NOVEL NEXT Chapter 31.2
31.2. In Alba Village
After greetings, Nord was invited to the Aubrière family table.
The meal featured meat and vegetables harvested from Alba village. It was not extravagant cuisine but rather simple, rustic fare.
The Aubrière family only governed a small territory of a few hundred people, making them minor nobles. Thus, even as “nobility,” their lifestyle was not the luxurious image most commoners envisioned. That grandeur belonged to the ranks of marquises and earls.
Nonetheless, the financial status of the Aubrière family, however modest, was far superior to that of the Ferris family, whose assets consisted mainly of honor, weapons, and armor.
To Nord, even the “humble country fare” that the Aubrières humbly described was a feast, with fresh vegetables, meat, and the aroma of freshly baked bread.
Being invited to a noble’s dining table does not signify just a meal.
It can be a forum for discussing significant matters, political maneuvering, and, at times, veiled intrigue—though this depends on context.
For someone like Nord, who shared the Aubrière family’s bloodline through Johan, it was merely a gathering among family and relatives.
Over delicious food and wine produced in the territory, conversations naturally shifted to topics such as the political situation in the royal capital and family affairs.
“Nord, have you considered marriage yet?”
“Ah, not quite. As an apprentice, that’s still a ways off for me.”
“An apprentice, you say? Wasn’t it as a dragon knight?”
“Yes, indeed. Though still a low-ranking member, I train with the Iron Dragon Knights.”
“To be in the Iron Dragon Knights at your age! Your father must be so proud!”
“Far from it. Compared to my seniors in the order…”
As wine-filled glasses exchanged hands, conversations became livelier.
When the atmosphere warmed, the topic eventually turned to Nord himself.
The fact that he had joined the Iron Dragon Knights was well known among the Ferris family and their close relatives.
The previous Aubrière head, who had transferred leadership to Johan, was also a knight with the “Sir” title.
To the former Aubrière lord, tales of the Iron Dragon Knights, an elite knightly order, were particularly intriguing.
“So, about these dragon knights, how exactly…”
“Well, what I witnessed during training…”
While Nord couldn’t disclose sensitive information—nor did he know most of it—his accounts as a participant, albeit an apprentice, fascinated the quiet, rural ruling class of Alba village.
Few nobles in the capital knew the internal workings of the Iron Dragon Knights because their activities were largely hidden due to their status as the kingdom’s highest military force.
In contrast, the Royal Guard Knights, often seen accompanying royalty, had higher visibility.
While nobles regularly encountered Royal Guards at royal audiences and ceremonies, interaction with the Iron Dragon Knights, who were primarily stationed at their garrison, was much rarer.
Only large-scale joint exercises provided occasional glimpses of the Iron Dragon Knights to provincial nobles.
“I’ve heard that the Eastern Knights also participated in a major exercise this year.”
“Indeed, my son-in-law from Alba was among them.”
“What was it like, brother?”
“Exhausting, to say the least…”
Johan reminisced about the event.
Alba village, situated to the northeast, was part of the Eastern Knights.
Thus, the Aubrière family had participated in the grand exercise, and Johan shared stories from it.
The results were already known to Nord’s father, Albert, and eldest brother, Albireo, from their conversations. Albireo’s tactical leadership during the exercise hinted at a possible promotion, with Albert contemplating transferring the family headship—a potential change for the Ferris family.
“I meant to discuss it tomorrow, but since you’re here, Nord, it’s related.”
“The exercise? I understood the mission was to defeat the Knight Spider.”
“Yes, well…that’s part of it.”
Johan hesitated.
The discussion shifted to more pressing issues in the Alba territory, darkening the previously cheerful dining room.
The scraping of cutlery rang out, breaking the uneasy silence.
Sensing the shift, Nord set aside his wine glass on the pristine tablecloth, focusing on the task.
“During the exercise, woodcutters spotted goblin tracks in the forest. Not just a few—a lot.”
Johan resumed after a pause. Nord listened in silence.
“The goblins were defeated by adventurers, but they reported a ‘giant spider web.’ It suggested a larger monster. Unfortunately, all nearby adventurers were away.”
The grand exercise had left local knight orders and nearby adventurers preoccupied, leaving no one but Nord, a crystal-ranked adventurer, available to respond.
“Ah… I see.”
The demand for resources during the exercise strained local finances. Johan’s request for Nord reflected both practical needs and familial bonds. Nord inwardly sighed, but for the Aubrière family, long-time Ferris supporters, there was no room to refuse.
“So, about the Knight Spider tracks…”
“Thank you!”
Nord took a deep breath and continued discussing strategy, catching sight of Lady Aubrière’s sister secretly petting Newt under the table.