Neither of the two options Su Na mentioned were particularly appealing to Su Li.
Staying in the family meant being stuck in the military camp under constant supervision, training day and night, all year round. Plus, there was the KPI assessment; the family wouldn’t spend a fortune to keep a Knight slacking off in the army. Even if he passed the KPI assessment, the future wouldn’t be much more pleasant; he’d have to keep being a beast of burden for the family. Did he come all this way just to live as a horse in another world?
Heading to the Border Prince’s Territory was hardly a comfortable choice either. After half a year, Su Li had heard about the Border Prince’s Territory. It was a region of small noble fiefdoms mixed with bandit haven, divided by towering black mountains from the Empire.
Many offspring exiled or expelled by the Emperor, Electors, Dukes, and Counts of the Empire were forced into this lawless land, facing far more dangerous days than in their homeland.
Here, the lesser nobles warred continually, while Beastmen, the Undead, and the Satusha Pirates frequently raided their estates and farmlands.
With an Empire-granted Pioneer Order, a flag, a courthouse, and a group of attendants, one could manage a region and start expanding outward.
The only upside was that Su Li would be free from anyone’s control, able to live carefreely—provided he could survive here.
No talk of a great nation rising, only dignity for the little people. That doesn’t exist here. Without strong military protection, merely staying alive is a luxury.
Under the scrutinizing gaze of Count Su Na, Su Li considered carefully and then said, "I choose to become a Pioneer Knight and let the Bauhinia flag fly across broader skies."
With the Prophet’s ability, at worst, he could escape; the chances of dying were slim. So he simply chose to speak grandly to garner a larger sponsorship from his father.
At these words, Count Su Na’s gaze instantly sharpened, examining Su Li for a long while before saying, "Your choice truly surprises me. But before granting you a sponsorship, my son, how do you plan to convince me you have the ability to stand firm in the Border Prince’s Territory?"
Su Li realized there would be no free gains at Bauhinia Castle, but he hadn’t expected he’d still have to interview in a different world! And write a business proposal!
Did I come here for nothing? The rıghtful source is 𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭·𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓮·𝙣𝙚𝙩
So Su Li somewhat helplessly asked: "Even if I brag now, making grand claims, Father, you wouldn’t be easily convinced by a few words, would you?"
Count Su Na took another long look at Su Li, saying: "It’s already unexpectedly mature of you to realize this. You’re right; convincing me isn’t simple."
"By family tradition, you may leave with 30 armed attendants and 300 Gold Coins. However, how much support you actually receive from the family will depend on your performance."
"For nobles, leadership is undoubtedly the most crucial talent. I will allow your Guardian Knight to continue following you and give you three days to prepare. During these three days, if you can attract Bauhinia Castle members to accompany you to the Border Prince’s Territory, you can take each one you persuade! How many you manage to bring will determine the level of family sponsorship you receive."
While Su Li’s answer didn’t wholly satisfy Count Su Na, the sponsorship he got in return was very pleasing to Su Li.
At least a guaranteed Elite Knight and thirty Knight’s Squires!
Each attendant is a well-trained soldier, able to defeat three or four raiders or bandit vagabonds on the battlefield.
An Elite Level Knight is essentially a battlefield superweapon, existing above a formal Knight, equipped to slaughter dozens of Beastmen or hundreds of armed attendants in a pitched battle.
Moreover, Count Su Na offered an extra promise.
This promise could be worthless or invaluable! He could recruit anyone based on his ability—it all depended on Su Li’s performance.
For the sake of future ease, he had to use this power now.
"Father, can I choose the list of attendants myself?"
Count Su Na looked at him and said: "You’re quite adept at finding loopholes! Fine, go make your preparations."
Su Li immediately bowed and said: "Then I won’t disturb you any longer, Father."
Watching Su Li leave, Count Su Na called his Chief Knight Joe Connor and asked, "Connor, how many Preparatory Knights do we have in the Red Night Knight Order?"
"Twenty-four, all formal Knights."
"Select four and inform them to follow Su Li to pioneer the Border Prince’s Territory. Also, pick three squadrons of 36 from the armed attendants to assist in Su Li’s recruitment."
Knight Joe Connor looked at Count Su Na in surprise, asking: "Count, do you have such high hopes for Young Master Su Li? Such generous sponsorship hasn’t been seen in the family for nearly 50 years."
Su Na turned to gaze outside the window, pondering momentarily before speaking: "Did you not see the carefully hidden confidence in his eyes when he lowered his head? This doesn’t reflect someone forced into choosing the Border Prince’s Territory!"
"I am certain he has hidden playing cards we don’t know about. Perhaps his performance will shock you."
Joe Connor mused deeply; he always believed in the Count’s words. If the Count valued Young Master Su Li so highly, maybe he could have his second son follow Su Li to seek a future.
The second son had no inheritance rights and needed to find a stable path.
Despite the high expectations from Count Su Na and Chief Knight Joe Connor, Su Li wasn’t like them envisioning a grand scheme of persuading others. Instead, he headed straight to the Knight’s Squire Training Camp, seeking out the female attendant Reve, who was about to awaken the [Frost Bear Bloodline].
As she briskly ran out of the camp, clad in crimson armor, Su Li’s head practically spun—what a magnificent bear! The intense aftershock from her running made Su Li feel his Knight’s blood boil with intensity.
"Young Master Su Li, you called for me?"
The maiden’s spirited voice finally brought Su Li back to his senses. He nodded and said, "You’ve been chosen to become my attendant. Pack up and prepare to leave with me."
Having chosen the busty maiden, Su Li returned to his quarters and relaxed.
Today’s efforts concluded; the rest was time to relax!
He leisurely rested his head on the rounded thigh of a pretty maid, cheerfully gossiping, asking: "Avril, have you heard any gossip about Bloodbeard Frederick, the Elite Knight?"
"Gossip about Knight Frederick?" Avril thought carefully and said, "I haven’t heard any. If it concerned an Elite Knight, it’d quickly circulate within Bauhinia Castle, but I haven’t heard anything related to Knight Frederick. Worse, Frederick’s reputation as a Knight almost the opposite; he focuses on honor, isn’t likely to have gossip."
Focuses on Knightly virtues?
Well, Knight Lord, you wouldn’t want such an embarrassing matter to reach others, would you?