Chapter 12 Fear

"Noah, my father is going to the Capital!"

When Noah lazily walked out of the Dragon Nest, he saw a brute howling outside the nest under the scorching sun.

Unlike half a month ago, when this young knight was clad in armor and reeked of blood, Terrell now wore no heavy armor, just a loose robe with a chain armor underneath, looking rather light.

"So what if he's going? Why the long face?"

Noah was a bit puzzled, not understanding why this guy was making such a face,

"Don't tell me you don't know why your father is going to the Capital."

"I know, isn't it just to get promoted in nobility? But what's the use of that lousy title, it's not worth a special trip at all."

Typical brute thinking, as the first heir to the noble title, Tidel didn't value noble titles at all.

Or rather, those mingling at the borderlands don't consider these human-defined identities important. In the borderlands, power comes from strength.

Power is fist power!

If nobles don't have equivalent strength, they're nothing in the eyes of the barbarians and outlaws in the borderlands.

"Brute, when your father returns, you will no longer be the son of an Earl but the son of a Marquis."

"What use is that? Just a change in title, nothing really changes, does it?"

Terrell's thoughts were the same as his father's.

Similar thoughts are prevalent among the borderland nobility, related to how the Kingdom has long treated them harshly.

Normally, when feudal nobles accomplish feats, their titles are promoted, their territories expanded, along with numerous other rewards.

But the expansion of borderland nobles' territories just means the barren lands around them, with hardly a soul in sight, are mapped under their name, along with some slaves and treasures.

No substantial benefits, naturally no one wants to bother. Although borderland nobles are freer compared to feudal nobles within the Kingdom, they aren't without obligations. If the Kingdom goes to war, they still have to send troops according to their titles and follow the royal family's orders to fight.

Of course, the summons for war are generally not issued to borderland nobles, especially those pioneering in the Barbaric Lands.

"It's different. With the title of Marquis heir, you can woo the ladies of the greater nobles. If you can bring back a few noblewomen of direct lineage, your territory might get more population influx and support in other aspects."

Although his foster father scorned political marriages among nobles, Noah still intended to persuade this promising young man in front of him, explaining the benefits of alliances through marriage.

"You're talking about noble marriages? Can it be as good as you say?"

Terrell expressed doubt. Borderland nobles also intermarry, but population growth is out of the question. If they manage to bring a few knights and more sets of armor and warhorses, it's considered good.

However, Tidel is an exception. His mother is not a noble but is esteemed above ordinary nobles because she is a High Rank Spellcaster.

Currently, everything within the territory is managed by his mother. Casius can lead the Knight Order out to fight and return, thanks to this lady mage handling internal affairs.

"You've never left the territory since you were born, have you?"

Looking at the complaining youth before him, Noah suddenly asked.

"No, why?"

Though the boy yearns for the outside world, he's also a bit fearful, for outside the human areas, only monsters reign.

"It's a rare chance, you can go to the Capital to see it for yourself."

Even if he never leaves the Dragon Nest, Noah knows how vast and expansive the world is. Even outside this world, he can glimpse some vistas through the bloodline heritage of the Dragon Clan.

But it's different for humans. What the youth in front of him knows about the outside world is only from books. No matter how exquisite the illustrations or how grand the descriptions, they don't compare to seeing it firsthand.

"I go too?"

Tidel was taken aback.

"Yeah, you should expand your horizons, see how truly extravagant those great nobles are. Then you'll be motivated to woo their daughters and granddaughters."

"No, I'm not that kind of person. My life's goal is to become a brave and fearless Lord like my father, leading the Knight Order to conquer more lands."

Terrell blushed at Noah's teasing words, appearing a bit shy and bashful, after all, he was just under 14 years of age.

"But if you court noblewomen, you could equip yourself and your future Knight Order with better weapons and armor, conquering more territories."

Noah's temptations were like the whispers of a Devil, even Terrell's resolve wavered a bit.

"Stop it."

"Wait, don't tell me you're dreaming of love?"

Noah's suggestions were from a perspective of benefits. His foster father scorned it because he believed in his own fists, looking down on the Kingdom's nobles.

This guy in front of him resists for other reasons. Noah overlooked Tidel's age, as at this age, a human teenager is at their most restless, and their thoughts are both dirtiest and purest.

"I will definitely marry a girl I like, regardless of her social standing."

The boy, blushing with determination, clenched his fists.

"Oh, do you have a girl you like now?"

"No."

Tidel squirmed a bit.

"Then I suggest you look in the Capital, maybe you'll meet someone you like."

"But with my father going to the Capital, who will guard the territory?"

Worried, Tidel spoke of the reason he came to the Dragon Nest early in the morning.

The strength of his father has left an indelible mark in his heart, instinctively feeling the territory can't be without his father's protection for a moment.

"Just leave part of the Pioneer Knights to stay; your father has already killed the relatively strong monsters around the territory. The remaining ones aren't much of a threat."

"But..."

"Your concern is too much; isn't your mother there when your father is away?"

Noah replied indifferently.

"Noah, you don't understand. You were born too late. When I just started remembering things, I personally witnessed tens of thousands of battle lizardmen laying siege. On the ground were their tamed ferocious beasts, and the sky was full of roaring Flying Dragon Knights."

Terrell shook his head, delving into the fears buried deep in his memory,

"I hid in the castle's basement, crying, but even so, I could feel the walls shaking, the air filled with brackish stench and foul odor, along with a strong stench of blood. At that time, although my father was strong, he wasn't as powerful as he is now."

"It has passed. As long as your father lives, such things won't happen again."