- Fantasy Lord: Start with Daily Intelligence
- FLDI Chapter 4
Chapter 4: Count Engel Dressrosa
*Creak!*
The wooden door made a sound as it opened, and Thor stepped inside. His gaze quickly settled on a middle-aged man standing by the bookshelf.
This was the first time Thor had laid eyes on the man who, in name, was his father.
—Count Engel Dressrosa.
He was also the fourth generation of the Dressrosa family.
Yes, the fourth generation. Unlike many noble families with long histories, the Dressrosa family had only been around for about 300 years. It rose to prominence during a kingdom war three centuries ago, and in that short time, it had secured the prestigious title of Count.
In the entire Tulip Kingdom, this was considered a remarkable achievement.
The rank of count—one of the higher ranks of nobility—was something many ancient families, with over a thousand years of history, could only dream of attaining.
However, none of this was on Thor’s mind at the moment. His attention was fully focused on his father.
Engel Dressrosa gave off an immediate impression of stability. He was tall and broad-shouldered, with graying hair at his temples and sharp, piercing eyes. His very presence radiated an aura of pressure, amplified by the mysterious energy surrounding him.
As a peak Earth Knight, Engel Dressrosa was a renowned figure, even in the Frost Moon Province. He was among the most powerful individuals in the entire region.
That aura of power was undeniably real.
“Greetings, Father!”
Thor took a deep breath, suppressing his racing heart as he respectfully bowed.
“Not bad. You’ve managed to break through.”
Engel Dressrosa’s voice carried a hint of surprise, but it quickly turned indifferent.
“It seems you won’t become the twenty-ninth child to be expelled from the family.”
His tone was calm, even a bit detached. Becoming an apprentice knight wasn’t something that impressed him much.
Naturally, there was no excitement in his voice.
“It’s all thanks to your guidance, Father!”
Thor’s heart skipped a beat, but he quickly responded.
“I never guided you, nor did I expect you to break through to apprentice knighthood!”
“You owe me no thanks.”
Count Engel Dressrosa waved his hand dismissively, then fell into a brief moment of thought.
Thor remained silent, waiting patiently without interrupting.
“Thor, I had originally prepared a farewell gift, thinking you wouldn’t make it as an apprentice knight. But now that you have, you probably won’t need it. You now have two choices.”
After a moment of reflection, Count Engel Dressrosa spoke again.
“Please, Father, speak freely!”
Thor’s mind sharpened as he bowed once more, his tone even more respectful.
“Our Dressrosa family rose during the kingdom’s wars, and the land we now hold was earned by our ancestors. From the time of our first family head, each descendant has been given a choice. The same applies to you.”
“Starting today, you can choose to stay with the family and become a guardian knight. You will receive one gold coin per month. Alternatively, you can choose to become a frontier knight. Twenty years ago, the kingdom established the Northern Province on the northern border. The family will offer you some support if you wish to go there and become a frontier knight.”
Engel Dressrosa’s words were calm but decisive.
Two choices, two very different paths.
As Thor listened to his father, he found himself lost in thought.
He hadn’t expected to be given two options. He had already resigned himself to becoming a guardian knight for the family, but now, this new possibility had emerged.
The first option was undoubtedly safe but came with limited potential. As a son of the Dressrosa family, he could never inherit the title of Count. At best, he could rise to the rank of knight-captain, but even then, he wouldn’t be a true noble.
In the Frost Moon Province, unless a new kingdom war erupted, his future would likely be sealed.
The second option, however, offered much higher potential.
Thor knew a bit about frontier knights.
They were a special group within the kingdom. Any knight could become a frontier knight, and if they could claim enough territory and gather enough subjects, they could be granted the title of baron. Though baron was the lowest noble rank, it was still recognized by not only the Tulip Kingdom but also other kingdoms.
However, the second option came with considerable danger.
The essence of being a frontier knight lay in the word “frontier.”
The Northern Province had only been established twenty years ago and was still filled with monsters and chaotic regions. From the tales of wandering bards, Thor knew that many frontier knights died each year. If he went, he might end up as one of them.
Engel Dressrosa didn’t rush his son, allowing him to think quietly while returning his attention to the History of the Continent.
Time passed slowly.
After a while, Thor suddenly lifted his head.
“Father, I’ve made my decision. I will become the eagle that spreads its wings for the Dressrosa family and earn new honors for our name!”
Thor’s voice was firm.
Upon hearing this, Count Engel Dressrosa shifted his gaze to his son, a faint smile appearing on his face.
Thor noticed the smile and couldn’t help but reflect on it.
“Thor, you truly are one of our family’s young eagles. As your father, I am proud of you.”
“Go now. You may stay in the castle for one more month. After that, I, your father, will prepare a generous gift to help you spread your wings.”
With a smile, Count Engel Dressrosa spoke and then waved his hand, signaling the end of the conversation.
“Thank you, Father!”
Thor bowed once again before leaving the room.
As Thor departed, Engel Dressrosa turned back to the History of the Continent.
Moments later, the butler, Charlie, entered the room.
Engel Dressrosa lifted his head slightly, lost in thought.
“Send for Michael.”
“And also, go to the storeroom. Retrieve the third box on the left side of the second row… no, the third box on the second row instead.”
He thought for a moment, then gave his instructions.
“Yes, sir!”
Charlie looked slightly surprised but respectfully complied and left.
Soon after, Michael arrived in the study.
“Count!”
Michael greeted him with respect.
“Have a seat.”
“Michael, how many official knights do we have in the Blazing Knights now?”
Count Engel Dressrosa asked after a brief pause.
“Two hundred and thirty-four, my lord,”
Michael replied after a moment of thought, giving an exact number.
“Two hundred and thirty-four, is it?”
“Good. In the coming days, select thirty of them. Also, take three hundred from the Young Eagle Knights. It’s time for the young eagle of the Dressrosa family to spread his wings, and as his father, I should give him a gift to help him fly.”
Count Engel Dressrosa’s voice carried a hint of a smile.
“Yes, sir!”
Michael was visibly moved but quickly nodded and accepted the command.
(End of Chapter)