Knight Lord: Start with Daily Intelligence.

Chapter 343 The Grand and Glorious Games and the Generous Grace Descended by the Goddess

As more and more guests entered the Forbidden City, Su Li's castle was filled with distinguished guests!
This was the first time Su Li had seen his influence so clearly. Besides the nobles and leaders Su Li had specifically focused on, there were also 14 royal knights who had come to the Purple Thorn Palace. These were legitimate nobles of the empire, imperial elites whose positions were hereditary.

In addition, seven abbots of monasteries and four renowned monks from the Church of the Sun Goddess and the Church of the Dawn Goddess arrived in Blacksem to participate in this grand feast.

By nearly 11 a.m., a total of 62 dignitaries and prominent leaders had been arranged to enter the Forbidden City. The scale of influence they could exert was probably at least 20 people. If we consider a broader range of influence, it means that one or two million people were paying attention to this grand event in the Black Forest Territory.

On Earth, one or two million people may not seem like much, but this is the medieval world. Some gods may not even have two million followers! For example, the Church of Hendrix only had influence among a select group of people, and its reach was very small.

Therefore, if Su Li is able to hold an exclusive festival for the Goddess of the Sun and influence 200 million people, he will truly gain the goddess's praise and receive a very considerable divine blessing!
This made him pay even more attention to the ceremony of this grand event, determined to make the Glorious Games famous all at once.

After receiving all the distinguished guests and allies, at 11:30, Hilde, dressed in a gleaming vibranium rune armor, walked swiftly to Su Li with her sword in hand. She solemnly pounded her chest with her fist and gave him a military salute. Her long, flowing golden hair danced in the wind, making her heroic face appear exceptionally spirited.

"My lord, our knights are in formation and ready to depart at any time!"

Su Li was also deeply moved. This was an extremely important festival, the perfect time to showcase the splendor of their territory. Today, they would let everyone witness the mighty and powerful spirit of the Sun Goddess Knights!

He took a deep breath decisively and shouted, "Set off immediately for the statue of the Goddess and ignite the Sacred Flame of the Sun!"

At his command, the 60 Blacksene knights who were waiting in front of the palace immediately stood at attention, their bright armor reflecting a dazzling golden light in the sunlight.

They will escort Su Li out of the Purple Thorn Palace to rejoin the main force. As the goddess of tactics and strategy, and of military officers, the Goddess of the Sun's faith places great emphasis on military discipline, strategic wisdom, and the noble mission of civilization against barbarity and chaos. Therefore, her church festivals are invariably filled with military elements and sacred rituals. The display of military might and the knights' triumphant display are the highlights of the entire ceremony.

As expected, the dazzling display of light drew gasps of admiration from the guests inside the Forbidden City. Led by castle attendants, they were taken to the castle's viewing platform to watch the entire army march and the ceremony of lighting the sacred flame from the city walls.

Su Li then mounted the Deathclaw, a symbol of the lord's authority, and, under the protection of the Black Forest Guard knights, passed through the ornately decorated castle corridors and arrived at the first gate of the Forbidden City.

Crossing the stone arch bridge here leads to the castle's largest training square, where nearly 1000 elite infantry and cavalrymen stand in imposing formation, banners fluttering in the breeze. Each soldier is well-equipped, their armor gleaming. Beneath the banners, the powerful knights stand in perfect order, their spirits high.

Upon Su Li's arrival, majestic military music immediately resounded from the center of the army. Following the reform of the provincial government, the chess players and drummers had been further improved. This stirring military music was so inspiring that it seemed to forge flesh, metal, and soul into steel, making the entire army appear as if it were a sharp sword polished by the gods, its pre-drawn-out hum already shaking the heavens.

As the champion knight Tiberius, leading the army, roared in welcome of the lord's inspection, the three armies immediately stood at attention, chests out, and roared majestically: "For the glory of the goddess!"

