Knight Lord: Start with Daily Intelligence.

Chapter 443 Bayonetta and Ilya's Clash of Skills and the Legendary Ring - Rainbow Protection

The appearance of the Witch Moon has always been an ominous sign for this world.

The moon, hanging in the sky and radiating a sickly green light, rises each time as if the world itself has been ripped open with a festering wound, releasing the terror lurking in the deepest shadows.

Its light acted like a potent catalyst, directly impacting the twisted blood and soul of the beastmen. Minos from the depths of the forest roared with deafening battle cries, and the eyes of horned beastmen and inferior horned beastmen blazed with a primal, destructive red light under the green glow. Their instinctive bloodlust was amplified to an unparalleled degree, and reason vanished completely.

Meanwhile, the Witch Moon is believed to be closely related to the abnormal fluctuations of the Death Wind. It amplifies the power of necromancers (especially Nagash followers) and also awakens many undead who are not directly controlled by powerful necromancers.

Under the green moon, cemeteries, ancient battlefields, and mass graves become extremely dangerous. Shallowly buried corpses may have fingers piercing the soil, and headless skeletons may crawl out of the earth on their own. Those forgotten in corners, who died with resentment, are more easily attracted by the moonlight, turning into ghosts or bound spirits, wandering through ruins and wilderness, emitting mournful cries.

Chaos wizards and secret cultists lurking in human towns become unusually bold. They gather in secluded alleys, abandoned warehouses, or dark basements, cloaked in dark cloaks. The month of the witch is the perfect time for them to perform forbidden rituals—summoning low-ranking demons, crafting plague potions, making prophecies (usually prophecies that bring disaster), or praying to the Chaos gods for power.

More importantly, the radiance of the Witch Moon itself seems to carry a faint corrupting power. Prolonged exposure to it makes those with weak wills more prone to dark thoughts, hearing seductive whispers, and even witnessing terrifying hallucinations, accelerating their slide into chaos.

The veil between reality and the chaotic demon realm thins under the Witch Moon. Demons become more perceptive of the mortal world, and their whispers reach directly into the ears of the sensitive or spellcasters, tempting them to fall or offering dangerous "deals."

Not only beastmen, but ordinary forest creatures—wolves, wild boars, and even birds—become extremely aggressive and unpredictable under the Witch Moon. They may attack humans and livestock in packs. Certain plants corrupted by Chaos or naturally growing in dark places may grow faster under the green light, becoming more aggressive (such as man-eating vines) or oozing poisonous sap.

As the moon rises, the inhabitants of cities and villages will lock their doors and windows at lightning speed, board up any gaps, extinguish any unnecessary lights, and huddle trembling in the deepest recesses of their most fortified houses. The streets will instantly become deserted, save for the sound of the wind and the distant, inhuman howls.

Living in such a world, it's no wonder that everyone develops a dark and desperate mindset.

However, there are still 3 days until the moon rises, so Su Li can prepare relatively easily.

After ordering the troops to assemble, Su Li arrived at the Bauhinia Manor. As soon as he arrived, Hilde greeted him. She stood tall and was as capable and efficient as ever.

“My lord, Lady Bayonetta has been settled in the ‘Quiet Moon Hall’,” Hilde reported succinctly. “The environment there is quiet and the location is relatively deep. Considering that she is not yet familiar with the territory and that her identity is sensitive, it is not advisable for her to move around freely. I have arranged for someone to take care of her daily life.”

She paused, a barely perceptible smile playing at the corners of her lips. "It's your personal maid, Miss Ilya Silvershine. She seems very... suited for the job."

Upon hearing this, Su Li raised an eyebrow: "Ilya? The stunning beauty that Phyllis sent? Sending her to take care of Bayonetta?" This arrangement is quite interesting.

“Yes,” Hilde nodded. “Miss Ilya offered to serve the lady after familiarizing herself with the surroundings. Her manners are impeccable, and her demeanor is composed; she is perfectly suited to care for a former lord's wife of such high status. Moreover…”

She glanced at Su Li, "Having this 'pearl' of Surland stay in the relatively secluded Quiet Moon Hall with Lady Bayonetta will also avoid causing unnecessary...attention and discussion in the castle."

