2: Earl of Iris

Linn followed the black-armored knights across more than half the kingdom. When he stepped out of the teleportation array in the royal capital, he found himself in Maple Leaf City, the administrative seat of Molan Province where the Iris Family was located. This provincial capital, famous for its autumn skies filled with red leaves, was only slightly less prosperous than the royal capital. However, Linn had no time to admire it; he was soon stuffed into a simple carriage. After three days of continuous jolting, he finally arrived at the Count Ailisis Fief.

The closer they got to the heart of the family territory, the wider and smoother the roads became. Buildings lined the way, and caravans passed by incessantly. Farmland stretched out in a grid, and the chimneys of the workshop district rose in the distance, showing the vibrant vitality of this territory. This prosperity, accumulated over six hundred years, was indeed something ordinary nobles could not compare to.

The family castle, "Iron Rock Castle," stood tall in the twilight. Its obsidian-built walls shimmered with a cold, hard luster under the setting sun, like a crouching giant beast. There was no grand welcoming ceremony, and not even a single significant family member made an appearance. Two rows of black-armored knights stood at the castle gate, the murderous aura emanating from them forming an invisible pressure. Even more powerful Griffon Knights patrolled the Sky over the entire Count Ailisis Fief, making Linn, who was only a Bronze Rank mage, feel his breath hitch.

Just as he was adjusting his breathing, a thin old man wearing a faded servant's robe walked quickly out of a side door. His gray hair was combed neatly, and although time had carved deep furrows into his face, his eyes were exceptionally bright as he looked at Linn.

"Young Master Linn," Old Morton's voice trembled with uncontrollable emotion. He stepped forward quickly, his calloused hands pausing in the air before he restrained himself and kept them at his side. "You've finally returned. You've grown taller, and you've become even more handsome..."

Linn gazed at the old servant who had carefully looked after him since his biological mother died of illness when he was five. Perhaps residual emotions from the original owner were at play, as a sour feeling welled up in his nose. He took the initiative to reach out and pat the old man's thin shoulder. "Old Mo, it's been hard on you."

"It's not hard, not hard at all!" Morton waved his hands repeatedly, tears welling in the corners of his eyes. "Young Master must be exhausted from the journey. Please follow this old servant back to rest."

He led Linn through the castle's side corridors toward the servants' living quarters. As an ignored illegitimate son of the family, Linn's residence was in this remote corner. Aside from the empty title of "Young Master," his treatment was no different from that of an ordinary servant.

Pushing open the familiar wooden door, a small but tidy room came into view. The worn-out furniture was polished spotless, the coarse wooden floor was buffed smooth, and there was even a pot of blooming wildflowers on the windowsill. This place held the last memories of the original owner and his mother, and it was his only haven during childhood. During those days when he was frequently bullied by his two elder brothers, the pain on his body only seemed to ease slightly when he returned to this small room and hid behind Morton.

"Sit down quickly, Young Master. I'll pour you some water." Morton turned toward the kettle in the corner.

"Old Mo, don't bother." Linn stopped him, his expression serious. "Have you heard anything in the castle about why the family summoned me back so urgently?"

As a transmigrator, Linn had no attachment to this castle. With his strength as a Bronze High Rank mage, making a living outside wouldn't be difficult. But as a nominal member of the Iris Family, his own strength was far from being able to contend with the family. At this time, he could only choose to comply; surviving was more important than anything else.

Morton sighed and lowered his voice. "Young Master, a month ago, I vaguely heard that the Royal Family is preparing for a large-scale expansion into the Storm Sea Region in the eastern part of the kingdom. That sea is dotted with islands. In the past, due to raging hurricanes, frequent thunderstorms, and rampant pirates, the kingdom's main forces failed several times. Later, they shifted to the Great Wilderness Forest in the northeast. But it's said that in recent years, the climate in the Storm Sea Region has miraculously improved, so the Royal Family has restarted the expansion plan. Every family must send someone to develop the Storm Sea Region."

Linn was lost in thought. He had heard rumors about this while at the academy. A few years ago, the kingdom joined forces with the Fama Kingdom to launch a war against the Northern Dwarves, but they were unexpectedly counterattacked by a coalition of dwarves and Orcs, resulting in the loss of decades of progress in the northeast region.

