Knight Lord: Start with Daily Intelligence.

Chapter 484 The Powerful Abilities of a Legendary Knight
The cheers that shook the valley during the sacrificial ceremony gradually subsided, but the fervent enthusiasm within the Valley of Holy Light lingered. Surrounded by Patriarch Rong En and a group of high-ranking priests, Su Li led Hilde back to the main hall of the Temple of the Blazing Sun. Wherever they went, whether it was the standing Sun Knights, the devout priests, or the busy temple servants, they all cast almost fanatical glances at him and bowed deeply in respect.

"Congratulations, Lord!"

"The glory of the goddess will forever shine in Hessen!"

"Congratulations, Lady Hilder, on your ascension to Legendary status!"

Congratulations echoed throughout the room, and every face beamed with pride and excitement. They had clearly witnessed the birth of a legend, a legend born from the grace of their lord and the power of the goddess, a fact that strengthened their faith and loyalty more than any other tale.

Upon entering the main hall, the golden-red light streaming through the stained-glass dome seemed to grow even warmer and more welcoming. Several key figures who had been waiting there—the vice-commander of the Suncrown Knights, the commander of the Light Arrow Knights, and several of the highest-ranking chosen knights, such as Tiberius, Orstein, Durmst, and Luther Huss—immediately came to greet them.

Their congratulations were more formal and more profound. Vice-Commander Freya was the first to strike her chest with her fist, performing the most solemn knightly salute: "My lord, Lady Hilder. From this day forward, the banner of the Black Forest Territory will truly be imprinted on the map of the Old World. No power, when drawing maps and measuring strength, can ever again ignore the voice from the South!"

Her words echoed the sentiments of everyone. Legendary status—this is a strategically significant watershed. It signifies that an individual's power can influence the course of a battle, that their army receives extraordinary morale and strength boosts, and that they wield truly weighty influence at the diplomatic table. A loyal legend is the anchor and sharpest spearhead of a power.

Arielia and the others stepped forward to congratulate Hilder. Their eyes held a complex mix of emotions: genuine joy for their comrade, a hint of undisguised envy, but above all, a burning desire to fight. Hilder's success had shown them the path forward, proving that legends were not unattainable.

Orstein, the territorial commander known for his leadership and bravery, still had a booming voice. He patted Hilder's shoulder armor forcefully and eagerly asked the question that all the warriors were most concerned about:
"Hilde! Tell me quickly, what's it like to step into the Legendary realm? What are your Legendary traits?"

This question drew everyone's attention. A legendary trait is the embodiment of a legendary powerhouse's essence, a unique mark that determines their position and value on the battlefield.

The difference in combat effectiveness between an army and one commanded by a legendary general is like night and day!

Despite her colleagues' persistent questioning, Hilde remained calm, but her eyes gleamed with a newfound confidence.

She paused for a moment, as if organizing her thoughts, before clearly stating, "It feels... as if I've broken free from an invisible shackle that has always bound my senses. The world has become clearer; the flow of energy, the enemy's weaknesses, and even the subtle changes in the battlefield situation can be 'seen' and 'grasped' more intuitively."

She raised her hand, and a faint golden light flowed from her fingertips. It was not a simple ray of light, but a mixture of highly concentrated tactical will and divine energy.

"As for my legendary trait..." Hilde's gaze swept over everyone, finally landing on Su Li, as if reporting to him, "What the goddess bestowed upon me was not simply a burst of power, but a grace more in line with her divine duty and this holy land—[Heart of the Holy Lily]."

She explained in detail: "Its main effects are reflected in three aspects."

"Firstly, there's the eternal strategic blessing—the Holy Lily Oath." Hilder's voice was clear and holy: "As long as I exist, as long as my will remains with the Blackwood Territory, all knights who have sworn allegiance to the Lord, to the Blackwood Territory—whether they are newly trained recruits, seasoned veterans, chosen elites like yourselves, or even… other legendary comrades who may appear in the future—"

She paused deliberately, allowing the astonishing scope to resonate deeply.

"—They will all receive a lasting blessing: their will will be as pure and resilient as the lilies blooming in the Garden of Holy Tears, and their resistance to mental manipulation, fear oppression, and whispers of chaos will be significantly enhanced; at the same time, their physical and magical defenses will be strengthened, as if invisible, sacred petals are protecting their armor and bodies."

She announced a number that made everyone gasp: "Based on my perception, this all-around enhancement is... no less than five percent."

Five percent?!

"All the knights?! Including us?!"

"This...how is this possible?!"

After a brief silence, there were uncontrollable gasps and gasps of shock! Even the most composed Grand Master of the Sun Crown Knights and several well-informed high-ranking chosen knights showed expressions of disbelief and shock on their faces.

