Knight Lord: Start with Daily Intelligence.

Chapter 392: The Rule and Management of Blue Mirror Territory and the Assistance from the Dwarf Tribes
While Su Li was consolidating his territory and the Green Shore Plains of Blue Mirror Territory by using church influence and marriage alliances with knightly families, Marshal Erstein's 2000-strong provincial legion had already broken through the Green Shore Plains and entered the southern border pastures of Blue Mirror Territory.

This place is nearing the Sandshade Forest south of Blue Mirror Territory. This forest, less dangerous than the Bloodpine Forest, is a relatively small natural forest with many thriving villages. Beastmen frequently raid these human settlements, so the local villagers are quite self-reliant and don't have a high level of identification with Blue Mirror Territory.

In this situation, Marshal Orstein easily seized seven border pastures, acquiring hundreds of cattle and horses, and thousands of sheep. He then coerced the villages within to swear allegiance to the Hesse territory.

These villages offered far less resistance than the knightly territories of the kingdoms; paying taxes to whom made no difference to them. After all, the lords ruling the area wouldn't offer much attention or military protection to this peripheral region.

They were always left to fend for themselves, and it was only when taxes were collected that the nobles from the castle would remember that there were several villages in this forest.

Therefore, faced with the overwhelming force of 2000 elite infantry and cavalry, the local villages all chose to change their flags in unison and swear allegiance to the Hessen territory.

And Su Li lived up to expectations, completely ignoring them. He didn't even send tax officials; the local tax revenue was so meager that each village could probably only provide a few gold crowns. It wasn't worth Su Li making a fuss about!

This is absolutely true and not an exaggeration. If a herd of roaring beasts appears in the area, the military expenses incurred in sending troops to rescue them could equal the tax revenue of the local area for decades or even hundreds of years!
Let's assume that a knightly legion (60 men) and two armed squire squadrons are sent from Stromgarde to fight against several hundred Beastmen. Not to mention the loss of military supplies, their wages for just one month before departure would be equivalent to the taxes that these villages could not collect in hundreds of years.

In other words, Marshal Erstein's army happened to pass through that area during his conquest and conveniently dealt with them; otherwise, the army wouldn't have bothered to go there.

However, just when these villages thought life would continue as before, abandoned and forgotten, something different happened!
On that day, the tranquility and unchanging life that had lasted for many years in the border pastures and forest villages were shattered when a knight in shining gold armor—whose armor was gleaming and whose breastplate was engraved with the emblem of the rising sun, and whose warhorse was draped with the same emblem—and a nun in a simple linen robe but with gentle yet firm eyes stepped into the village.

The villagers peeked from behind the doors of their simple wooden huts or through gaps in the fence, their eyes filled with a mixture of awe, curiosity, and a deep-seated fear. In the past, the only people who could make them feel the presence of their lord were the drunken old priest at the Mannana Abbey and the tax collectors who would come every few years (or when the lord remembered) to roughly levy grain, livestock, or leather. But the two who arrived today were neither like fierce soldiers nor like high-ranking noble lords.

The Knight of the Sun did not immediately deliver a speech. He simply stood silently on his horse in the village's only slightly open "square" (actually just a patch of compacted mud). Sunlight shone on his meticulously crafted armor, reflecting a blinding gleam, as if he himself were a miniature sun. His sharp, hawk-like gaze swept over every corner, over the dilapidated monastery, over the windows where the villagers hid. He did not draw his sword, but the armor that symbolized the orthodox order, light, and purification of the empire, and the longsword and mace hanging at his waist, bearing obvious signs of battle, were in themselves a powerful declaration: new rules and power had arrived.

As the village chief was cautiously pushed forward, the Blazing Sun Knight spoke in a clear, loud, yet undeniable voice: "By order of Lord Su Li, the Lord of Black Forest, the Radiant Sun, the Rising Star, the Iron Father, and the Bauhinia, this land now belongs to the Black Forest. I am a knight of the Blazing Sun Knights, Knight Wieheim von Lorraine, and I am ordered to guard this area, maintain order, and eliminate threats. From now on, I will serve as the resident knight of this village."

He made no mention of loyalty, nor did he immediately demand taxes; he only emphasized "order" and "eliminating threats." This was a strange and heavy message to the villagers, who were used to being forgotten—someone was coming to "govern" them, and in a powerful and serious manner.

Knight Vihem's gaze finally settled on the dilapidated Mannan Monastery. "From this day forward, all will obey the commands of the Black Forest Territory; the past will be swept into the shadows." His voice wasn't loud, but it struck like a hammer blow to the hearts of every villager and the old priest peeking through the monastery's door. He didn't immediately expel the priest, but this declaration and his powerful gaze had already proclaimed the Mannan faith's "unwelcome" in this place and its bleak future.