Su Li glanced at Hilde and sensed a faint smile playing on her lips.

To be honest, after so many years of mutual support and in-depth communication, Su Li understands Xilude's true nature very well. He can guess a lot of her thoughts just from the curve of her lips.

Her arrangement of the two most beautiful women in the territory together was certainly not as simple as she made it out to be.

The Serene Moon Hall is located on the west side of the Bauhinia Manor, and its environment is indeed quiet and elegant. When Su Li arrived at the courtyard entrance, she happened to see Bayonetta standing by the window of the small living room inside the hall, seemingly gazing at the garden outside in a daze.

Just then, Ilya walked in, carrying an exquisite silver tray with a steaming cup of floral tea and some delicate snacks on it. Her posture was upright, her white hair as white as snow, and even just standing quietly, she resembled a meticulously painted portrait of a lady.

Facing Su Li, Ilya's beautiful face flushed slightly. After all, thinking about the absurd cultivation methods Su Li had taught her, she found it difficult to remain calm. She followed behind Su Li shyly and said softly, "Good day, Lord. We all miss you very much."

Su Li kissed her fair, snow-white skin, then pushed open the door and entered. The movement startled Bayonetta. She turned around, her face initially showing a hint of confusion about the new environment and a slight sense of detachment.

However, when her gaze passed over Su Li and landed on Ilya, who was half a step behind him holding a tea tray, that sense of aloofness froze instantly, and was then replaced by an indescribable shock.

Bayonetta's pupils contracted slightly, and her breath seemed to stop for a moment.

She had always been absolutely confident in her appearance. The bloodline of the Priestess of the Moon endowed her with a cool and noble air, and thirty years of meticulous care kept her stunningly beautiful. She had always believed that Su Li's elaborate approach to her, even risking his life to bring her out of Maleburg, was largely driven by lust for her beauty, in addition to political interests. This was one of her deepest assets, and one of her pillars of security in her new environment.

But... this white-haired girl in front of me...

It was a beauty that transcended mortal perception. Her pure white hair seemed to have absorbed all the essence of moonlight, her delicate features were exquisitely sculpted as if by the hand of a deity, and her aura possessed an ethereal quality untouched by worldly concerns. Bayonetta's pride and joy in her appearance and demeanor, in the presence of this girl, made her feel, for the first time in her life,… pale in comparison?

Is even a maid by Su Li's side of this caliber?!

The overwhelming sense of loss struck Bayonetta instantly. She instinctively took a half-step back, her fingers unconsciously gripping the window frame until her knuckles turned slightly white. An unprecedented sense of crisis and urgency surged through her. Her previous confidence in her "bargaining chips" now seemed utterly ridiculous.

Su Li keenly noticed the change in Bayonetta's eyes and her momentary loss of composure. He immediately understood that this must be the most important reason why Hilder had arranged for Ilya to take care of her.

He remained calm and spoke gently, "Madam, are you getting used to living here? Although it's not as luxurious as Maleburg, it's quite peaceful."

Bayonetta snapped back to reality, forcibly suppressing the turmoil in her heart, and quickly forced a slightly stiff but still elegant smile onto her face: "Very...very good, thank you for your trouble, Lord. It's...very quiet here." Her voice was slightly lower than usual, with a hint of barely perceptible bitterness.

Her gaze couldn't help but drift towards Ilya again.

Ilya seemed oblivious to the strange gazes directed at her. Carrying the tea tray, she moved with light, silent steps to the small round table beside Bayonetta, gracefully placing the tea and snacks down before gently pushing the perfectly warm cup of floral tea to a suitable spot in front of Bayonetta. The entire process was fluid and natural, imbued with a deep-seated sense of etiquette, yet without appearing overly affected.

"Madam, please have some tea." Ilya's voice was clear and calm, like a mountain stream.

