Knights and Magic Wand
Chapter 394 - 394 188 Eriv's Response

394: Chapter 188 Eriv’s Response 394: Chapter 188 Eriv’s Response In the administrative room of Glade County.

Handling the heavy government affairs, he glanced over at his eldest son at another desk, who had just finished reading a letter from Avalon.

Eriv put down his pen, looked up from the authorized document he had been writing, and asked leisurely, “Well?

Regarding this application to establish a Knight Order, if you were in my position now, how would you respond?”

The young master of the Thorny Flower Family, already granted the title of Baron, Fedor, seriously pondered over his father’s test.

After much consideration, he furrowed his brows and gave his opinion, “Sir Lokhak and Sir Azeryan are already close friends of Baron Leon; their relationship is too tight.

Now they want to form an alliance under the name of a Knight Order, which practically makes them one family.

If this continues, are those two Sirs your vassals or his vassals?”

“So, you take Leon’s letter as an attempt to form a faction and a test for me?” Eriv raised an eyebrow, not expressing an opinion.

“Isn’t it, father?”

Fedor couldn’t help but continue, “You have already shown excessive favor to that Lord Leon, which might have made him somewhat neglect your authority and dignity.

Thus, there’s an opportunity to give him a firm reminder with severe wording in a reply to make him understand where the boundaries of a vassal should not be crossed, ensuring Lord Leon does not become more arrogant and push his luck in the future…this is also for his good.”

“Your response is indeed a prudent strategy for ruling subordinates.” Eriv leaned back on the chair, shaking his head, “But feeding them fine grain and commanding with a whip is ultimately a means of training warhorses, not a way to interact with a Griffin.”

The Thorny Flower Earl finished speaking and said to the attendant beside him, “Go call Sir Filipo.”

“Yes, my lord.”

The attendant immediately went to summon the young knight who had already been granted a title.

Soon, dressed in casual clothes and clearly having just exerted himself on the training grounds of the castle, the young man hurriedly arrived at the Lord’s administrative room.

“My lord, what are your orders?”

Filipo Anquilla bowed respectfully.

Looking at this Baron’s second son who had grown into a commendable knight, Eriv smiled and said, “Filipo, our Baron Leon, having assumed leadership of the territory, now finds himself short-handed and is complaining to me.

He plans to establish a Knight Order in Avalon to defend and govern his lands, and I have approved it.

Are you willing to go and assist?”

Upon hearing this, Filipo straightened his posture, “It’s my duty, my lord.

The experience of defeating the Wolf Domain Army alongside Lord Leon still fills me with pride today.

Honestly, my previous efforts were limited and I have yet to fully repay Lord Leon’s life-saving grace.”

Eriv nodded with a smile, “Good, then you take my authorization document and head to Avalon immediately.

If Leon agrees for you to join his Knight Order, perhaps you can also ask if he has the capacity to cover the salaries for more knights.

I recall that Caven, Ryan, and Corinth were complaining about not being able to make the best use of their skills in the territory.

If they don’t want to just stay like farmers in the countryside, why not go help Baron Leon with you.” Eriv said to his loyal attendant who had served him for many years, handing over the sealed reply and document.

“As you command.” Knight Filipo bowed to take the letters and left the room, excitedly preparing to take his attendants and set out immediately for the Avalon Territory.

The opportunity to once again repay the brave knight who saved his honor and life filled him with joy.

As the young family knight left, Eriv turned to his eldest son and asked, “So?

Do you understand now?”

Fedor pondered, “…I understand, father indeed handled it wisely.”

“How do you interpret it?

Tell me,” Eriv asked.

The young master of Thorny Flower thought for a moment and answered earnestly, “Lord Filipo and those knights have all served father closely since childhood; they would never betray the family.

Their joining Lord Leon’s Knight Order under the pretext of helping Avalon, if rejected, would clearly prove Lord Leon has ulterior motives, and his difficulties are just an excuse.

If he accepts, then father’s trusted men can observe the internal matters of the Knight Order openly.

If any disloyal actions are discovered in the future, father can order measures accordingly, well-founded and without chilling the hearts of other family vassals.”

Listening to his eldest son’s thought process, Eriv neither scolded nor praised.

He shook his head, “Fedor, your analysis in terms of results and methods is correct, but I don’t want you to approach the matter with such a mindset.

Interacting with heroes becomes too calculating and scheming, and implicitly you lose the temperament necessary to navigate the world’s heroes.

There’s not so much complexity here.

Leon complained to me, and I assist him to the utmost of my abilities.

He’s a straightforward person, and I respond with honesty.

We are ruler and minister, but also friends.

I can assure you, when he sees the family knights I sent, Leon will only feel gratitude and joy, without any concern of so-called surveillance—not because he is unaware of the methods you’re considering…but simply because he does not have the probing and arrogant heart you assume he has.

My exchanges with him form a genuine friendship and tacit understanding, not mutual probing.”

Eriv admonished his eldest son, “Suspicion arises from doubt, and doubt can devastate precious trust.

Keeping a vigilant heart is good; preparing measures is equally wise.

But you need to discern whom you should remain guarded against and whom you should approach with openness.

The ability to discern people is more crucial for a ruler than bravery and learning.”

Fedor did not refute; he nodded, yet couldn’t help but ask, “But father, if you approve Lord Leon’s application, then what if other vassals follow the example and form so-called Knight Orders with other lords…”

“Isn’t that a good thing?” Eriv laughed heartily.

“Leon will surely accept the knights I sent, so if other barons decide similarly in the future, regardless of whether it’s under the name of a Knight Order or some other method, there’s naturally no reason for them to refuse the attendants I send to ‘assist’.

If everyone is willing to help the family in maintaining men and aid, why shouldn’t I permit it?…”

Fedor suddenly realized, seemingly understanding the deeper meaning behind his father’s words.

The family might not be able to rule every inch of the vast land alone, necessitating the division of territory among meritorious officials for governance.

But if there’s a legitimate reason to place eyes around each vassal, it would instead strengthen control over the barons.

If even the meritorious are not rejecting the family’s delegated confidants, then what grounds would other lords have to complain if they ever develop disloyal thoughts?

Who could claim greater deeds than Baron Leon?

…

Having dealt with the minor matters he could assist with, Fedor stood to take his leave of both father and mother.

Eriv laid down the scroll recording past financial projects of Glade County and rubbed his brow.

Though he could understand the documents written in Urian script, it wasn’t his native language, and staring at them for long periods was really more headache-inducing than charging into battle.