Just as the villagers were beginning to feel suffocated by the somber atmosphere brought by the Knight of Wihem, a nun from the Church of Dawn named Ella stepped forward at the opportune moment. She spoke without flowery words, and wore a gentle smile.

“I see many children who seem to be coughing,” she said in a clear and calm voice, her gaze falling on several thin, pale children hiding behind adults. “The abandoned barn at the east end of the village can be cleaned up and used as a temporary shelter and clinic. I’ve brought some herb seeds and a simple ointment recipe. Women who are willing to learn can come to me tomorrow morning.”

“This land is very fertile, but it seems to lack effective crop rotation and composting techniques. The goddess Rhea has bestowed upon us the wisdom of a bountiful harvest, and I hope to share it with everyone.”

Soon after, Sister Ella's simple Léa altar (a wooden carving of a horn of abundance, ears of wheat, and poultry) was erected in a corner of the abandoned barn. There were no mandatory worship services, but every morning, as Ella ground herbs or taught farming there, her serene and focused figure and the fragrant aroma of herbs in the air created a new, vibrant "sanctuary," silently attracting the villagers, especially the women and elderly suffering from illness and yearning for a better life.

After a period of communication, the villagers gained a better understanding of the two churches that had recently joined the village.

The Church of the Dawn Goddess is a church that worships Rhea, who is generally regarded as the goddess of nature, harvest, family, and healing, and has a wide influence in rural areas. She is a goddess of abundance, but never indulgent; if she is properly respected, she will bring food, but will never reward greed. She blesses lovers with romantic intimacy, not coercion or domination. The opposition between Rhea and the Dark Prince Slaanesh is rooted in the distinction between generosity and indulgence.

Every year, Rhea's followers would announce the arrival of summer and the passing of the Winter Reign of Yurik. Then, as night fell, Rhea would give the land to the wolf god, for she knew that life must hibernate in order to be reborn in spring.

In the nun's description of Rhea, she is a goddess who walks barefoot across wheat fields, usually accompanied by handmaids, nature spirits, and lesser goddesses who serve her in the earth. Although Rhea is a kind goddess, she is not as merciful as Salya. Those who harm youth, neglect the land, or forget to offer sacrifices to Rhea should be prepared to receive her icy wrath.

The Church of the Sun Goddess is a cult dedicated to Violet, the goddess of glorious war, civilization, military strategy, warriors, and officers. Her church is committed to learning and exploring the ultimate art of war, cultivating the most strategically astute military talents of the Old World, and training the most militarily skilled soldiers.

Furthermore, the Order dedicates itself to collecting military strategy texts from around the world, as well as unearthing texts that elucidate ancient or exotic warfare patterns, tactical techniques, and lost battle records. Each rediscovered lost military book is treated no less than a sacred relic, and is fully copied and properly translated.

Besides daily military training, believers spend a great deal of time reading, debating tactics, and reviewing classic battles. Of course, theoretical discussions are ultimately just that—the Church of the Sun Goddess is well aware of this. All theories must be tested on the bloody battlefield. Therefore, when war breaks out in the Old World, knights and priests rush to the battlefield to predict the ever-changing situation, verify the authenticity of theoretical knowledge, and record tactics not mentioned in books. Finally—when it serves the interests of the Order or excessively tarnishes the values ​​of the Goddess's Glorious War—they personally join one side in the war.

Furthermore, denominational knightly orders such as the Flame Sun Knights have always maintained a large number of wandering knights. These individuals travel to the ends of the Old World, learning through countless encounters, seeking advice from every respectable human strategist, and offering assistance to those unable to defend themselves, thus spreading Violet's sacred values. Therefore, while strategic vision is fundamental to the survival of every general in the Old World, the greatest strategists are mostly from Violet's cult.

The Knight Vihem, who entered the village, was a wandering knight stationed there, and he would remain for the next year or two. Soon, the villagers felt the influence of the Sun Knight Vihem's presence; he was like an invisible wall, isolating them from the possible influence of the Mannan priests' past. The priests' drunken roars and war rallies appeared pale, powerless, and even laughable under the knight's cold gaze. Meanwhile, the health and hope brought by Sister Rhea Ella quickly eroded the last remaining foundation of the Mannan Church—the villagers' dependence on violence born of fear and despair. The monastery gates grew increasingly deserted; the old priests either slunk away or could only reminisce about the past in their drunken dreams. The old pillars of faith crumbled silently and rapidly.

