Knight Lord: Start with Daily Intelligence.

Chapter 501 The Differences in the Entire Black Forest Territory and the Changes Brought About by Extraordinary Achievements
The astronomical figure Fandral announced struck King Cadrin Ironsworn like a heavy hammer striking a silent furnace, leaving him completely frozen in place.

“Nine…nine hundred million…forty-five million…imperial jin?!” His eyes, which were used to seeing gems and minerals, widened instantly, as if trying to break free from his thick eyebrows and wrinkles.

The old king's voice changed, becoming incredibly hoarse. Almost instinctively, he raised his calloused and scarred hands and began clumsily counting on his fingers, his lips moving silently, his thick beard trembling violently.

“Granny’s beard! One ton is two thousand imperial catties… Let me calculate, nine hundred million divided by two thousand…” He fell into a brief, focused frenzy of calculation, his brow furrowed into a knot. Clearly, the enormous number had caught the king, who was more accustomed to calculating ore production and gold coin quantities, somewhat off guard. After calculating for a long time, he seemed to have finally arrived at a rough, yet even more astonishing, conclusion.

"This...this is 450,000 tons of grain?!" He suddenly raised his head, his voice booming like a dwarf boar whose tail had been stepped on, making the surrounding wheat stalks seem to rustle. This roughly calculated figure was clearly several times more than his most optimistic estimate!
He looked at the endless golden fields before him, then suddenly turned to look at the calm-faced Su Li and the devout Fandral, his eyes filled with shock, ecstasy, and an almost absurd feeling.

“Four hundred and fifty thousand tons! Four hundred and fifty thousand tons!” He repeated the number over and over, as if trying to etch it into his bones. “That’s enough for the dwarves of our Gray Mountain Kingdom—including those rats hiding in the deepest mines—to eat their fill for a whole quarter of a year! No, half a year! If we’re careful and mix in some regular gravel… uh, I mean, regular rations of black bread, it could last even longer!”

He waved his arms excitedly, almost hitting the haystack next to him: "Su Li, kid! This territory of yours is not some 'pearl of the frontier,' it's clearly a self-growing, inexhaustible mountain of gold! It's a granary bestowed upon the mortal world by Granni!"

After the initial shock, the old king quickly reverted to his dwarven shrewdness and pragmatism. He took a deep breath, trying to calm his excitement, but the light in his eyes grew even more intense. He patted Su Li's shoulder heavily, so hard that Su Li staggered.

"Good! Good! Good!" He said "good" three times in a row, each word as heavy and powerful as a rock. "With this trump card, I have no more worries! This deal is done! Completely done!"

His tone became incredibly firm: "Don't worry, Lord Su Li! Just for your grain production that can feed half of Gray Mountain, I, Kadrin Iron Oath, will wear out my lips and run my old legs to persuade the High King and those stubborn old elders to bring you that 'treasure' you want! We dwarves won't lose out on this deal; in fact, we'll make a killing!"

At this moment, in King Kadrin's eyes, the value of Su Li and his Black Forest Territory had been infinitely elevated. An ally capable of providing such a massive amount of food was no less important than an inexhaustible mithril mine. The shadow of the aerial fortress had not yet arrived, but this solid foundation of food supplies had already given the dwarf king a glimpse of an incredibly bright future for the alliance.

Su Li slowly recovered from the immense shock of those "nine hundred million jin" figures. Undoubtedly, it was a staggering astronomical number, enough to drive any monarch mad. But when converted to 45 tons, it became quite ordinary. In his previous life, it might not even fill a corner of a nation's strategic reserves, and it wouldn't even compare to the reserves of a large official granary during the heyday of an ancient feudal dynasty.

But this touch of modern "criticism" did not diminish his joy; instead, it gave him a clearer understanding of the Black Forest Territory's potential. His delight stemmed from another aspect—it meant that the average yield per acre of farmland in the Black Forest Territory had likely reached around four hundred Imperial catties!
“An average of four hundred catties…” Su Li’s gaze swept over the blood fields emitting a faint magical aura and the fertile fields along the shimmering shores of Lake Leiflin in the distance, and his heart became calmer and more composed. “This means that the yield of those ordinary fields may still be hovering around two or three hundred catties per mu. After all, thanks to the divine power of Goddess Leia, the irrigation of the Holy Lake, and the care of the top-tier blood fields by Father of Grains, Polevik, the yield has long since exceeded the thousand catties per mu!”

