Pioneer Lord: Starting From Daily Intelligence

Chapter 148: Chapter 89: The Powerful and Prosperous Knight Order

Su Li never anticipated that Hilude’s perfect response would not only grant divine favor but also attract a visit from members of the Flame Sun Knight Order.

And it appeared that this Flame Sun Knight Order was not small in scale!

One must know that as the most affluent Knight Order, and also one of the most powerful, the Flame Sun Knight Order’s combat strength is extremely outstanding.

Upon hearing Su Li’s inquiry, Knight Commander Constantine replied proudly: ”Our sub-order has 60 Elite Knights and 120 Armed Attendants. It is worth mentioning that our Armed Attendants are not ordinary attendants, as they possess at least apprentice-level Knight strength! They are Ranger Knights who follow the official Knights of the Knight Order to learn and train, hoping to grow and become outstanding enough to qualify as Goddess Church Knights and join the Flame Sun Knight Order.”

Su Li instantly took a deep breath!

He always knew Knight Orders were extremely powerful, with the renowned Knight Orders being the martial pillars of this world.

However, he truly didn’t expect a sub-order of the Flame Sun Knight Order to be so strong!

Their sub-order alone has one Champion Knight, 60 Elite Knights, and 120 Attendants above apprentice Knight level!

This totals nearly 200 Knights!

It’s many times the number of Knights in Su Li’s army, with the Elite Knights being nearly triple.

The addition of so many Elite Knights has suddenly elevated the military power of Hesse Territory significantly.

The key is that the Flame Sun Knight Order is quite similar to the Secular Knight Order, actively battling on various battlefields, helping territories, nobility, and villages resist various evil threats.

If Hesse Territory encounters invasions such as from Green Skins, Demons, Beastmen, etc., they can summon them for assistance.

They will bravely charge at any formidable enemy, shouting ”Praise the Sun.”

These knights uniformly wear polished black and gold armors, with stylized golden sun wheel motifs on their banners, horse armors, shields, and breastplates. They kneel on one knee before the Goddess statue at the Sun Goddess Convent, symbolizing their devout allegiance to Her Majesty Violet in the blazing sunlight square.

Nearly two hundred radiant knights on the square chant songs praising the Sun Goddess, creating an atmosphere that is extraordinarily sacred and solemn.

Many believers of the Sun Goddess among the people also join this procession, with the sound of hymns echoing above the territory.

The entire territory indeed presents a prototype of the Sun Goddess’s exemplary realm.

When the hymns ended, Constantine was the first to rise, turned to Su Li, and said: ”Honorable Lord, we have heard the Goddess’s mandate and will promote the Goddess’s teachings in Hesse Territory, assisting you to build Hesse Territory into a place bathed in divine grace, allowing the glory of the Sunfire Church to shine here brilliantly, illuminating the entire Border Prince’s Territory, and become the sacred land of faith for the entire Border Prince’s Territory.”

Su Li smiled and said: ”That would be excellent. I’ll have my High-tier Attendant Chief Hilude arrange your stationing matters. I hope Silver Spring Valley can provide some support for your settlement.”

Silver Spring Valley is still just a village now, but under the development of the most affluent Knight Order’s settlement, it may soon become Silver Spring Castle or Silver Spring City.

To sustain a powerful Knight Order, relying solely on a village is far from enough. Their Knight Order must contact Marle Castle’s merchant families, set up warehouses and agents here.

And merchants always enjoy cooperating with Knight Orders, as if they have a letter of introduction from a famous Knight of the Knight Order, they can travel freely in many territories.

Constantine didn’t pay much attention to the stationing matters, all of this will be handled by the financial officer for specific affairs.

As the most affluent Knight Order, in the Flame Sun Knight Order, every Grand Leader has a financial officer as their right-hand man, helping the Grand Leader manage the stationing taxes, loans, investments, and all kinds of donated materials, and is responsible for daily operations of the Knight Order and the manor.

Constantine was interested in Hilude. Upon hearing Hilude’s name, his eyes brightened, looking to her and said: ”Honorable High-tier Attendant Chief, your name has been well-known. Your deeds have already spread within the Church, and more importantly, you are the Knight chosen by the Goddess. I wonder if you have any interest in serving the Goddess in our Flame Sun Knight Order?”

Hilude was slightly surprised at first, she didn’t expect the deeds in this remote territory to have spread within just three months.

However, she gently smiled afterward and said firmly: ”I appreciate the favor from Commander Constantine. But my earthly ties are not yet finished, I can only remain a Secular Knight, lifelong guarding beside our Lord. The Church Knight Order does not suit me.”

Constantine said regretfully: ”Alright then. Actually, as a Church Knight, stationed within Hesse Territory, it wouldn’t hurt to support your honorable Lord. I think you might consider leading a Church Knight troop, which might offer greater assistance to your Lord.”

