After packing his luggage, mainly gifts, Derek set off on his journey back home with a team of soldiers and cavalry. His cousin Adrian, however, voluntarily stayed behind to oversee the camp. He understood that this was Derek's stronghold and could not be left unmonitored for long. After a few attempts to persuade him, Derek saw his cousin's determination and gave up.

This trip home was not only for a family reunion but also an opportunity to return some favors. Everyone had lent a hand at the start, and it was time to give something back. Of course, he remembered several uncles and aunts, along with many cousins, all of whom had received a basic education. If he could bring a few of them along, especially young men like Adrian to join him, that would be fantastic. After all, they were family; if he didn’t benefit from them, someone else might.

With several carts of gifts, Derek took about ten days to return home. By then, there were only two weeks left until the New Year. Lady Ferreira was already speaking of Derek, as all the children had returned home. This included his second brother Sergei Ferreira, who had been serving in the Iron Lion Legion, his eldest brother Marco Ferreira, who managed the family business, and his fourth brother Sheriff Ferreira, who was apprenticed as a knight under a certain viscount. His elder sister, who had married a knight, wouldn’t be back this year, nor would his younger sister who had joined a convent.

This year had been a good one for the Ferreira family; both estates had yielded a bountiful harvest. Taxes were collected smoothly, without any hiccups. The steadily improving family situation kept Baron Ferreira in good spirits. The only thing that troubled him was his third son, Derek. Lady Ferreira often complained about him, her ears almost calloused from worrying.

The last time they sent someone back, a whole group of farmers was taken away, leading Baron Ferreira to scold his second son, Andrew. Despite his stern words, Baron Ferreira still cared deeply for his son. Being away often brings more affection from parents.

No matter how harshly he scolded, he just hoped Derek would return safely.

Until...

“Master Derek has returned.”

When the old steward delivered this news to Baron Ferreira, the baron almost jumped out of his seat, but he forced himself to remain seated.

“Hmph! After a year away, he brings back a letter. I thought he had died somewhere; at least he knows how to come back.”

“Milord, Master Derek has brought you some gifts; you should go see.” The old steward skillfully provided an escape route.

“It’s good enough that he can fend for himself; what gifts is he preparing for me? I wouldn’t be surprised if he comes back broke and looking for handouts.”

With that, Baron Ferreira slowly rose to see what gifts his disobedient son had brought.

In fact, he had gathered some news about Derek, including correspondence with Knight Cloria, and he knew that the boy was doing well. Of course, dealing in smuggling was a dangerous business. Did he really think there were no checkpoints or bandits along the way? Just look at the poor souls taken out by Lloyd, and one would understand that the high profits from this line of work were not so easily acquired.

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As Baron Ferreira wobbled into the courtyard of the castle, he found himself to be the last one to arrive. Several of his sons and Lady Ferreira were already there. Fourth brother Sheriff was bustling around, shouting in excitement at a black warhorse.

“Third brother, you’re amazing! I finally have my own warhorse!”

As a knight's squire, Sheriff, like Derek, had been riding an ordinary mount assigned by his knight instructor, which was not his own. The Ferreira family had some surplus every year, but they couldn’t afford to provide each son with a warhorse, especially when such things were hard to come by even if you had the money.

In fact, if Derek had chosen to stay at home, Baron Ferreira would have prepared a warhorse and equipment for him. Second son Sergei had been serving in the Iron Lion Legion, occupying a low-ranking officer position in the kingdom, and was equipped with weapons provided by the kingdom. Fourth brother hadn’t completed his apprenticeship yet, so he wouldn’t receive a full set of gear.

Thus, owning a complete set of equipment and a warhorse early on was a privilege only enjoyed by noble children, particularly in the south. The northern nobility, being rough and poor, often tended to be stingy.

Even if there had been no wars for years, everyone had managed to accumulate some wealth.

Like Ferreira Castle, it was filled with a warlike style, a remnant from the days of expansion into the northern territories, resembling more of a military fortress than a comfortable residence. This was also a characteristic of the northern nobility, unchanged even if scorned by the central and southern nobles.

Compared to Sheriff’s joy, Sergei and Marco were more focused on the soldiers and knight squires Derek had brought back. These warriors, suited for urban combat, exuded a more elite quality than the soldiers of the Ferreira family.

The knight squires, though labeled as attendants, looked more like knights themselves. They were clad in iron armor, wielding finely crafted iron swords, hand armor, warhorses, and helmets. Fully armed to the teeth, Simon even wore half-armor, and his warhorse was draped in leather armor, with a sharp gaze that made one hesitate to look directly at him.

Accompanying Derek was not just mere training. Occasionally, they would follow Lloyd in a guise of mountain bandits, targeting some unsuspecting small-time thieves. After a year, who among them hadn’t stained their hands with blood?

This was no mere band of wandering knights; even a slightly poorer baron would hesitate to put on such a display.

“What has the third brother been up to?”

Sergei quickly recalled if any new bandit groups had emerged from the northern provinces. How else could he have accumulated such wealth?

Baron Ferreira noticed this too; a flicker of surprise flashed in his eyes, but it didn’t diminish his composure.

“Why are you shouting? Can you afford to care for that warhorse?”

Baron Ferreira slapped Sheriff on the head, effectively drawing everyone's attention.

“What about the gifts?”

He directed this question at Derek.

Derek understood his father's personality and didn’t take offense. He signaled Simon to step forward, who brought over a chest.

“Open it!”

Inside was a complete set of knight’s gear: a helmet, arm armor, hand armor, half-armor, skirt, knee guards, and iron boots.

Also included were a finely crafted knight's sword, a lance head, a hand shield, and a warhorse’s iron mask and chain armor.

While it couldn’t be considered true heavy armor, it was certainly a low-end version of knightly gear.

This was a treasure that most knights would dream of owning, worth enough to be passed down through generations. A complete set would easily be valued at a hundred gold coins.

The annual output of a small estate would barely match that price.

With proper maintenance, it could be passed down for several generations.

Most of the body was protected, meeting or exceeding standard defense levels.

The key was that even if you had the money, you couldn’t just buy it.

From materials to craftsmanship, a certain level of skill was required.

Derek himself didn’t have a full set; this was crafted by Little True and his team working overtime for a month, all to present it to Baron Ferreira.

Of course, Derek had already planned to bring back even more benefits.