Chapter 12 “Legendary Clan”
Du Wei’s group continued to move onwards with nothing notable happening after the little event. However, the fact that their group just added a new female knight wouldn’t be dismissed by the twenty or so knights that came with the young noble.
For one, they’re very interested in what sort of relationship the lass has with the little boy. After all, they all saw how Rolynn came out of the private room the previous day.
But curiosity aside, there’s actually another bigger reason for the attention, it’s jealousy. That’s right, jealousy, jealousy of how easy she obtained the title of a true knight through underhanded means, or so in their opinion anyways. Warding knights like themselves that belonged to a household were not real knights. Like a Seahorse with the word “horse” in their name, it’s just a title that included the word “knight”.
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So, imagine their discontent when a girl that they’ve met not even a full day ago had just one up these men. Who wouldn’t be irked in the ego? It was already unfortunate enough that they would be picked to follow the young noble back to the Kurt Province, but their only hope of rising in life just flew past their faces!
Everyone knew this master would only be a Baron at best once the time comes, that means of the ten spots available had just been reduced to nine. The fact undoubtedly left their emotions feeling a bit unbalanced inside because it’s clear to them the thirteen-year-old boy didn’t understand the importance of what the title meant to them.
Rolynn definitely felt the demoting gazes shooting her way. Nevertheless, she’s determined to show the world she’s deserving of such a title and that her choice wasn’t wrong.
By sunset Du Wei’s carriage had arrived at a crucial point of his journey. It’s a river with a commonly known name called the “Rowling River”, indication of its relationship to the Rowling House.
For a river to be named after a clan must mean it held an important significance. For one, the flowing body of water spanned across the entirety of the Kurt Province with a very distinct characteristic – the main flowing line sliced through the entirety of the province and acted like a dividing line into the Rowling House’s territory.
South of the river was nothing but open grassland, a prairie perfectly suited for cultivating grain and other livestock. For the Roland Empire, the Kurt Province naturally became a important producer of food, thus making the Rowling family’s territory very profitable.
So how did Du Wei’s family come across such an amazing plot of land stretching over half a province? Well, the story would have to stretch back to two hundred years ago.
At the time the Empire was facing turmoil from within and the northern nobles had taken up arms, invading the central part of the continent and threatening the very existence of the royal family. The situation was dire and everyone believed it’s just a matter of time before everything collapses and a new order comes into power. Now that’s where the Rowling clan’s ancestor rose to power.
Using his wits and heroism, the man single handedly led his small band of loyal knights into an iconic battle of defending the imperial capital. From thereon afterwards everything was history: the person continued his victorious crusade and eventually achieved the status as Grand Marshal, a position that’s never been awarded to anyone else since the Roland Empire’s conception. He married the king’s sister and became a royal relative, hence the crown atop of the Rowling House’s family crest.
Then finally, right before one of the most important battles of their time, the king said to the Rowling family’s ancestor: “If you come back victorious then everything south of this river within the Kurt Province will be forever yours. Also, I will rename this piece of land in your family’s name, indicating to the world of your contribution to the Empire.”
With such encouragement and fabulous wealth awaiting him, the Rowling family’s ancestor won the battle and saved the empire in a one-sided battle. Since then, this river that was originally known as the Emerald River was henceforth renamed as the Rowling River and this prairie renamed the Rowling Prairie.
Even though the glorious period of that time was long gone, two hundred years in the past, it still doesn’t change the emotional excitement circulating within the knights here today. The second they stepped onto this piece of land, a genuine sense of pride and belonging immediately surged within their veins.
Look! This is the land of the Rowling clan! This here is where our ancestors engraved their names into the canals of history!
They’ve been deadpan and dispirited throughout their journey, so, to have this full reversal of mood was a real relief for everyone. This was true even for Du Wei who immediately took notice to the changing atmosphere in the air.
“We’re home! The Rowlings are home! We’re back on our land!”
Different from most nobility, the Rowlings had a tradition of recruiting warriors only from their own land. They believed this would guarantee loyalty from the knights. Even the Earl’s guard, Alpha, was from this province so it’s to be expected that these knights also hailed from the Rowling Plains.
“Have we crossed the Rowling River?” Du Wei asks his attendant after contemplating for a minute.
“Yes milord, we are home.”
“Marde, tell me, were you also born in the Kurt Province?”
“Yes. Even though I grew up in the imperial capital, my father was a genuine native of this region and has worked under your family his entire life. That’s how I inherited the job from him.”
“But Master Du Wei, I must remind you of something important?”
“Hmm, that is?”
“The way you spoke about our home is incorrect and must be avoided.” Making a rarely seen face of sternness, Marde has the nerve to lecture his lord.
“I spoke in the wrong manner? Go ahead, tell me.” Not angry or annoyed, Du Wei became rather amused.
“You asked if I was born in the Kurt Province, that’s inappropriate. Though the Rowling Prairie is located within the Kurt Province, but every citizen of the Rowling territory will not say they belong to the Kurt Province when asked of their origin. A real Rowling citizen will say they were born in the Rowling Prairie. We take pride in our identity. So, Master Du Wei, please don’t say it like that next time. Otherwise you will hurt their feelings, especially when you are the eldest son of the chief of the clan.”
Now this was something Du Wei didn’t expect. Caught off guard by the pride in his attendant’s face, he didn’t have anything to add or reject.
Perhaps I underestimated this family. Only a great household could possibly make their followers and subordinates show such pride when mentioning their origin. If the Earl was under such pressure and it turns out his son was a “retard”, it’s no wonder he would abandon me. A powerful clan cannot be without a capable heir to continue on the legacy.
Even though Du Wei didn’t approve of the cold ways his father treated himself, he’s starting to understand the circumstances that propelled the man into making such decisions. A regular father could perhaps tolerate his child being defective, but as a chief of a vast stretch of land and the livelihood of thousands, then that’s a different matter altogether.
For a minute there, Du Wei found himself lost on how to feel about his old man.
“Master Du Wei…. Should we continue going home?” Marde asks, astonished by the perplexed and confused state of his young lord.
Ever since this former stable hand rose to become what he was today; the man has never seen the boy act this way. It was always either indifference or disinterest.
“Home eh… Yes, let’s go home.” Answering without thinking about it, Du Wei’s mind suddenly felt a rush of excitement after having an idea pop out of his head.
Home! That’s right, I can make a home for myself! Go home, what a wonderful phrase that is.
For Du Wei who always felt like he never belonged to this world, what he lacked was an emotional attachment to those around himself. Now the opportunity to change that has finally come and he could feel the anticipation brimming inside of his little body.
If I can’t go back to my real home then maybe…. I can create a new one to be connected to! After all, life must go on, right?
Using what little afterglow was left in the dimming sky, Du Wei steps out of his ride and looks forward to the horizon. He felt refreshed right now like the fog that’s been clouding his view all these years had finally been dispersed.
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