Su Li rode the Claw of Death, stepping out from the crowd. Holding the Shining Warhammer, he surveyed the army formation and shouted an inspiring message: "Today is the goddess's festival! Her Majesty Violet is watching over us! My glorious knights, let us go and ignite the goddess's sacred fire, let the goddess's radiance shine in the old world, and let the golden holy flames dispel the darkness of the mortal realm!"

"On my command, all troops, turn right and march!"

The next moment, nearly a thousand elite infantrymen in full heavy armor turned right in unison, and hundreds of knights mounted their horses at the same time. The army roared into action, the sound of footsteps and drumbeats mingling, the stirring voices and the clanging of armor creating a powerful and awe-inspiring sound.

As the army set off, 24 Knights of the Vengeful Sun, riding half-griffins, were the first to emerge from beneath the twenty-meter-high gates of the Bauhinia Palace. As the vanguard of the army, they held aloft the banner of the Black Forest Territory, and the golden Bauhinia family crest on each of their chests shone with a crimson-gold light, making them exceptionally dazzling.

Under the banner of the Bauhinia flower, each knight looked exceptionally strong and tall, as if they were all over three meters tall, riding huge and noble monsters, showcasing the size and majesty of the monster cavalry to the fullest extent.

The moment they appeared, they were greeted with cheers from tens of thousands of people in the carnival square. The cheers of tens of thousands of knights and servants were deafening and shook the heavens. The fervor and atmosphere at this moment perfectly matched the style of the Church of the Blazing Sun.

It's no wonder the crowd was so shocked and enthusiastic, their voices shaking the mountains and rivers. Before the event started, no one expected that a small border territory like Black Forest Territory could field 24 half-griffin knights!

This scale is probably something many earls couldn't produce; those are half-griffin knights! The empire's most powerful organized monster cavalry, and even some knightly orders that claim to be half-griffin knights might not have this many half-griffin knights.

As the empire's top-tier military unit and the pinnacle of human combat power, the Half-Griffin Knights are the pride and role model for all knights.

Countless people have been proud of seeing even a half-griffin knight for their entire lives, but now they have actually seen a whole half-griffin warband here. How could the knights not go crazy?

More importantly, it was such a stark contrast that no one expected to find so many top-tier soldiers in such a desolate corner of the border.

But the shock to the cheering crowd was far from over. Soon they saw one elite battle group after another marching out of the castle gates. Large numbers of elite knights marched in orderly formations, their steps thundering, their magnificent military formations, banners, and armor illuminating the heavens and the earth.

The procession stretched from the gate of the Forbidden City all the way to the bridge across the river, and then from the bridge into the carnival square. One after another, square formations lined up along the long street, the ranks neat and orderly, a solemn military display, a long line waiting for the lord's inspection.

Then, amidst the attention of the crowd, Su Li rode the exceptionally powerful and enormous elegant monster, Death Claw, through the castle gates. Under the protection of more than 60 golden-armored knights, he crossed the proud bridge across the river of Blackforest City along the square formation lined up on the right side of the long street and arrived at the carnival square.

As he waved, thunderous cheers erupted in the square, the sounds even more fervent than before soaring into the sky! This time, it wasn't just the knights cheering; countless citizens throughout the entire territory shouted and applauded excitedly.

Su Li truly possesses unparalleled prestige throughout the entire Black Forest Territory. Victory is the greatest source of inspiration! No one in the territory would question Su Li's prestige. Under his leadership, the entire territory has overcome numerous obstacles, defeating one powerful enemy after another. Through countless victories, the territory has finally established itself in this desolate and dangerous region, thus growing stronger.

It can be said that without Su Li's leadership and the hard work and development of everyone, there would never have been such a prosperous and civilized territory on this land!

His achievements, contributions, and pioneering work were of paramount importance to the territory, and no one else could match them.

Countless citizens shouted devoutly and fervently, "Long live the Lord!"

May the light of the goddess shine upon you forever!

With a smile, Su Li waved to the people all the way, and then, under the protection of the army, arrived at the statue in the center of the carnival square.

