"Screech!"
The wooden door made a sound as it opened, and Thor's figure walked in. His gaze quickly noticed a middle-aged man in front of the bookshelf.
This was his first time seeing his nominal father since he crossed over—Count Engel de Resrosa, also known as the Fourth.
Indeed, the Fourth. The De Resrosa family did not have as long a history as other nobles. From the first patriarch three hundred years ago, the De Resrosa family had risen to its current prominent status within the kingdom. In the entire Tulip Kingdom, it was considered a miracle.
Marquis, Count, Baron, Son of Nobility—being a Count already classified one as a high-ranking noble. Many noble families that had existed for thousands of years were only Counts.
However, none of this mattered to Thor at the moment. His focus was on his father.
Engel de Resrosa gave off an impression of composure. With his burly figure, slightly graying temples, piercing eyes, and a mysterious aura, he exuded a sense of oppression. As the pinnacle existence among the Earth Knights, even in the entire Frostmoon Province, Engel de Resrosa was considered one of the most distinguished figures. He was one of the top few in the entire province.
The sense of oppression was palpable.
"Greetings, Father!" Thor took a deep breath, suppressing the pounding of his heart, and bowed respectfully.
"Not bad, you've actually made a breakthrough!"
"It seems you won't become the twenty-ninth exiled scion of the family!"
With a somewhat surprised tone, Engel de Resrosa's expression initially showed some surprise, but it soon turned into indifference.
Just a squire, he wouldn't attract too much attention.
Certainly not enough to cause surprise.
"Thank you for your guidance, Father!"
Thor's heart skipped a beat, but he quickly spoke up.
"I haven't guided you, nor did I ever think you could break through to become a squire!"
"No need to thank me either!"
Engel de Resrosa waved his hand, then fell into contemplation.
Thor didn't interrupt, but waited quietly beside him.
"Thor, I thought you wouldn't become a squire. I had prepared a parting gift. But since you've become a squire, you probably won't need it. Now, you have two choices."
After some contemplation, Count Engel de Resrosa spoke slowly.
"Please, Father, speak plainly!"
Thor's mind straightened, and his words once again carried a respectful tone.
"Our De Resrosa family originated from the Kingdom War, and our current territory was fought for by the family's descendants. Since the first generation patriarch three hundred years ago, the De Resrosa family has given each family scion a chance to choose. You are no exception!"
"From today onwards, you can choose to stay within the family and become a guardian knight. You will receive a gold coin each month. Or you can choose to become a pioneering knight. Twenty years ago, the kingdom established the Northern Province. The family will support you, and you can become a pioneering knight."
Engel de Resrosa's words echoed slowly.
Two choices, two different options.
Listening to his father's words, Thor couldn't help but fall into contemplation.
He hadn't expected there to be two choices. He had already planned to become a guardian knight for the family. But now, there was a new option.
However, facing this choice, he couldn't help but hesitate.
The first option was undoubtedly safe, but it also had a ceiling. As a son of De Resrosa, he couldn't inherit the title. The highest achievement would only be a knight commander, which, noble as it was, wasn't a true aristocrat.
In the Frostmoon Province, unless there was another kingdom war, he would remain at that level.
The latter option had a higher ceiling.
Pioneering knights were a unique existence in the kingdom. Any knight could become one, as long as they occupied enough territory and had enough subjects. They could be ennobled as a baron, even if it was the lowest rank. Yet, even at that rank, they were nobles. Not only recognized by the Tulip Kingdom but also by other kingdoms.
But equally, the danger of the second option was unpredictable.
The key to being a pioneering knight was in pioneering.
The Northern Province had been established for only twenty years, and it was filled with monsters and chaotic disorder. Even from the mouths of bards, one could hear of the deaths of pioneering knights every year. If he went, he might become one of them.
Facing Thor's contemplation, Count Engel de Resrosa didn't rush him but waited quietly, his gaze returning to the "History of the Continent."
Time passed slowly.
Until a moment later, Thor suddenly looked up.
"Father, I have decided. I will become the soaring eagle of the De Resrosa family and bring glory to our family once again!"
He spoke.
With his words, Count Engel de Resrosa's gaze shifted away, focusing on Thor, and a smile appeared on his face.
Seeing this smile, Thor's heart stirred, as if pondering something.
"Thor, you are indeed the eaglet of our De Resrosa family. As your father, I am proud of you!"
"Go now. You may stay in the castle for a month. After a month, I, your father, will prepare a generous gift to help the eaglet of the De Resrosa family soar!"
With a smile, Count Engel de Resrosa spoke, then waved his hand.
"Thank you, Father!"
"I won't disturb you any longer, Father!"
Thor nodded and then left
(End of this chapter)