Meanwhile, Knight Vihem was not idle. He regularly patrolled the area around the village on horseback, especially the edge of the forest. When a small, indiscriminate band of beastmen raiders attempted to attack another village, he swiftly dispatched only a few conscripted villagers, decisively defeating them and bringing back several gruesome beastman heads, which he displayed at the village entrance. This was more effective than any speech. For the first time, the villagers truly felt the security of being "protected," even though this protection was accompanied by awe of the knight's authority. Order was no longer a legend in a distant castle, but a tangible reality of armor and sword.

Sister Ella's herbal knowledge began to take effect; the child's cough lessened, and simple wound treatments prevented infection. The planting and crop rotation methods she taught resulted in a significantly better harvest on a small experimental plot than in previous years. Like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, ripples spread. More and more people, especially women, began to actively approach Sister Léa, seeking knowledge and assistance. A new community bond, based on practical mutual aid and gentle faith, was quietly being woven in the name of the goddess Léa.

Under the influence of the two church members, the villagers quickly realized that life had truly changed. The rule of the Hessian Territory was not merely a change of name for taxation. It brought powerful protectors and, more importantly, guides who genuinely cared about their well-being. While taxes might still exist in the future, they brought with them order, security, and the possibility of tangible improvements in their lives.

For the first time, this forgotten "marginal land" seems to have been incorporated into some kind of "system," no longer left to fend for itself. This sense of belonging and potential hope is something the villagers have never experienced in the past few years.

When Sister Ella, with the tacit approval (and even a degree of protection) of the Knights of Vihem, steadily hung the white dove emblem of the goddess Rhea, symbolizing abundance and peace, above the lintel of what originally belonged to the Mannan Abbey, the shift in faith in this border village was completed in a way that was almost peaceful yet irreversible. There was no fierce conflict, no bloody suppression, only the unquestionable ironclad order brought by the Knights of the Sun, and the seeds of hope sown by Sister Rhea, taking root and sprouting.

The villagers gazed at the pristine white dove emblem, their hearts filled with a complex mix of emotions. The fear lingered (awe of the knight's power), Mann's whispers might still occasionally echo in the night, and the obsession with revenge wouldn't immediately vanish. But the visible herb fields, the children's rosy cheeks, and the less frequent sights of the beastmen at the forest's edge all silently proclaimed: a new era, accompanied by the iron hooves of the Blackwood Territory and the mercy of the goddess Rhea, had descended upon this forgotten frontier pasture. And the Mann's trident emblem, once a symbol of blood and fire, could only cower in a dark corner, slowly being covered in dust.

This scene unfolded throughout the entire Blue Mirror Territory, with similar situations playing out in every village.

From the Kingdom of Knights in the north to the Green Shore Plains in the south, from the border pastures to the villages in the Sandy Forest, every human settlement is undergoing this cultural and religious transformation, either subtly or dramatically.

However, Su Li had no time to pay attention to any of this; all his energy was currently being taken up by the two visiting dwarf lords!
Lord Dolock Redbeard from the Redbeard Clan and Lord Gerson Grayrock from the Grayrock Clan now harass him almost every day!
Inside the highest room of Stromgarde Keep, Su Li sat on a large round wooden sofa, rubbing his throbbing temples. He felt his energy being slowly worn down by the two dwarven lords with their booming voices and thick beards. Dolok Redbeard, lord of the Redbeard clan, had a voice as fiery and flamboyant as his beard, while Gerson Grayrock of the Grayrock clan was as steady and unyielding as the rocks of his territory. Yet, their goal was remarkably aligned—the Frostfang Mountains!
“Su Li! My old friend! That damned Frostfang Mountains, overrun by fog and monsters, it’s time to restore order to them!” Dorock Redbeard waved his thick arm, making the wine glasses on the table vibrate, and pointed to the map spread out in front of Su Li, depicting precipitous limestone peaks and deep canyons. “Look! Look at these lines! These are clearly the mines our ancestors carved! The outlines of our ancestral fortresses! That is the bloodline of the Grey Mountain Dwarves!”

Gerson Grayrock stroked his granite-gray beard, his voice deep yet resolute: “My big friend, your army has wiped out the threats in the north of Blue Mirror Territory, clearing away the scum entrenched on the outskirts of Frostfang Mountains, proving your strength and resolve. But this is only the beginning. Deep within the mountains, in those intricate caverns, lies even deeper darkness—bandit lairs, desecrated altars of the Beastmen, forgotten Chaos eggs writhing, and even the stench of the undead never fading. They are like a bone spur stuck in the throat of the Gray Mountains, threatening all neighboring creatures, including your newly conquered lands and our home in the Gray Mountains!”

