CHAPTER 72: CHAPTER 14: KNIGHT’S TRAINING AND NEW INTEL

When Su Li finished discussing religious and internal affairs with Vandar, the sky had already grown dark. At the request of the high-level Attendant Chief Hilude, he stopped handling government affairs and went to the tub for a wash.

Su Li was also eager; after several days campaigning outside, he hadn’t been able to truly enjoy the knight’s training. Today, upon returning to the territory, he had to indulge himself in relaxation.

Currently, the territory’s resources were still quite scarce. The tub, made of raw wood, was rather plain. In terms of enjoyment, it certainly couldn’t compare to the clean and bright bathrooms of his earlier life.

However, the decorations inside the tub were incomparable to those of the earlier life!

Su Li sat comfortably in the tub, leaning back to enjoy the gentle massage from Hilude.

Meanwhile, in front of Su Li, amidst the swirling steam, his beautiful little maid Avril, with rosy cheeks and misty eyes, slowly lifted her skirt and stepped into the tub, her flesh-colored stockings glistening in the water.

She had just completed a thorough knight training session and, after changing into a black and white war robe from Lolita, entered the tub again, sitting on Su Li’s lap.

Having been with Su Li the longest, she knew well what styles Young Master Suli favored. Compared to being completely bare, wearing an enchanting long dress, lifting the hem, and revealing a pair of slender, shapely legs was evidently more likely to excite Young Master Suli.

Sure enough, her strategy worked, and with remarkable effectiveness!

When her round, fair, and glistening legs clad in stockings approached, light seemed to flash in Su Li’s eyes, and his breathing became instantly rapid.

Su Li couldn’t help but let out a comfortable moan, "This is the life of leisure for a lord! What kind of horse-and-cattle days was I living before?"

After a long while, when everything settled down, Avril, with misty eyes, leaned her head on Su Li’s shoulder, couldn’t help but ask, "Young Master Suli, why do I feel my knight training isn’t as effective as Hilude’s?"

Su Li, feeling so comfortable he didn’t want to open his eyes, leaned his head back onto Hilude’s ample bosom and asked, "Really? Haven’t you already trained up to a middle-tier Apprentice Knight?"

It hasn’t even been that long! She only advanced to initial-tier Apprentice Knight less than half a month ago!

Su Li said, "Knight Schwartz stabilized from initial-tier Apprentice Knight and then spent a full half-year advancing to middle-tier Apprentice Knight. Your speed is much faster than his. You know, I’ve been training many years before you and have only just reached high-tier Apprentice Knight."

Avril tilted her head slightly, softly rubbing her cherry lips and cute nose against Su Li’s neck and cheek. The moist touch made Su Li’s body more sensitive. After snuggling against him for a bit, Avril said, "But when I consulted Knight Oerstein, Commander said this might be the effect of the Light-Scaled Fish. Hilude is what’s truly abnormal; she’s nearly approaching high-tier official Knight."

What? Su Li couldn’t help his astonishment and turned his head, cupping Hilude’s exquisitely beautiful face with both hands and excitedly planting a firm kiss on her soft lips, "My darling, you’re almost at high-tier official Knight? I need to find you some light attribute herbs quickly to help you break through to Elite Knight sooner."

What kind of terrifying training speed is this? Could this be what they call a genius? While others reach Elite Knight by thirty, she might become a Legendary Knight by that age!

The empire’s history is not without thirty-year-old Legendary Knights. Many legendary figures, like a renowned Emperor of the Empire for instance, were already Legendary-level Knight Commanders by the age of thirty.

But every one of them hailed from noble backgrounds with various resources assisting them.

To advance so rapidly to Elite Knight solely through training with talent as high as Hilude’s, Su Li had never heard of such a case. Perhaps it’s due to his lack of knowledge, although at least among the Count-level territories he’s been in contact with, he hadn’t heard of such outstanding training aptitudes.

Hilude’s body was already feverish behind him. She hugged Su Li tightly, the always valiant female knight speaking in a somewhat tender voice, "I progressed this fast thanks to the Lord’s assistance in my training. Avril’s slower progress might be because her training time is shorter?"

In this aspect, indeed, whenever Su Li desired, Hilude would stop whatever she was doing to tenderly satisfy Su Li’s needs.

Now that Hilude had training needs, Su Li certainly had to take action.

Augmented by the effects of the Dragon Blood Stone, Su Li continued to be active until the early hours, before finally falling into a satisfied and leisurely sleep.

The next day, as the sun rose brightly, he stretched comfortably and opened his eyes in good spirits.

[As you lay resting, today’s Prophet messages have been updated.]

[1: At noon today in the Emerald Valley where the Black Water River and Green Leaf Land converge, a rainbow hailstorm driven by valley winds will occur. After the hailstorm, a mysterious substance known as "Hail Crystal" will temporarily remain on the ground. Collect them and bury them in a plot of soil to greatly increase the spiritual energy content there, suitable for cultivating higher-grade Spirit Plants.]

[2: In the Northwest Moonlight Highlands of the Emerald Valley lies a Shepherd Tribe. Perhaps you could take them in, as the shepherds of the Knight’s Domain are excellent intelligence gatherers and form the first line of defense against Beastman raids in the mountains and forests.]

