“Danger is relative, Mr. Payne, and danger also means opportunity,” the Fourth Prince mentally reviewed the related information collected by the minister's assistant. “I heard your title was inherited from your father? He was a knight who was later awarded a barony and fiefdom for his meritorious service in battle.%%%%e%%f%%%%e%%f%d”

"That's right," Tigu nodded.

“That battle was a battle of honor to stand up for the innocent, and it took place during the Months of Demons. A small number of demonic beasts accidentally crossed the fortress defense line through the Chishui River and entered the hinterland of the Western Territory. At that time, your father was patrolling the area. When he encountered the remaining demonic beasts, he did not choose to avoid them first like most people and notify reinforcements for encirclement and suppression. Because behind him was an undefended town—even though the town had nothing to do with him," Roland stated, while paying attention to the other person's expression, "You should know what happened later better than I do. Your father gathered the town's militia, took his attendants, and fought the demonic beasts head-on and won."

"Yes," he said with some excitement, obviously full of longing for this family history. "One of them was huge, like a deer and a bull, or rather a monster kneaded together. Its legs were thicker than my father's torso, and the ground was shaking when it ran. If it were me, I really don't know how to defeat such a monster."

"But he did it. My father stood near a shallow ditch and lured the furious beast over. Taking advantage of the moment it accelerated and crashed, he lay down in the shallow ditch and propped up his broadsword, the hilt leaning against a stone at the bottom of the ditch. That seemingly invincible idiot crashed straight into the tip of the sword, and its entire stomach was cut open, and the intestines and black blood that flowed out almost drowned my father. A huge demonic beast horn, a trophy from that battle, still hangs on the fireplace in my house."

Roland took a sip of tea and said unhurriedly, “An admirable battle. He followed the knight's faith, compassion and valor. Later, Joey. Cole, who was still a count of Longsong Fortress at the time, granted him the title and fiefdom. Twenty-five years ago, my father Wimbledon III promoted him to Duke and served as the Guardian of the Southern Border, with jurisdiction over the entire Southern Territory. It is a pity that the old Payne, who remained east of the fortress after the backer became independent, became a thorn in the eye of the fortress duke."

"Your Highness knows very well," Tigu exhaled helplessly, "The Fortress Duke and Lord Joey have always been at odds. Joey. Cole was not a count conferred by the Fortress Duke. His bloodline can be traced back to a royal branch, and neither his family nor his bloodline is inferior to Lord Lien."

This is politics, Roland thought, a balancing act played by Wimbledon III.

In order to understand this complicated relationship, he called the minister's assistant to explain it to him for a whole day.

The enfeoffment and jurisdiction among nobles is extremely chaotic. In theory, superior nobles have the right to issue orders to subordinate nobles within their territory, but the actual operation is much more complicated. Joey. Cole and Duke Lien are examples. As a count directly conferred by the king, although his territory is in the Western Territory, he has no less prestige and influence than Duke Lien.

When Joey became the Duke of the Southern Territory, new nails would naturally be arranged in his territory. This is a common method used by the Graycastle royal family to maintain its ruling stability.

"So after you inherited this territory, commerce and agricultural production have gradually declined, and the family business has become worse day by day," Roland said slowly, "Now, there is a new opportunity in front of you."

"A new... opportunity?"

"You must have heard about the famine two years ago. The fortress withheld the food for the next month on the grounds that there was insufficient ore for trade. And this year, we are facing the same predicament. The accidental collapse of the North Slope Mine has left the people of Border Town with no way out. We must block the demonic beasts behind the newly built city walls. This battle may not be smooth, but as I said before, danger also means opportunity."

"..." Tigu already understood the prince's meaning. He frowned and did not answer immediately.

"Speaking of which, you don't look like a nobleman in the usual sense," Roland smiled. "No one would dress like this to go out, and your hands are full of hard calluses. Mr. Payne, you haven't put down your father's inheritance, have you? The fighting skills that a knight is good at."

Of course he didn't put it down, Roland thought, otherwise he wouldn't run into the Misty Forest all day long. According to the information provided by Barov, he spends at least three days a week in the Misty Forest during his time in Border Town. And every time he goes, he is fully equipped. Since he can't afford attendants, he directly hires hunters from the town to help. Some people are naturally fond of fighting, and Tigu. Payne is obviously such a person.

"If you are willing to stay in Border Town, I can give you the opportunity to regain your father's glory, and like him, use your sword and courage to seize honor. If you make outstanding achievements, I will allocate a piece of land on the east side of Border Town to reward you, a piece of land suitable for a viscount."

Although this situation is rare, the promise is valid. As an adult prince, he can legally ennoble viscounts, barons, and knights, but he rarely rewards other people's subordinates. One is that poaching is not in keeping with noble demeanor, and the other is that it would be embarrassing if the other party refused. But Roland doesn't care about demeanor. He only wants Nana Wawa, this mobile healing station. As for rejection, he is not too worried. The fact that Joey didn't take his father away after becoming the Guardian of the Southern Territory proves that the former has given up on the Payne family.

Tigu finally let go, "Then... Your Highness, can I send Nana Wawa back to Longsong Fortress? No one has ever resisted demonic beasts here. If we fail, I don't want my daughter to be buried here."

"I told you from the beginning, Mr. Payne, danger is relative. Have you ever thought about what the consequences would be if Nana Wawa was discovered to be a witch in Longsong Fortress? It's not like Border Town there. The church has been rooted in the city for a long time, and there are their believers and informants everywhere. Once exposed, even I can't save her."

Roland paused for a moment and added: "Border Town will not be lost. When the Months of Demons come, I will fight alongside the people on the city walls. Our opponents are just a group of mutated beasts, not invulnerable devils. Your father defeated them in an open space with no cover, let alone the insurmountable city walls we have. If... I mean, if something really happens, I will let Nana Wawa leave first," he paused, "And Anna. I will leave a small boat at the dock, and I promise they will be safe and sound."

"In that case... I believe you, Your Highness," Tigu. Payne stood up, knelt on one knee, straightened his chest and abdomen, and paid the prince a standard knightly salute, "I am willing to fight for you."

……

After Tigu and Nana Wawa left, Anna gave Roland a glare.

"Are you dreaming?" she said, "I'm not going anywhere."

Welcome all friends to come and read. The latest, fastest, and most popular serialized works are all in the original!