Bayonetta looked at the cup of tea before her, then at Ilya's flawless, serene face, and a growing sense of urgency rose within her. This maid was stunningly beautiful, and even her service was...perfect?
“Ilya will take care of your daily needs,” Su Li introduced at the opportune moment. “She was sent by Prince Phyllis and is very reliable. If you need anything, just let her know.”

“Yes, thank you, sir.” Bayonetta picked up the teacup, feeling the warmth emanating from the cup, yet a chill ran through her. She tried to maintain her composure and nodded slightly to Ilya: “Thank you for your trouble, Miss Ilya.”

“It is my duty, madam.” Ilya curtsied slightly, her posture impeccable.

Su Li's gaze slowly swept over the two stunning beauties.

Bayonetta, the Moon Priestess who had just broken free from her glamorous cage, still bore a trace of shock and barely perceptible anxiety in her eyes, like a disturbed orchid, trying to remain calm but unable to hide the slight trembling of its petals. The intense sense of crisis caused by Ilya's appearance made a flame, almost desperate, flicker deep in her eyes, both fragile and alluring with a sense of recklessness.

Ilya, pure as fresh snow, cool as moonlight, stood demurely to the side, like a perfect jade sculpture. But Su Li clearly remembered the blush on her cheeks just now, the subtle ripples in her voice when she whispered "I miss you." Beneath that ingrained etiquette lay an unreserved obedience to him, her lord, and… a shy anticipation.

Two completely different kinds of beauty, two equally captivating charms, both stirred his emotions at this moment. A strong sense of possessiveness and control welled up in Su Li's heart. The sunlight outside the window was perfect, casting dappled shadows through the delicate window frames, illuminating the room warmly and brightly, as if igniting some hidden flame in his heart.

“The tea and snacks are exquisite,” Su Li suddenly spoke, his voice carrying a languid smile that broke the subtle silence in the room. He slowly walked to Bayonetta, not looking at the teacup in her hand, but instead extending a finger, with an undeniable air, gently lifting her smooth chin. Bayonetta's body stiffened slightly, her breath catching in her throat. She could clearly feel the warmth and strength of Su Li's fingertips. His deep eyes were so close, burning with undisguised desire, making her heart race and her blood rush to her cheeks. The anxiety caused by Ilya was now replaced by a more primal, more urgent emotion—she had to grab him!
Far from backing down, she obediently tilted her head back slightly, her long eyelashes fluttering like butterfly wings, and the aloofness in her eyes completely melted away, replaced by a soft, watery light that held both pleading and allure. She didn't speak, but conveyed a silent invitation with her eyes.

Su Li gently stroked her delicate jawline with his thumb, then turned his gaze to Ilya, who stood to the side with her head bowed. "Ilya," he called, his voice deep and magnetic.

"Yes, my lord." Ilya responded immediately, raising her head, a faint blush returning to her pure and flawless face.

When she saw the lord's intimate gesture of lifting his wife's chin, her heart involuntarily quickened.

“No more service is needed here,” Su Li commanded, her gaze still fixed on Ilya. “Close the door.”

Ilya's heart skipped a beat, and she instantly understood Su Li's intention. In broad daylight... in the lady's room... her fair neck flushed pink, but her long-standing obedience and the secret anticipation in her heart prevented her from hesitating in the slightest.

She curtsied perfectly, her voice trembling slightly: "Yes, sir." She quickly and deftly retreated to the door, silently closing the heavy door and shutting out everything outside.

With a soft click of the door, the air inside seemed to instantly become thick and scorching. The sunlight remained bright, yet it added a touch of forbidden allure to the enclosed space.

Su Li's fingers left Bayonetta's chin, sliding down to her shoulder, caressing the rounded shoulder line covered by the luxurious fabric. His gaze was extremely aggressive, as if it had already pierced through the fabric. "Madam seems a little nervous?" he whispered, with a hint of teasing.

Bayonetta took a deep breath, as if she had made up her mind. She didn't answer, but instead reached out her hand, her slender fingers trembling slightly, yet with unusual determination, and touched the buttons on Su Li's chest. Her fingertips were icy cold, but her movements carried a sacrificial piety and urgency as she clumsily tried to untie the cumbersome restraints.