At this moment, Su Li laughed and stepped forward, wrapping his arm around Hilude’s slender waist, and said to Constantine, ”Captain Constantine, poaching someone right in front of me is quite inappropriate. I’ve already planned to form a secular Knight Order in Hesse Territory, and Hilude is already the predetermined leader of the Knight Order. If you take her away, my Knight Order will be leaderless.”

The formation of a Knight Order in Hesse Territory was something everyone had already anticipated.

Currently, the knights of the territory are almost all directly affiliated attendants of Su Li. They don’t have much kingdom territory, nor do they have slaves, so joining a Knight Order is their best choice.

Many Knight Orders require members to give up their secular titles and territories if they join.

For example, the most famous White Wolf Knight Order, where even a Duke is willing to give up his title to serve as the Grand Leader of the White Wolf Knight Order.

One cannot view this extraordinary world with mundane eyes.

The Grand Leader of the White Wolf Knight Order has a very high status. As the strongest Church Knight Order of the Winter God, the Grand Leader’s status is even comparable to an Elector. The Yurik Church has three divine authority voting rights, and the White Wolf Knight Order controls one of them.

Moreover, by entering a Knight Order for more devout cultivation, a knight can have higher chances of promotion.

Without the Holy Purple Vine pods, the most effective way for most people to extend their lifespan is to enhance their extraordinary abilities. Every tier increase significantly extends one’s lifespan. By reaching the Legendary Level, one can surpass a thousand years.

Across the continent, there is no shortage of Legendary Level figures with thousand-year lifespans, and at the Holy Sanctuary stage, they live long like giant dragons, almost never dying of natural aging.

Most knights willing to follow Su Li to the remote Border Prince’s Territory are not here for territory and wealth but for the opportunity to advance and grow stronger.

Especially since Su Li has so many powerful fantasy items, to be honest, if it weren’t for those knights who highly value reputation and status, most knights would prefer to stay in Heisen Castle as directly affiliated knights.

If they could join the secular Knight Order of Hesse Territory, it would be the best path for them.

And Constantine, hearing Su Li’s words, could only offer his blessings, saying, ”Her Excellency Hilude is under the care of Her Majesty Violet. I believe under her command, Hesse Territory can form a strong Knight Order.”

”Although I deem it unnecessary. No matter how strong a Knight Order is, in the face of our Flame Sun Knight Order’s combat power, they are nothing but a bunch of trash. Instead of spending so much money to form a new Knight Order, it would be better to fund our Corona Knight Order. I believe it would enhance the strength of your territory significantly more.”

It can be seen that this Champion Knight with his chin held high, much like his flamboyant red beard, is as proud as a rose. This Knight Order, combining both flourish and substance, has respect for Hesse Territory limited to Hilude alone, viewing others as insignificant waste.

This makes it quite a headache for Su Li; while the addition of a Knight Order location to the territory is certainly good news, managing the relationship with these proud and arrogant knights tests the leader’s ability.

Many territory lords have poor relationships with local Grand Leaders of Knight Orders, leading to situations where during a lord’s tenure, the Knight Order of his territory refuses to fight for the territory.

Judging by Constantine’s arrogant attitude, he doesn’t seem to be an easy person to get along with either.

After all, as one of the strong and proud deputy leaders of the Flame Sun Knight Order, he has led a smooth life and naturally knows nothing of humility.

Apart from Hilude, who seems destined to become a Divine Chosen Knight as the high-ranking Guard Chief, everyone else faces his condescending gaze.

And they have the pride to back it up. As the richest Church Knight Order, even their lowest-level armed attendants wear Fine Level plate armor and can follow the powerful Flame Sun Knights in fierce charges, turning all enemies in front of them to dust with savage might.

And their qualified Flame Sun Knights wear Refined Level or higher Star Iron Armor.

Su Li has witnessed this armor, one of the most famous armors sold by dwarves within the Empire, and its strength is truly remarkable, as even artillery might not damage it.

Especially the Elite Knights, whose physiques are extraordinarily strong. Wearing this Refined Level armor, even if knocked down by artillery, they can get back up and continue fighting. It may take several artillery hits to reduce their numbers.

Furthermore, on the body of Grand Leader Constantine and the three exceedingly wealthy Knight Unit Leaders, they wear perfect level Vibranium Rune Armor!

With such armor, the knights are veritable battlefield bulldozers. The ordinary green skins’ machetes might not break their defense, and they might even die from the recoil damage.

Among them, there are also two Half Griffins. Besides Captain Constantine, a powerful young knight also owns one. This essentially means he has an 80-90% chance of growing into a powerful Champion Level Knight.