Knight Lord: Start with Daily Intelligence.

Chapter 489 The Power of the Amethyst Ironclad Army and Morkana's Submission for Nest Building
After listening to the report, Su Li's gaze swept across the special training area, finally settling on the languid Morkana. He said in a deep voice, "Theoretical data is important, but its true value needs to be tested in actual combat. Master Doglin, mobilize your Amethyst Ironclad Elite Platoon."

“Ms. Morkana,” he raised his voice, “it’s time to truly awaken your slumbering ‘children.’ I need you to personally ‘infuse them with soul.’”

Upon hearing this, Doglin's thick eyebrows furrowed almost into a knot. He first pounded his chest and bowed to Su Li, saying, "Yes, my lord!"

He then turned to Morkana, his tone becoming rougher, carrying the stubbornness characteristic of dwarves and an almost paternal worry: "Hey! You...you 'Crimson Calamity'! Did you hear what the lord said? Stop sprawling on that cold iron lump like a spineless Squig! Be serious! This concerns the lifeblood of us dwarves...uh, the Blackforest Territory! Don't mess it up!"

His words sounded like a reprimand, but upon closer examination, one could detect a peculiar concern. The dwarves held extremely complex feelings towards Morkana—the crimson dragon formed from the spirits and obsessions of countless dwarven ancestors, mingled with the lifelong engineering knowledge of Master Gorenson Anvil.

She was a "freak," an "unconventional" creation, violating many of the dwarves' ancient tenets, yet deep within her soul resonated the sighs of her dwarven ancestors and the spirit of the artisans. Doglin's attitude perfectly embodied this entanglement: outwardly complaining and rejecting, yet perhaps harboring a secret protectiveness, like that shown to a mischievous yet precious younger kin.

Morkana finally slid off the cannon barrel, stretching lazily. Her stunning curves were revealed beneath her shattered scales, causing several young apprentices nearby to gasp in embarrassment.

She ignored Doglin's "warning" and instead gave him a playful and slightly affectionate look: "Shut up, old Stone Beard. What's the rush? Let the echo of death brew a little longer, and it will be more... mellow and moving."

She joked, but her movements remained lazy and leisurely. She strolled to the center of the training ground, where the twelve carefully selected soldiers of the Amethyst Ironclad Army were already lined up, their expressions solemn yet tense.

Morkana wore a languid expression, then closed her eyes slightly, stretched out her hands, palms facing upwards, as if holding something up in the void.

The next moment, a sudden change occurred. Centered on her, a visible pale purple mist began to permeate the air—a highly concentrated form of Shyish wind—the manifestation of death magic. The temperature in the training ground plummeted, and a bone-chilling cold spread outwards, not just an icy chill, but the deathly silence of life's passing and the end of all things.

Strands of purplish-black energy, as if drawn by an invisible force, converged from all directions, coiling around her pale, slender fingertips, and then, like a gentle stream, flowed slowly towards the amethyst rifles in the hands of the twelve soldiers. The amethyst devices beneath the barrels, like awakened hungry beasts, greedily absorbed this death energy, emitting an increasingly bright, unsettling, eerie purple light, with what appeared to be liquid shadows flowing within them.

The soldiers gripped their rifles tightly, their gloved hands able to feel the slight vibrations and cold touch of the weapons. Their breathing became somewhat rapid, but strict discipline kept them standing at attention.

Doglin watched intently from the side, his rough hands unconsciously gripping the axe handle, muttering the name of the god Granni under his breath. He was worried about the dangerous energy getting out of control, and also felt a subtle tension as he subconsciously maintained a dangerous balance for Morkana—his "comrade" with whom he had a strange and intricate connection.

"Alright, snack time is over." Morkana suddenly opened her eyes, the crimson embers burning within them now appearing as two swirling purple vortexes. With a gentle wave of her hand, she severed the energy transmission. "Now, let our lord hear this greeting from the Eternal Slumber Kingdom. These purple winds are enough for you to fire away a dozen times over."

Orstein decisively ordered: "Amethyst Armored Army Elite Platoon! Target ahead! Three rounds of rapid fire! Begin!"

The twelve soldiers raised their rifles simultaneously, their movements smoother and more powerful than ever before in training. They no longer needed to give guiding gestures; the amethyst energy within their rifles was already saturated.

"Round one! Release!"

Twelve purplish-black beams of light shot out silently, without a deafening roar, only a low hum as if space itself were being torn apart. The armored targets in the distance were instantly hit; the heavy plate armor, as if splashed with strong acid, emitted a terrifying hissing sound, corroding, turning gray, and shattering at a visible speed!
"Second round! Release!"

