"Creak!"
The wooden door made a sound as it opened, and Thor's silhouette walked in, his gaze quickly settling on a middle-aged man in front of the bookshelf.
This was also the first time he had seen his nominal father since crossing over.
- Count Engel Dressrosa.
Also the fourth of the Dressrosa lineage.
Indeed, it was the fourth, as the Dressrosa Family does not share the long history of other noble families; starting from the first Patriarch, the Dressrosa Family counts merely three hundred years in history. Three hundred years ago, the Dressrosa Family rose to prominence due to the Kingdom War, establishing the Count's prestigious position in just a few short centuries.
A marvel throughout the Tulip Kingdom.
In the ranks of Duke, Marquis, Count, Viscount, Baron, Count is already considered high nobility.
Many noble families over a thousand years old are only Counts.
But none of this had anything to do with Thor at this moment; most of his focus was on his father.
Engel Dressrosa, with a first impression of being solemn and composed, a towering figure, with graying temples and piercing eyes, gave an unmistakable sense of pressure, let alone the mysterious aura emanating from him.
As a peak Earth Knight, Engel Dressrosa holds a renowned presence, even throughout the Frost Moon Province.
He ranks among the top individuals of the Frost Moon Province.
That pressure is palpable.
"Greetings, Father!"
Thor took a deep breath, suppressing his heartbeat with respect, and bowed.
"Not bad, you've actually broken through!"
"It seems you won't become the family's twenty-ninth expelled descendant!"
A voice with a hint of surprise rang out, Engel Dressrosa's expression initially surprised, but soon turned calm.
Just an Apprentice Knight; it wouldn't draw his attention.
It wouldn't evoke joy, either.
"It's all thanks to Father's guidance!"
Thor's heart skipped a beat but hurriedly spoke up.
"I haven't guided you, nor did I expect you to break through as an Apprentice Knight!"
"There's no need to thank me!"
Count Engel Dressrosa waved his hand, then fell into deep thought.
Thor, too, did not disturb, silently waiting by the side.
"Thor, I originally thought you couldn't become an Apprentice Knight, and I had prepared a parting gift. But since you have become an Apprentice Knight, you probably won't need these; now you have two options."
After pondering, Count Engel Dressrosa slowly spoke.
"Please tell me directly, Father!"
Thor straightened his thoughts, his tone becoming more respectful.
"The Dressrosa Family originated from the Kingdom War; today's territory is fought for by the family's descendants. Since the first Patriarch three hundred years ago, the Dressrosa Family has given every descendant a choice opportunity, and the same goes for you!"
"From today onwards, you may choose to stay with the family and become a Clan Guardian Knight, receiving one gold coin monthly, or you may choose to become a Pioneer Knight. Twenty years ago, the Kingdom established the Northern Province at the Northern Border; the family will provide some support, and you can become a Pioneer Knight."
Engel Dressrosa's words rang out slowly.
Two choices, two different options.
Listening to his father's words, Thor could not help but fall into contemplation.
He truly hadn't anticipated having two choices; originally, he had planned to become a Clan Guardian Knight, but now there was a new option.
Yet, faced with this choice.
He couldn't help but hesitate.
The first option is undoubtedly stable, but the limit is undoubtedly capped; as a son of Dressrosa, he cannot inherit the title, and the highest achievement would be Knight Commander, and no matter how noble, Knight Commander isn't true nobility.
It's safe to say that in the Frost Moon Province, unless another Kingdom War breaks out, his future is essentially fixed.
The latter option, however, has a much higher cap.
Pioneer Knight, Thor has some understanding.
This is a special status formed by the Kingdom; any knight can become a Pioneer Knight, as long as enough territory is taken and enough subjects are owned, they can be granted the title of Baron.
Though it's merely the lowest Baron, it's still nobility, recognized by not only the Tulip Kingdom but also other kingdoms.
Yet, the second option's risks are equally unpredictable.
The essence of Pioneer Knights is in pioneering.
The establishment of the Northern Province is only twenty years old, filled with numerous monsters and chaotic order; even from the mouths of bards, one hears of countless deaths of Pioneer Knights every year; going there could mean becoming one of them.
Faced with Thor's contemplation, Count Engel Dressrosa didn't rush him but waited silently, his gaze drifting back to "Continent Comprehensive History."
The time slowly moved on.
Until a moment later.
Thor suddenly lifted his head.
"Father, I have made my decision; I shall be the soaring eagle of the Dressrosa Family, establishing new glory for the family!"
He spoke.
Accompanied by his words, Count Engel Dressrosa's gaze shifted to focus on Thor, and an amused smile appeared on his face.
Upon seeing this smile, Thor's heart stirred, thoughtful.
"Thor, you truly are the eagle cub of the Dressrosa Family; as a father, I am proud of you!"
"Go ahead, you may stay in the castle for a month, and after a month, I, your father, will prepare a generous gift to aid the Dressrosa family's eagle cub in unfurling its wings!"
Count Engel Dressrosa spoke with a smile and then waved his hand.
"Many thanks, Father!"
"I won't bother you anymore, Father!"
Thor nodded, then exited the room.
Until he watched Thor leave, Engel Dressrosa redirected his gaze to "Continent Comprehensive History."
After a moment, the butler Charlie walked in.
Engel Dressrosa slightly pondered and looked up.
"Tell Michael to come!"
"Additionally, go to the storeroom, and bring the third row, fourth box on the left. No, perhaps the second row, third box!"
Thoughts circulating, he then gave the order.
"Yes!"
Charlie looked somewhat surprised, but quickly responded respectfully and left.
Soon, Michael arrived at the study.
"Lord Count!"
Michael spoke respectfully.
"Sit down!"
"Michael, how many Official Knights are in the Blazing Knight Order now?"
Count Engel Dressrosa pondered slightly, his words carrying inquiry.
"Two hundred and thirty-four, my Lord Count!"
Michael nodded, then slightly thought and provided a number.
"Two hundred and thirty-four?"
"Alright, in the coming days, extract thirty from them, and additionally three hundred from the Eagle Cub Knight Order, our Dressrosa Family's eagle cub is about to unfold its wings, and as a father, I need to give him a gift!"
His voice spoke, carrying with it a light laugh.
"Yes!"
Michael looked somewhat shaken but quickly nodded and agreed.
..........