This is the second largest statue of the Sun Goddess in the territory, made by Rong En, a priest of the Sun Goddess Church. The first statue is on the monastery plain north of the city. That statue, which is over a hundred meters tall, can even influence the entire territory around Blacksin City because of the higher terrain to the north, allowing the people and knights to launch a fearless charge against the enemy on the plain under the watchful gaze of the magnificent statue of the Sun Goddess!
The second largest statue is over 60 meters tall. The hundreds of knights standing under the huge statue of the goddess do not seem to overshadow her. Instead, they appear to be loyal guards protecting the goddess, making her seem exceptionally sacred and magnificent.

When Su Li approached within a hundred meters of the statue, the stone fire pillars on both sides of the passage began to ignite one after another. Every time he passed a stone pillar, the phosphorus powder in the fire basin on the pillar would spew out blazing flames.

As Su Li arrived before the statue of the goddess, the tactical pieces to be sacrificed were already prepared in the Cauldron of Neva. These were the finest sand table pieces for strategic planning, all made of beeswax from the sun by priests of the Sun Church in the Black Forest Territory.

As the officiant of the ceremony, Priest Rong En stood beside Su Li and loudly proclaimed, "Lord, please light the sacred fire and offer sacrifices to the wax army, signifying that [strategy should be as swift as a hot blade melting fat]!"

The phrase "Strategy should be like a hot blade melting fat" – this classic doctrinal commentary immediately drew gasps and murmurs from the crowd in the square. Many church believers and knights felt a sudden, profound realization! People in the crowd repeatedly remarked that Archbishop Rong En truly lived up to his reputation; his profound understanding of doctrine allowed him to make the teachings crystal clear and enlighten the believers with just a few words.

Even knights from other churches and ordinary citizens were greatly shocked and their interest in the doctrines of the Goddess of the Sun increased dramatically.

At this moment, Su Li also felt a sense of piety and reverence for the doctrine, as if a grand mission had descended from the sky, enveloping him in golden light.

He immediately raised his warhammer and plunged it into the golden Neva Cauldron. The fire runes on the warhammer activated, and the flames that erupted instantly ignited all the beeswax chess pieces.

The ultra-high-quality beeswax made from sun beeswax suddenly burst forth with a dazzling brilliance like the blazing sun. Flames shot up from the Neva Cauldron, reaching a height of hundreds of meters, and the soaring beam of light pierced directly through the pure white clouds.

The clouds were instantly bathed in golden light, and brilliant golden light emanated from the open cloud layer, as if a gate to heaven had been opened.

The sacred scene amazed even the most knowledgeable knights: "This is the kind of aura that only comes from divine grace."

"By divine grace, this is simply incredible. I've participated in the Summer Solstice Burning Festival in Maleburg several times, and it feels like this is the first time the festival has been held here. The divine favor here is no less than that of Maleburg!"

"The goddess truly favors this lord. You must know that Maleburg is a sacred place with the Eternal Flame Cathedral, and only a ceremony presided over by her would have such a grand divine blessing."

But before they could finish their exclamations, another series of loud gasps of surprise erupted from the crowd.

From behind the gaping clouds, one after another, knights gleaming with golden light descended from the sky! Like heavenly warriors descending to earth.

Oliver and Hilde's pupils constricted simultaneously, staring incredulously at the Holy Army in the sky. Dozens of knights made of golden flames, riding powerful mounts such as griffins and pegasus, were descending continuously from the clouds to the mortal realm. This was a scene they had never witnessed during their previous rehearsals and rehearsals!

Su Li, who hadn't participated in the rehearsal, assumed it was normal. He put away his warhammer, looked up at the sky, and exclaimed, "My ministers, why didn't you tell me beforehand that there would be such a breathtaking scene? I was almost speechless from the sacred hymns of heaven and the powerful divine army. Are these the pawns we sacrificed?"

Because he was unaware of the situation, he remained the most composed and was the first to realize that the powerful momentum and massive Heavenly Army were all made of sun beeswax. The sacrifice of this legendary material had clearly greatly pleased the Goddess of the Sun.