Twelve more death beams struck. The targets, which were already beginning to crumble, completely disintegrated, along with the chaotic remnant shields that served as the background. They were all eroded away, turning into wisps of purple smoke rising from the ground.

"Third round! Release!"

After the final salvo, no intact objects could be seen in the target area, leaving only a decaying ruin that seemed to have been forgotten for thousands of years, exuding an aura of despair and death.

The entire shooting process was quiet, efficient, and deadly, filled with a suffocatingly terrifying beauty.

The demonstration ended, and the training ground was silent, with only the chilling aura of death slowly dissipating.

Doglin let out a long sigh of relief, whether from relief that nothing had happened or from being shocked by the power. He awkwardly turned his head and said gruffly to Morkana, "Hmph... at least you did something right. Next time, be quicker, don't keep the lord waiting!"

Morkana resumed her nonchalant demeanor, as if gathering death had been a mere casual gesture. She licked her lips, chuckled at Doglin's complaint, and then looked intently at Su Li: "My dear lord, this little 'Wind of Shash' treat is a reward for your care of me these past few days. But if you want more in the future, remember to pay a fair price... at least not less than that little green dragon."

Su Li gazed at the area of ​​death, a satisfied smile appearing on his face. This power was truly astonishing.

However, he completely ignored Morkana's demands. He brought her back to reality from her illusions, giving her a place to stay and the freedom to indulge in pleasure, not to cultivate a mercenary for bargaining. What if the money stopped and their emotions vanished?

So he glanced at Morkana: "Your abilities are quite good, adding important weight to the territory. But spend less time with those mercenaries and gamblers in the future! Don't pick up the mercenary and greedy habits of street urchins. Look at you now, always talking about rewards and gold coins, where is even a trace of... well, the style that the 'Crimson Calamity' should have?"

He paused deliberately, his gaze sweeping over the upright knight beside him and the beard-stroking Doglin: "Spend more time with true knights, with these generous and upright dwarf masters. Learn their loyalty, selflessness, and magnanimity! That's the kind of heart that's worthy of your strength!"

Hearing the reprimand, Morkana showed no remorse on her beautiful face; instead, the playful smile on her lips deepened. Instead of backing away, she took long, slender steps, her legs barely visible beneath the purple scales, and approached Su Li step by step.

She walked extremely slowly, her waist swaying with a languid yet dangerous rhythm. The lingering chill of death in the air seemed to be somewhat dispelled by the fiery allure emanating from her. Finally, she stopped in front of Su Li, the two so close they could almost feel each other's breath.

She tilted her head slightly, her long, wine-red hair cascading over her shoulders, revealing a dazzlingly white neck. Then, she leaned forward even further, bringing her breathtakingly beautiful face, a blend of languidness and wildness, close to Su Li's face, their noses almost touching!
Her pale skin seemed to glow softly in the academy's light, dazzlingly bright and so smooth that not a single pore could be seen. At such close range, Su Li could even see his own reflection in her eyes, which burned with deep red embers, beneath her long, thick eyelashes, and in the depths of those eyes a hint of mockery and... an indescribable ancient vicissitude.

Her aura, a blend of the malty scent of dark beer, her cool, jade-like body, and a faint, almost imperceptible, metallic aroma of molten iron, powerfully filled the air around Su Li, so intense it was almost dizzying. Her slender, alluring figure created an unparalleled visual impact.

"Hello, hello..." she spoke, her voice extremely low, with a husky, magnetic quality and a hint of languid drawl, her warm breath almost brushing against Su Li's lips, "My dear lord... the way you're speaking now, why does it sound so much like my old, nagging father who's always making me learn this and that...?"

Her words were bold and unrestrained, yet her eyes were clear and dangerous, like a top predator that had sheathed its claws but could still strike at any moment, toying with its prey, or rather... the object of its interest.

This unrestrained and almost provocative intimacy constitutes her unique, irresistible, and terrifyingly dangerous charm.

Su Li was slightly taken aback by her sudden closeness and almost offensive teasing. The strange fragrance lingering around her nose and the stunningly beautiful face magnified to the extreme were enough to make any man's heart flutter.

But he quickly regained his composure, a sharp glint flashing deep in his eyes. This dragon was far more troublesome than she had appeared.

Morkana seemed pleased with his momentary hesitation, but a glint of cunning, an all-knowing glint of an ancient being flashed deep within her eyes, which burned with crimson embers. She didn't retreat; instead, in her magnetic, husky voice, she continued almost in a whisper, her voice so soft that only the two of them could clearly hear:

“Hmm… let me guess…” She gently tapped her smooth chin with her slender fingers, the movement alluring, yet her eyes were sharp enough to peel away layers of disguise. “My dear ‘father’ lord, are you so eager to keep me away from those ‘bad friends’ and closer to these upright knights and dwarves… are you truly concerned about my ‘style’ and ‘heart’?”

