Knight Lord: Start with Daily Intelligence.

Chapter 418 The Curse and the Powerful Knights of Eternal Light
Su Li decided to temporarily set aside the matter of the treasures in the Sulande Province.

He couldn't keep coveting other people's treasures, otherwise he would appear too mean and greedy. After all, when he sent Phyllis to recognize the prince, it wasn't really for these reasons, and he hadn't even anticipated that Phyllis would return the treasures of the Surland Province.

She was under immense pressure and unilaterally sent the treasure back to the Black Forest Territory.

Su Li was quite satisfied and stopped focusing on that aspect. Instead, she looked at Oliver and said, "Let's continue talking about the Knights of Eternal Light. We've had quite a bit of dealing with this order. But it seems we don't know much about them?"

Logically speaking, this shouldn't be the case.

Similarly, the most prestigious and top-tier knightly orders in the world, such as the White Wolf Knights and the Flame Sun Knights, are renowned far and wide. The people of Black Forest Territory are very familiar with these top-tier knightly orders, and can even recite many of their famous deeds and battles from memory.

The bards earned their living by telling these stories in restaurants, taverns, and inns every day. Some of them were knights, squires, and adventurers who were willing to tip them for their eloquent storytelling and the grandeur of their tales.

However... as a knightly order of the same rank, and having fought and had conflicts with the Black Forest Territory, it seems that news of the Knights of Eternal Light is rarely heard.

At least that's how Su Li felt. He had heard of the Eternal Light Knights, one of the most famous and renowned knightly orders in the world. However, it seemed that few people were willing to discuss the history and stories of the Eternal Light in detail. It was as if those who knew all about it were intentionally or unintentionally avoiding the topic and unwilling to talk much about the past of this knightly order.

As Verena's chosen one, Oliver was learned and knowledgeable, so he naturally knew about the past of this knightly order.

After a moment's hesitation, he didn't shy away from the topic of the knightly order, but instead began to recount: "The Eternal Light is a Templar Knights order that serves the goddess of justice, Verena. Like many of its comrades, the history of the Eternal Light dates back to the Old World's expedition to Arabi, where the knights gained prestige and wealth through war—and a rather shameful curse. Legend has it that when the order passed through an Arabi town unguarded by soldiers, their hearts hardened, and they ruthlessly executed every woman and child, thus incurring a curse that brings bad luck."

"The curse first manifested on the journey home, when the knights' ship was laden with all sorts of mythical treasures. Although the sea was calm and countless other expeditionary ships were sailing alongside them, only the ship of the 'Eternal Light' inexplicably started to leak. Although the knights were rescued by other ships in a panic, their wealth sank to the deepest part of the Black Canyon with the tattered masts and sails."

"In the following centuries, the knights encountered increasingly bad luck: from strange diseases that plagued them, to always buying rotten fruit, to their warhorses becoming lame, and so on. Almost every knight met a less than ideal end: battle-hardened heroes who survived the fiercest battles eventually succumbed to a cold; knights who talked endlessly about their heroic adventures choked to death on their food; and veterans on their way to an award ceremony broke their necks while going down the stairs."

"The knights of Eternal Light seem to always die from one accident or another, rarely dying bravely in a great battle between good and evil—as all knights would hope. The knights find themselves always being kicked off their horses at the most inopportune moments, their longswords breaking in two just as they are about to deliver a fatal blow to their enemies, and the seemingly solid ground turning out to be quicksand or swamp. Only Kurt von Tazar, a member of the Knights of Eternal Light, was injured in the eye by a ricocheting lead bullet fired from behind; and only Sigismund Draco, the Grand Master of Eternal Light, was thrown into a manure cart by the cheering crowd during the victory parade in Ivy City—it was later discovered that this was the only one within a radius of several leagues."

"Everyone in the empire knows that the Eternal Light is a cursed order of knights, a ridiculous organization that has long endured the scorn and gossip of the world. Therefore, many people both sympathize with and despise the knights of the Eternal Light, because they do not understand why anyone would voluntarily join such an order. The truth is that the knights of the Eternal Light are almost all from the noble class, usually the second son of a nobleman, who is sent to serve in a Templar order as a compromise between receiving religious education and military service."

"Despite the universally acknowledged ominous nature of the 'Eternal Light,' applications for entry continued to pour in from noble families. There are indeed some strange people in the world—strange noble couples—who would rather their sons join a well-known but eccentric order of knights than a normal but obscure one. And despite their past humiliation, the Knights of Eternal Light served the goddess with nobility and sincerity. Countless folk tales about their misfortunes are filled with stories of heroism and sacrifice, often ending in a desperate attempt to break the curse affecting them all, followed by an undeniable failure. It is this spirit of self-sacrifice that makes them so beloved among the common people."