Before the shocked Hilde and Oliver could respond, dozens of chess piece knights descended from the sky and landed one after another, enveloping dozens of lucky individuals among the tens of thousands of people.

Then one of the chess pieces, resembling a commander, swooped down and entered Su Li's body. The next moment, Su Li felt his strength surge, and he became a majestic commander.

Violet immediately recognized the situation and excitedly said to Su Li, "Lord, it's the [Eternal War]! It's Her Majesty Violet's reward to her most loyal follower!"

"【Eternal War】!" Su Li shouted excitedly, raising his arm as the mythology became reality!
Bathed in golden light, his voice was incredibly majestic and sacred, like thunder resounding throughout the world, or like a divine decree being issued through him.

After a brief moment of shock and silence, the square where tens of thousands of people had gathered erupted in a deafening roar.

"Eternal War!"

"Praise the goddess!"

"For glory!"

Amidst the thunderous cheers of tens of thousands of people, dozens of followers of the Church of the Goddess of the Sun, chosen by the golden chess pieces, burst forth with holy light. Under the influence of the golden light, their figures began to float up, and then their figures continued to grow larger, reaching a height of at least 25 meters.

Su Li quickly saw clearly that a total of 48 chess pieces, including himself, were floating in the sky in distinct groups. One group was adorned with the blazing emblem of the Bauhinia family, while the other group shone with a golden sun emblem with 16 rays of light. They were undoubtedly the symbols of the Church of the Goddess of the Sun.

Su Li then recognized the commander as Paulus Friedrich, the vice-dean of the Flame Sun Knights!

Paulus's voice was equally majestic and sacred. He drew his sword and shouted, "Wisdom is put to use with the sword! The spirit of the warrior dwells forever in the skies above the battlefield! The goddess of the sun is watching over us, follow me and charge forward!"

The sacred declaration that the Goddess of the Sun was watching over us instantly caused the entire square to erupt in excitement, with countless people craning their necks to look up at the golden chessboard in the sky where the game was being played.

Above the clouds, the landscape had transformed into a golden landscape outlined by golden light. Commander Paulus led 24 powerful golden-armored knights in a charge that was as imminent as the collapse of the heavens, their unwavering goal aimed directly at Su Li.

Clearly, this powerful chosen knight intended to use his superior personal strength to execute a decapitation strike, thereby utterly crushing Su Li.

Su Li was also fearless. He clenched his fists tightly, unleashing an unparalleled aura and powerful strength. At this moment, he was full of confidence.

He decisively swung his warhammer, commanding the knights to split into three groups. He personally led the 12 most elite knights in a retreat, while the other two groups of knights spread out linearly like eagle wings.

The three teams of knights moved simultaneously, instantly suspending their battle formation in the air like a griffin spreading its wings.

The knights, enveloped in golden light, moved with lightning speed. There was not much time for them to dodge and pull back. The two sides were locked in a fierce battle. Golden light scattered and dissipated in the sky. The colossal figure of the god general, who was over twenty meters tall, disappeared. Then, the chosen believers, enveloped in golden light, slowly descended from the sky.

As soon as they landed, the knights shouted with joy, "Great! I feel a strong divine blessing, and my strength has directly broken through a level!"

"Praise be to the goddess! I have slain an enemy, and my weapon has been upgraded to a superb runic longsword!"

“Praise be to Goddess! I have also received a church book with a sun emblem.”

As the golden light of the knights in the sky dissipated, more and more knights slowly descended and returned to the square, and everyone felt the intense divine grace of the Goddess of the Sun.

Meanwhile, the situation in the air gradually became clear: Commander Paulus, trapped in a siege, was doomed to defeat.

He underestimated Su Li's strength. He didn't expect that Su Li, as a commander, would also possess the strength of a chosen one under the blessing of the light flame. Therefore, the decapitation tactic was directly declared a failure.

Su Li successfully employed the goddess's military strategy, luring the enemy deep into her territory and choosing the battlefield most advantageous to her, thus achieving victory with overwhelming tactical superiority.

