Starting My Journey as a Dragon Rider from the Deepwater Realm

Frank Moonlight, the eldest son of Count Stephen, was known for his warm humor and romantic charm. He also happened to be one of Clobber's closest friends.

"Frank? Weren't you out inspecting your territory?" Clobber asked in surprise. Just a few days ago, Frank had mentioned he was about to leave for his rounds, and it was impossible to finish surveying his entire domain in such a short time.

"Don't get me started," Frank sighed, shaking his head with a wry smile. "The Duke's war mobilization came down, and my father's been so focused on his breakthrough attempts over the years that he's dumped all the management of the territory onto me. The moment I heard about the war, I rushed back to make preparations."

As the young heir to a count's estate, Frank had more than his fair share of responsibilities to shoulder.

"But enough about me," Frank said, raising an eyebrow. "What are you doing here instead of preparing for war in your own territory?"

Clobber didn't hide his intentions, explaining his plan to purchase a warhorse in the city.

"What?" Frank's eyes widened briefly in disbelief. "Baron Klar didn't equip you with weapons or armor? You're his blood, for heaven's sake! Sending you to the battlefield unarmed is no different than sending you to your death."

Frank's shock was short-lived. As a noble himself, he understood the dynamics all too well. In noble families, blood ties often came second to personal interests, and second sons like Clobber were rarely favored.

Still, Clobber's situation felt odd to Frank. With his talent, most noble families—unless financially strained—would have at least provided the basics: proper gear and a breathing technique. Equipping a second son with a few hundred gold worth of supplies wasn't a massive burden, even for a baron.

Though Frank was sympathetic, he knew better than to meddle in the internal affairs of the Oat family. However, he wasn't one to hold back generosity toward a friend.

After learning Clobber planned to buy a horse, Frank promptly decided to bring him to the knight regiment's stables to pick out a proper mount.

Count Stephen's knight regiment, the Crimson Flame Knights, was renowned for their full copper armor, which gave them their fiery name. The regiment boasted 500 knights at full strength, with even the lowest-ranking members being squires. Its captain and vice-captain were always seasoned knights.

The count's domain had its own horse ranch, allowing the regiment to maintain a steady supply of horses. Not only did they have communal and training horses, but they also retired a batch of warhorses annually, selling them to civilians or minor nobles.

Frank led Clobber to a section of the stables where the regiment's training horses were kept.

These training horses were of the same breed as the warhorses but were either newly adult or nearing maturity. Once they were accustomed to a knight's saddle and commands, they'd join the regiment's active roster.

In the training grounds, Clobber's eyes quickly landed on a brown horse galloping gracefully.

Judging by its frame, it was a freshly matured warhorse. Its shoulder height was around 1.6 meters—not particularly tall, but well within standard.

Its coat was sleek and shiny, its legs muscular and powerful. Its hooves had clearly been meticulously cared for, evident in the firm and steady sound they made when striking the ground.

The horse's long, flowing tail danced like a flag in the wind as it ran, adding a sense of vitality to its movements.

"You've got an eye for quality," Frank said with a chuckle as he followed Clobber's gaze. "That's a Redblood Colt—just came of age earlier this year. It's got a hint of low-grade magical beast blood, making it one of the best breeds for the battlefield."

"This one hasn't been assigned a rider yet," Frank added. "Since you're interested, why don't you give it a name? As for the price… how does 20 gold coins sound? Fair?"

Twenty gold coins was more than fair. For an ordinary horse, it might have been steep, but for a horse with magical beast lineage, it was a steal.

Clobber sold his old workhorse and scraped together the 20 gold coins needed to buy the Redblood Colt. He also spent a little extra to purchase a saddle, bridle, and other necessary equipment.

Sitting astride his new mount, Clobber felt a surge of pride and satisfaction. The horse beneath him moved with strength and grace, its powerful muscles rippling under its glossy coat.

"Well then," Clobber murmured, stroking the horse's mane. "I'll call you Radiance. May we both earn glory and honor in this war."

It was both a hope for his steed and a promise to himself.

"This time, I'll carve out a place for myself in this war!"

Seeing Clobber find the perfect mount, Frank couldn't help but feel genuinely happy for his friend.

