- Fantasy Lord: Start with Daily Intelligence
- FLDI Chapter 39
Chapter 39: Generous Terms
Figuring out how to keep Niel Morton was indeed a major issue. To be honest, Thor hadn’t come up with a solid plan yet. After all, Niel Morton was likely as powerful as his father, Earl Engel Dresrosa, or possibly even stronger.
A person of such strength wouldn’t be easily persuaded by him.
However, Thor could never have guessed that convincing Niel Morton to stay would turn out to be surprisingly simple.
It happened on the third day after Niel Morton woke up.
On the training grounds, Raine was practicing his combat techniques when Niel Morton happened to pass by. He stopped in his tracks instantly.
As he watched Raine train, Niel Morton’s eyes widened in disbelief.
“The life force he’s channeling is so dense!”
“What is this…?” Niel Morton murmured, stunned.
At that moment, Niel Morton was truly shocked.
He had seen many geniuses before. He himself had been one of the brightest stars in the empire, known as one of its most gifted talents. He had begun practicing the knight’s breathing technique at twelve, formed his life seed and became an apprentice knight at thirteen, reached full knight status at fifteen, became a grand knight at twenty, and by thirty-five, he had stepped into the realm of an earth knight. Now, at eighty years old, he was renowned across the empire as a Sky Knight, hailed as the person most likely to ascend to the rank of a Sanctuary Knight.
In the entire empire, there were few with more talent than him.
But what was he seeing now?
The life force Raine was manipulating through his breathing was far beyond what someone of his level should be capable of.
“Life Goddess above, is this your blessing shining upon him?”
Niel Morton muttered to himself. After hesitating for a moment, he stepped forward.
Raine had just finished his training and turned to greet Niel Morton with a knightly bow.
“Sir Niel,” Raine said, curious as to why he had approached.
“Raine, would you be willing to become my student?”
“I promise you, within ten years, you’ll be a knight soaring through the sky, and perhaps even a Sanctuary Knight, basking in the light of the Life Goddess.”
Niel Morton’s voice trembled with excitement as he spoke, his eyes filled with hope.
“Become your student?”
Raine was taken aback by the offer. But after a moment, he shook his head.
“I’m sorry, Sir Niel, but I am the lord’s sworn knight. I cannot leave to study under anyone else.”
Raine’s voice was firm.
“No, Raine. I can speak with your lord. I’m sure Sir Thor would agree. You are blessed by the Life Goddess, and your potential is limitless.”
Niel Morton quickly tried to counter, but Raine still shook his head.
Seeing Raine’s refusal, Niel Morton gritted his teeth and made his way to Thor.
In the castle, Thor was busy with the affairs of his domain when Niel Morton arrived.
“Come in!” Thor called out.
Anna led Niel Morton inside, and Thor, somewhat puzzled, greeted him.
“Sir Thor, I apologize for interrupting your work,” Niel Morton began, his tone brimming with excitement, “but I have something very important to discuss.”
“It’s no bother. What is it, Sir Niel?” Thor asked, intrigued.
“It’s about your knight, Raine. He is a child blessed by the Life Goddess. His potential is vast, like the Aegean Sea. I would like to take him under my wing and train him,” Niel Morton said, his excitement evident in his flushed face.
Thor was surprised at first, but then quickly understood what was happening. Realizing the situation, a small smile of satisfaction flickered across his mind, though his face showed concern.
“Sir Niel, I’m afraid that might be difficult. You must understand that Raine is my sworn knight. I rescued him from the blade of his drunken father. His talent is exceptional, yes, but I cannot simply allow him to leave and study with you,” Thor responded, his voice tinged with regret.
“No, no, Sir Thor, keeping Raine here would be to defy the Life Goddess’s favor. If you agree, I can return to the empire and even send you a Sky Knight as your sworn protector. I can even provide you with a higher-level knight’s breathing technique—one capable of reaching the rank of Sanctuary Knight. I’m certain your current technique won’t allow you to achieve that rank. I can offer you a Sanctuary Knight breathing technique right now!”
Niel Morton, growing desperate, blurted out an even more generous offer.
Thor’s eyebrows twitched involuntarily.
The terms Niel Morton was offering were far too tempting. So tempting, in fact, that Thor’s heart momentarily skipped a beat.
A Sky Knight as a protector, and a breathing technique capable of advancing to the level of a Sanctuary Knight… These were offers filled with limitless potential.
If Thor accepted, he could instantly become one of the most powerful figures in the kingdom. He could go from baron to viscount, even earl or marquis, in no time at all.
But Thor quickly suppressed his excitement.
For Niel Morton to offer such extravagant terms, it meant that Raine’s value was far greater than he had initially imagined.
Under these circumstances, giving up Raine’s future potential in exchange for immediate gains was clearly a poor decision.
More importantly, Thor now saw a new opportunity. Initially, he had no way of keeping Niel Morton around. But now, a possibility had emerged.
“I truly appreciate your generosity, Sir Niel. This is indeed a very tempting offer,” Thor said with a sigh, “but this is not a decision I can make. It ultimately depends on Raine’s own wishes, doesn’t it?”
Thor’s calm voice and thoughtful expression left Niel Morton feeling even more anxious.
“Sir Thor, if you agree, Raine won’t refuse your command,” Niel Morton insisted.
“No, Sir Niel. You misunderstand me. I won’t force anyone. As you’ve seen in my domain, everything here is based on freedom. Even my serfs have choices, let alone my most loyal knight,” Thor said solemnly.
“This…”
Niel Morton fell silent, realizing that Thor’s words held some truth.
Now torn between his desires and his respect for Thor’s methods, Niel Morton found himself at a loss.
Seeing Niel Morton’s hesitation, Thor appeared to ponder for a moment before offering a suggestion.
“Here’s what we can do, Sir Niel. You could stay here for a while and teach Raine. Though my territory is humble, it is at least livable. I promise that if Raine decides he wishes to go with you in the future, I will not stop him.”
(End of Chapter)