When Count Offman returned to his camp, he immediately summoned Ed. Ed then described Robson's performance in vivid detail.
He recounted everything, from how Robson had stepped forward to teach him how to stabilize the situation, to how he had later issued military orders in Count Offman's name.
'What a promising talent!'
After listening, Offman paced back and forth inside his tent, finding himself in a bit of a dilemma over how to handle the young man.
'I definitely can't let talent like this slip through my fingers. The best course of action would be to grant him a title and make him my household servant.'
This was a common tactic among the nobility. Nobles of lower status but extraordinary talent would often attach themselves to the great noble houses, with some directly accepting an honorary title to become household servants.
'But then again, a young and ambitious man like Robson might not be content with a subordinate position. Besides, he's Ed's friend...'
"Go and ask Sir Robson to come here. I want to thank him personally," Count Offman instructed.
"Yes, Father," Ed replied, accepting the order.
A short while later, Ed led Robson into the tent.
Robson understood that this was the post-battle reckoning. It was time for his reward.
Although he knew he was about to receive a generous reward from an Earl Clan, Robson remained outwardly calm.
This detail deepened Count Offman's impression of him, and he found himself approving of the young noble even more.
"Earl, Officer Robson of the Twelfth Legion requests an audience," Robson said, bowing respectfully.
"Mm, let's skip the pleasantries. The Deriman Family owes you a great debt. What do you want?" Count Offman asked.
"I only ask that my lord not hold me accountable for issuing unauthorized military orders. As for anything else, I believe saving one's comrades is the undeniable duty of a noble," Robson said.
Robson had no intention of naming his own price. Even a sliver of what the Deriman Family could offer would be more than enough for him.
In the world of nobles, a debt of gratitude must be repaid. It was a matter of a family's honor, and this was especially true for a renowned house like the Deriman Family.
Even though Robson claimed he acted out of a sense of duty, it would be utterly dishonorable if Count Offman were to take him at his word and offer nothing.
Despite knowing Robson was just speaking in pleasantries, Count Offman found the words very pleasing to hear.
"Hah! You young man, enough with the pleasantries. What's inside this ring is the gratitude of the Deriman Family."
As he spoke, Count Offman pulled a Space Ring from his chest.
'An Earl Clan is an Earl Clan, after all,' Robson couldn't help but marvel. 'This ring alone is worth several hundred Gold Coins, the entire annual tax revenue of a Baron's Domain.'
"Right now, the Deriman Family has two vacant positions. One is an honorary Viscount, and the other is a vacant Knight's Domain in Akxsi Province. Which do you choose?" Count Offman asked.
In the end, Count Offman decided to let Robson choose for himself. His approach to such talented individuals was to maintain a friendly relationship; it wasn't necessary to recruit them at the first opportunity.
In fact, it wasn't just Count Offman; most human families with any sort of legacy operated this way. It was part of the foundational wisdom passed down from their ancestors over thousands of years.
Robson understood Count Offman's meaning. The honorary Viscount title was an offer to become a household servant, while the Knight's Domain would make him a true, landed noble.
Offering a Knight's Territory wasn't a sign of the Deriman Family being stingy; on the contrary, it was a display of their generosity.
The nobles of the kingdom were broadly divided into two factions, northern and southern. The northern nobles were generally warmongering and poured any money they had into their armies, leaving their domains impoverished.
Akxsi Province, however, was in the south, a truly wealthy region. The procedures required to install a landed Knight there were considerable.
Robson stood up.
"While becoming a Viscount is indeed one of my lifelong ambitions, I am a man who values his freedom. I fear I would only cause trouble for the Count in the future," Robson said.
In the end, Robson chose to become a Knight first. While becoming a household servant of the Deriman Family was tempting, it would mean he would be tied to their battlefields for the rest of his life.
If he were in the twilight of his years, he certainly would have chosen to bind himself to the Deriman Family. But he was only twenty years old, and with the experiences of his past life, he believed he could achieve a different kind of success in this one.
Count Offman gave a faint smile. He liked young men with such courage and talent.
"The gates of the Deriman Family will always be open to you, Sir."
After speaking, Count Offman flicked his hands, and the Space Ring landed in Robson's grasp.
"Thank you for your generosity, my lord," Robson replied.
...
After his conversation with Count Offman, Robson returned to his camp, with Knight Ed following close behind.
"Huh? Robson, why did you choose to become a Knight? Wouldn't becoming a Viscount be a direct path to the top?" Knight Ed asked, not quite understanding.
Robson's feelings were a bit complicated upon hearing this.
'Why? Actually, Knight Ed himself is part of the reason. After all, who would want to navigate the political world following a complete amateur?'
"I'm not really one to enjoy that kind of luxurious life. For someone like me, being a simple Knight is enough to satisfy my ambitions," Robson said.
"Is that so?" Although Knight Ed found it strange, he ultimately chose to believe him.
This only strengthened Robson's conviction in his choice of a Knight's title.
"Oh, right. Several nobles died for the realm in the last battle. My father said you should take command of their troops," Knight Ed said.
Robson nodded. 'Count Offman must have seen my talent for commanding troops and is preparing to give me more responsibility.'
'This has its ups and downs, but if I want to climb the ranks, it's best to accept it.'
"I understand. I'll take them over as soon as possible," Robson replied.
"Alright, I'll be going then," Knight Ed said.
The two said their goodbyes and parted ways. Robson returned to his tent and used his Battle Qi to open the Space Ring.
The Space Ring had a volume of about ten cubic meters. Inside was a complete set of Enchanted High-Tier Enchanted Equipment, as well as an Enchanted High-Tier Bow.
Robson took a deep breath. 'The Earl Clan is so generous.'
Enchanting required the use of precious Mages. Mages were far more valuable than Knights; their talent was one in ten thousand, and the cost of their training was prohibitive.
The common low-tier enchanted equipment on the market started at over 1,000 Gold Coins, and even then, it was often available in price only, with no actual supply. High-tier enchanted equipment required at least a 7th-rank Mage, something Robson wouldn't even dare to dream of.
'With this equipment, my strength will increase by at least a whole tier!'
'But what's that book?'
Robson picked it up curiously and found it was a brand-new copy of the *Knight's Eight Techniques*.
'*Knight's Eight Techniques*? Was it always this thick?'
Puzzled, Robson discovered that it not only contained numerous improvements to the original *Knight's Eight Techniques* but also incorporated sections on archery, horsemanship, and more.
'So this is the advanced version of the *Knight's Eight Techniques*, refined by the Deriman Family over many generations. This kind of thing could be considered part of a family's core heritage!'
'Something like this would never normally circulate on the open market...'
This was true for the entire continent. It wasn't entirely due to selfishness; there was also the concern that if a family's martial techniques were leaked, opponents would develop countermeasures.
'This is exactly what I need most right now! I have the Mount & Blade System. These martial techniques are practically tailor-made for me.'