This effect is absolutely appalling!
A five percent increase may not sound like much, but it's a constant boost covering all knights and encompassing the two key areas of willpower and defense! This means that the combat effectiveness and survivability of the entire knightly class in Black Forest Territory have been raised by a huge margin!

Imagine two knightly orders clashing. The knights of Blackwood are more fearless and better able to resist the enemy mage's fear spells and mental attacks. Their armor and shields are also stronger, able to deflect attacks that might otherwise be fatal... In a large-scale battle, this would bring an overwhelming advantage!

This is no longer just the power of an individual, but a strategic aura capable of changing the overall military strength of an entire force!
“The Heart of the Holy Lily… The Heart of the Holy Lily…” Patriarch Ronne murmured to himself, his beard trembling with excitement. “This is not only the goddess’s recognition of her virtue, but also the connection of the power of her sacred symbol to the territory! Lady Hilde, you… you have become the living saint of the Black Forest Knights’ spirit!”

Thranville and the others' gazes towards Hilder completely changed. If before it was envy and respect for power, now it was tinged with deep awe and gratitude. Her existence had directly made everyone stronger! This quality was invaluable to any military group!

An unprecedentedly brilliant light burst forth in Su Li's eyes. He clapped his hands forcefully, and his loud laughter echoed throughout the main hall: "Excellent! Excellent [Heart of the Holy Lily]! Hilde, this gift you have given to the Black Forest Territory is a truly... cornerstone of an invincible iron army!"

He seemed to see the future knights of the Black Forest Territory, with this powerful will and protective enhancement, crushing all enemies with unstoppable force!

This legendary quality carries strategic significance far exceeding personal bravery. Hilder's very existence is equivalent to a legendary artifact capable of influencing the fate of a nation!

"Secondly, [gaining the initiative] is a tactical advantage. When commanding troops and directing war, I can more keenly perceive the weaknesses in the enemy's formation, the positions of commanders, and the nodes of energy flow. When my troops attack, they will have a strong vulnerability strike effect, ignoring part of their defenses and having a certain probability of causing 'shock' or 'confusion' effects, disrupting the enemy's rhythm. This effect is especially effective against the enemy's command level, elite units, and large war machines."

Her words caused all the military commanders present to turn solemn, then overjoyed. Freya, the vice-commander of the Crown Knights, couldn't help but exclaim, "This means that every attack your legion launches targets the enemy's weakest point! This greatly reduces losses in sieges and quickly erodes the enemy's will to resist! This is... this is the capability every commander dreams of!"

Orstein nodded emphatically. As a general in command, he knew all too well how terrifying this ability was: "That's right! It's not just about finding weaknesses, but about enabling the entire legion to strike those weaknesses with pinpoint accuracy! Hilder, from now on you are the undisputed vanguard commander of our Blacksene territory!"

This is indeed a true legion-level commander trait! 【Secure the initiative】 means that Hilder can not only enhance the army's "hardness" (through the Holy Lily Oath), but also greatly enhance the army's "sharpness", transforming her extraordinary tactical insight into the actual destructive power of the entire legion.

"So, what about the third?" Su Li asked expectantly. The first two traits were already so amazing; he was very curious about what kind of personal combat power enhancement the goddess would bestow upon Hilder.

Hilde took a deep breath, her fingertips lightly brushing the hilt of the sword [Beast Slayer] at her waist, and a sharper, more aggressive aura emanated from her.

“Thirdly, [Radiant Judgment].” She uttered the name of her third trait, which echoed the name of her legendary longsword after its ascension. “This is a blade bestowed upon me by the goddess, used to execute tactics and capture enemy generals.”

"Its main effects are also twofold." "Sun Focus: When I lock onto a specific high-value target (such as an enemy commander, a powerful monster, a Chaos Champion, an undead lich, etc.), I can draw upon a portion of the power of the [Holy Lily Pact] to temporarily focus it on myself. This grants me a significant boost to strength, speed, and accuracy for a short period, and my next attack will deal additional Divine Judgment damage to the locked target. After the effect ends, the [Holy Lily Pact] buff returns to normal. This allows me to become a sharp blade and execute decapitation tactics when necessary."

"Tactical Mark: When I successfully cripple or kill a key enemy unit, I can create a brief Sun Tactical Mark on the battlefield at the 'moment' of its defeat. All friendly units near the mark will receive an additional boost to morale, reduced stamina consumption, and a suppressive effect on enemies in a small area around the mark (slowing their reactions and lowering their morale). This can effectively consolidate gains and expand the breakthrough."

The 【Radiant Judgment】trait perfectly aligns with the Sun Goddess's role as the goddess of war and strategy. It's not a mindless power enhancement, but rather a tactical choice: it allows for both focused, precise strikes and the conversion of victory into sustained battlefield advantage. It transforms Hilder into a strategic weapon, readily available to serve the entire battle, capable of both command and, in crucial moments, becoming the most lethal vanguard.

