Reborn as the Baron

Wearing a gorgeous silk robe, Alan sat in a spacious carriage with soft cushions, his face slightly pale.

Twenty heavily armed warriors walked around the carriage. They were tall and burly, dressed in leather armor, and carried swords.

At the front of the carriage rode a knight in full armor, mounted on a warhorse.

Behind the carriage were four or five material carriages, carrying various items such as food and clothing.

Leading a small group of maids and male servants was a meticulously dressed old housekeeper.

"After all, I've left the home where I lived for sixteen years. I don't know what kind of territory the Count will assign to me," Allen said with a hint of helplessness and self-deprecation on his slightly immature face.

Sixteen years ago, he had crossed into this world and become the current patriarch of the Thorn Flower Family, the second son of Earl Albert.

This was a world of swords and magic, where nobles could harness fighting spirit and magic, becoming powerful beings that surpassed mortals.

Powerful and valiant knights, mysterious and enchanting magicians—these were the careers that Alan aspired to the most.

However, as the second son of the Earl, he possessed a good secret book on fighting qi, had ample financial resources for his training, and even had a father who was an eighth-level knight as an instructor.

Yet, after ten years of practicing Dou Qi, Allen had only reached a weak entry-level.

As a child of a prestigious family, Alan's aptitude was considered extremely poor.

Everyone believed that someone like Allen, a supposed waste, would never become a knight, couldn't charge on the battlefield, and couldn't achieve greatness.

Earl Albert had even arranged for a noble magician, hoping that Alan might possess magical talent. However, Alan had shown no magical aptitude.

A noble child who couldn't become a knight or a magician, Alan had been ignored by the family since the age of ten. Now, at sixteen, he was an adult, and had been directly appointed as the vassal baron of the Earl.

"I hope it's a good place," Alan sighed, his worries about his future evident.

Clearly, the Count had grown entirely disappointed with him and had sent him away.

Ever since his mother's passing, the Count's aversion towards Alan had grown.

As the day wore on, the team continued its journey and was expected to reach their territory by noon the following day.

Time passed swiftly, and under the protection of a powerful knight and twenty brave warriors, Alan reached his territory without incident.

However, his disappointment was palpable.

Rose Town, the most remote territory of the earldom, wasn't as beautiful as its name suggested.

Surrounded by mountains on three sides, the only side without mountains faced the largest inland sea in the Principality.

The sole passage to and from Rose Town was the rugged mountain road that Alan had taken.

The people here were emaciated and dressed in rags, curiously eyeing the luxurious carriage bearing the Thorn family emblem, aware that the occupant was their lord.

"Allen, look at this backward place. There's nothing here. Can anyone really live in such conditions?" Treasurer Sparrow rode up to Alan's carriage window, complaining.

Sparrow, a middle-aged financial officer with a mustache, had been assigned as Alan's assistant by Earl Albert. His discontent was evident as he observed the barren fields, muddy paths, and impoverished inhabitants.

Clearly, he was dissatisfied with the lack of opportunities to amass wealth here and even entertained thoughts of potential starvation.

Allen comprehended the gravity of the situation. He had assumed that the Count would provide him with a prosperous fief, allowing him a safe and comfortable life. Rose Town had dashed those hopes.

The carriage eventually arrived at the dwelling of the lord of Rose Town, a dilapidated two-story castle.

"What were the previous lords doing here? Can people truly live in such a ruinous place?" Old housekeeper Edward's expression also soured. Edward, who had watched Alan grow up, was loyal and caring, having followed Allen's mother.

"Forget it, Grandpa Edward. Having a place to stay is better than nothing. Have the servants clean this place up and move everything in. Hopefully, it won't rain soon, or there will be leaks all over," Alan remarked with a wry smile.

Edward sighed, gazing affectionately at the young man before him. "Very well, Lord Baron. I shall give the orders."

Under Edward's direction, more than twenty servants swiftly cleaned and organized the castle, arranging the materials provided by the Earl.

After a few hours of hard work, the castle was somewhat presentable. Aside from the reception hall, kitchen, and dining room on the first floor, the second floor had several rooms and a study.

After a busy afternoon, everyone was fatigued, and Allen requested dinner be prepared. The sumptuous meal lifted his spirits momentarily. Once dinner concluded and hot water was prepared, Alan indulged in a relaxing bath.

Post-bath, instead of retiring immediately, Alan fixated on a peculiar jade stone before him.

"My lord, I found this in the storage room. It's advisable not to spend too long in the study," Edward advised.

Acknowledging Edward's words, Allen replied, "Understood. I'll retire after reading a few books."

With a slight bow, Edward left the study.

Left alone, Alan picked up the strange stone. As he examined it, he mused aloud, "Jade? Or a magical material?"

While lost in thought, Allen's fingers brushed against the stone, and suddenly, he sensed a potent energy within him. The stone seemed to emanate power.

Concurrently, a voice echoed in his mind.

"Ding! Power of the dragon detected. Initiating the Supreme Lord System and system binding process!"

"Ding! System successfully bound! Activating the Legendary Creature Species: Dragon!"

"Ding! Congratulations, host. The system rewards you with a colossal dragon egg!"

"Ding! Initiating task assignment!"