Su Li listened in stunned silence, his fingers unconsciously tapping the table. Oliver's description of the "history" of the Knights of Eternal Light formed an extremely absurd yet astonishing contrast with his impression of the imposing and ruthless steel army outside the Bauhinia Manor.

“The cursed…unlucky knights?” Su Li’s voice was filled with disbelief and surprise. “The same guys who almost fought with us? That Archibald doesn’t look like the kind of person who would fall into a manure cart or get hit in the eye by a ricochet!” He recalled Archibald’s resolute, rock-solid face and sharp eyes, and simply couldn’t connect that image with the incredibly unlucky “predecessors” Oliver had mentioned.

Oliver shrugged helplessly. “My lord, this is the most peculiar thing about the Eternal Light. The curse is real; it clings to the Knights like a leech, bringing all sorts of inexplicable misfortunes. But at the same time, the knights’ bravery, piety, and discipline have never been diminished. They remain one of the most elite heavy knight orders, each charge marked by a martyr’s resolve. Grand Master Archibald himself is the most vivid embodiment of this contradiction. He is exceptionally skilled in martial arts, decisive in command, and as resolute as steel, but no one knows if he will be hit by a falling tile from his castle roof or thrown off by a suddenly startled new horse during a review. They… are accustomed to walking alongside misfortune and try to overwhelm it with supreme martial virtue and the glory of the goddess.”

Su Li leaned back in his chair, processing this bizarre information. He felt a complex mix of emotions surging within him.

“It’s…unbelievable,” he murmured, his tone a mixture of surprise and barely perceptible respect. “To maintain such formidable fighting power while bearing such a stigma that resounded throughout the old world, and to have nobles continuously send their second sons there…that in itself requires an almost obsessive belief and immense mental fortitude. Just like you said, they knew the road ahead was fraught with thorns and…uh…dung pits, yet they still chose to draw their swords and fight for the goddess.”

He paused, his gaze deepening. "I suddenly understand why Grand Master Archibald seemed so tough, even somewhat aloof, within the Bauhinia Manor. Perhaps... it wasn't just about adhering to church laws, but also a self-protective, hardened shell that the Knights had developed under the long-standing ridicule and contempt of the world? They needed to defend their last remaining, inviolable knightly dignity with the utmost unquestionable resolve?"

Oliver nodded slowly. “Your insight is keen, my lord. The Knights of Eternal Light crave to prove themselves more than anyone else. To prove they are not a laughingstock, to prove that misfortune cannot erase their glory and worth. Every battle is an opportunity for them to fight against the curse, to declare war on fate. They fight harder than anyone else, perhaps hoping for a ‘dignified’ end on the battlefield, befitting their knightly status, rather than dying in some absurd accident. This heavy sense of destiny, in turn, forges their steely will and indomitable fighting spirit. On the battlefield, they are truly fearless warriors.”

Su Li let out a long breath, the initial surprise gradually settling down, replaced by a completely new perspective. This knightly order was no longer simply an external force composed of powerful military might, but a special group burdened with a heavy destiny, struggling between an absurd curse and a sublime faith.

"Go on, what other characteristics does this order of knights have?"

Oliver, being Verena's chosen one, still had to uphold the dignity of this knightly order. After explaining the background, he continued to praise them: "The Knights of Eternal Light's principles are strictly based on fairness and justice. Every knight swears to protect Her Majesty Verena's values: truth and justice. Although, due to their high social status, most knights' values ​​are somewhat distorted, and the common people they bring 'justice' to do don't always agree with their statements, there is no doubt that they often stand up for those who cannot protect themselves: when a tribe marched towards the plague-ridden Halfbard, the Knights of Eternal Light were the only ones to rush to their aid—no other knightly order was willing to risk getting close; and only these knights would be willing to climb the mountains on the edge of the world to fight the ancient dragons that haunt the peaks."

"The Knights of Eternal Light rarely fulfill religious obligations, such as guarding churches or escorting priests. Instead, they constantly wage holy war against all sorts of enemies. This is either a means to advance the cause of justice or a way of atonement—if sins from the past can truly be redeemed. The knights often wield two-handed greatswords, the sword of justice, their expensive and exquisite plate armor polished to a mirror-like finish. In battle, they will charge at their enemies without hesitation, completely disregarding their own safety; after all, they are cursed, so how bad can things get?"