"Let me...serve you..." Her voice was as soft as a mosquito's buzz, carrying an unprecedented allure.

At the same time, Su Li's other hand reached out to Ilya, who was standing quietly by the door. Without a word, Ilya, as if drawn by invisible threads, obediently walked to his side. She tilted her head slightly to meet Su Li's gaze, her clear eyes shimmering with tears, filled with complete trust and a hint of timid expectation.

Su Li gently stroked her snow-white, pure long hair, feeling its silky smooth texture. His fingertips quietly slid down her graceful neckline, finally stopping at the delicate decorative knot on the back of her white dress.

Ilya's body trembled slightly, her eyelids closed gently, and her long white eyelashes cast a fan-shaped shadow in the light, as if she had tacitly approved of some change that was about to happen.

Sunlight streamed through the window, casting warm dappled patterns on the floor. The air was filled with the lingering scents of expensive incense and floral tea, intertwined with a subtle, indescribable sweet fragrance.

The soft rustling of fabric, the faint yet rapid breathing, and the occasional sigh that seemed to be forcibly suppressed in the throat became the most heart-stirring whispers in this bright afternoon.

The magnificent long dress, like a fallen petal, silently slumped onto the carpet, revealing Bayonetta's well-maintained, mature, and voluptuous figure, gleaming like pearls in the sunlight. Ilya's simple white dress also slipped down, revealing the unique, pure, and flawless curves of a young girl, like a snow lotus in its first bloom. The lush greenery and vibrant red blossoms, the spring orchids and autumn chrysanthemums—two exquisitely beautiful scenes were presented to Su Li without reservation.

Bayonetta completely abandoned her ladylike reserve, wrapping herself around Su Li like a vine, her full lips and warm body conveying her desire and submission, attempting to solidify her position in this new environment through the most primal means. Ilya, on the other hand, displayed girlish shyness and absolute obedience, letting Su Li lead her, her cool face flushed with passion, each touch eliciting a soft, kitten-like whimper from her.

Su Li became the absolute ruler of this small world, enjoying double the sacrifice. Sunlight not only illuminated the room but also this forbidden scene interwoven with power, desire, and rebirth. Bayonetta's untouched cup of floral tea sat quietly on the table, the steam long since dissipated, yet the room temperature rose silently.

Su Li didn't leave the enchanting Jingyue Hall until sunset, and he clearly felt that his strength had improved again.

At this rate of progress, it feels like the legendary level is no longer out of reach.

Indeed, the knight's training is the most suitable and perfect training method for him, and the key is that he enjoys it very much.

After completing his practice, he felt not tired at all, but rather extremely excited. He went straight to the treehouse, and considering that Ingrid might be conducting experiments inside, he knocked on the door.

"Come in, my lord," came Ingrid's slightly tired but excited voice.

The treehouse was softly lit. Ingrid sat at a table naturally formed from tree roots, in front of her an open mithril box inlaid with star patterns. Inside, on a soft black velvet cushion, lay a ring.

The ring itself is not ornate; in fact, it could be described as simple. Its band possesses a peculiar, flowing iridescent sheen, as if a rainbow after the rain has been frozen within the metal. There are no gemstones set on the band, but at the center of the ring face is an extremely tiny swirl that constantly shifts with a soft, seven-colored halo. Upon closer inspection, the swirl appears to be woven from countless rainbow threads finer than a human hair.

"It worked?" Su Li approached, his gaze drawn to the ring's unusual texture.

“Yes!” Ingrid’s eyes gleamed with accomplishment as she carefully held up the ring with her fingertips and handed it to Su Li. “This is the legendary ring, ‘Rainbow Protection,’ made primarily of rainbow silkworm silk, supplemented with moonstone powder and my forest blessing, and completed with tremendous effort.”

Su Li took the ring; it felt warm and smooth to the touch, not cold like metal, but rather like holding a ray of warm sunshine. He carefully felt the power contained within it.

