Knight Lord: Start with Daily Intelligence.

Chapter 488 The alluring "quite famous" Morkana
Establishing a closer relationship with the behemoth, the Knights of the Flame, is crucial to his future plans, but this cannot be rushed at the moment.

The incident at the armory has already achieved its purpose; the seed of the Blazing Plate Armor has been sown, and it is only waiting for it to grow and spread within the Knights of the Sun and even its headquarters.

Su Li nodded slightly and said with a faint smile, "This matter is settled then. I look forward to good news from your group."

He turned his gaze to Orion, who was still immersed in the shock of the massive numbers and the pain of having his armor removed, and said with a hint of teasing, "Vice-Captain Orion, it seems you need some more time to say goodbye to this armor? Hilde, arrange for someone to help the Vice-Captain remove the armor."

Having said that, he ignored Orion's almost tangible, mournful gaze emanating from through his visor and turned to walk out of the armory first. Freya gave a slight bow, cast one last cold glance at Orion, and then left as well.

The group walked through the castle's sturdy corridors, the sounds of guards slapping their chests in salute echoing through the air. Su Li walked steadily, not returning to the lord's hall, but heading straight for the island in the middle of the river on the west side of the castle.

This is also the most important reason why Freya still follows him. This beautiful, proud, and icy vice-captain also serves as the vice-dean of the Black Forest Griffin Engineering Academy.

Since the academy was built, she has been in charge of its administrative affairs, while also serving as the dean of the Lieyang Guanghui Military Academy under the academy.

However, Su Li wasn't here to inspect this military academy today; instead, he visited a more distinctive one. This place was now surrounded by high stone walls, with elite Black Forest guards strictly protecting the entrance. Above the gate hung a brand-new emblem—crossed muskets and a solemn cannon, against a backdrop of burning holy flames, and below, in bold characters, were the words: Holy Flame Gunnery Academy.

This is the newest and largest branch of the Imperial Engineering Academy in the Hessian Territory, a model project of collaboration between dwarves and Imperial engineers.

Upon seeing the lord's arrival, the guards immediately pushed open the heavy iron-clad wooden door. The sounds from inside were no longer the clanging of metal and shouts of warriors, but entirely different – ​​rhythmic, heavy hammering, the grating scraping of metal, and the occasional stern admonitions and explanations from instructors.

The air was filled with unfamiliar smells: saltpeter, sulfur, the acrid smell of molten metal, and a unique blend of grease and machinery.

The academy's interior was spacious and divided into several areas. The closest was a sturdy training ground where dozens of young dwarves dressed in uniform dark apprentice robes stood in neat rows, with rows of long-barreled muskets mounted on wooden frames in front of them.

A dwarf veteran with a stern face and a hideous scar on his chin paced at the front of the ranks, shouting in a hoarse voice:

"...Remember this! You rookies! What you're holding isn't a fire poker, it's not a spear, it's the 'Breath of Death' that can smash a Chaos Warrior's head into a pulp from a hundred yards away! Respect it! Master it! From loading to firing, every step must be etched into your bones! One second slower, and you or your brothers might die!"

"Clean the ignition hole! Check the flint! Load the powder—!" The veteran's commands were like war drums.

The apprentices repeated the tedious loading process with slightly tense but unusually focused movements. Although there were no live bullets in the chamber, the tense atmosphere was not diminished at all.

Further away lay an even more peculiar area. Behind the heavy fortifications built with the assistance of dwarven engineers, a more intimidating din emanated. There, several field guns, gleaming with cold metal, were on display, ranging in caliber from light mortars to heavy cannons requiring several operators. Some of the more talented trainees were either learning to calculate firing angles under the guidance of dwarven craftsmen or simulating coordinated operations under the orders of officers. Each command to fire a simulated shot carried a heavy weight, as if it would determine the fate of the battlefield.

Su Li's arrival caused a small commotion, and the officer in charge of academy administration quickly stepped forward to salute. Su Li waved for them to continue, then slowly walked into this bustling yet disciplined area.

His gaze swept over the energetic and inquisitive young faces, over the cold and efficient war machines, and his eyes gleamed with a light different from when he saw the Blazing Plate Armor. It was a certainty and ambition for the future.

“Very good.” Su Li said to Hilde, who was accompanying him, his voice filled with satisfaction. “The glory of knights and their swords are indispensable, but the battlefields of the future must have their voices heard.”

He pointed to a heavy cannon that had just finished its training, its muzzle still seemingly shrouded in invisible gunpowder smoke.

"This is something that can give us a significant voice in Black Forest Ridge, and even in the entire border princely territory. Moreover, it's much 'cheaper' than a set of Blazing Plate Armor."