This huge difference in yield precisely illustrates the uneven development of agriculture in the territory and that there is still enormous room for improvement in the future.

45 tons is just the beginning; it's far from the limit of the territory.

However, there was another piece of news that excited him even more.

Of the 9 million jin of grain in the empire, more than 4500 million jin were extraordinary crops containing special energy!
Su Li's eyes gleamed. This included not only the steel wheat that could enhance combat power and the pearl wheat that was as smooth as jade, but also the cabbage that shimmered like a gem under the moonlight (moonlight cabbage), the chives whose roots contained a faint flame power (ember root chives), and the (stone-skinned pumpkin) that could be used as cement, and a series of other strange and extraordinary fruits and vegetables.

This proportion may seem low, but it's important to understand that in the vast majority of other human territories, and even in the territories of elves and dwarves, the production of such extraordinary crops relies entirely on tiny magical gardens, natural wonderlands, or the meticulous care of druids. An annual yield that can be measured in "jin" (a unit of weight) is already considered a blessing. If it can yield tens or hundreds of jin, it is enough to become a special industry for the entire territory, a rare item that is monopolized and supplied in small quantities to nobles and mages, or traded as a gift to other territories.

The fact that Black Forest Territory can produce on a large scale in units of "ten thousand catties" is nothing short of a remarkable miracle! What this represents is the deep penetration of the goddess Rhea's blessings, the powerful radiation of the holy land, and the extraordinary breakthrough in the territory's agricultural technology.

“Very good, Fandral, very good.” Su Li suppressed his excitement, nodded to the Minister of Agriculture, and his tone regained the composure of a lord. “This proves that we are on the right path. The grace of the goddess and the efforts of all of us have yielded the richest reward.”

He turned to King Cadlin, who was still in a state of excitement, and smiled, “Your Majesty, it seems that the granaries of Hessen are more than sufficient to fulfill our agreement. Now, we can discuss in detail when the first batch of steel-bread will be shipped, and… when will you be able to bring me the good news about the ‘Sky Fortress’?”

The confidence gained from having enough food supplies gave Su Li unprecedented confidence and initiative in the subsequent negotiations.

Kadrin nodded emphatically; he couldn't wait to send these steel wheat seeds back to Gray Mountain. Before coming to this territory, he had never imagined that one day he would be able to obtain tens of thousands of kilograms of extraordinary grain from his allies!

Normally, even the most precious friendship would be considered a remarkable achievement if someone could send him several hundred kilograms of extraordinary grain, which would be packed into cloth bags and taken back to Black Mountain.

Right now, he has harvested at least 50000 jin!
With all this, he couldn't even imagine how powerful his army would become; at least the return journey would be exceptionally easy.

Just as King Cadlin was thrilled by the massive amount of grain and engaged in heated negotiations with Su Li and the provincial council of his territory, every village and manor across the vast lands of Black Forest was also busy with the harvest.

Of course, the autumn harvest, being the most important harvest of the year, comes with dangers following the wild growth of the tar during the summer.

In this world, abundance is often accompanied by covetousness; beneath the golden waves of wheat, shadows never truly disappear.

Oak Village lies on the edge of the Shady Forest south of Blue Mirror Lake.

This village lies nestled beside an ancient and perilous sandy forest. The villagers here are accustomed to being vigilant during harvest time. The village's simple wooden walls have been given a makeover—coated with a layer of grayish-white, slightly rough, viscous substance. This is a special "cement" made from the pulp of "Stone-Skinned Pumpkin" mixed with clay, according to a recipe provided by Lord Su Li. Once dried, it becomes exceptionally hard, greatly enhancing the village walls' defensive capabilities.

