The dock clerk was a middle-aged man with a face that had lost all enthusiasm for both work and life.
Without even looking up, he took the docunt, gave it a cursory glance, then retrieved a finely crafted emblem from the box beside him, pushing it forward along with the paperwork.
"Holy Temple Knight Order, First Group, location New John Port. Once you get there, soone will inform you who your superior is. Take this badge; from now on, you are a Knight."
His tone was as indifferent as handing out bread, starkly different from the enthusiastic clerk next to him.
However, Lucian didn't mind, as his attention was entirely focused on the badge symbolizing his Knight Order identity.
In the Aus Empire, the shield is one of the symbols of a Knight, and granting a shield is a tradition among many Imperial Knight Orders.
For instance, the Royal Knight Order does so!
Although this "shield" was a bit small... it could still be considered a shield!
His heart pounded with joy as Lucian excitedly took the emblem engraved with the Holy Grail and Longsword, cradling it carefully in his palm as if it were a torch illuminating his life.
Suppressing his excitent, he continued to ask in a slightly trembling voice, "Sir, may I ask... my fief? Specifically, where is it in New John Port? How large is the area?"
The clerk finally looked up at him, as if finding the question a bit odd, or perhaps finding this person unusual.
He picked up a thick manual, flipped through it casually, then cleared his throat and recited in a rote tone, "In principle, all lands of the Holy Temple Knight Order are collectively owned by all mbers of the order. In short, the whole Earl Domain is your fief, of course, it's also the fief of all other knights."
Lucian was baffled by this statent, standing blankly in place.
However, he was not truly foolish, at least a little smarter than those around him, so he cautiously asked.
"So... there isn't a plot that solely belongs to ?"
"Didn't I say? The entire Earl Domain is yours, young man, what more do you want?"
The clerk responded dismissively, slightly impatient.
"However, that place is still quite barren now, and everything needs to be built by your own hands. After a while, your captain will naturally discuss the matter of land with you all."
With that, he moved past this topic.
"Listen, here are the notes. New John Port is located on the fjord region of the central coast of the Gana Continent, with a humid and rainy climate, rember to bring antimalarial magic potions and quick-drying clothes. The nearest to your station is the Tide Clan Lizardman Tribe, you can trade fresh fish and pearls with them using rum or spices..."
He finished reciting as if reading from a textbook, then took a roughly printed booklet from under the desk and tossed it to Lucian.
"The details are written here. Your voyage is scheduled to depart in a week, go back and prepare well. Alright, don't block the people behind you, next!"
Lucian nodded dazedly.
Even though his head was buzzing from this series of remarks, he still tried to rember everything the clerk said.
Including preparing dicines, rain gear, trading food with Lizardn using rum, perhaps even bringing along his old man's fishing rod... although all this was far removed from the glorious knightly career he imagined, it had a peculiar and real freshness.
Speaking of which, what exactly was this Knight Order ant to do?
Although he listened to Prince Colin's generous declaration at the funeral without missing a word, this most important matter left little impression, whether it was missed or the prince brushed over it.
Just as he was about to turn and leave, he suddenly rembered his father's solemn exhortation before the journey, and hastily took out the carefully sealed letter from his bosom.
Though feeling it was a bit late, he shafacedly lingered at the counter, disregarding the urging of those behind, handing over the letter.
"Wait a mont, sir, I also have a recomndation letter... to whom should I hand this?"
The clerk, who initially couldn't be bothered with him, was impatiently gesturing to those behind.
In his view, those really capable of pulling strings had their resus long in the drawers of Duke Valencia or Marshal Aber; who would foolishly queue at the dock?
Not to ntion the wind is both strong and cold, and you could get a gull dropping if unlucky.
However, just as he thought this, the corner of his eye caught the refined and clear wax emblem on the envelope.
In an instant, his impatient expression froze, replaced by an unprecedented seriousness.
He sat up straight and grabbed the letter, lowering his voice, speaking with nervous urgency, "Wait, let see your letter... you're... your surna is Dantes?"
He lifted his head, repeatedly comparing Lucian's young and handso face... although he had neither seen the legendary Sir Dantes nor knew what Prince Colin's distant nephew should look like.
"Yes."
Lucian stood tall.
He didn't overthink the intricacies, only rembered his father's words—not to disgrace the family.
After conversing with his colleagues and rechecking the family crest on the envelope, confirming it was correct, the clerk's expression brightened noticeably.
He silently leaned forward, swiftly snatched the First Group emblem just hung on Lucian's chest, and without saying a word, replaced it with another emblem from an even finer box.
"I made a mistake with the list earlier; you're reassigned to the Seventh Group, destination Withered Wood Port! No special preparations needed there... uh, actually there's nothing particularly necessary. Just bring your clothing and family photos to avoid hosickness."
According to so unverified rumors floating around the navy, Withered Wood Port supposedly had the best conditions among all Holy Temple Knight Order stations.
At least, it had an actual port and a "castle." Other groups' destinations largely existed only on maps.
"Withered Wood Port? How's it different from New John Port?" Lucian asked nervously.
For so reason, the word "Withered" seed filled with ominous overtones, far less hopeful than "New John Port."
After learning his surna, the clerk's smile grew much warr, tone changing from the previous coldness, even the form of address altered.
"That, I really don't know, brother," he grinned, revealing a set of white teeth, "But I heard it's now Baron Cosia's domain, the one from 'Baron Cosia's Drifting Story.' You've seen that newspaper, right? The one supposedly published by the paper backed by Prince Colin."
Most of the citizens bought that paper for entertainnt, but those truly in the know pursued it for the na 'Colin.'
For at least the past two years, there had been nothing more important in the Holy City than those 7 million square kiloters.
Upon hearing that familiar na, Lucian's eyes lit up, and his face broke into a beaming smile.
"That's Uncle Cosia's territory!? Fantastic!"
"Yes, fantastic, I hope all goes well for you there! By the way, I'm Dochi, serving in the Coastal Defense Fleet commanded by General Casterlion! Maybe we'll et on the Gana Continent in the future, I hope you'll still rember then."
The clerk nad Dochi earnestly handed a beautifully printed booklet to him, concluding with a pleasant farewell.
"Wishing you a smooth journey, future sir Knight!"
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