A pleased smile curved his lips. Armed knights are the heart of the territory, invincible tigers; and this academy can give this tiger legion wings!
Su Li inspected the training ground, his gaze sweeping over the apprentices practicing with muskets and heavy cannons, and suddenly fixed on a figure that seemed out of place in the strict environment around him.

It was Morkana, the Crimson Calamity.

She leaned casually against the barrel of a cooled mortar, her deep purple scale armor seemingly never quite fitting her stunningly curvaceous figure, with large patches of pale skin always exposed.

At this moment, one of her excessively long legs was stretched out freely, revealing her smooth ankle and muscular calf. Her other leg was bent, stretching the already sparse scales on her body even tighter, outlining the breathtaking curve of her waist and hips.

Her long, wine-red hair cascaded down her shoulders in a captivating way, with a few strands clinging to her slightly sweaty neck.

She held a large oak goblet, a common sight among dwarves, filled with the thick foam of dark beer. She tilted her head back and took a large gulp, a stream of amber liquid sliding down her dark red lips, along her velvety neck, past her alluring collarbone, and finally disappearing into the deep cleavage barely concealed by her tattered scales.

The smell of saltpeter and sulfur in the air seemed to be masked by the rich aroma of wine surrounding her and a strange aura that mixed cold jade and blazing iron.

Arielia was known for her indulgence and generosity; she seemed never to hesitate to display her breathtaking beauty and figure. In this academy, renowned for its rigor and iron discipline, she often leaned lazily against some cold war artifact, just like now, letting her proud curves, which even the academy uniform could barely contain, be fully revealed. The large expanse of snow-white skin beneath her long neck and her long legs, which always stirred the imagination, almost became a breathtaking yet undeniably alluring sight in this solemn place.

The dwarf apprentices who were wiping the cannon barrels slowed down noticeably. Their stern faces were deeply wrinkled, but their eyes couldn't help but glance at the beautiful legs that looked even whiter and more dazzling against the backdrop of the cold weapons. Their Adam's apples bobbed up and down as they mumbled indistinctly.

However, unlike the pure desires of ordinary human men, Morkana seemed to sense a strange and vague sense of kinship from these dwarf apprentices—an inexplicable fondness for the dwarf race that stemmed from the depths of her being.

After all, her very existence was a miracle born from the painstaking efforts of a legendary dwarven master engineer who had gathered the very essence of dwarven wind. This connection, rooted in her creator, gave her an instinctive and extraordinary tolerance and interest in these tenacious and persistent craftsmen.

"Tsk, this is so boring!" Morkana's voice was slightly hoarse and magnetic, like a lazy cat whining, yet carrying the deep, menacing tone of a dragon. She casually tossed her empty glass aside with a clatter, completely ignoring the stern gaze from the instructor in the distance. "Just listening to this clanging of metal makes my bones rust. When is that little green dragon Irelia finally going to come out and play with me?"

She slid lightly off the cannon barrel, landing silently. Her eyes, burning with deep red embers, casually swept across the training ground, finally settling on the apprentices who were unsettled because of her.

Instead of restraining herself, she curled up a provocative smile, deliberately slowing her pace to make the swing of her waist and long legs even more alluring. The tattered scales rubbed together with her movements, making a subtle and seductive sound, causing some men with weak willpower to bend over involuntarily.

She seemed born to break all rules, using this rigorous military academy as a tavern and casino for her unbridled charm.

Su Li raised an eyebrow at the shocking scene and whispered to Hilde beside her, "She certainly knows how to amuse herself."

Hilde remained calm as usual and reported in detail: "My lady, Lady Morkana has lived in the illusion for hundreds of years. The time was long but pale and tasteless, and she hardly knew what joy was. Now that she has come to the Black Forest Territory, where there is abundant material wealth and diverse entertainment, she has finally learned what excitement is, as if she wants to make up for all the lost time."

"Currently, the city's main arenas are her most frequented places, whether watching bloody gladiatorial combats or 'playing' herself—though we strictly limit her participation. Next are the 'Rossini Eagle' tavern and the 'Lucky Dice' casino; she's practically a regular there, especially fond of strong ale and dice, spending lavishly, laughing it off regardless of wins or losses, and has already...quite a name."

Su Li raised an eyebrow and asked, "Quite famous?"

Hilde remained unfazed and continued her report in her calm tone: "Yes, my lady. 'Fame' comes mainly from three sources: the arena, the tavern, and the casino."

"As you can see, my lord, Ms. Morkana... is exceptionally energetic. She particularly favors the Lion Ring Arena, and a few days ago she was forced to participate in gladiatorial combat."

