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Homecoming!

Derek's first stop after retiring was to return to his family estate. Although he didn't plan to develop the family business, as a member of the Ferreira family, he was still entitled to some support—such as money.

Standing in the study, Derek faced his father, Baron Leandro Ferreira, the current head of the Ferreira family. From childhood, Derek had received family education and training, and he had spent three years as a knight apprentice under Count Perez. The formal training for becoming a knight typically spanned twelve years, and the cost was not insignificant.

"Derek, as the head of the Ferreira family, I don't agree with your choice. It risks wasting the family's investment. As your father, I also disapprove. The world outside is more dangerous and challenging than you imagine. I'll ask you one last time: are you sure you're ready to be a wandering knight?"

Derek's gaze was resolute; his answer was final: "Of course, I've made my decision."

"Alright!" Baron Leandro stood up and tossed a pouch of coins to Derek. "This is my support for you. If you can't make it, come back and work for me to repay the debt."

Derek smiled. This was indeed one of the reasons he had returned. Without money, progress would be impossible, even in this world. He opened the pouch without hesitation. The gold coins inside gleamed brightly, making his eyes sparkle.

Counting them, there were exactly fifty gold coins. Was this amount much?

It was substantial—an average professional soldier earned only one gold coin a year. It was also modest—considering the Ferreira family's annual head tax was around seven to eight hundred gold coins, and with other estates and businesses, the total could range from one to two thousand gold coins. After deducting the expenses for a guard unit and family upkeep, the remaining amount wasn't excessive. Fifty gold coins were quite a lot; an ordinary commoner would struggle to save such an amount in a lifetime.

With this money, Derek could afford a full set of armor for a knight or equip a well-armed squad of professional soldiers for a year. If things went well, he could continue his journey; if not, he could return home to repay the debt.

"Thank you for your generosity. I will make a name for myself and strive to expand the Ferreira family's noble lineage."

"I hope so," Baron Leandro's voice lacked confidence. Perhaps he thought his third son would either perish out there or return in disgrace. Being a wandering knight was indeed not easy.

Derek noticed this lack of faith. Without the data panel, he would have undoubtedly settled for a stable position at home, just like his uncles.

"By the way, Father, I need to recruit some soldiers for the family territory," Derek requested again.

"Sure, I'll have the sheriff assist you. You can stay a bit longer and get things organized before setting out."

Recruiting soldiers in the family's own territory was relatively reliable. It allowed for the selection of trained militiamen, providing Derek a significant advantage.

After a few meals at home, Derek couldn't wait to leave the castle. The Ferreira family's estate included two villages and a castle. Located in the heart of the kingdom, the castle was surrounded by a number of residents, serving more political than military purposes.

The Ferreira family's holdings included two small estates and several enterprises in nearby cities, making their power considerable. Mackle Village, located at the northern edge of the territory and far from the Ferreira Castle, was where Derek headed next.

Armed with a letter of authority from the Baron, Derek entered the local constabulary. The village, with a population of over a thousand, was policed by a permanent squad of regular soldiers and twenty rotating militia. Derek had visited many times before, so the letter was not strictly necessary. The constable was his uncle, Andrew—a middle-aged man who had barely passed his knight training and had become somewhat of a… layabout.

Seeing his uncle again, Derek envied how Andrew, despite the times, had developed a small belly. Andrew's slow gait indicated that his youthful agility had diminished. Despite his shortcomings, Andrew was still a member of the Ferreira family and had received a thorough education—making him a rare talent.

Upon seeing Derek, Andrew greeted him warmly with a hug. "Fern, my dear nephew, I heard you completed your knight training with top marks. You should have stayed there."

Andrew knew that achieving top marks meant Derek was highly competitive. Derek was not surprised by the family's swift knowledge of his achievements. In a prominent family, news spread quickly.

He simply explained, "You know how the Knight Kloya is related to Father."

Andrew, however, was not easily fooled. Having undergone knight training himself, he understood that simply passing was not impressive, but top marks were not given lightly.

Choosing not to press the issue, Andrew focused on presenting himself with the honor of his position. His status within the family was clear. Derek's brothers occupied the important roles, and Andrew needed to think about his own son's future.

"Derek, I hope your choice is the right one. How many men do you need? I can introduce you to the best candidates." Andrew hesitated before setting aside the plan to put his son under Derek's command, offering instead: "I have prepared some gifts for you. I hope you like them."

Money was not offered directly, as it would have been too blunt for a family member. Instead, Andrew presented a finely crafted iron longsword.

"This is a part of my collection, but unfortunately, I can no longer wield it. How do you like it?"

Andrew lamented as he patted his small belly. The sword, forged by a blacksmith over several days, was worth around five to six gold coins. For Derek, the third son of a baron who chose to venture out, this gift was more about personal connection than practical value.

Derek drew the sword with one hand. The intricate patterns on the blade were beautiful, and the gleaming edge confirmed its quality. Derek demonstrated a few moves, showcasing his excellent swordsmanship.

Andrew's eyes lit up. "Your skill… it's superior to most knights in the family."

Derek, pleased with the gift, sheathed the sword smoothly, displaying his proficiency. "It's a wonderful gift. Thank you very much."