Nobles looked down on Simon because of his commoner origins, but Derek was a true northern noble. While some might envy Derek, his title earned through military achievement was the most prestigious form of nobility. Thus, he was admired by many.
Some knightly nobles, in particular, viewed Derek as a model of triumph over adversity. The title of Baron Augustus, with its potential for long-lasting legacy, was a testament to this success. Especially after repelling the first wave of the Holy Cross Kingdom's counterattack, the likelihood of this title's enduring significance had grown markedly.
Even if one day the St. Milian Province were to fall back into the hands of the Holy Cross Kingdom, the Augustus name would not easily be extinguished. For most nobles in this world, this represented the ultimate goal of their struggle.
Currently, Derek had another layer of prestige—being the son-in-law of the Pereira family. With the new Count Jeffries' goodwill, the entire northern noble circle had fully embraced Derek. This multiple-layered prestige gave Derek a significant public image.
Northern nobles were eager to associate with him and show him favor. Merchants traveling under Derek's banner could freely move between the northern provinces and St. Milian, paying reduced tolls. Derek's properties could openly operate in any city within the two provinces without fear of local backlash. His name was respected across a population of two million in these provinces.
This was Derek's pursuit: a fresh start, greater markets, and abundant resources to rapidly expand his influence. Therefore, when Baron Pereira saw him, he even stood up and warmly took Derek's arm.
"Derek, come and let everyone see the style of our new generation of northern knights."
The old baron was not speaking idly. As Derek's reputation spread, the title of northern knight would become one of his hallmarks. This was beneficial—though the northern region was often scorned by central and southern nobles, there was one undeniable fact: the northern knights, known for their martial prowess, were integral to the kingdom's power structure.
The so-called ancient nobles and their noble bloodlines were sometimes excluded from the core power circles, but northern knights remained steadfast. With the reputation earned from the division wars thirty years ago, no one dared to belittle them.
Holding this title came with many benefits. What was lost was mostly face. For Derek, while face was often valuable, sometimes it was not. He was ready to embrace the title and confidently declared, "My lord, the crown of northern knights will not fall from my generation."
His words were not without cause. With the rise of southern nobles, some had begun to proclaim the decline of northern knights, attempting to undermine their power and exclude them from the core circles of influence. This notion was frustrating for northern nobles, who could not directly confront it.
Derek's appearance clearly met the needs of the northern nobles. Thus, the old baron was eager to showcase him, both as a personal and regional necessity, and to elevate his own people.
Derek accepted the role without fear of the trouble it might bring. He even welcomed the challenges. Yet, he also felt that the current generation of northern knights was indeed in decline. If southern new nobles dared to criticize, he would simply put them in their place.
Maintaining martial reputation while debating was not always possible. If he were to attend court meetings, he would simply draw his sword and defeat a few opponents to silence any doubts about the northern knights' bravery.
Of course, he kept these thoughts to himself, needing more support from northern nobles. Yet, the younger generation had hope. Derek mused that he now had the qualification to rally the younger northern nobles.
This was not only about reputation but also political resources. For instance, even the seemingly insignificant title of St. Milian's Army Commander carried considerable influence, including overseeing the appointment of provincial officials. Being entrenched in a province gave immense power.
These political resources, while perhaps overlooked by great nobles, were highly coveted by many middle and lower-tier nobles. When Baron Pereira's acquaintances approached Derek to place their younger sons under his command, it was clear how significant his influence had become.
In the northern province, such privileges were reserved for Baron Pereira and Baron Jeffries. Most knightly education for noble youths was monopolized by these two barons, becoming their political capital. During times of crisis, such as the one in the northern province, it was the old baron who took charge.
The old baron's prestige was not earned by a few victories but was deeply rooted in the political and social fabric. The true foundation of the Pereira family lay in these details.
The leaders of the northern province could only come from the two baronial families. With the Jeffries family suffering a severe blow, the role of leader naturally fell to Baron Pereira. He was pleased to see Derek wielding his influence, and personally guiding him showed his approval.
Such a young talent might indeed become the new ruler of St. Milian Province, ensuring the Pereira family's interests in the province. This would take ten or twenty years, by which time Derek would be in his prime, and the old baron might be too aged to move.
This was the nature of nobility: bloodlines preserved family glory. Even if the current Count Jeffries was beheaded and lost lands and cities, it was merely a small punishment. New nobles often fell like shooting stars, while true nobility persisted through the ups and downs.
The old baron understood this well and looked far ahead. Sacrificing some immediate benefits was for future gains. A granddaughter alone could not bind a noble like Derek, but as a bond of mutual interest, it was sufficient. When personal and political interests intertwined, the relationship was solid.
Of course, if St. Milian Province were not available for Derek's expansion, he would soon face the old baron's obstacles. This was the reality of nobility; bloodlines were also weapons.