Fantasy Lord: Starting with Daily Information

Chapter 4: Engel Dresrosa, the Count

The wooden door creaked open, and Thor walked into the room. His eyes quickly fell upon the middle-aged man standing by the bookshelf. This was the first time since his transmigration that Thor had seen his nominal father—Engel Dresrosa, the fourth of his lineage.

Unlike other noble families with a long history, the Dresrosa family had only been around for about three hundred years. They rose to prominence during the kingdom wars and quickly established themselves as a notable Count family within the Tulip Kingdom—a remarkable feat considering many noble families with over a thousand years of history only reached the rank of Count.

However, none of this mattered to Thor at the moment. His focus was on the man before him. Engel Dresrosa exuded a sense of stability and pressure, with his imposing stature, slightly graying temples, and piercing eyes. The aura around him spoke of his status as a pinnacle Earth Knight, one of the most prominent figures in the Frost Moon Province.

Thor took a deep breath, steadying his racing heart, and bowed respectfully. "Greetings, Father!"

Engel looked mildly surprised but quickly resumed his composed demeanor. "You've broken through," he noted, his tone neutral. "It seems you won't become the twenty-ninth expelled child of the family."

Thor's heart skipped a beat, but he quickly responded, "It's all thanks to your guidance, Father."

"I never guided you," Engel replied dismissively. "And I never expected you to break through to become a Apprentice Knight. You needn't thank me."

After a brief pause, Engel continued, "Thor, I had already prepared a parting gift for you, assuming you'd never become a knight. But now that you've made it, you have two choices."

Thor straightened up, listening intently.

"Our family, the Dresrosa, gained its lands through the kingdom wars. Since our founding, every child has been given a choice when they come of age. You can either stay with the family as a guardian knight, earning a gold coin per month, or become a Pioneering knight. Twenty years ago, the kingdom established the Northern Province. The family will support you if you choose to venture there as a Pioneering knight."

Thor contemplated these two paths. The first option promised stability but limited growth, as he could never inherit the title and could only aspire to be a head knight—a position that, while respected, did not confer true noble status. The second option, while fraught with danger, offered the chance to earn a noble title of baron if successful in claiming and maintaining new lands.

Engel waited patiently as Thor deliberated. Finally, Thor made up his mind. "Father, I choose to be the eagle of the Dresrosa family, to build new achievements for our lineage!"

A smile spread across Engel's face. "Thor, you are truly an eaglet of the Dresrosa family. As your father, I am proud of you. You may stay in the castle for a month to prepare. I will provide you with ample gifts to aid your journey."

"Thank you, Father!" Thor bowed and exited the room.

After Thor left, Engel returned to his book, only to be interrupted shortly by the arrival of the butler, Charlie. "Charlie," Engel said, "bring Michael here. Also, go to the treasury and retrieve the third chest on the second row."

Charlie, slightly surprised, nodded and left. Soon, Michael arrived. "Count," he greeted respectfully.

"Sit," Engel gestured. "Michael, how many official knights do we currently have in the Blazing Knights?"

"Two hundred thirty-four, my lord," Michael replied after a moment's thought.

Engel nodded. "Alright. Select thirty from the Blazing Knights and three hundred from the Eaglet Knights. My son, the Dresrosa eaglet, is about to spread his wings, and I intend to give him a fitting send-off."

Michael was visibly moved but quickly acknowledged the orders. "Yes, my lord."