"The arena manager explained repeatedly that ordinary prisoner or beast gladiatorial combat was no match for her strength, and there was no precedent for arranging duels at the level of 'Chosen Ones.' But she ignored him and threatened to tear down the arena walls herself if the gates weren't opened." Hilde paused, then continued, "The manager had no choice but to select three of the fiercest Norscan raider warriors, all facing death, promising them their freedom if they could harm Lady Morkana in the slightest, hoping to satisfy her."

"The result?" Su Li's gaze swept over the languid yet dangerous figure in the distance.

"The process was brief. Ms. Morkana didn't even use any decent weapons, just her bare hands and a solid shot from a mortar—which she grabbed at random—to smash the knees and shoulders of two of them and break the limbs of a third. She complained that her opponents were too weak, like 'chopping rotten wood,' and there was no fun in it. The arena paid extra compensation to the families of the condemned prisoners, even though they deserved to die."

Su Li gave a soft hum, signaling Hilde to continue.

"After leaving the arena, she frequented the 'Rossini Eagle' tavern. She once stood with one foot on the table—" Hilde's description remained precise and unemotional, "—competing with a whole table of dwarven miners and human mercenaries in a contest of strong dark beer. According to witnesses, her long legs and…exposed skin certainly made many onlookers' breaths boil and their minds wander."

"She didn't seem to care, even enjoying the attention, and her alcohol tolerance was unfathomable, managing to knock out four dwarves in succession. But when a drunken mercenary tried to put his hand on her beautiful leg, which was resting on the table..."

Hilude's tone remained unchanged: "She crushed the thick glass and precisely severed the tendons in his right wrist with the sharp shards. The movement was swift, and blood splattered across half the table. She continued drinking as if nothing had happened. Afterwards, she paid for everyone's drinks, including the crippled mercenary's medical expenses—though that amount was far from enough to reattach his hand."

"It was the same at the 'Lucky Dice' casino. The cheers were the loudest when she rolled the dice, and the winnings and losses were enough to bankrupt a small businessman, but she never cared. Some people saw that she was having good luck and wanted to get close to her to share in her luck, and tried to put their arms around her waist. The man couldn't touch her, and instead she grabbed his wrist and used a meat cleaver to... cut off his manhood at the root."

"She laughed and said, 'Since this thing can't be controlled, it's just a nuisance. I'll help you get rid of it so you can focus on gambling from now on.' The scene was quite... bloody and educational. From then on, no one dared to cross the line with her, whether in pubs or casinos. They would still watch her and cheer for her, but they all maintained a clear boundary."

After listening, Su Li's gaze returned to the crimson calamity star on the training ground, who was idly fiddling with the cannon mechanism. She seemed to sense his gaze, turned around, and threw him a smile that was a mixture of laziness and wildness, her scarlet tongue lightly licking the corner of her lips, as if she was still not satisfied.

"It seems she really knows how to 'enjoy' life, and she's very sensible—she's sensible," Su Li commented casually. "As long as she doesn't cause any major trouble, let her be."

A playful smile lingered on Su Li's lips as she imagined the erotic and unrestrained scene inside the tavern. A chosen one, a dragon transformed into human form, unabashedly displayed his breathtaking figure, his long, fair, and voluptuous legs straddling the tables and barrels of wine as he drank and laughed with mortals. This was indeed a unique "scenery" in the Black Forest Territory, enough to attract countless nymphomaniacs and thrill-seekers.

Moreover, this dragon beauty was particularly generous, with her beautiful legs, ample breasts, slender waist... large swathes of snow-white skin exposed to the tavern's murky air, allowing those burning gazes to lick and admire her.

As long as those who were staring at her kept their hands and feet in check, she seemed to enjoy being the center of attention, even relishing seeing people lose their composure or drool because of her. This almost condescending generosity, with its dragon-like arrogance, also constituted an irresistible temptation.

However, Hilde's subsequent report completely interrupted his wild thoughts.

"Does she know what she's doing?"

Su Li raised an eyebrow and looked at his steward.

Hilde, somewhat exasperated and even finding it both funny and absurd, continued her report: "Last night she actually showed up at the 'Night and Rose' brothel."

Su Li's smile froze instantly. She, a female dragon, had gone to a brothel?

"According to the report, she was verbally coaxed and carried inside by several drunken mercenaries. The brothel owner tried to dissuade her, telling her that they did not... cater to female customers, especially those like her."

"Lady Morkana ignored her." Hilde's tone was devoid of any emotion. "She used force... or rather, her very existence, to force her way in 'ordering.' She selected three of the most popular prostitutes, paid ten times the gold coins, and then took them to the best box."

Su Li rubbed her temples, already sensing that what was to come would not be a sensual story, but rather something quite bizarre.

"And then? What happened?"

