Knights and Magic Wand
Chapter 76 - 76 57 Feudal Fief

76: Chapter 57: Feudal Fief 76: Chapter 57: Feudal Fief The next day, after seeing off Baron Eriv’s army, Leon and Lokhak discussed matters related to their recent ennoblement in the room where Azeryan was resting, alongside the noble knight left behind to guide them.

He was a burly middle-aged knight named “Balfe Philant,” with a full beard and a scar that slashed diagonally across his face, giving him a fierce appearance.

“Remember, young lords, you are now formally appointed ‘Feudal Knights,’ but you must always strive to uphold the noble character that befits this status.

Becoming a knight doesn’t mean you can do as you please.

If you are ever reported by your subjects or other nobles for any serious infractions or breach of your oaths, then both your title and land can still be taken away by your sovereign,” Balfe warned solemnly.

“Thank you for your advice, Sir Philant, we will certainly keep these vows in mind at all times,” Leon replied earnestly.

“I will do the same,” Lokhak nodded vigorously.

Azeryan did not speak, simply placing his hand on his chest in acknowledgment; he had been taught these admonitions countless times by his father throughout his upbringing.

Balfe’s stern face softened into a smile as he waved his hand, “Don’t be too tense, this warning is just a matter of routine.

I trust you won’t be like certain spoiled and pampered young nobles who get too full of themselves upon becoming lords.”

“Next, let’s talk about the duties of a knight.

According to the laws of the kingdom, all feudal knights nationwide must always have at least one set of complete knight armor, a long-handled cavalry weapon, a sword, a warhorse, and two riding packhorses,” said the senior knight in detail.

Listening, the three of them felt a sense of relief.

After plundering Kantadar’s army’s equipment, they certainly weren’t lacking any of these items.

Balfe stroked his beard, “These are the minimum requirements of a knight’s status, but for you, it should be more than sufficient, so I will not elaborate further.

In addition to this, each of you has a duty to serve your lord for at least forty days each year, accompanied by at least one Knight Attendant, free of charge.

For any service beyond forty days, with your current status as ‘subordinate knights,’ your lord will pay a salary of twenty-five Dier per day.

Should you someday have the fortune to be appointed ‘Square Banner Knights’ based on your merits, that salary will double.”

Twenty-five Dier a day?

That’s…

7.5 gold crowns a month…

Leon calculated in his mind from the original owner’s memory that a knight’s income from military service was about 125 times that of an ordinary farmer in Seryan.

He thought about how many noble knights were in the two armies that had come to Selva and realized that just the personal wages for these knights would cost thousands of gold crowns a month.

Waging war was more than just a matter of burning money.

Leon pondered for a moment, then suddenly asked, “Sir Philant, what happens if, in the future, Lord Eriv issues a military summons, and one of us, for example, is bedridden due to an injury like Azeryan is now, or we are away from our fief on other business and unable to respond to the call immediately?”

Upon hearing this question, Balfe answered with a wave of his hand, “Should such a situation truly arise, you can opt to pay a ‘Shield Tax’ of four gold crowns a month in lieu of your own service, but if you’re also unable to send at least one Knight Attendant, then an additional two gold coins will be required.

However, as someone who has been through it, I’d still recommend that if you aspire to higher glory and status, you should try not to avoid conscription.

For us knights, the battlefield is where we truly make our mark and build our careers.”

Upon seeing the three young men nod in agreement, the older, experienced knight continued to detail their feudal obligations one by one.

He exhaustively explained the finer points, such as the proportion of the gifts they were to prepare for various activities like the heir’s coming of age ceremonies, marriages, and other events involving the Lord’s Thorny Flower family and the Royal Family.

The back and forth questioning was much like a lesson.

“Lord Eriv has granted you three estates without direct instructions on how to distribute them.

You may discuss and decide on your own fiefs before the enfeoffment document is finalized.

Let me know before I return.”

“By the way, Lord Leon, Lord Lokhak, since both of you come from common backgrounds, you currently lack a family surname.

Please choose one as soon as possible, otherwise, when the enfeoffment document is drawn up, only the names of your lands will be used as a suffix,” Knight Balfe reminded.

Leon stroked his chin, as he hadn’t yet considered this.

His name, because it sounded similar to his Earthly original name, Li Ang, continued to be used from the body’s previous owner, including the surname, and he never felt out of place with it.

Should he then select a surname with the pronunciation “Lee”?

Leon Lee?

I might as well go NicoNicoNi,

…that sounds odd, not acceptable.

While Leon was entangled in his thoughts, Lokhak decisively spoke first.

“Lokhak Ferux.”

The tall youth seemed well-prepared, for this was a nickname his mother used to call him, “Uncle Balfe, I’ll take the surname ‘Ferux’ then.”

“Wild horse?

Hmm, a fine surname,” Balfe noted it down, then looked towards Leon.

“And you, Lord Leon, it’s no matter if you can’t decide right this moment, you can take a few days to think about it.

I won’t leave anytime soon.”

“No need for that,” Leon immediately gave up one of the tempting options he had been considering between the two, “Leon Pendragon.”

He unabashedly claimed the surname of King Arthur for himself,

The head of dragons, full of grandeur.

Besides, he was considered a dragon’s descendant in his past life, so taking this surname wasn’t incongruent.

Although in this world’s Felu language, the pronunciation of “Pendragon” didn’t imply the meaning of dragon.

“Pendragon?” Balfe had never heard of this obscure term.

Leon had no choice but to trace the pronunciation’s writing in the air with his finger on the table, thankfully, the original owner had been taught by his father and recognized some of the common Felu script.

“Alright, I’ve got it down.”

After understanding the writing, Balfe raised his eyes to continue speaking to the two, “Now that you have decided on surnames, you can also find someone to create an emblem that represents your identity.

However, you are still subordinate knights, and on the battlefield, you cannot hang personal emblems.

In necessary circumstances, you can only carry the Thorny Rose flag of your Lord.

Be sure not to overstep your bounds.

The flag can only be an isosceles triangle flag or Swallowtail Flag.

Only when Lord Eriv promotes you to ‘Square Banner Knights’ can you use a Square Banner to display your personal or family’s emblem.

Do you understand?”

Leon nodded, realizing that even hanging a flag involved so many rules and nuances for a Knight Master.

“Well, that is all that needs to be said for now.

The rest can wait until you each recruit your Herald Officer, who will also explain the noble customs and etiquette of Orland to you.”