A middle-aged butler led Hardy into the castle's living room.

The obese lord Phonicia is talking to a man who looks like a merchant.

The butler pointed around the corner, and Hardy walked over and waited patiently.

After about half an hour, the two of them finally finished talking, and the butler led Hardy to the fat man.

This fat man was in the prime of life, about thirty years old.

He looked Hardy up and down for a moment, then laughed, "I haven't seen you in a few years, you've grown up." ”

Hardy stepped forward, bowed, and said, "It's been a long time, Your Excellency, you're still so funny. ”

"You can only praise me for being funny." The fat lord waved his hand indifferently: "Actually, I want to hear you praise me for being handsome." ”

Hardy looked up and smiled bitterly, "Your Excellency, you can't let us speak with a clear conscience. ”

"Hahahaha!" Virginia slapped her fat thigh a few times before she smiled and said, "I haven't seen you for a few years, but your personality is much more cheerful, not as gloomy as before." This time I took the initiative to come to me for my father's business. ”

Virginia had known about the disappearance of Hardy Sr.

As one of the wealthy merchant families in his territory, he actually has a lot of affection for the Hardy family.

It's just that Old Hardy is not missing in Riverstream Town, but in the land of other lords, and he can't go over to investigate, which is a great pity.

"No, I'll find a chance to deal with my father's affairs." Hadi raised the box in his hand and said, "This time I want to give a gift to Your Excellency the lord to repay you for your care of our Hadi family for so many years. ”

"A gift."

The lord signaled, and the middle-aged butler stepped forward, took the box in his hand, opened it, and checked it, and then took it to the fat lord.

"Title deeds?" Virginia picked up the parchment inside, and after flipping through a few sheets, his expression was quite strange: "It's a blacksmith shop, this is the most profitable property of your Hardy family, give it all to me?" ”

"What you can't keep, no matter how strong you keep it in your hands, you will only get into trouble."

Virginia nodded: "Very good, I took care of this matter, you gave me a big gift for nothing, what more do you want?" ”

Virginia still knew something about what was happening in his territory, and he knew very well what it meant for these blacksmiths to be sent over.

The troubles of Hardy's house, in his opinion, are just two ants fighting.

He had long been interested in the blacksmith shop of the Hardy family, but because of his status as a lord, he didn't want to do things so desperately, so he didn't make a move.

But this does not mean that he will not be angry when people from the outside run to his territory and grab what he fancies.

Hardy knelt down on one knee and said, "I hope to be a retainer of the House of Virginia, to be a brave and loyal knight to fight for this sacred realm." ”

When Virginia heard this, she laughed, "Yes, the Hardy family finally has someone who understands. If your father had understood earlier and was willing to accept my recruitment, how could this happen? ”

Hardy had to smile wryly.

Then Virginia stood up, and though he was fat, he walked with a dragon's stride.

The butler next to him immediately brought a ceremonial sword studded with gems.

Virginia took it with a backhand, pulled a beautiful sword flower, and then pressed the sword on Hardy's left shoulder: "I, Earl of River Stream, the family of red-sidedled lions, Virginia VI hereby declares that I will grant Hardy the status of knight as the son of the family." The gods testify that the House of Virginia and the House of Hardy will be each other's most loyal friends and relatives! ”

Hardy raised his head and smiled: "The gods testify that from this time on, the Hardy family will always uphold the legitimate rule of Virginia VI in this land, and his friends are friends of the Hardy family, and his enemies will be the unending target of the Hardy family." ”

"Excellent! I feel your enthusiasm. Virginia retrieved the ceremonial sword and handed it to the steward next to him: "As is customary, you will be able to raise an army of up to a hundred people, and you will be given a small territory of your own. Now there are only three pieces left in the 'unternulated' land of my territory. ”

The middle-aged butler brought a parchment map from the side.

Virginia pointed to it: "You pick a piece." ”

"This mountain forest." Hardy pointed to the edge of the river collar.

"But there's a bunch of troublesome mountain people there."

"I'll find a way to deal with them."

Virginia was a little surprised: "You have really changed a lot, as far as I know, you have not been very confident all along, and you only go around the beautiful daughter of the Minter family." But now, I saw only one strong knight. ”

"Thank you, Lord, for the compliment."

"Overall, I'm taking advantage." Virginia rolled up the parchment map: "So I can give you a promise, as long as you can exterminate those troublesome mountain people within three years, I can give you the title of baron, and have the right to match." ”

A knight is not a real nobleman, just an honor, and his status is between a nobleman and a commoner, which is actually quite embarrassing.

Only when you get the title is the real noble.

Hardy straightened his expression and said seriously, "I won't let you down, Your Excellency. ”

"Good." Virginia patted Hardy on the shoulder: "The letter of appointment will be delivered to your home by the evening, now...... Get together with your friends and celebrate your new identity. ”

Coming out of the castle in Virginia, I took a horse-drawn carriage back home.

Along the way, Jack tried to say something several times, but finally held back.

Because he felt that Hardy's expression was 'calm', as if something had happened, and as if nothing had happened.

He didn't know what the little master was 'begging' for when he gave away the most profitable business in the family.

I don't know if it worked.

The little master didn't say anything, and he didn't dare to ask.

When he got home, Hardy locked himself in his study and pondered.

In the 'history of the game' as he knows, there is no Hardy scene.

There are only three famous big people in the river stream.

Lane the Brave, Karina, and Lord Virginia VI!

In other words, before the three of them became famous, the Hardy family was already 'gone'.

What caused it, no one knows.

Because no one cares about a little person who is not famous, and is still a little person who is already dead.

The disappearance of the 'father' and the troubles in the blacksmith shop are just the beginning.

The enemy will soon come to the door, and the Hadi family faces a dead end.

Now the first step to break the game has been taken and he has obtained the status of a knight.

It is imperative to form your own army.

No strength, no matter how much money you have...... It's just fish on someone else's chopping board.

And those mountain people are the best source of soldiers at this stage.