What further fueled the fervor and excitement of the followers of the Sun Goddess Church below was that the outcome of the battle in the sky perfectly aligned with their values ​​of the "Glorious War."

After gaining an overwhelming advantage, Su Li did not engage in a meaningless massacre of the incapacitated enemy. Instead, he allowed Paulus to surrender and treated the surrendering enemy with courtesy.

When the outcome was decided, Su Li burst forth with the most dazzling golden light, and a divine blessing cleansed his body.

Countless followers and knights of the Church of the Sun Goddess cheered wildly, believing it to be a divine miracle.

Then, under the protection of the golden light, Su Li slowly returned to the statue of the goddess and sacrificed the chess piece made of legendary material, which brought about an unparalleled effect.

At this moment, Su Li clearly felt the power of a God-chosen one, and the ability to use that power was deeply imprinted in his mind like an instinct.

This gave him a higher level of understanding of the path of cultivation, and his cultivation was bound to advance by leaps and bounds. Just like a college student who already has a wealth of knowledge and learning, taking elementary school and middle school exams will naturally be incredibly easy!

At the same time, his armor shone with a breathtaking light, the dazzling golden light so bright that people dared not look directly at it. His perfect-grade armor already possessed the characteristics of the Heavenly Armor. With the infusion of a large amount of legendary-grade beeswax, its quality was improved in an unparalleled way, directly advancing to the rare-grade!

This was the goddess's most generous reward to him as the sacrificer and the victor of this tactical exercise, a gift far exceeding that of others.

The new [Steel Sun] feature has also been added. If this armor is penetrated by the enemy on the battlefield, its rare quality will cause an unparalleled explosive effect, instantly killing more than a dozen elite knights.

As the golden light gradually subsided and receded into his armor, Su Li raised his warhammer high and roared at the roaring crowd below: "Knights, subjects, and witnesses who have come from afar! As the midday sun scorches the emblems on our armor, as the cold light of our spears pierces the morning mist, let us tear the clouds apart with our battle cry—the Goddess of the Sun is watching us!"

A thunderous cheer and applause erupted from the crowd, and the excited knights struck their shields and armor with a resounding clang that echoed through the sky.

"She taught us to measure the battlefield with the emblem of the sun, to build walls with the code of forging iron, and to distinguish glory from madness with the wisdom forged in fire! After three hundred days and nights of you sharpening your armor, and as you weave golden manes for your warhorses, the chariot of the goddess of the sun is crushing the stars—every ray of light she casts is a spear of judgment!"

"Those who scoffed in the shadows said that our worship of the sun would eventually scorch our eyes. But today, let their eardrums shatter with the sound of war drums! From the Ogre Pass to the shores of the Claw Sea, all warriors who have been bathed in her holy flames, shout: How did the snowfields of Middenheim melt? How did the tentacles of the Chaos Egg wither? The sun's ring brand on your armor, is it not the most blazing answer?!"

Amidst the fervent roars of the believers below, twelve church knights carried the statue of the Sun Goddess to the altar, adorned with beautiful flowers, dazzling gold, and a skull symbolizing human purity.

Su Li shouted, "Let the goddess tour our city and inspect our army. Let the Goddess of the Sun witness the sharpness of our swords. When the golden light crowns the victors, the sweat and blood you shed on the Black Forest territory will surely rise into a new dawn—for the sun will never fall!"

Praise be to the Goddess of the Sun!

With a shout, he raised his arm, and the deep, resonant horns and majestic war drums sounded simultaneously, beginning a stirring performance with a sacred rhythm of three short beats followed by one long one. At the same time, the gates of the Lion Ring slowly rose amidst the rising steam.

The road to Lion Ring was opened, with red flowers and carpets leading directly to the most grand venue of the ceremony!

Countless knights cheered excitedly: "Praise be to the Goddess of the Sun!"

Su Li then shouted solemnly and excitedly, "Next, let our knights who have successfully qualified follow the statue of the goddess and tour the city in glory, and then enter the most exciting arena!"

(End of this chapter)