Fantasy Lord: Starting with Daily Information

Chapter 39: Generous Conditions

Finding a way to keep Neil Morton around was a significant challenge. To be honest, Thor couldn't think of a good plan. Neil Morton was as powerful as, or even stronger than, his father, Count Engel Dresrosa. Such a formidable individual would not be easily swayed.

But even Thor hadn't anticipated just how simple it would be to keep Neil Morton.

On the third day after Neil Morton woke up, while Ryan was training at the training ground, Neil Morton happened to pass by and stopped in his tracks. He was immediately captivated by Ryan, and a look of astonishment appeared on his face.

"So much life force!"

"What...?" Neil Morton murmured in shock.

Neil Morton was genuinely stunned at that moment. It wasn't as if he had never seen a genius before—he himself was the brightest star in the Empire, a remarkable talent. He had started practicing the knight's breathing technique at twelve, became an apprentice knight at thirteen, a official knight at fifteen, a grand knight at twenty, and an earth knight by thirty-five. Now, at eighty, he was a renowned sky knight throughout the Empire, considered the most promising candidate to become a holy knight.

There were few in the Empire with greater talent than him. But what did he see before him? The immense life force that surged with each breath the young man took was overwhelming, even to a sky knight like him.

"Goddess of Life, is this your divine light?" Neil Morton muttered, his body hesitating for a moment before stepping forward.

As Neil Morton approached, Ryan had just finished his training. He bowed in knightly respect and greeted, "Lord Neil."

"Knight Ryan, would you be willing to learn from me?" Neil Morton asked excitedly. "I guarantee that in no more than ten years, you will become a knight capable of soaring the skies. You might even reach the realm of the holy knights under the Goddess of Life."

"Learn from you?" Ryan was taken aback by Neil Morton's words, but he quickly shook his head. "I'm sorry, but I am the Lord's guardian knight. I cannot leave to learn from you."

"No, no, Ryan, I can talk to your lord. I'm sure Lord Thor will agree, given that you are blessed by the Goddess of Life," Neil Morton said urgently, trying to persuade him.

Ryan still shook his head.

Frustrated by the refusal, Neil Morton decided to approach Thor directly.

In the castle, Thor was organizing some territorial affairs when Neil Morton came to see him.

"Please come in," Thor said.

Anna led Neil Morton in. Thor looked at him with some confusion.

"Lord Thor, I'm sorry to interrupt your work," Neil Morton began, his voice filled with excitement. "But I have something very important to discuss."

"That's fine. What is it, Lord Neil?" Thor asked curiously.

"It's about your guardian knight, Ryan. He is blessed by the Goddess of Life and destined for greatness. I want to take him as my student," Neil Morton explained, his face flushed with enthusiasm.

Thor was surprised at first, then quickly understood what was happening. He was delighted but showed a troubled expression.

"Lord Neil, I apologize, but this is difficult. You see, Ryan is my guardian knight. I saved him from his drunken father's abuse. He indeed has great talent, but I can't let him go," Thor said, sounding regretful.

"No, no, Lord Thor, keeping Ryan here would be an affront to the Goddess's blessing. If you agree, I can return to the Empire immediately and even send you a sky knight as your guardian. I can also provide you with a higher-level knight's breathing technique. Your current technique can't break through to the hoky knight level, but I have one that can," Neil Morton offered, his voice desperate.

Thor's eyebrows twitched at the offer. The conditions Neil Morton presented were incredibly tempting—a sky knight and a breathing technique capable of reaching the holy knight level. If Thor agreed, he could become one of the most powerful figures in the kingdom, possibly even a viscount, earl, or marquis.

However, Thor quickly suppressed his excitement. Neil Morton's willingness to offer such a high price indicated that Ryqn's value was even greater than Thor had imagined. In such a situation, giving up the future for immediate gain was clearly unwise. More importantly, there was now a way to keep Neil Morton around.

"I appreciate your generosity, Lord Neil. It's indeed tempting," Thor said calmly. "But this isn't my decision to make. It should be up to Ryan, don't you think?"

Neil Morton was momentarily stunned by Thor's response. The situation seemed to be true—everything in Thor's territory appeared to be free, even for serfs, let alone his most loyal knight.

He was now in a dilemma. Seeing this, Thor appeared to be lost in thought for a moment before speaking again.

"How about this, Lord Neil? You can stay and teach Ryan for a while. Though my territory is humble, it is adequate for living. I promise that if Ryan wishes to follow you after this time, I will agree," Thor offered.