Su Li was well aware of the value and danger of the Frostfang Mountains. This mountain range, stretching across the northern part of Blue Mirror Territory, served as a natural barrier and a crucial link between it and the Gray Mountains. Connecting it to the Gray Mountains would greatly enhance the dwarves' strength, providing an excellent defensive line for the northern part of Black Forest Territory.

So, just as Hilder led her army to the foot of the Frostfang Mountains and recaptured the plains at the foot of the mountains, the two dwarven clan lords rushed over.

Their goal was clear: to persuade Su Li to form an alliance with them, the dwarves, and to continue advancing to conquer the entire Frostfang Mountains!

The climate and environment for each race in this world are very clear: humans prefer warm plains, while dwarves are suited to steep mountains.

The Grayrock and Redbeard clans had their eyes on the Frostfang Mountains, an ancient, abandoned colony of the dwarves. Stretching across northern Blue Mirror Territory, the Frostfang Mountains are composed of rugged limestone peaks, deep canyons, and an intricate network of caves, perpetually shrouded in mist. In ancient times, this was a dwarven colony, concealing ancient dwarven mines and abandoned fortresses. Now, the mountain dwarves have retreated to the Gray Mountains, leaving it desolate and largely a lair for monsters. During Blue Mirror Territory's rule, it was a major source of threat to their territory, teeming with bandits, beastmen, chaos eggs, and even undead. Now that the Blackwood army has reclaimed it, the dwarves naturally yearn to continue living alongside humans, sending a portion of their people from the Gray Mountains north of Blackwood to this once-abandoned land to reclaim their former glory.

But as Gerson said, it was indeed not easy to reclaim this place. It was a breeding ground for monsters. The army led by Hilde had only reclaimed the plains in the northern part of Blue Mirror Territory and expanded the outer perimeter of Frostfang Mountains to eliminate the immediate threat and gain some outposts. But to thoroughly wipe out the entire mountain range? The resources, time, and sacrifices required would be enormous, which was clearly not in Su Li's current interest.

Su Li's main focus right now is still on annihilating the entire Blue Mirror Territory. For this reason, he can tolerate the existence of the Frostfang Mountains in the north, where some low-profile monsters continue to hide.

So Su Li sighed, trying to make his tone sound sincere yet helpless, "Dorok, Gerson, my old friends, I understand your longing for your homeland, and I'm aware of the threats lurking deep within the Frostfang Mountains. But as you can see, I haven't even established a firm foothold in Blue Mirror Territory yet. The Green Shore Plains need to be digested, Orstein to the south is still advancing, and there's a mess around Flashspear City... Wiping out the entire Frostfang Mountains? I don't even dare to think about it right now! That would require a massive, dedicated mountain legion, a continuous investment of a year or even several years! My gold and soldiers are not inexhaustible!"

“We didn’t leave you to do it all alone!” Dorock shouted impatiently, his eyes gleaming with the shrewdness characteristic of dwarves. “We want to move back! The warriors of Redbeard and Grayrock are willing to take up axes and pickaxes and return to the land of our ancestors! We know those ancient mine tunnels, we know the structure of the fortresses, we are the best mountain warriors and miners! You just need to nod and allow us to safely pass through your territory from the Gray Mountains in the north into the Frostfang Mountains. The rest—clearing, mopping up, and rebuilding—we’ll handle ourselves!”

Gerson added calmly, “Yes, my big friend. We did not come empty-handed. As neighbors, and in return for allowing us to return to our homeland, we will take on the primary responsibility of clearing out all threats from within the Frostfang Mountains. The warriors of Redbeard and Grayrock will clean every mine shaft, every cave, and let those monsters become dust of history. This is tantamount to completely securing your northern frontier and eliminating a major threat.”

"The rebuilt dwarven fortress will become your strongest northern barrier. Any force that attempts to threaten Blackwood from the north, whether it be beastmen, greenskins or anything else, must first step over the corpses of the dwarves! We will forge an unbreakable alliance with you."

"Once the mines reopen and the fortress is rebuilt, the rich mineral deposits, including iron, copper, gems, and possibly even rare metals hidden by the ancient dwarves, will see the light of day again. The dwarves' forging skills are unparalleled, and we will prioritize providing you with high-quality weapons, armor, and engineering equipment at absolutely fair prices! This will greatly enhance the strength of your army."

"Furthermore, provided that safety is ensured, we can consider allowing you to use some of the safe mine tunnels we have rebuilt for rapid and covert troop movements or transport under certain conditions. This is a privilege that other human lords dream of."

(End of this chapter)