She tilted her head slightly, her red lips almost touching Su Li's earlobe, her breath sweet as orchids, but what she said went straight to the point:

"Or... do you simply think that a Morkana 'influenced' by chivalry and 'bound' by dwarven kinship would be more predictable, more controllable, and more... willing and free to burn her 'Sash Wind' for your Blackforest territory than a Morkana who only cares about gold and fun?"

Her tone remained languidly sarcastic, as if she were talking about something trivial, but every word was like a precise scalpel, dissecting the true intentions beneath Su Li's surface. The dragon's wisdom had long since allowed her to see through this tactic of winning people over. She enjoyed the luxurious life and novel experiences Su Li provided, but that didn't mean she would be easily bound by invisible reins.

She chuckled softly, her voice filled with amusement and a hint of barely perceptible sarcasm: "Oh dear, this way of weaving a web of words and emotions, making people willingly give themselves without even realizing it... Humans seem to have a very interesting word to describe it, what's it again? Oh, right—" She drew out her words, her scarlet tongue licking her full lower lip, her eyes alluring yet cunning, like a fox that had seen through a hunter's trap—no, a dragon.

"—Is it 'pie in the sky,' or... 'PUA'?"

After speaking, she finally took a half step back, giving Su Li some breathing space, but her deep red eyes, which seemed to see through people's hearts, remained fixed on him, flashing with a mocking light that said, "Don't treat me like one of those easily fooled little girls." She crossed her arms, a gesture that accentuated her already impressive bust, but at this moment it brought more of a condescending sense of scrutiny.

"Don't worry, my dear lord." She tilted her head, her smile bright yet laced with a sharp edge. "When the time comes, I might lend a hand, depending on my mood. After all, if the Black Forest Territory becomes uninteresting, I'll be quite troubled too. But..."

She drew out her words, her gaze drifting to the somewhat nervous and bewildered Doglin beside her, and to the knights standing at attention.

"Make me become like them, 'upright and selfless'? That's so boring. I am who I am, a firework of a different color... oh, a crimson jinx. Your 'pie in the sky' is very well drawn, but unfortunately, I'm not very interested in pasta."

She gently patted Su Li's shoulder, the gesture as intimate as a buddy's, yet carrying the aloofness unique to dragons, a sense of untouchability.

"Compared to the vague concept of 'style,' tangible gold coins, fine wine, and... fun that can give me a good laugh are much more motivating, aren't they? Of course, if you could use your 'fatherly' care to help me find Irelia, that little green dragon, to fight me, perhaps I could consider... giving you a friendly discount?"

She gave Su Li a knowing look, then let out a string of joyful and unrestrained laughter, turned around and swayed gracefully to the middle of the Purple Crystal Ironclad Army, leaving behind a silhouette that left much to the imagination.

"My lord, you may want to consider my suggestion."

Looking at her alluring figure, Su Li smiled. Sure enough, although she seemed unrestrained and eccentric, and enjoyed the most direct sensory stimulation, and her words were full of mercenary and bargaining, at her core, she was still the purest and most ancient dragon nature.

They love shiny gold coins, gems that contain energy, exhilarating battles and destruction, and the pursuit of ultimate pleasure and enjoyment—whether it's fine wine, gourmet food, being the center of attention, or other more primal pleasures.

She has a clear understanding of things, lives authentically, and her desires are straightforward and intense. In some ways, this makes her much easier to deal with than those politicians and nobles who are full of ulterior motives and spout lofty ideals.

“Gold coins…gems…nesting…” The meaningful smile on Su Li’s lips slowly widened.

The Black Forest Territory now possesses the richest mineral veins and increasingly prosperous trade in the border princely territories. While it may lack other things, gold coins and various ores are precisely one of the resources it currently "has no shortage" of.

not to mention……

Su Li recalled her half-joking remark about "Dad" from earlier...

Since she's calling him "Dad," it seems only right for him, as her "elder," to give her a "nest-building fund." After all, what traditional dragon doesn't dream of a luxurious dragon nest piled high with gold, silver, and jewels?
Although Morkana's "nest" will most likely be located in a special area of ​​Hessenberg, or even a fortress tower that has been transformed into a pleasure retreat, that does not prevent her from having her own treasure vault.

As Su Li was pondering this, Fandral Oak, the treasury manager and Minister of Agriculture who was accompanying him, offered his advice: "My lord, if Lady Morkana wishes to build her nest, I suggest she not stay within the Black Forest Territory, but rather in the ancient ruins or abandoned castles of the Frostfang Mountains. This would be beneficial for the growth of the Stoneskin Pumpkin."

