Chapter 1010 - 142: Consolidating Rule over Blue Mirror Territory (4)
Knight Stern is now a Champion-level knight; he was one of the first knights to follow Su Li. Back at the mouth of Thorny River Valley, he smoothly broke through from an official knight to an Elite Knight thanks to the effects of the Fire Rabbit. At that time, Su Li only had five Elite Knights under his command, and the team hadn’t even stepped outside the scope of Bauhinia Castle.
Then Knight Stern continued to follow Su Li in battles, from the initial Battle of Brionne Valley, to fiercely fighting against Khorne’s Chosen Skar, defending the border outpost against monster sieges, and countering the powerful Green Dragon Followers legion. It can be said that he followed Su Li in overcoming obstacles and hardships, jointly founding the territory.
In subsequent development, he extremely supported Su Li’s various policies. Whether it was financing loans for territory development or buying Jade Stones and Light-Scaled Fish to develop the manor and expand the territory, he firmly stood on Su Li’s side, aiding in the territory’s growth.
So already last year, Su Li rewarded him by promoting him to Knight Captain of the Hesse Guard Knights.
Stern Knight is very satisfied with this; as a young man, he is more focused on pursuing honor. The status of Hesse Guard Knights is no lesser than Kingdom Knights, and he feels very proud and honored.
However, his father Knight Connor is very displeased, as Knight Connor himself is the Deputy Leader of the Secular Knight Order. He initially dispatched Stern to follow Su Li to the Border Prince’s Territory with the aim of forging family honor and establishing a noble territory belonging to the Gonzalez Clan. Stern’s path was much heavier than his father’s!
Forced by circumstances, Knight Connor participated in the Empire’s Holy Expedition, hoping to win glory for the family to become noble and garner fame.
Under such circumstances, Knight Stern deliberated and decided to marry into the Viller Clan. After redeeming Lady Isabella, the two families swiftly announced the marriage.
Although Knight Stern is not yet a noble, no one feels there is a disparity in their status. On the contrary, within Hesse Territory, most people feel Lady Isabella is reaching high.
Because the candidates for Hesse Guard Knights are all capable of matching noble status, and Knight Stern is an outstanding one among them. Once the Lord decides to grant him territory, then Stern will immediately become a Kingdom Knight.
But Kingdom Knights and Kingdom Knights are not all the same; a family like the Viller Clan is basically at their limit. They can hardly develop further, controlling a few villages is their maximum.
For the Gonzalez Clan, of which Knights Connor and Stern are members, this is just their starting point! Their family, having followed Su Li on campaigns, possesses abundant wealth and can quickly develop after acquiring territory, perhaps soon establishing a small town with a few affiliated villages.
More importantly, this Kingdom Knight’s Territory can grow along with the entire Hesse Territory due to military accomplishments! When Su Li was a Baron, they were certainly only Kingdom Knights.
But when Su Li becomes a Count, this Kingdom Knight’s Territory can aspire towards a Baron’s Territory. When Su Li becomes a Duke, this territory will undoubtedly be promoted to a Baron’s Territory!
When Su Li becomes an Elector, the prospects of this territory are limitless. Baron, Count, and even Duke is possible! It mainly depends on their family’s future political and military performance, including their strength. If the family has two Chosen Ones, or multiple Champion Knights, and consumes many Holy Purple Vine Tree fruits, it’s entirely possible to aspire to a Duke.
At the Baron stage, that’s when the Viller Clan benefits. Their small Kingdom Knight’s Territory occupies only a minor corner in the larger territory.
Currently, the Gonzalez Clan needs a noble political marriage to enhance its position and influence within the territory, enabling young Female Knight Isabella to seize a great opportunity.
Of course, Isabella’s strength and appearance also contribute; she’s young with Elite Level knight abilities and is considered quite comely. That’s why she attracts Knight Stern’s attention. Marrying her not only raises their family’s influence but also helps stabilize the territory’s control over Blue Mirror Territory.