NOVEL SIMPLE Chapter 37: Awakening
Chapter 37: Awakening
Inside the castle, in a spacious room, Niel Morton slowly woke up from his slumber.
"Didn't I die?" Niel Morton's expression was filled with confusion. In his last memory, his body had been invaded by Mandrake poison. According to theory, without a high-ranking priest or a significant infusion of life force, he should have been dead by now. Yet, at this moment, he seemed to have avoided the embrace of the Goddess of Life. He could still feel his body and perceive everything around him. He could even sense that he was in a castle.
"Was I saved?" The question arose, and Niel Morton became curious and thoughtful.
Just then, as he felt something, his gaze turned towards the door. At that moment, the door creaked open, and a figure entered his sight. It was a young knight, seemingly only around eighteen or nineteen years old, with a tall figure and handsome face exuding a sense of composure.
"It seems you've woken up, sir! How are you feeling?" The warm voice of Thor, who entered with a smile, greeted Niel Morton.
"Thank you, sir, for saving me. I feel much better now!" Niel Morton responded with a slight bow, acknowledging Thor's help. Seeing Thor and the surroundings, Niel Morton quickly grasped the situation.
"There's no need to be so formal," Thor replied with a smile.
"No, no, without your help, I would have died in the jungle," Niel Morton insisted earnestly. As a Sky Knight, he was well aware of his dire condition at the time. Without Thor's intervention, he would have been doomed. He could also infer that his rescuer must have paid a high price, as his own life seed had been nearly depleted and required substantial life force to reactivate. Niel Morton was not one to forget a debt of gratitude.
Seeing Niel Morton's sincere expression, Thor felt relieved. It was clear that this mysterious elder was a man of gratitude, which was a favorable outcome.
"Please, just call me Thor. I've had food prepared upon hearing of your awakening," Thor offered, extending an invitation to dine together.
"Thank you, Sir Thor," Niel Morton replied, showing gratitude as he accepted the offer. Noticing Thor's lack of noble insignia, he still maintained respect for his savior. Besides, after nearly two months without eating, even with life elixirs, Niel Morton felt a strong hunger.
"The pleasure is mine," Thor smiled, leading Niel Morton to the dining room.
Once they were seated, the dishes were brought out. Thor, tying a napkin around his neck, asked with curiosity, "Where are you from, Sir Niel?"
"I'm from the eastern part of the Tulip Kingdom, not from around here. It's a land blooming with beautiful Mylan flowers," Niel Morton replied with a hint of nostalgia, his thoughts drifting back to his distant homeland and a particular person, bringing a touch of melancholy to his face.
"I'm sorry if my question caused any discomfort," Thor quickly apologized, noticing the change in Niel Morton's expression.
"No, Sir Thor, you've misunderstood. Your kindness in saving and hosting me is something I should be thanking you for. If there's anything you need help with, I'll do my best to assist," Niel Morton assured, shifting the conversation back to gratitude and offering his help.
"Sir Niel, you're too kind. Helping others is a virtue all knights should uphold, isn't it?" Thor responded with a smile.
"Indeed," Niel Morton agreed, chuckling softly. The two continued their meal without further probing into the past.
After the meal, Thor parted ways with Niel Morton. The elder seemed powerful, possibly a Sky Knight, or at least on par with Thor's father, who was a top-tier Earth Knight. Having such a formidable individual in Eagle Ridge was an opportunity Thor was keen to seize. The territory lacked neither resources nor population; it had ample gold, thanks to his father's support and the newly acquired large iron mine. Moreover, opening trade routes promised continuous growth in wealth and population.
However, the greatest shortcoming of Eagle Ridge was high-end combat strength. Despite their growing power, compared to other lords, especially in the Northern Province, they still faced significant threats, not just from neighboring knights or lords but also from the province itself. Once an orc domain, the Northern Province was home to numerous magical beasts and residual orc tribes, including everything from lowly goblins to mighty Titans and Behemoths.
Even though the main orc forces had been purged, it was impossible to know how many remained. These included not only weak creatures but also powerful ones like high-level magical beasts, which posed real threats to the territory. Currently, the strongest warrior in Eagle Ridge was Steve, a Grand Knight who could only handle second-tier magical beasts. Even a single third-tier beast would be a challenge, and there were surely such beasts and orcs in the province.
Hence, leaving an extraordinary warrior like Niel Morton behind was crucial. Thor hoped to secure his assistance not just out of gratitude but to leverage his strength for the territory's development.