The Aolai Kingdom is located at the easternmost part of the Saidi Luoyate West Continent. Aside from expanding into the Great Wilderness Forest, only the Storm Sea Region remains. For the Aolai Kingdom, whose territory is not large to begin with, expanding into the Storm Sea Region has indeed become an inevitable choice concerning the nation's fate.

"So," Linn's voice was very soft, as if he were talking to himself, "the family intends for me to participate in this expansion?"

Deep concern flashed in Morton's eyes. "Young Master, although the Storm Sea Region hasn't seen large-scale expansion for nearly a thousand years, pirate forces have been entrenched there for a long time. Moreover, even though the climate has improved, the eerie currents and sudden storms still frequently make it impossible for ships to sail normally. It's said that the nobles who went to expand first have already lost a great deal of resources and lives. Although there are many opportunities, in the end... it's a perilous situation with a slim chance of survival..."

He didn't finish his sentence, but Linn already understood. The kingdom mandated that every noble family must expand new territories for the Royal Family. However, the risk was too high, so his two legitimate brothers naturally wouldn't take the risk. This "honor" would naturally fall on the head of an unwanted illegitimate son like him.

The family couldn't wait to summon me back as soon as I got my graduation certificate. They likely want to deal with the pressure from the Royal Family—an insignificant illegitimate son is the perfect shield to fulfill the kingdom's command. Linn gave a self-deprecating smile. What a damn fine calculation!

Outside the window, the last rays of the setting sun sank into the towering spires of Iron Rock Castle. Linn unconsciously turned the Jasper Ring his mother had left him on his thumb, while his other hand gently brushed the outline of the Sleeve Bow gifted by Payson on his forearm.

Looking at Morton's worried, weathered face, Linn instead showed a faint smile. He didn't think this was such a terrible thing.

The Storm Sea Region... In everyone else's eyes, it was a dead end, but for him, it was precisely the perfect opportunity to break free from the family's shackles and truly establish himself in this world. Getting away from the kingdom's power struggles and the family's constant interference was the starting point he had been dreaming of.

Accumulate grain and slowly claim the throne. As long as he was given enough time and space to develop, he would no longer need to answer to anyone once his strength was great enough. As a youth from the 21st century, who didn't have a hot-blooded dream?

Speaking of which, the talent of this body wasn't too bad; it could be considered lower-middle tier. The Warrior profession was the most common on the continent, while the Mage profession was relatively more difficult to cultivate. A high-level Archmage casting a spell was a terrifying scene. To study magic, one must be born with an Elemental Affinity for the world's elements.

His mother was from the Elf Race, and the Elf Race was naturally more likely to gain the recognition of the world's elements than humans. Given Count Ailisis's status, it would have been impossible for him to just keep any Elf Race woman in his territory and have a child. So, his genes weren't outrageously bad. From his fragmented memories, his mother seemed to be the daughter of a fallen noble from the Elf Empire, who was later sold as a slave to Count Ailisis after a war.

Furthermore, he was a dual-class practitioner. An Apothecary was also a respected profession on the continent, but unfortunately, researching potions required a significant investment of time and resources. The family had never provided any funding. Relying on basic materials from the academy for three years, he was still only a Level 1 Apothecary, capable of concocting only simple wound medicines and apprentice-level cultivation potions.

"Old Mo, I roughly understand the situation. You don't need to worry. It's late; go get some rest! Tomorrow morning, I still have to go pay my respects to Count Ailisis."

"Alright, Young Master. This old servant will take his leave then. Call me anytime if you need anything." Morton quietly exited the room.

Linn stretched, kicked off his shoes, and lay directly on the bed. The continuous travel of the past few days had left him somewhat fatigued. He looked at his ring, which was emitting a faint glow.

"System! System! Are you there?"

...Linn waited for a while, but the room remained as quiet as ever.

"That shouldn't be right!"

Linn thought to himself that according to the normal transmigration script, the main quest was about to start and he was heading off to his potential death, so the system should have appeared by now. Could it be that fairy tales are all lies and I won't be your prince? Bah, bah, bah! My mind is wandering.

Actually, when Linn first arrived in this world three years ago, he had tried various methods to summon a system, but it was useless. Later, he studied the ring his mother left behind; he had dripped several pounds of blood on it over time, but no old man with a white beard ever popped out.

"Forget it, forget it! I'll sleep first and see how that cheap old man of mine plans to settle me tomorrow."