"After several unexpected incidents, including fire, earthquakes, and meteorite strikes, the headquarters of the Knights of Eternal Light was relocated to Eisen, a secondary city in the province of Surland. During the invasion of the Greenskin warlord Gabbard last year, Princess Fimmanuel Libovitz refused to allow the Grand Master of the Knights of Eternal Light to command her army—despite the fact that the former was not a competent commander and had never led any battle. In response, the Grand Master simply led the Knights back home, leaving the Elector's army to resist the invading Greenskin army alone. Although the orcs were eventually defeated, the army of Surland Province suffered terrible losses, to the point that for decades to come, the existence of this Elector's territory might have depended on the support of other territories."

Su Li was also taken aback; he really didn't know that there would be such turbulence and changes in last year's war.

In short, the complexity and burden of this knightly order far exceeded his imagination. They were powerful and devout, yet entangled by curses and the shadows of history; they yearned for glory and redemption, yet were infamous for their past decisions.

Perhaps this is why Phyllis sent them to the Black Forest Territory. After all, if there is anyone in the Empire who can lift their curse, it is none other than Su Li.

But soon he realized he was wrong; he had been overthinking things.

After Su Li gave the order, the knights quickly arrived at the Forbidden City.

While Su Li was still enjoying his pleasant morning meditation with his little cousin Suna in the treehouse, there was a knock on the heavy oak door. The head steward, Hilde, pushed the door open and entered. He glanced at the body lying on the bed, sat down beside it, and waited for a while until the meditation ended and Suna and Eliria had cleaned Su Li up. Then he said to the relaxed Su Li, "My lord, the Knights of Eternal Light have arrived at the west side of our Purplethorn Castle after several days of marching. They are expected to arrive in 13 minutes."

As Su Li dressed and washed up with the help of the female courtiers, she asked in surprise, "How come it's so fast? There are only 13 minutes left?"

“Yes. I received the news an hour in advance, but now there are only 13 minutes left.” Su Li smiled, sometimes having too much power is not a good thing: “Alright then, have them line up on the plain west of the Bauhinia Manor and await my inspection.”

The Knights of Eternal Light forced their way into the Bauhinia Manor, and now Su Li is going to inspect them outside the manor! He's going to give them a taste of their power.

In this world, secular lords and the leaders of the church's knightly orders have always found it difficult to get along harmoniously. Only when one side is strong enough to suppress the other can they cooperate happily.

It is clear that the Knights of Eternal Light will find it difficult to submit to Su Li. Not only is there a huge gap in their status, but more importantly, they were arrogant when they entered the Black Forest Territory and have already established a psychological advantage over it.

Su Li must destroy their psychological advantage!

Under Su Li's command, all the high-ranking chosen gods of the Black Forest Territory assembled to prepare for the inspection.

Not long after, Marshal Erstein arrived at Purplethorn Castle with the chosen ones and joined Su Li.

Su Li looked at his marshal and asked, "Where is the Knights of Eternal Light now? How are the preparations going?"

Marshal Orstein's expression was somewhat strange: "Scouts report that the Knights of Eternal Light have arrived, but an... accident has occurred less than a league away from the Knights' designated assembly point."

"An accident?" Su Li and Oliver exchanged a glance, and the legend of that curse simultaneously surfaced in their minds.

“Yes,” Marshal Orstein replied, “the steed of the team’s vice-captain, Sir Bradley, a thoroughbred Northland warhorse said to be priceless, suddenly got stuck in a quicksand pit that had formed sometime during the journey across what appeared to be a dry, flat meadow. The vice-captain reacted swiftly and managed to get the horse out before it was completely submerged, but that precious steed… could not be saved.”

“I’m worried that the Knights of Eternal Light might misunderstand and think we’re targeting them on purpose. After all, we chose the parade ground, and it’s on a plain that’s never been dangerous before. How did a sandpit suddenly appear? And it’s near our manor.”

Su Li: "..."

Oliver covered his forehead: "...The manifestation of the curse, as always...precise and untimely."

Su Li rubbed her temples, feeling a mix of absurdity and helplessness. This "greeting gift" of curses was a bit too "enthusiastic": "Never mind, don't worry. Others might misunderstand like this. But the Knights of Eternal Light, I believe they're already used to it."

When Su Li arrived at the designated welcoming location on the open west side of the Bauhinia Manor with Erstein, Oliver, and a group of officials, the two large knightly orders were already lined up.

