Derek admitted to himself that there was an element of showing off in his actions. After all, if one didn't flaunt their wealth and success upon returning home, what was the point of all the hard work? It wasn't just about silently celebrating under the covers. His efforts needed to be seen and acknowledged. And the effect was exactly as he had imagined—everyone was stunned.
The best equipment the Ferreira family had was an inherited set of black heavy armor, which covered the entire body, including the eyes, with narrow slits for vision. Wearing that armor, the first Baron Ferreira had fought his way to a barony. Generations of effort had led to their current status. However, the armor was so heavy that most people couldn't wear it. The current Baron Ferreira hadn't worn it on the battlefield, but no one doubted that if necessary, the Ferreira knights would don the heavy armor again.
While the inherited honor was distant, Derek's presence and the gifts he brought were tangible. His second brother, Sergei, was awestruck. Even though the kingdom's regiments were well-equipped, they weren't this luxurious. As a low-ranking officer, Sergei had never dreamed of such equipment. Eldest brother Marco, though not skilled in combat, understood the value of what Derek had brought. Youngest brother Sherif eagerly rushed forward, wanting to wear the armor immediately.
Even Baron Ferreira was momentarily lost in thought. This kind of equipment wasn't just about money. Although he was usually frugal, if such equipment were available, he would certainly pay for it— the more, the better. However, the market only had so many premium knight sets each year, and they were hard to buy even at a premium price. It required connections, relationships, and even luck to acquire a set. Such equipment was often stored away, waiting for the right moment to be used. A knight might even swear allegiance for such a set.
Derek's gift made Baron Ferreira realize how much his son had grown. Derek had quickly matured, now able to hold an equal conversation with him. As the head of the Ferreira family, the Baron couldn't afford to focus solely on familial affection. If Derek's intention was to demonstrate this growth, it showed he was truly maturing.
"I am very pleased with your gift, Derek. I think we should find a time to talk," Baron Ferreira said, acknowledging Derek differently than his other sons. Derek was the first to be treated as an equal by the Baron.
After his triumphant return, Derek quickly immersed himself in family life. He visited each of his uncles, bringing gifts and reconnecting with every family member. It almost seemed as if he was vying for the barony's inheritance.
During these visits, Derek heard for the third time that a war might be coming. His second brother, Sergei, mentioned that the Iron Lion Regiment's training had intensified. They were considering delaying some retirements and increasing new recruitments. The standing army of 3,000 might expand to 5,000 within a year. Finally, the Baron confirmed Derek's suspicions.
"If you have any connections, the family needs to procure some armaments," the Baron said during a private meeting with his sons. He shared his expectations of war. "The kingdom has been recovering quickly these past few years and may soon launch a war of revenge against the barbarians. Our northern province will be on the front line, inevitably drawn into the fight. Many are preparing. The family has decided to expand our private army, Derek… if you don't leave, you might soon get an opportunity."
The Baron had a bit of a private agenda— if they performed well in the war of revenge, the Ferreira family might gain additional lands, either through reallocation or for his sons. Although the estate would be passed to the eldest son, the Baron still cared for his other children. Now that Derek could make a name for himself, the Baron saw a chance for family advancement.
Derek remained calm and unregretful. "War will surely come. Recently, weapon prices have started to rise again as many are hoarding weapons and grain. If war breaks out, I will choose to participate."
Having interacted with many people, Derek had noticed market anomalies. With him as a weapon supplier, prices had stabilized, but the recent uptick was suspicious. The Baron and Derek led the conversation, with the eldest and second brothers occasionally contributing, and the youngest listening in. Noble family discussions often involved information beyond the common person's understanding.
The Ferreira family might seem like local strongmen in the grand scheme of the kingdom, but they were a significant force in the northern province. In Watchtower City, they were considered influential. If war broke out, they would be required to contribute at least a hundred regular soldiers and two to three hundred militia. If the Baron personally led them, he might even gain the position of a centurion. Even Count Perez would seek to ally with such forces.
Although war seemed imminent, the Baron was well-prepared.
So, no one was panicking; compared to ordinary people, they had more time to prepare. Derek didn't reveal all his secrets, but he did share some non-confidential information. Once again, Baron Ferreira was surprised to learn that Derek managed to build such an enterprise in just one year. Even though it wasn't entirely legitimate and might not be recognized by the kingdom, it had the potential to soar if given the right opportunity. And right now, that opportunity was at hand.
"Derek, if you need anything right now, the family can provide it in advance, but you'll need to give enough in return," Baron Ferreira finally relented. Supporting Derek was both an emotional and a practical necessity. Over the years, Baron Ferreira had accumulated resources that he hadn't been able to liquidate effectively. His connections and political resources were limited. Since the traditional route wasn't feasible, Derek's alternate path was a promising option, and they needed to act quickly.
"I need population and land," Derek made his demands boldly, recognizing the rare opportunity. Baron Ferreira's agreement was the result of multiple factors coming together.
"The family's manor will be given to you, but you'll have to start paying taxes on it in the future."
The Ferreira family's two manors were small, with a combined population of only one or two hundred people and around a thousand acres of land. Being on the family's fief, these manors didn't require tax payments. The difference between these manors and the fief was that they were entirely privately owned but lacked other political rights.
Some might think fiefs are a bad deal, wondering why they should let outsiders farm their land. But developing land requires costs, including population. Free citizens who cultivate land on a baron's fief pay taxes, incurring no cost to the landowner. These citizens also perform labor duties, boosting the local economy. If they held tightly to the land, today's Ferreira family might only have two manors with a few hundred people, making it impossible to support such a large family.
Manors can be freely traded and are taxed like ordinary freehold land. This makes them a concentrated form of property. In the kingdom's administrative territories, many wealthy merchants and nobles own such manors, indirectly helping the kingdom by developing land and increasing tax revenue.
Population equals power.