Three key attributes—the Holy Lily Oath—provide the army with a solid foundation of resilience; the Preemptive Strike grants the legion keen insight to defeat the enemy; and the Blazing Sun Judgment forges a decisive blade to break through enemy lines. These three attributes are interconnected and mutually reinforcing, together forming the full power of a truly legendary commander, embodying the teachings of the Goddess of the Sun!
Silence fell once more in the main hall, everyone awestruck by this trinity of legendary traits, a combination that was practically perfect.

Patriarch Rongen murmured excitedly, "A body blessed by the gods, an eye that shatters the enemy, a blade of judgment... The goddess's grace is so comprehensive! Lady Hilde, you are simply the earthly embodiment of the goddess's war divinity!"

Su Li laughed loudly, his joy overflowing: "Good! Excellent! Hilde, with this power, no matter how thick the walls of Maleburg are, or how many troops Joachim has, I am confident that I can break through them in one fell swoop! You are the strongest shield and the sharpest spear of my Black Forest Territory!"

At this moment, no one doubted Su Li's decision to unilaterally grant Hilder that precious promotion opportunity. The power she gained was invaluable to the Black Forest Territory, which aspired to seize imperial power!
Su Li slowly took out a letter sealed with dark red wax from his robes. The seal—the double-headed eagle emblem of the Electoral Council—was a deep, dark color, as if stamped with congealed blood, exuding an aura of ominousness and blasphemy. He held it high, ensuring everyone could see the glaring mark. “While we fought valiantly, expanding the empire’s territory on the border princely lands,” Su Li’s voice was icy, like a winter wind sweeping through the hall, “certain parasites of the empire have secretly colluded with that lich, old Jasper, attempting to bring disaster to our homeland and harm the people and interests of my Black Forest territory!”

His gaze swept over every knight and general present, his tone resolute: "This is irrefutable evidence! Evidence of corrupt officials within the Electoral Council making deals with evil undead! This is not only a provocation against our Black Forest Territory, but also a trampling on imperial law and basic order!"

"We must respond! We must use overwhelming force to make those maggots entrenched in the council understand that the dignity of the Black Forest Territory is inviolable! The anger of the Black Forest Territory must be quelled with blood!"

He abruptly lowered his hand, making a decisive statement: "After the necessary rest and preparation, I will personally lead the army to Maleiburg! We will demand justice at the gates of the Electoral Council!"

Su Li's words were like sparks thrown into boiling oil, instantly igniting the accumulated flames of anger!

Inside the main hall, the knights who had been immersed in the joy and shock of Hilder's ascension to legendary status showed expressions of horror on their faces, which were then replaced by overwhelming anger!

"what?!"

"Those bureaucrats... dare to collude with the dead?!"

"Old Jasper and his army of night-wandering zombies were brought in by the Council?!"

A series of roars, filled with shock and rage, resounded like thunder! Although a few high-ranking chosen knights had already learned some of the inside story from Su Li, the vast majority of middle and lower-ranking knights and priests were hearing this horrifying truth for the first time!
They had initially believed that the bloody battle in the Valley of Memory was a glorious holy war against ancient evil and to defend their homeland. They grieved for the sacrifice of their comrades and were proud of the final victory.

But now, the lord is telling them that the root cause of that brutal war, the blood of countless comrades, actually stemmed from corruption and betrayal within the empire's highest authority?!

The feeling of being stabbed in the back by the very system you should be loyal to is more infuriating and chilling than facing the army of chaos head-on!

"No wonder! No wonder those night-wandering zombies appeared at such a tricky time!"

"So it was those corrupt officials who were behind this! How dare they?!"

"For their greed, they dared to bring about a cataclysmic disaster! They are unworthy of being imperial nobles!"

Anger burned in every pair of eyes, and the divine energy that had been calmed by divine grace seemed to be stirred up by this collective rage, filling the air with a scorching and dangerous atmosphere. The knights gripped their sword hilts tightly, their knuckles turning white from the force, and their armor made a cold, grinding sound as their bodies trembled slightly.

They are not merely warriors, but devotees of the Goddess of the Sun! The goddess teaches them order, justice, and how to fight against darkness! And the actions of those parasites in the Electoral Council are undoubtedly the most thorough desecration of all of this!
"Purify! This evil must be purified!"

"They are not worthy to represent the Empire! They are not worthy to sit in that council!"

"In the name of the goddess, judge them!"

The roars rose higher and higher, eventually merging into a unified and ferocious wave of sound that crashed against the temple's dome: "Justice must be served! March on Maleburg!"

"For our fallen brothers! For the Black Forest Territory!"

"In the name of the goddess, purify the parasites!"

