Chapter 0014: Franks

Followers usually have their own fiefs to sustain themselves, especially noble knights, most of whom support themselves. The lord only needs to allocate a few small manors for them to manage and produce, saving both time and effort.

However, it is also a common and even natural thing for followers to come to the lord's house to beg for help.

Marcuses was not a noble knight, but as a powerful windspeaker and the captain of the guards for Baron Orenol, he also had his own small manor. Nevertheless, with two sons studying knightly courses, his daily expenses were considerable. Therefore, arriving so early in the morning, it was clear that he was seeking some assistance.

After enjoying a hearty and delicious breakfast, it was almost time to set out.

At this moment, Mrs. Helen hurried downstairs, having prepared a set of fine knightly armor for Oldington: "Your father's old sigil armor and magical beast leather lining. Last night, I had people gather all night to tailor the armor to fit your size. Quickly try it on."

"Alright," Oldington agreed simply, but he was moved inside. No matter which world, a mother's love for her son is constant.

Sigil armor is a special magical material, crafted by sigil craftsmen using their exquisite skills. The symbols densely arrayed on the armor would gather and condense the stray magical energy from the outside, forming a powerful protective layer that would reduce the damage from blows to the armor.

The magical beast leather lining was simply the lining made from magical beast leather.

"It fits well, mother. Wearing this armor, I feel more confident," Oldington said.

"Be careful and cautious; the magical beasts are not like your previous sparring with Captain Marcuses. I entrust Oldington's safety to you," Mrs. Helen said.

"Please rest assured, Captain Marcuses is willing to guarantee master's safety with his life," Marcuses replied.

"I believe in your strength," Mrs. Helen smiled and nodded, her eyes brimming with affection and hope as she looked at Oldington. "In the city of Eagle Strike where I was born, only the fledglings that have endured the storms can transform into the eagles that soar through the skies. Oldington, mother is proud of you."

His mother's emotional farewell words made Oldington's eyes moist for a moment.

But as he turned to look at the grand entrance of the castle where a detachment of attendant knights had gathered, he suddenly felt like laughing. It was because today, although it was his first time going into the forest to hunt magical beasts, the accompanying personnel were not just the windspeaker Marcuses, but also a detachment of hunters.

This meant that there were over a dozen warriors protecting him alone.

Such an opulent entourage made hunting magical beasts almost indistinguishable from a picnic.

"Haiya!""Haiya!"

Just as ancient riders would say "Gai" when riding, the knights of the Golden Rose Kingdom like to shout "Haiya" when going into battle. After leaving Butterfly Castle, they entered the range of the outer manor of the castle. Surrounding them were long strips of cultivated farmland, with the crisp wheat seedlings particularly pleasing to the eye. However, only one out of every three plots was planted with wheat.

The other two were planted with grass.

This was the typical three-field rotation system in the Golden Rose Kingdom, where farmland was divided into spring plowing, autumn plowing, and fallow.

A plot was first used for spring plowing, then planted with grass for about half a year to replenish fertility, and the next year was autumn plowing; after autumn plowing, the land's fertility was basically exhausted, so it was planted with grass for a year to increase fertility. After a year, the farmland's fertility was restored, and spring plowing began again.

This cycle continued, ensuring the fertility of the farmland and ensuring the normal growth of crops.

Peasants were carrying agricultural tools, weeding and fertilizing in the fields, and one could also see priests sent by the manor altar patrolling the fields.

They could summon the blessed Nymphs kept in the altar at any time to promote the growth of the crops. The abilities of the Nymphs were basically equivalent to pesticides and fertilizers, providing the necessary nutrients for the crops and ensuring their health and development direction.

The Wheat Nymph could make the wheat ears larger and the grains more abundant.

The Groundnut Nymph could promote the development of the roots of the wheat seedlings, making them grow deeper.

The Flower Nymph could make the flowers more bright and full when the wheat ears were in bloom, with a fragrant aroma.

Of course, the Groundnut Nymph was usually assigned to plant melons and potatoes, while the Flower Nymph was sent to cultivate various flowers. Their precious abilities would not be wasted on helping the wheat seedlings root and bloom. Only the Wheat Nymph born in the wheat fields was the main force for cultivating wheat.

Oldington's gaze swept over these fields without stopping, and he continued to ride with the team.

Scattered small villages were distributed throughout the manor, and along the dirt roads, they soon saw a well-sized market, one of the three markets in Red Leaf Town, the South Market. The peasants and free folk from nearby manors and villages would trade here or go to the manor altar for prayer.

One could also see haughty knights riding with their attendantsing through the market.

As Oldington's personal swallowtail flag fluttered in the wind with the team, passing by the South Market, all the knights, attendants, free folk, and peasants bowed and saluted the team, their bodies slightly bent. Once the team roared past, whispers began.

"It's the swallowtail flag!""I know the leading knight; he's Captain Marcuses, the captain of the guards of Baron Orenol. I greeted him when I was doing weekly work at Butterfly Castle.""Who's the one in the middle, is it Oldington, the young master?""A swallowtail flag accompanied by Captain Marcuses can only belong to Oldington, the young master; he has become a cadet knight!""Blessed by the three gods, Oldington, the young master will definitely become a powerful knight.""The young master's promotion is a great joy. I hope I can enjoy the Baron's collection of wine at this week's weekly lunch.""My Daisy works in the kitchen of the castle, she prepares meals for the noble gentlemen!"

Knights on horseback also saw Oldington's team and their eyes lit up: "It's Oldington, the swallowtail flag. He has cultivated martial arts, and with Captain Marcuses accompanying him, it seems like they're going to hunt magical beasts in the forest. I should visit Butterfly Castle tonight."

The impact of Oldington's team quickly subsided, but it was destined to become a topic of gossip among the locals for several days. In the Red Leaf Territory, members of the Iris family were always the focus of conversation after meals.

Passing through the South Market.

Continuing along the dirt road, an hour later, they finally arrived at the edge of the forest, where they could see a small, round-topped fortress.

There were many wooden houses distributed around the fortress.

This was also a village, but it was located at the edge of the territory, hence the presence of a beast-fighting fortress. As the team entered the small village, someone from the fortress immediately came out to greet them.

"Marcuses, today is not the time for the hunting team to hunt. What are you..." a middle-aged man with a large beard began to speak, but his words were cut off halfway as he saw the fluttering swallowtail flag and Oldington, who had just dismounted, "Oldington, the young master, accompanied by a swallowtail flag, wow, the boy has finally grown up into a man!"

"Uncle Franks," Oldington walked forward and embraced this middle-aged man with a large beard, "Long time no see."

"Haha, you've grown taller and more handsome. It's easy to imagine that the girls in Iron Grey Castle will be enchanted by you!" Franks gave Oldington a hearty pat on the shoulder.

He was the earliest captain of the guards for Baron Orenol, having made contributions in battles year after year, and was then enshrined as a knight, jumping from a commoner to a noble. His fief was the manor belonging to this fortress.