Iron Harvest: When Farming Becomes Conquest

80: Chapter 14: What About Me?

80: Chapter 14: What About Me?

Kao once vowed that he would make a name for himself.

To gain the favor and recognition of the Lord, he made long-term plans.

First, he would work diligently for several years, laboring as a slave, to dress his sister Sanna beautifully so she could accompany a steward with real power, perhaps helping him shed his slave status.

If he was lucky, he could follow in the steward’s footsteps and come into the Lord’s view.

By then, he would reach full adulthood, granting him greater agency.

He would become a guard, defeat all competitors, and rise to the rank of captain among the stewards.

The land grew more turbulent by the day.

Even his father, a fisherman, often lamented this change.

Kao believed that he would participate in wars for the Lord in the future.

As long as he survived, his status would rise, granting him power and strength.

No longer powerless, he could hunt down pirates and crush their limbs.

That was Kao’s plan.

Sooner or later, he too would roar fiercely in this era!

To break free from his weak past as a slave!

…

But he never imagined such an event would occur.

On the third day of becoming a slave, the master unexpectedly appeared by his side.

The noble and exalted Lord asked him:

“So, do you want to become my Conquest Knight?”

…

Roman was very fond of this boy in front of him.

His will was tenacious, and his gifted potential extremely high.

More importantly!

After recruiting him as an Angel Envoy, Roman noted that Kao had a Relationship level of 42% with him.

Loyalty!

Such loyalty!

If he’s not nurtured into a Conquest Knight, then what are we waiting for!

…

Aaron and Green were extremely shocked by Roman’s words.

What does becoming a Conquest Knight entail?

It means real power.

Leaving aside the difficulty of training, even the layers of selection were arduous.

Aaron and Green themselves emerged from amongst dozens or even hundreds of peers in childhood.

Their talents were excellent, and they adapted to rigorous training, which allowed them to learn various skills and martial arts in the Grand Duke’s castle, forming the basis for their acquaintance with Roman.

But now Roman selected a trainee for the Conquest Knight just after an initial selection?

This kind of selection seemed trivial to both of them.

In their view, Kao’s performance was merely adequate, his resilience better than average, making him qualified to be a guard, and given time, a potential Guard Captain as well.

But in the end… Conquest Knight?

This was ridiculous!

Or rather, it was against all logic!

Both of them had the urge to pry open Roman’s skull and check how he was thinking.

Had his neurons and brain cells staged a bloody battle, reducing Roman to an idiot?

Naturally, if they were to do so.

They would hear echoes in Roman’s mind… Purple… Four Stars… resonating.

…

Kao was entirely unaware of what Roman had seen.

He only felt a sense of being overwhelmingly favored.

Conquest Knight!

The strongest force on this land!

Which only a Conquest Knight could counter!

This was almost an accepted notion.

Now, the issue was beyond mere promotion.

Kao even felt he had misheard, or it was some illusion.

He pinched his palm hard only to realize it was real.

“I am willing!!

Master!

I am willing to sacrifice my life and fight for you!!!”

Imitating those legendary tales he’d heard, he knelt down in excitement, crawling forward on his knees, almost wanting to hug the Lord’s leg, kissing his shoes.

Roman watched the excited young man charge toward him, smiling faintly, then lifted his leg, stepping on Kao’s head, pressing his cheek against the soil, while Kao, obedient and without resistance.

Because the pressure was so light, he didn’t feel any pain, only supreme honor.

Roman lifted his elbow, supported his chin, then lifted his foot, and said calmly: “Behind me are two Conquest Knights named Aaron and Green.

They will train you in the future.”

Kao straightened up, gazing at those two full-armored, helmeted figures, clad in coldness.

With dirt on his right cheek and a footprint on his left, Kao nodded vigorously.

Roman placed his hand on Kao’s face, gently brushing away the dirt, and said in a gentle manner: “Don’t let me down in the future.”

Kao’s eyes were bloodshot, brimming with tears of excitement, unable to utter a single word.

“Go and eat.

You’ve stood for so long; you must be hungry.

I’ve instructed the chef to prepare your meal, and you will stay in the manor, eating more every day from now on…”

Kao was overwhelmed with tears of gratitude, saying, “Master, I have a sister…”

Roman showed no hint of displeasure.

Instead, with increasing warmth, he said, “Then have your sister come to my manor as well.”

Led by a maid, Kao left with immense gratitude.

Roman, with a self-satisfied hum, lightly clenching his fist, felt as though he’d found a treasure!

Seeing everyone dispersed, Green couldn’t hold back any longer.

He asked, “Isn’t this too hasty?”

Roman retorted, “Hasty?”

Aaron nodded, “It is somewhat hasty.”

They knew their selection process took nearly half a month to finalize the most qualified and outstanding trainees.

Green added, “Aaron and I underwent selection at five or six years old.

Any Conquest Knight at the latest begins training before twelve.

By my estimate, he’s about fourteen or fifteen, correct?”

Aaron nodded, “He is a bit old in terms of age.”

Both Conquest Knights questioned Roman’s decision.

The training period for a Conquest Knight is long.

The earlier the training, the higher the potential can be developed.

This development isn’t about starting rigorous training too early but laying the foundation from childhood.

To Roman, it purely boiled down to nutritional issues.

Lack of nutrition in childhood could never be compensated for later on.

Wu Dalang’s physique set in stone; even if he devoured ten tigers as an adult, he wouldn’t match Wu Song’s build.

Among his peers, Kao seemed relatively robust, presumably not starved during childhood.

Though far from Roman’s physique, he was considered healthy.

Roman could disregard the suggestions of others, but not those from Glenn and Yalin; their opinions were quite reasonable.

He felt obligated to give an explanation.

Roman turned to Aaron, saying, “That child will not achieve less than you in the future.”

Aaron, always reticent, heard this and held his peace.

Since Roman had made his choice, he had no objections.

Green, hearing this, was dumbfounded.

After a moment, seeing Roman didn’t intend to explain to him, he pointed to himself.

“And what about me?”

Roman glanced at Green, issuing an indifferent snort.

Four Stars had nothing to do with you?

Dusting himself off, stretching leisurely, he left under Green’s fiery gaze.

“Time to eat!”

Aaron patted Green’s shoulder, went back to switch out of his armor, and headed to the dining room in his civilian clothes.

Green, too, stormed back to his room in a huff.

He didn’t know what Roman was thinking, but their long-standing tacit understanding allowed him to sense Roman’s train of thought.