As a thoughtful gesture, Frank wanted to invite Clobber to the banquet being held at the castle that evening. However, Clobber politely declined—he still needed to purchase armor for himself.

"Well, my friend," Frank said with a dramatic sigh, "how could I stand in the way of a knight chasing his destiny? I wish you success, and remember, our friendship is like gold—unwavering, unyielding, and radiant, no matter the trials it faces."

It had to be said—Frank was indeed the kind of friend worth cherishing. While he shared the common flaws of the nobility, namely their obsession with status and protocol, it didn't stop him from forging a deep bond with Clobber. Over the years, Frank had helped him in many ways, both tangible and intangible.

"Oh, by the way, Clobber," Frank added, a glint of mischief in his eyes. "If you're planning to get armor, why not ask the Golden Rose family for help? To them, a set of armor is just pocket change. They're practically synonymous with wealth."

Clobber shook his head. "Thanks for the suggestion, Frank, but I'd rather not. It's just leather armor made from beast hide. I'm not desperate enough to beg for something like that."

The truth was, Clobber didn't find it worth the cost. The Golden Rose family had already invested significantly in him, depleting much of the goodwill his late mother, Lilith, had left behind. Asking for more might mean draining his personal favor reserves, something he couldn't afford if he wanted their continued support in the future.

Frank shrugged but didn't press the matter. "Fair enough, but I should mention—Adam Goldrose happens to be passing through Moonlight City. Word is, he's here to deliver your monthly training resources. You sure you don't want to drop by and see him?"

The playful smirk on Frank's face betrayed his real intent—teasing Clobber.

Clobber glared at his friend, his expression screaming, Oh, so this was your plan all along?

"Well played, Frank," Clobber said, narrowing his eyes. "No wonder you brought it up so suddenly. You were setting me up!"

Frank laughed. "Guilty as charged. But hey, you might as well come to the banquet tonight. As punishment for teasing you, I'll let you eat until I feel the pain in my wallet for three days straight."

Clobber smirked, matching Frank's playful energy. "Deal. Tonight, I'm going to feast so hard that you'll lose sleep over the bill."

They both knew it was all in good fun. The Moonlight Mushroom family was so wealthy that even if Clobber dined extravagantly every day, Frank wouldn't feel a pinch.

Frank grinned. "Challenge accepted! If you can eat that much, I'll cover your food for an entire year—nothing but beast meat!"

Their laughter echoed down the castle halls as they walked together toward the banquet area.

Inside the castle, Clobber couldn't help but marvel at its grandeur.

"Even though this isn't my first time here," Clobber admitted, "Moonlight Castle never fails to impress. It truly lives up to the Moonlight Mushroom family's reputation."

The fortress was built with a clear focus on military strength. Its marble walls were surrounded by a moat three meters wide and seven meters deep. The outer walls were riddled with arrow slits and slots for lances, while the storerooms were stocked with rolling logs, arrows, and other defensive supplies.

Frank escorted Clobber to a guest room and promised someone would come fetch him when the banquet began. Then, with a hasty goodbye, Frank rushed off to handle other pressing matters.

Left alone, Clobber sat in the room, pondering how to approach his uncle, Adam Goldrose, when they met.

It was then that Foster, Clobber's loyal knight and companion, broke his silence. "Young master, are you worried about how to speak with Baron Adam?"

Clobber nodded.

"There's no need to overthink it," Foster said gently. "Baron Adam cares for you far more than you realize. You just haven't seen it yet."

Clobber fell silent, caught off guard by the knight's words.

Perhaps it was his nature as a transmigrator—or the cold reception he had endured since childhood—but Clobber had grown skeptical of affection. He believed the Golden Rose family's support for him was merely an extension of their love for his late mother or an investment in his talents. Genuine familial ties seemed unlikely.

He had considered Foster's words before but dismissed them. The harsh reality of noble society made it hard to imagine that a powerful count's household would place such importance on a fourth-born child from an allied marriage.

"Maybe you're right, Foster," Clobber murmured. "But in the world of nobility, there's no such thing as pure affection. Everything boils down to an exchange of benefits. That's what I prefer to believe."

Foster didn't argue. He simply bowed and quietly left, giving Clobber the space to reflect.