Their soaring fighting spirit transformed into an almost boiling killing intent! This army, which had just been bathed in divine grace and witnessed the birth of a legend, now found a clear and sinister target. Their anger was pure because of their faith and blazed fiercely because of injustice; they desperately needed to wash away this shame with the blood of their enemies and to execute the goddess's purifying wrath with sword and fire!
Looking at the army below, their emotions running high and their spirits about to erupt like a volcano, Su Li knew that their morale was high and their fighting spirit had reached its peak. This anger would forge an invincible sword, aimed straight at the heart of Maleburg.

Just then, Hilder stepped forward, her voice calm and clear, like a drawn sword, instantly silencing the boiling clamor: "My lord, your will is the direction of our swords. But before our army marches upon Maleburg, one obstacle must be removed first—"

She walked to the huge military map hanging on one side of the main hall and pointed precisely at the vast area between Hessen Territory and Maleiburg.

“The Swamp Territory.” Hilder’s voice carried an undeniable strategic consideration. “This muddy land ruled by Earl Litanel is like a poisoned dagger pressed against our throats. Its stance is ambiguous, and the road conditions are extremely poor, making it difficult for a large army to pass through quickly. If we launch a full-scale attack on Maleburg, Earl Litanel may be instigated by the council or act on his own, sending troops to harass our supply lines, or even directly threatening the Blacksem Territory itself. At that time, we will be attacked from both sides.”

She turned to face Su Li, her gaze sharp: "Therefore, I propose that before officially marching towards Maleburg, we must first deal with the Swamp Territory! We must completely open up and ensure the safety of the passage to Maleburg, eliminating this potential and most recent threat! Only then can the army attack without any worries!"

Her analysis was clear, logical, and to the point, immediately gaining the approval of all the generals. Orstein and the others nodded in agreement; the pacification of the swamp territory had long been a strategic objective of the Blacksem Territory.

Su Li's gaze was piercing. As Hilder's finger landed on the area on the map that symbolized mud and obstacles, he laughed loudly, his voice filled with unwavering determination and pride:
“Well said, Hilde! Just as a sword must first cut through the thorns before it can be drawn, and an eagle must first clear away the venomous snakes around its nest before it can spread its wings! Marshland, Earl Letanel… it’s time to completely remove this festering sore that is entrenched in our path of advance!”

He strode toward the map, and with a wave of his arm, it was as if he had already grasped the vast swamp in his palm.

"Over the past few months, our strategy of attrition has been like endless autumn rain, relentlessly eroding Litanel's already crumbling foundations! His granaries have been repeatedly burned, his soldiers are exhausted, and his people are filled with fear. That trapped beast, wallowing in the mire, has long since had its claws dulled and its strength depleted!"

Su Li's voice suddenly rose, like the beating of war drums, echoing in the hearts of every knight whose blood was boiling:
"And now, the time has come! When the autumn air is crisp and clear, it is the perfect time to wage war! The muddy swamps will become firm under the autumn sun, just right for the Blackforest cavalry to gallop! And we also have Hilder—our newly born legend, the Holy Lily Knight of our Blackforest territory!"

He turned to Hildor, his eyes filled with boundless trust and expectation:

"Hilde! Let this decaying swamp territory be the first trophy that will make your legendary name resound throughout the Old World! Let the brilliance of your [Oath of the Holy Lily] shine upon the entire legion for the first time, and let Litanel's army tremble before the resilience and power they never imagined!"

"Let your [Preemptive Strike] eye ​​see through all the weaknesses in their muddy defenses! Let your [Radiant Judgment] blade sever any of their desperate attempts to resist!"

Su Li raised his arm and made a declaration to all the generals and the entire Black Forest Territory:
"We will no longer wait! No more probing! This autumn, Hilder will personally lead her invincible army, blessed with legendary power, to march upon the Swamp Territory with overwhelming force!"

"This is no longer harassment, no longer a test! This will be a complete and crushing conquest! Let Hilder's army sweep away Count Litanel's banner and his filthy ambitions like autumn leaves in the swamp mud!"

"This battle must not only be won, but won perfectly, won with overwhelming force! We must let the entire Old World see how a true legendary commander dominates the battlefield! We must let those parasites of Maleburg hear the roar of our Blacksin cavalry crushing their outposts from their luxurious council halls!"

"For the glory of Blackforest! For the justice of the Goddess of the Sun! The army is ready, awaiting your command! When the banners of Hilder point, we will—"

Su Li's voice was like thunder, resolute and decisive:

"Sweep away the swamp!"

"Roar! Sweep the swamp! Long live Lady Hilder! Long live the Lord!" A deafening roar erupted within the main hall, completely overwhelming any hesitation or doubt with unwavering resolve and boundless fighting spirit. The knights' eyes burned with a thirst for victory and unwavering confidence in their legendary commander. A decisive, crushing conquest was about to begin in the coming autumn.

(End of this chapter)