[3: At exactly two o’clock this afternoon, a Magic Tide Clam will pass through the Brionne River and Black Water River intersection. At any cost, have a slave dive for it. It is carrying a Magic Pearl, placing it in the reservoir will significantly enrich the spiritual energy levels of the waters, allowing fish to grow plumper and faster, and will even slightly increase the probability of them transforming into Light-Scaled Fish.]

[4: In the Mirror Swamp on the southern side of the territory, there are 17 Purple Crystal Grape vines, top-grade materials for brewing premium wine. However, during transplantation, be extremely cautious, as a Colorful Poison Mite is hidden among the vines. Unless you have a contingent of elite soldiers, don’t think of taking it on.]

[5: ...]

[6: ...]

...

[8: The "Black Arrow" bandit group among the Forest Bandits traced the merchant guild’s tracks today and has reached the upper Brionne River, 50 Imperial miles from the territory. If you capture them and release one or two bandits, it will attract two more forest bandit groups.]

[9: Below the northwest Moonlight Highlands in Green Leaf Land, there is a goblin tribe whose strength is negligible compared to yours. Eradicating them will grant you 13 half-elf women, 7 human women, and 3 dwarf women.]

[10: The Goblin Toe-breaking Tribe in the Blood Pine Forest is rapidly expanding. These evil and despicable creatures, aided by the Anaric Giant Spider, have gained significant influence, attracting a large number of surrounding forest goblins, dark night goblins, and giants to join. Their number is expanding rapidly and soon, they will emerge from the forest to start plundering.]

Su Li, after reading the new day’s intelligence, was immediately full of vigor.

The new intelligence covered all aspects, with numerous opportunities, magical items, crops with infinite potential, and of course, dangers and lethal threats.

This is the life in the Border Prince’s Territory!

Opportunities and risks are far more than within the Empire.

However, he found himself quite enjoying this lifestyle, seizing opportunities in the face of crises, strengthening himself, challenging stronger enemies, achieving greater victories, and creating his own glory!

He immediately got out of bed, instructing Avril to take the attendants and maids of the castle to set off first, heading directly to Emerald Valley to prepare for collecting "Hail Crystals."

Then he personally took Hilude into the Knight Camp, where by now all the soldiers had already gathered and were undergoing training under the command of Military Commander Knight Oerstein.

After refining through these days of warfare, the combat power of Su Li’s army had significantly enhanced. Their every move now exuded a killing aura, swift and resolute actions, looking formidable and robust, well-trained.

More crucially, their numbers and equipment had notably increased.

Aside from those guarding key areas and patrolling units, Su Li noticed that the knights’ number had not decreased but increased! Even the scale of armed attendants seemed to have grown, with new faces among the foot battle attendants besides the half-elf archers.

Moreover, they indeed had quite decent equipment, dressed in exquisitely made full body chain armor, armed with a long halberd, a bow, and 20 arrows, with extraordinarily solid and strong builds.

When Knight Oerstein came up to him, Su Li asked, "My esteemed Commander, why does it feel like the size of our army has increased?"

"Yes, you are not mistaken." Knight Oerstein straightened his chest, chin raised proudly, and replied, "Through intense battles, three of our armed attendants have risen to become Basic Apprentice Knights. Because their lords currently do not have fiefs and mansions, unable to pay the apprentice knights’ salaries, they have all been transferred to become your directly affiliated attendants."

"Additionally, some knights have taken a fancy to certain Evil Land vagabond captives, spending gold coins to buy a batch of slaves. Therefore, the scale of our armed attendants has not decreased but increased by 9."

Su Li couldn’t help smiling as well. The effect of the Light-Scaled Fish had already started to show, even the armed attendants who merely had a bowl of fish soup and a few pieces of fish bone began to see gradual improvements.

Had it not been for the effect of the Light-Scaled Fish, it would have been impossible for so many promotions to occur after just one battle.

Su Li therefore smilingly said, "My Commander, gather the troops; prepare for the next war. The Evil Land vagabonds indeed have decent aptitude, even I’ve taken one armed attendant, but their strength is ultimately limited. Let’s go capture a batch of captives with good strength back."

"Another battle?" Knight Oerstein instantly perked up, laughing heartily, "My warhammer has long been itching for action! The knights have also long drooled over dwarf heavy armor. The whole army is eagerly anticipating establishing military exploits on the battlefield."

Su Li nodded in satisfaction, pleased by the fighting spirit of this army.

Of course, their needs also satisfied Su Li well. Once the dwarf heavy armor is forged, it banks on these knights to purchase. These knight clans had some foundation before venturing out, and after following Su Li, they hadn’t lacked opportunities. Currently, they are the main consumer group in the Hesse Territory.

The half-elves estimating this territory to have at least 1000 gold coins actually underestimated the Hesse Territory. These knights under Su Li have their little treasuries, ensuring no problem selling good items. Such as dwarf heavy armor, strong attendants, and potent potions.

Su Li even hoped they would come to buy a batch of farms from him. The knights are not buying right now mainly because they lack sufficient slaves.

Su Li’s current gathering of the army intends to lead them to capture slaves.