“Its core abilities are twofold,” Ingrid explained earnestly. “First, it provides powerful mental protection. It can effectively resist mental shocks, fear auras, and charm spells, especially against forces that directly attack the mind or soul, such as whispers of chaos and death stares. The wearer can maintain a clear mind and unwavering will.”

Huh? Su Li was overjoyed. This was exactly what he needed for the upcoming battle against the Night Wanderers! With this legendary ring, he wouldn't have to worry about Old Jasper's death stare anymore.

Moreover, as necromancers, the Night Wanderers are undoubtedly best at various curses and weakening spells. It can be said that having this legendary ring can greatly weaken the opponent's combat power!
Ingrid then pointed to the tiny, colorful swirl on the ring's face: "Secondly, there's 'iridescent refraction.' Once activated, the ring instantly forms a very brief (about 1-2 seconds) but extremely intense iridescent light membrane around the wearer's body. This membrane can deflect or absorb one targeted magical attack, whether it's fire, ice, lightning, pure arcane energy, or even a curse. After one use, it needs time to recharge, about a day before it can be used again. This is a life-saving trump card."

Su Li put the ring on the index finger of her left hand, and it fit her perfectly. A gentle yet resilient power instantly spread along her arm, as if building an invisible barrier around her mind, while also creating a subtle resonance with the magical elements of the surrounding space.

"Very practical," Su Li commented. Without a flashy appearance or unnecessary functions, its pure and powerful protective capabilities were exactly what he needed. Whether dealing with powerful spells that might be encountered on the battlefield or facing Old Jasper's unknown death stare, "Rainbow Protection" provided crucial protection.

“It has come at just the right time, Ingrid.” Su Li looked at the witch and said solemnly, “It will be key in the upcoming battle.”

A relieved smile appeared on Ingrid's tired face: "It's good that I was able to help. The Witch Moon is approaching, and the power of darkness is surging. May the forest's protection be with you, my lord."

Su Li then sensed it for a moment and asked, "I remember that legendary equipment usually has powerful strategic capabilities. What are the strategic capabilities of this Rainbow Protection?"

“That’s right. Legendary-level powerful equipment can usually affect the entire army. This Rainbow Protection is made from the silk of the Moon Queen, who is the goddess who governs magic and psychic energy. All of this makes the silk contain abundant moonlight and life essence.”

"Therefore, when anyone in the army wears this ring, it releases an invisible, wide-ranging, gentle field of spiritual energy that affects the entire army."

"The force field can significantly nourish and expand the spiritual essence of the recipient. For spellcasters (wizards, mages), this means that the total amount of spiritual energy they can store and mobilize is increased, their mana pool is deeper, and their endurance is greatly enhanced. Mages who could only cast a few powerful spells before running out of energy can now sustain high-intensity spellcasting for a longer period of time."

"At the same time, the force field can also gently stimulate and activate the bloodline power within the recipient. For units that rely on bloodline talents in combat (such as knights, warriors with special bloodlines, and soldiers of certain races), this can temporarily enhance the strength or activity of their bloodline abilities. A knight's psionic energy may become more condensed and surging, increasing the number of times they can use their bloodline abilities by at least one more time. (This is affected by strength; the higher the strength, the more times they can use their abilities.)"

"Its most powerful effect is undoubtedly divine grace, which is the most direct and powerful benefit to clergy (priests and priests). The force field seems to resonate with the divine grace through a wisp of moonlight, making the connection between the affected clergy and their deity smoother and deeper. All clergy affected by this force field gain an extra daily number of divine spells they can use. This means that each clergy member can cast one more critical blessing, healing, protective, or damaging divine spell each day, which has unparalleled strategic value for the army's sustained combat capability, battlefield first aid, and fighting enemies such as the undead."

Su Li nodded in satisfaction. This strategic ability was actually quite simple: when the generals and officers in the army wore this ring, it would affect the entire army, increasing the maximum magical wind energy storage capacity of the entire force. Knights could use their bloodline abilities more often, and mages and priests could use more divine spells and magic.

Of course, mages and clergy may also receive some other nourishment, allowing their abilities to be exercised in a more gentle and reliable manner.

(End of this chapter)