Just as she had predicted, Hilde continued her report: "According to the three shaken women's accounts afterward, Ms. Morkana did nothing. She simply had them sit side by side on the sofa, then sat opposite them and, with great interest... questioned them. She asked them many questions about their work, feelings, past, and even some very private technical details. The whole process lasted for nearly two hours, and her questions left the prostitutes embarrassed to answer."

Finally, she snatched back every last gold coin that had been overpaid, remarking, "Mortal pleasures, quite amusing. To exchange trembling, sweat, and brief shouts for these glittering coins? I've learned something!" With that, she laughed loudly, kicked open the door to the private room, and strode away amidst the astonished gazes of the entire courtyard. 'Night and Roses' business was practically paralyzed that night, and the owner was considering whether to apply for compensation for emotional distress from the lord's manor.

At the other end of the training ground, Morkana was slowly running her fingers along the cold cannon barrel, her crimson vertical pupils slightly narrowed, as if she were measuring the range of some weapon, or perhaps planning a unique hunt.

Hilde added, "Judging from her subsequent movements, after leaving 'Night and Roses,' she went directly to a well-known spice shop and bought the most expensive oriental incense; then she broke into a tailor shop and took away several rather daring outfits that she had previously ordered."

After listening, Su Li remained silent for a moment, then finally shook her head with a laugh.

“Alright, ‘measures’…that’s certainly her unique standard. Tell that boss there’s no compensation, but this year’s 19% tax can be reduced a bit, let them talk to the iron-fisted prime minister. Also, strengthen the guidance for Morkana’s ‘exploration’ of mortal entertainment venues…at least don’t let her go to brothels for ‘study investigations’ anymore. What good things can a good child learn from going to a brothel?”

He then suppressed his smile, his expression becoming focused and solemn. He had come to the Holy Flame Gun Academy with a large number of officials and knights, not to hear the romantic escapades of a capricious chosen one.

He turned to the dwarf ranger Doglin, who had remained silent by his side, wearing an engineer's leather apron and with an intricately braided beard, and asked:
“Master Doglin, Marshal Orstein,” Su Li’s voice was calm as he cut straight to the point, “How is the adaptation training for the new equipment going? What is the current situation of the Amethyst Ironclad Army? I want the truth.”

Doglin snorted heavily, his thick fingers tapping the tool belt at his waist: "To be honest, my lord, that thing is really weird! Unlike our reliable anvils and gunpowder, it's... a freak of magic and metal! But..."

He reluctantly admitted, "Its power is undeniable. Those young men, who at first wouldn't even dare to touch it, can now handle it like it's a fire poker."

Erstein straightened his back and reported more precisely: "Sir, the first phase of the initial acclimatization training has been completed as planned. The three hundred soldiers selected are mainly veterans from the Hessian Guard and the best apprentices from the academy. They are still unfamiliar with and somewhat uneasy about the new weapons'... 'unconventional' loading and firing modes, but their discipline has ensured the progress of the training."

He paused, then added, "The biggest obstacle isn't the operation itself, but the psychological one. Soldiers need to get used to the fact that the ammunition doesn't come from the ammunition pouch, but from... that lady."

He cautiously avoided looking directly in Morkana's direction. "And, the lack of recoil and traditional gunpowder smoke during firing, but the release of... an unsettling, negative energy aura, takes time to get used to."

Su Li nodded slightly, having anticipated these difficulties. His gaze swept over a section of the training ground that had been separately marked out, with makeshift cover and special markings. There, roughly a squad of soldiers were wearing dark military uniforms different from the academy uniforms. Their rifles had peculiar designs, with what appeared to be some kind of purple crystal device embedded below the barrel, gleaming ominously in the sunlight.

The soldiers moved with a slight stiffness, each simulated raising of their guns and "loading"—more like a gesture of channeling energy—carried out with utmost care. Their targets were specially made thick steel plates and wooden stakes covered in simple protective runes. The steel plates were riddled with deep, corroded holes, while the rune-covered stakes appeared unnaturally decayed and cracked.

"What about testing its effectiveness in actual combat?" Su Li asked.

This time, Freya answered him. As the vice dean and also the deputy dean of the military academy, she was in charge of all the training within the academy.

Her icy gaze also fell upon that area, her report concise and objective, imbued with the unique heroism and chilling sharpness of a knight: "Initial tests meet expectations, my lord. We fired upon the Chaos Twisted Shields confiscated from border bandits. Ordinary muskets struggled to penetrate them, but the amethyst projectiles fired using Morkana's Death Wind effectively corroded the corrupted energy on them and pierced through the physical form. Its penetrating power against standard plate armor far surpasses any currently serving handgun or musket, and inflicts a significant life-draining effect. Sustained firing capability... theoretically, as long as the energy supply remains uninterrupted, it far exceeds that of any traditional force."

(End of this chapter)