The Knights of Eternal Light's iconic, gleaming silver-white runic plate armor shimmered with a holy yet cold light in the sunlight, while the massive banner bearing the emblem of Verena fluttered in the wind. The knights sat astride their equally heavily armored warhorses, their postures upright, silent as mountains, as if the recent incident had never occurred. However, at the very front of the column, the seat that should have belonged to the vice-captain, Vol. Bradley, was now empty.

Bradley himself stood at the front flank of the column, his armor inevitably stained with mud, his helmet lying at his feet. His resolute face was expressionless, except for his tightly pursed lips and eyes sharper and colder than usual, revealing the storm raging within him. He had lost his beloved warhorse, in full view of everyone, in an extremely undignified manner.

Beside him stood several officers of the secular knights of the Surland province, their expressions a mixture of sympathy, embarrassment, and a barely perceptible unease. The secular knights were equally well-equipped, but their coats of arms were brightly colored, giving them a less solemn air than the church, and a more secular, fierce, and energetic presence. Their large caravan of supplies was parked not far away.

The entire scene was eerily quiet. The only sounds from the thousands of soldiers were the occasional snorting of warhorses and the fluttering of banners.

Su Li's gaze swept over the powerful reinforcements, finally settling on Bradley. He could sense the barely suppressed humiliation and anger emanating from him, as well as a deeper sense of powerlessness in the face of fate.

Without hesitation, Su Li strode forward, not bothering to look at the traces of the pit or exchanging any polite pleasantries, and went straight to the other person.

"Welcome to the Knights of Eternal Light in our territory!" Su Li's voice was clear and steady, carrying the dignity befitting a lord, yet without any condescension.

Bradley raised his head, his hawk-like eyes fixed on Su Li, bracing himself for any gaze—whether of pity, doubt, or mockery. He was Verena's sword, but at this moment, he felt like a clown being toyed with by fate. He had once been an enemy of this lord, their swords drawn. Now, he was forced to reside in her territory, a dependent under her roof.

However, Su Li's next words surprised everyone.

"Welcome to Blacksem Territory!" Su Li announced loudly, his voice echoing throughout the area. "I have just heard of the misfortune that occurred before your arrival. On behalf of Blacksem Territory, I am deeply saddened by the loss of such a magnificent warhorse. The loss of this steed is a loss for Blacksem Territory!"

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the silent steel ranks of the Knights of Eternal Light, his tone suddenly becoming impassioned and sincere: "But! Vice Commander, knights of Eternal Light! Your arrival itself is the greatest blessing for Blackforest! You have overcome countless obstacles to come and support us on the orders of Princess Phyllis; this sentiment and sense of responsibility weighs heavier than a thousand pounds! Blackforest needs your swords, your shields, and your fearless faith in fighting against chaos and darkness! As for that damned accident…?"

Su Li's voice carried a resolute tone, "To hell with it! On the real battlefield, where you are needed to charge into battle, the stables of Black Forest Territory will always be open to you! I promise to supply the Knights of Eternal Light with any warhorses you need!"

Finally, he reached out and, instead of a polite handshake, slammed his hand down heavily on Bradley's mud-covered arm guard with a dull thud.

"Vice Commander, and all you warriors! Forget the mud on the road! The land of Black Forest remembers only the blood and glory shed in battle! Let us go together and win it! What do you say?"

Bradley's body jolted. He stared into Su Li's eyes, and in those young lord's eyes, he saw no mockery, pity, or contempt. He saw only genuine sorrow, undisguised respect, and a powerful confidence that seemed to sever the shadow of misfortune, and...respect!
The heavy, almost crushing sense of humiliation he felt actually softened in the face of Su Li's resounding words and the hand slapping against his arm guard. It was replaced by a long-lost surge of emotion that almost burst forth from his chest! Yes, the battlefield! Only on the battlefield, with the heads of the enemy and the glory of victory, could everything truly be washed away!
He took a deep breath, straightened his back, and the inextinguishable flame of the Knight of Verena rekindled in his eyes. He clenched his fist and slammed it heavily against the holy emblem on his chest, his voice loud and firm, carrying a resolute determination like that of someone who had burned their bridges.
"As you wish, my lord! The Knights of Eternal Light are willing to serve to the death for the order and glory of the Black Forest Territory! Until the curse is dispelled, or until we perish!"

"This is a handwritten letter that Princess Phyllis asked me to bring to you. You can check it; the seal and stamp are intact."

(End of this chapter)