Of course, the Sowerbright family, as a great noble house with hundreds of years of heritage, couldn't possibly consist of just these few people.
Only Duke Frederick's immediate family had the privilege of living within Argentum Eagle Castle, one of the symbols of the Sowerbright house.
Other members of the Sowerbright family either lived on their own estates or in Silvershine City, located next to Argentum Eagle Castle.
When Wulfrik entered, both Cashel and Albert looked up, their eyes showing admiration and affection.
Wulfrik smiled and nodded to them, then greeted Duke Frederick before taking his seat.
At the dinner table, Duke Frederick's conversation naturally turned to the family's history and glory, his words filled with nostalgia for the past and hopes for the future.
"The reason the Sowerbright family has remained unshaken isn't just the courage in our blood, but the relentless effort and wisdom of each generation."
Duke Frederick's gaze swept over every child at the table before finally settling on Wulfrik.
"Wulfrik, you're the eldest son. Your shoulders will bear greater responsibility."
Wulfrik nodded silently, feeling an unprecedented sense of duty welling up inside him.
He realized that as a transmigrator, he not only needed to use his modern knowledge to help the family weather the coming crisis, but also had to become a role model for his brothers, guiding them to grow into warriors capable of standing on their own.
After dinner, Wulfrik strolled alone through the castle corridors, moonlight streaming through the windows onto the floor, creating mottled patterns of light and shadow.
Recalling Duke Frederick's words, he couldn't help but feel a sense of urgency.
He knew time was running short. He had to make more efficient use of each day, not only improving in swordsmanship and horsemanship, but also learning various aspects of estate management, military strategy, and more.
...
The next afternoon, Wulfrik arrived punctually at Duke Frederick's study.
In the study, Duke Frederick had been waiting for some time.
Several heavy books and scrolls were piled beside him, clearly showing he had made thorough preparations for today's lesson.
"Wulfrik, do you know the history of our Sowerbright family?"
Duke Frederick's eyes became profound, as if recalling the distant past.
Wulfrik pondered for a moment, organized his thoughts, and spoke slowly: "The Sowerbright family originated at the founding of the previous kingdom, initially renowned for valor in battle."
"Through the pioneering efforts and management of successive ancestors, we gradually established ourselves in the kingdom's southern territories. The family not only possesses vast lands but has also nurtured countless brave knights and outstanding leaders."
"Especially in your generation, father, with your title as the 'Argentum Eagle War God,' you've brought the Sowerbright family's glory to unprecedented heights."
As the future heir of the Sowerbright family, Wulfrik was naturally familiar with the family history.
The Sowerbright family had over seven hundred years of heritage, even longer than Klan Kingdom's history.
Through these seven hundred-plus years of development, the Sowerbright family had grown from an initial baronial house to become one of Klan Kingdom's five great ducal families.
The Sowerbright family wasn't just illustrious within Klan Kingdom—they were renowned throughout the surrounding kingdoms as well.
"Sowerbright" meant "brilliance" in the ancient Rafan language, and combined with the family crest of a silver eagle in flight, the Sowerbright family was also known as the Silvershine family, with successive Sowerbright dukes called the Silvershine Dukes.
"Silver wings never fall, glory burns eternal."
This was the Sowerbright family motto.
The current Sowerbright family had been guarding Klan Kingdom's southern borders for over three hundred years, earning them the title of true Southern Guardians.
In this land of Klan Kingdom's south, the Sowerbright family was the sole master.
Supporting the Sowerbright family's position was their powerful standing army.
As far as Wulfrik knew, the Sowerbright family's standing army numbered around fifty thousand, including a five-thousand-strong knight order called the "Argentum Eagle Knights."
You have to understand, in the south where warhorses weren't bred, maintaining a cavalry force of several thousand was incredibly challenging.
A standing army meant professional soldiers.
These people didn't engage in production—they only trained and fought.
According to current productivity levels on the Aethervancia Continent, it took the hard work of about ten farmers to barely support one ordinary soldier.
If it was cavalry, the cost was even higher.
This showed just how powerful the Sowerbright family's resources were.
And this was only the Sowerbright family's direct private army.
As guardians of the kingdom's southern borders and one of the five great dukes, the Sowerbright territory also included numerous smaller and medium-sized nobles as vassals.
These lesser nobles all followed the Sowerbright family's commands.
Once war broke out, they could summon subordinate lords and vast armies of retainers to battle.
This was also the standard war model across the Aethervancia Continent.
Duke Frederick listened to Wulfrik's account, a flash of satisfaction crossing his eyes.
He nodded lightly and added: "You're absolutely right, but the family's glory and status never came from thin air—they were earned with the blood and lives of countless ancestors."
"Wulfrik, you must remember that as the future heir of the Sowerbright family, you need to understand not only the family's brilliance, but also the hardships and sacrifices behind it."
"Father, I understand."
Wulfrik answered solemnly, the weight of his mission growing heavier in his heart.
He knew deeply that in this seemingly peaceful yet turbulent era, the Sowerbright family faced unprecedented challenges.
The kingdom's political landscape was quietly shifting, threats from neighboring kingdoms were intensifying, and northern grassland tribes would occasionally raid south.
Even within the southern territories, things weren't unified—secret struggles among the smaller and medium nobles never ceased.
Duke Frederick nodded with satisfaction and continued: "Good, but history isn't just about glory—it also holds lessons."
"Remember, every great family has experienced valleys, and our responsibility is to steady the family ship through wind and rain, steering it toward an even more glorious future."
"Today, I'm going to teach you how to manage territory and how to maintain the family's independence and strength in complex political situations."
With that, Duke Frederick picked up a book with a yellowed cover titled "The Way of Territorial Governance."
He slowly opened it and began explaining the basic principles of estate management to Wulfrik.
From agricultural and handicraft development to tax policy formulation, then to diplomatic relations with neighboring territories, every detail revealed the wisdom and foresight of an experienced ruler.