Chapter 104: Five Hundred Plus Five Hundred?!

Andrew also immediately looked at the warhorse behind Gervas upon hearing this.

In fact, as soon as he approached, he had noticed something amiss with the horse, but since reuniting father and son was the priority, he did not ask immediately.

Now that Ernst has confirmed the Fire-Flame Horse, there can be no mistake.

He immediately looked at Gervas again, his face full of confusion.

"This is indeed a Fire-Flame Horse. It was attracted by the Night-Vanilla Grass on my territory and happened to be caught by me on the pasture!"

Gervas spoke in a very flat tone.

But Ernst and the others were far from calm.

"Caught? Seven at once?"

One is worth seventy or eighty gold coins; seven Fire-Flame Horses amount to around five hundred gold coins.

This was no different from stumbling upon a chest of gold coins while out and about!

This was nearly a year's income for the Gale Territory.

"What about those Demon Swift Eagles? Gervas, did the Kingdom station them here specifically to protect the Storm Territory, or lend them to you for temporary use?" Laniel suddenly spoke up.

"Oh, isn't this brother Laniel? You've come too?" Gervas looked in the direction of the voice, wearing an expression of 'surprise'.

"Laniel, these Demon Swift Eagles do not belong to the Kingdom; in fact, I caught them by accident as well."

"They were startled and injured in the Death Mountain Range and happened to land in a patch of red mangrove mudflats within the Storm Territory. After I discovered them, I set up a large net and captured them all!"

"Caught again?!"

Ernst and Laniel's hearts nearly shattered.

There were a full eleven Demon Swift Eagles; at fifty gold coins each, that was another five hundred gold coins in revenue.

Wasn't it said that Fire-Flame Horses and Demon Swift Eagles were exclusive to the great nobles?

Why were they here, lining up and waiting for Gervas to catch them?

Not to mention Ernst and Laniel, even Andrew was moved.

Two years' income for the Gale Territory was not net income; it was gross income before expenses for servants, the army, and so on.

Therefore, to achieve a net income of five hundred gold coins would take at least three years, and only if the territory remained peaceful.

Yet this son of his, in just a month and a half, had picked up double that...

Of course, Andrew did not feel jealous or greedy for this son's wealth.

Instead, he was delighted and spoke up with a suggestion: "Little Gervas, this is the blessing of the God of Glory, something to celebrate. Moreover, father has a suggestion here as well!"

"Regarding the Demon Swift Eagles, you could keep only two and sell the rest, because equipping ordinary archers with Demon Swift Eagles is not cost-effective. The Demon Swift Eagle Knights of the great nobles are true Bronze Knight Archers!"

"So, keeping only two Demon Swift Eagles to serve as scouts patrolling the territory would maximize the guarantee of the territory's safety."

"As for the Fire-Flame Horses, you could keep one for yourself and sell the rest to exchange for medium warhorses."

"In this way, you would gain at least seven or eight hundred gold coins in usable funds. With these precious funds, you could recruit a large number of serfs and guards!"

"You could even hire mercenaries and even extraordinary Guardian Knights; this would greatly enhance the security of your territory."

"Just give you two or three years, and I am certain the Storm Territory will surely grow. The dangers here will be overcome, and your rule will become truly secure!"

It had to be said, this father Andrew knew a great deal about territory management.

His plan was indeed very good. Without an intelligence system, in this place of death, using a large amount of funds to ensure safe growth was very cost-effective.

Medium warhorses, costing around twenty gold coins each, were already considered good horses within the Kingdom; even the cavalry regiments of great nobles were at this level.

For a mere baron, it was naturally the top configuration.

But that was only under the condition of having no intelligence system...

"Father, your suggestion is excellent!"

Andrew nodded in satisfaction upon hearing this, but at this moment, Gervas shifted his tone: "However, Father, the safety of the Storm Territory actually does not need too much worry right now, so I do not plan to sell the Demon Swift Eagles and Fire-Flame Horses for the time being!"

Andrew's brows immediately furrowed, and he looked at Gervas with concern.

He knew the young man's love for warhorses and Demon Swift Eagles.

So he thought Gervas was fond of showing off and putting on airs, and thus was reluctant to sell the Demon Swift Eagles and Fire-Flame Horses.

He was just about to speak again when Gervas, who had seen through his thoughts, cut him off.

Gervas smiled slightly. "Father, it is not because I want to show off that I am reluctant to sell the Fire-Flame Horses and Demon Swift Eagles."

"It is because... Lei Meng!"

"My Lord!"

Upon hearing this, Lei Meng immediately dismounted, stepping forward two paces.

In Andrew's puzzled gaze, with a hum, a strong aura of battle energy flashed brightly in Lei Meng's palm.

"Silver Knight?!" Andrew and his two sons were instantly stunned.

"Father, this is Lei Meng, my Guardian Knight, and also the Knight Captain of the Storm Territory!"

"Gervas, your Guardian Knight is a Silver Knight?"

Ernst and Laniel were dumbfounded.

They knew that even the Knight Captain of the Gale Territory was only a Bronze Knight.

Moreover, he was not even at the peak of the Bronze Knight level; it would likely be very difficult for him to reach Silver Knight in his lifetime.

"Knight Captain Lei Meng, I seem to have seen you somewhere before?"

Andrew suddenly spoke up at this moment.

Lei Meng smiled slightly. "My Lord Andrew has a good memory. Your subordinate was previously the Knight Captain of Viscount Pat's territory!"

Andrew's breath hitched; his second son had actually lured away the Knight Captain of a proper viscount's family?

Fortunately, Gervas immediately explained at this moment. "Father, the situation is as follows..."

With Gervas's explanation, Andrew finally learned the causes and consequences of Lei Meng being taken in by Gervas.

Ernst and Laniar were too exhausted to offer any more sarcasm, simply exclaiming that Gervas had struck it lucky.

Gaining the protection of a loyal Silver Knight for just a few gold coins was absolutely a steal.

Andrew Sr. didn't know what to say for a moment.

The shock this second son of his had brought him was simply too great.

If not for the fact that they looked exactly alike, he would have even suspected someone was impersonating his second son.

"Father, you have traveled far and must be tired. When I arrived, I had the servants prepare a welcome at the castle. Let us go to the castle first and speak there!"

Gervas actually didn't want to show off, but there was no way to hide these things.

Seeing that Andrew was now speechless, Gervas immediately invited the group toward the castle.

Ten-odd minutes later, the group first passed through the small town.

Seeing the town's dilapidated appearance, Ernst and Laniar finally found some comfort.

"Gervas, your territory's population shouldn't be large, right?"

"Yes, Ernst. My territory's total population is just over two thousand, and that includes more than two hundred slaves!"

Ernst nodded, his mood brightening considerably.

Afterwards, the group rode on horseback to the castle.

"The castle is indeed well-repaired!" Andrew stopped at the foot of the gentle slope.

"Yes, Father. The previous lord of this castle must have just repaired it. When I arrived, I only removed some weeds!"

Andrew smiled and nodded. The group rode up the earthen slope, heading toward the castle gate.

At the castle gate, Old John had already laid out a red carpet and was waiting with servants including Caroline.