Stone-skinned pumpkin?

Su Li immediately remembered this extraordinary vegetable, one of the four extraordinary vegetable seeds that Phyllis had given him.

In some ways, the value of this Stone-skinned Pumpkin even surpasses that of Moonlight Cabbage or Green Spike!

Because, in a way, it's a fantastical version of cement.

The territory is now vast and the mountains and rivers are magnificent. The various strongholds and villages scattered throughout the vast territory still need to be defended by themselves.

If the villages in the Hessen Territory had enough Stoneskin Powder for defense, it would be difficult for ordinary Beastmen to break through the stronghold walls with swords and axes.

The growth of this Stone-Skinned Pumpkin is extremely demanding, as it only grows in the crevices of abandoned castles, ancient battlefield ruins, or mining areas rich in magical elements.

If Morkana were to build her nest in the Frostfang Mountains, it would be a place teeming with ancient ruins and surrounded by dwarven tribes.

More importantly, this way, the territory will have a dragon's nest from the westernmost Dusk Mountains to the middle Frostfang Mountains, and to the easternmost Black Pine Forest!

Su Li looked at Morkana's eyes, which were a mixture of provocation and expectation, and then glanced at Fandral Oak beside him, who was earnestly offering advice. He quickly weighed the pros and cons in his mind.

The Frostfang Mountains, ancient ruins, and the surrounding dwarven clans, which would also promote the growth of strategic resources like Stoneskin Pumpkin… Fandral’s proposal was indeed a win-win situation. And Morkana’s straightforward desires provided the best bargaining chip.

His smile grew even brighter.

“Ms. Morkana,” Su Li said with a smile, exuding confidence and composure, “I have received your ‘suggestion.’ The Black Forest Territory never mistreats true heroes and appreciates straightforward transactions.”

He stepped forward, his gaze fixed intently on her, as if he were not facing a dangerous ancient dragon, but rather conducting a business negotiation.

“Alright then,” he held up two fingers, “if you can demonstrate greater ‘efficiency,’ not just be satisfied with these twelve elite soldiers as ‘snacks,’ but help Marshal Erstein and Master Doglin quickly train and equip four full-strength squadrons (480 men) of combat-ready troops in the short term—say, within a month—so that the ‘Amethyst Ironclad Army’ can truly achieve a large-scale combat capability…”

He paused, observing the sudden gleam in Morkana's eyes—an interest in a "large order"—before continuing to offer his price:

"Then, I will not only immediately pay you 2000 gold crowns as a 'special advisory fee' for your assistance in this military expansion, but I will also use the power of the territory to select a treasure land in the Frostfang Mountains that best suits your taste, with excellent scenery and rich historical relics, and tailor-make a dragon's nest stronghold worthy of your identity as the 'Crimson Calamity'."

He emphasized, “It’s close to the territory of the Redbeard and Grayrock Dwarf clans. For the sake of these two dwarven allies, and for the special bond you have with them… they will certainly consider your lair their neighbor and will not allow any villains to approach and disturb it. This means that you can enjoy absolute safety and tranquility without having to go through the trouble of building and maintaining those inefficient minions… and of course, an undisturbed private space filled with treasure.”

Su Li's words were incredibly enticing. They directly tied her most fundamental needs—gold coins, a nest, and a sense of security—to her strategic goals.

Four squadrons, 480 Amethyst Ironclad Soldiers! Just thinking about that overwhelming volley of death made Su Li's heart race. To build such a powerful squadron for only 500 crowns? The cost-effectiveness was astonishing! Compared to the exorbitant cost of arming a squadron of knights, this was practically a steal. It wasn't even much more expensive than arming a squadron of squires. Yet, the destructive power it unleashed in an instant was enough to terrify any heavily armored unit; ordinary knights probably couldn't even withstand a single volley.

He looked at Morkana, awaiting her response. For her, this deal meant a huge sum of gold coins and a ready-made, safe, luxurious nest that would also provide her with the pleasure of "nesting."

For the territory, this means quickly acquiring a deadly force that can change the rules of the battlefield, and binding this dangerous and powerful ancient dragon more deeply to the Black Forest Territory's war machine in a relatively stable and mutually beneficial way, while also promoting the cultivation of Stoneskin Pumpkins and strengthening the territory's defenses.

This is a win-win game based on the most fundamental needs of both parties. Now, it remains to be seen whether this cunning and greedy Crimson Dragon will be satisfied with this "nest-building fund" and "advisory contract".

(End of this chapter)