CHAPTER 50: CHAPTER 50: REFUSAL

Amid the growing chorus of discussions, Ryan could already hear snippets of what was being said.

Some barons had begun negotiating how to divide the lands that would soon belong to the new lords, while others were plotting to demote some pioneer nobles—those originally qualified to become barons—to mere lords, then devour them completely.

The assembly was gradually splitting into two factions. One consisted of the fifth-rank nobles. Though the institution of the lordship system affected them, the fact that lords had to be subordinate to the fifth-rank titled nobles allowed them to harvest significant wealth.

Especially here in the Northern Wind Province, where several territories had essentially been consolidated—the wealth, of course, was destined to flow into the hands of those fifth-rank nobles.

As for the pioneer nobles and knights, part of them began scheming to ensure their territories were elevated to baronies, while others were left despondent and furious.

Becoming a lord—did that really make one a noble? They didn’t believe it. It still felt like an inferior status.

"Count Laxu, what if we reject the Empire’s proposal?"

A pioneer knight stood up and spoke. He represented a sizable group of people.

"If all the nobles of Northern Wind Province collectively reject the resolution from the southern conference, I believe that would still carry some weight."

Count Laxu chuckled amiably, but the other nobles were clearly displeased.

"What’s this about all the nobles of the Northern Wind Province? Don’t talk nonsense, Knight Weller."

A baron immediately snorted and couldn’t help but say:

"As I see it, it’s clear that the Northern Wind Province is fully on board. You pioneer knights aren’t nobles yet. Even those so-called pioneer nobles haven’t been formally ennobled."

"What right do you have to weigh in on this meeting’s decision?"

These words drew angry glares from many in the crowd toward that baron. Such blatant condescension was a slap in the face—they were no mere mud-legged peasants.

"Count, once someone becomes a lord, how can they advance further?"

In the end, the pioneer knights began to face reality. They couldn’t change the outcome and could only ask practical questions.

"Well..."

Count Laxu found himself in a bind. The Empire had indeed not thought that far ahead. After all, the creation of the lordship system was, in some sense, a way to entrench the current class structure. Becoming a lord was already considered the end of the road—climbing higher was extremely difficult.

This system had originally been designed to restrain powerful nobles like himself—to prevent them from climbing to ducal status. Who would’ve thought these future lords still held such aspirations?

"This lordship system was instituted to reward imperial frontier expansion. As long as more territory can be developed, lords will naturally have the chance to be elevated to barons, and even dukes one day isn’t out of the question."

Count Laxu said this offhandedly. He wasn’t the one who’d have to deal with any consequences anyway, so he could say whatever he pleased.

The Empire couldn’t publicly seal off every path of advancement, so such an answer was enough to placate many nobles.

With that, the rest of the matters became straightforward: discussions on the lordship titles, determining which pioneer noble territories could be elevated to baronies, and figuring out how to divide the 1.5 million gold coins.

Of course, aside from the second item, which involved some pioneer nobles and Count Laxu, the rest were behind-closed-door affairs handled solely by the nobles of the Northern Wind Province.

As Count Laxu set off to survey the province to decide who could be promoted from pioneer noble to baron, the other nobles shut their doors and began deliberating the remaining two matters.

To whom should the lords swear allegiance?

This question had no clear answer—yet one answer was practically ruled out: virtually none of the pioneer knights were willing to become lords under the nearby baronies.

After all, over the past two or three decades, the only relationships they had with one another were disputes over interests. To become a subordinate to a former rival’s family now would be tantamount to walking into a trap.

Just look at Baron Hatton. If the young knight Walter—whose territory neighbored Hatton’s—were to become a lord under House Hatton, he’d be devoured in no time.

So this made the choice quite interesting. If a pioneer knight wanted to submit to a noble, their first concern was whether that noble could assist them in subduing their original rivals.

For instance, Ryan noticed that young Walter—about the same age as himself—was chatting away quite warmly with Baron Roch of the Crow Territory. Judging by the eye contact and smiles, they seemed to have reached some sort of agreement.

Thanks to Count Laxu’s earlier words, these pioneer knights still had the freedom to choose for now.

But no one came to Ryan.

Not a single one from Lingdu County, because they all knew what the Tundra Territory was like—or rather, what it used to be like. As for what it had become now, they had no clue.

In just a few short months, even Baron Hatton, the nearest neighbor, was stunned by the changes in the Tundra Territory. The rest of the nobles paid it no mind at all—especially since Ryan had remained an outsider to the social circles of Northern Wind’s nobility ever since his arrival.

Ryan thought this matter had nothing to do with him—until a pioneer knight set his sights on him.

"Baron Ryan, greetings from Black."

A middle-aged pioneer knight approached, giving Ryan a perfectly proper noble salute. His lowered gaze held a subtle glimmer of sharp intelligence.

This visitor was not friendly.

But of course, why would someone with good intentions seek out the lord of the Tundra Territory?

"Greetings, Sir Black,"

Ryan responded calmly with a smile, then asked:

"Sir Black, are you looking to become a lord under my family?"

"Exactly as you guessed. My knightly domain has a small town with a population of 3,000—over 2,000 of whom are my slaves. I also have two small iron mines and a hunting forest."

Sir Black spoke with a trace of pride in his voice. This was the accumulation of his family over many years.

Indeed, for a pioneer knight, had this matter not arisen, Sir Black would likely already have been elevated to Baron Black. His estate was far richer than even Baron Hatton’s.

Any other baron, upon hearing that a pioneer knight with such holdings wished to pledge allegiance, would likely have been ecstatic.

But Ryan was not deceived. Sir Black came from Silverstream County—the southernmost and most affluent county of the Northern Wind Province, right next to Winged Gorge. Why would he choose to serve a lord from the poorest, northernmost Tundra Territory?

Would he relocate everyone to Tundra? Impossible. He merely wanted to use Ryan’s name to legitimize his control over his own knightly domain.

"With such wealth, surely many barons—or even viscounts—would be eager to take you in?"

Ryan smiled and continued.

"Perhaps you should seek out Viscount Hogg. I’m sure he would give you a satisfactory answer."

Ryan had no interest in accepting these ambitious pioneer knights. Each had aspirations as high as the sky.

And besides, under the lordship system, barons had the authority to grant lord titles—why go so far out of your way?