared out, right? The Western Plaguelands will also be completely back in Lordaeron's hands. Then we can bring Darion back and let him receive Paladin training. It won't be too late.
"Alright, then six months it is." Old Mograine looked into Jiang Jie's eyes and said, "I don't expect him to reach your current level in six months, but I hope he can at least become a Kingdom Knight through his own abilities! And kill 100 Undead! Otherwise, I will take him away, and even His Majesty the King can't stop me!"
Harak, the " The Lifebringer " responsible for guarding the palace gates, had been standing not far away. Upon hearing Old Mograine's words, he secretly shook his head.
How is that possible!
To become a Kingdom Knight, one must achieve great merit! The Fenris People's Army has just been established; even basic training takes several months. Whether they can even participate in combat within six months is questionable. How can they possibly defeat the Undead? How can they achieve merit? How can they become a Kingdom Knight?
Absolutely impossible!
He thought to himself: Old Mograine is deliberately making things difficult for me! Lord Nicholas is in trouble this time.
But the next moment, he froze!
"Kingdom Knights? One hundred Undead? Highlord, you underestimate me, and you underestimate your son."
Jiang Jie smiled lightly, his expression calm and collected. "Baron of the Kingdom, 1000 Undead! This is my promise to you!"
Old Mograine's bright, piercing eyes suddenly narrowed.
Jiang Jie's promise was unbelievable to him, and he instantly wanted to abandon the manners and etiquette of a nobleman and mock this arrogant and ignorant brat!
How many barons are there in the entire Lordaeron?
How many people are there in the entire Order of the Silver Hand? How could they possibly kill 1,000 Undead in six months?
I'm afraid only a handful of Grand Knight could do that!
But the next moment, he saw Jiang Jie's confident face, and then he suddenly realized:
The man before him was Legendary figure who had risen from commoner to baron of the kingdom in less than two months. He had probably personally killed at least 1,000 Undead, including Lord Korth'azz and Master Onias, both high-level professional Undead!
If he can do it, then perhaps Darion, whom he trains, can really achieve one-third of his accomplishments in three times the time?
"It's a deal!" Old Mograine took a deep breath, then extended his right hand and clenched it into a fist.
"It's a deal." Jiang Jie extended his hand, a smile on his face.
Their fists collided, and the agreement was reached!