Thor returned to his room, unaware of the preparations his own father was making for him. His mind was still in turmoil.
Pioneer Knight.
He never imagined there would be such a choice, let alone that he would choose it.
Of course, all of this was thanks to the Golden Finger. Without it, Thor would never have considered the second option.
The benefits of the second option were indeed significant, but the risks were equally high.
Without sufficient strength, being a Pioneer Knight would be courting death.
But with the Golden Finger, everything changed.
Especially his Golden Finger.
The Daily Intelligence System provided him with random updates on the surrounding information every day, which would undoubtedly be invaluable for a Pioneer Knight.
If he could find a life fruit in a small town, then in the entire Northland Province, he would surely find even more. Identity, power, status—everything would be within his easy reach. Compared to staying at Dreslrosa Castle, his prospects were undoubtedly brighter. And as for the risks others faced, the Daily Intelligence System would help him avoid them.
With that in mind, the choice was clear.
However, even with his decision made, Thor couldn't help but feel nervous.
Being a Pioneer Knight was far from safe.
After some hesitation, Thor called for his personal attendant.
"Pete, fetch me some books from the library about the Northland Province and Pioneer Knights," Thor instructed his attendant.
"Yes, Master Thor, right away!" Pete replied, somewhat shocked, before quickly departing.
About half an hour later, a stack of thick books appeared before Thor.
In this world, similar to the medieval times of his previous life but with some differences, paper was widely used. Despite Dreslrosa family being only three hundred years old, they had amassed a considerable collection of books, including many about the Northland Province and Pioneer Knights.
Taking a deep breath, Thor began to delve into the books.
Although he was prepared and understood the significant role his Golden Finger would play, it was still necessary to gather as much information as possible.
As the night passed and stars adorned the sky, Pete brought in dinner, which Thor quickly consumed before returning to his study.
It wasn't until the moon was high in the sky that Thor finally put down the last book in his hands.
"The Northland Province," Thor murmured to himself, his eyes filled with contemplation.
Having perused book after book, Thor had gained a considerable understanding of the Northland Province and Pioneer Knights.
The Northland Province, established by the Tulip Kingdom in the northern wilderness, was a newly developed province, teeming with monsters that required vast numbers of knights and settlers to develop and expand. Hence, the existence of Pioneer Knights.
The Kingdom granted Pioneer Knights the chance to attain noble status by developing a town with at least five thousand inhabitants in the Northland Province.
However, despite the Kingdom's ambitions, the reality was far from ideal. In the twenty years since its establishment, only fifty-six nobles had been created, and now only thirty-six remained alive. The rest had likely met unfortunate ends, and countless other knights had perished or disappeared in the province's chaos.
Even just reading about it made Thor furrow his brow.
He began to regret his decision.
The danger seemed too great.
He was just an apprentice knight, after all. Could he really survive in such an environment?
However, as he pondered, the mechanical voice echoed in his mind once again.
[Ding, the Intelligence System has been updated!]
[Would you like to open it?]
"Open it!" Thor exclaimed eagerly.
The Daily Intelligence System had provided him with significant gains the first time it was opened, and now, he couldn't wait for the second.
And with his words, the golden characters appeared once more.
[Daily Intelligence Update]
[1: Romance budding between Dreslrosa Castle's maid, Loris, and butler, Engle.]
[2: A money pouch buried under the holly tree on the right side of the training ground at Dreslrosa Castle, containing ten silver coins.]
[3: Dreslrosa Castle...]
[4. Rehn was unable to purchase a Life Seed in the town yesterday. His fate remains unchanged, and he is soon to be killed by his drunken father, Hunter, the future Sky Knight.]
[5: In Michael's stable, his most beloved horse seems to be experiencing some emotional distress and requires the company of a mare for two and a half years.]
[6: Engle Dreslrosa seems troubled by his own limitations in strength.]
Thor's eyes widened in shock as he read the fourth piece of information.
"Damn!"
"The Sky Knight!"
In an instant, words from his past life escaped his lips.
His gaze fixated on the fourth piece of intelligence.
His pupils dilated, and he couldn't help but rub his eyes, afraid he was seeing things.
But even after several rubs, the text remained.
And in that moment, Thor felt his mouth go dry.
The Sky Knight.
What had he just seen?
—The future Sky Knight.
The bold words almost made his heart stop.
(End of Chapter)