In the village open space, a young, fully-fledged knight of the Church of the Sun Goddess, named Renn, was loudly directing the militia to transport the last few cartloads of wheat back to the threshing ground in the center of the village. He wore a gleaming breastplate, and his longsword was always ready to be drawn. An old soldier named Morgan, who had served in the lord's army and was now the owner of a small manor in the village, dragged his lame leg and scanned the edge of the forest with sharp eyes.

"Hurry up! All the grain must be stored before sunset!" Ryan shouted, his tactical lessons teaching him that dusk was the most dangerous time.

His fears soon became a reality. A sharp screech echoed through the forest, and dozens of short, green-skinned figures—goblins and even more cunning goblins—surged out like a tide, their objective clear: to steal the golden wheat!

"Close the gate! Militiamen on the wall! Pikemen in position!" Old Morgan immediately took over part of the command with his hoarse voice, showing his rich experience.

Raine took a deep breath, raised his sword high, the blade reflecting the light of the setting sun as if drawing strength from it: "For the glory of the sun! For Black Forest Territory! Hold the line!"

Although the militiamen around him were nervous, they did not panic—every day off they received basic weapons training and formation instruction in the small shrine of the Goddess of the Sun in the village, a policy jointly promoted by Lord Su Li and the church.

Arrows and makeshift catapults rained down from the wall, crashing down on the green tide. The goblins screamed as they tried to climb, only to find the once easily breached wooden wall slippery and impenetrable (the effect of the Stoneskin Pumpkin Paint). Seeing their chance, Raine led a few of the bravest villagers in a sudden burst of speed, opening the gate and launching a brief counter-charge that felled the goblins closest to the entrance. Their coordination far surpassed that of the disorganized greenskins; they quickly retreated and slammed the gate shut.

The battle was brief but fierce. The greenskins, leaving behind a dozen or so corpses and wounded, retreated dejectedly into the shadows of the forest. The villagers breathed a sigh of relief, grateful for the reinforced village walls and their daily training.

At the foot of the Twilight Mountains, a similar scene was unfolding in Stonehoof Town.

Stonehoof Town sits at the rugged foot of the Twilight Mountains, where the threats are even greater. Not only goblins, but also stronger, more bloodthirsty beastmen—inferior horned beasts and true horned beastmen.

During the autumn harvest, the town's defenses were significantly strengthened. In addition to the local garrison knight Caster (an experienced elite knight of the Church of the Sun Goddess) and retired veterans, a nun from the Church of Dawn also remained. She not only instructed the villagers on how to better cultivate a cold-resistant "Emberroot Leek" (whose roots could provide a faint warmth in cold weather), but also used her meager divine magic to alleviate the pain of the wounded during battles.

The attack came at dawn. A pack of beastmen, led by an ugly horned beast, roared as they charged into the harvested wheat field. Their target was not only food, but also destruction and slaughter.

"Form ranks! Spears in front! Farmers, retreat!" Knight Caster roared, his voice steady and powerful, instantly calming the panicked farmers. The retired veterans quickly grabbed pitchforks and old weapons leaning against the haystacks and filled the gaps in the defensive line.

The battle instantly intensified. The beastmen's strength far surpassed that of the goblins, each axe strike carrying immense power. Knight Caster stood firm at the forefront like a rock, his swordsmanship sweeping and powerful, gleaming like the sun, single-handedly holding off the strongest horned beast. The militia, relying on simple gun formations honed through training, barely managed to hold off the inferior horned beast's onslaught.

The Dawn Sister did not participate in the battle. She quickly dragged the wounded villagers to the back, her hands shimmering with a soft emerald light as she pressed them against their bleeding wounds to ease their pain, while she whispered prayers for Lady Rhea's protection.

Just as the defense line was about to be breached by the brute force of the Beastmen, a horn sounded from the direction of the town—several patrol cavalrymen from a nearby manor had finally arrived! They launched a charge from the flank, and although they were few in number, the sudden attack instantly threw the Beastmen into disarray.

Knight Caster seized the opportunity to launch a fierce attack, cleaving down the horned beastman who was locked in combat with him. With their leader fallen, the remaining beastmen let out a defiant roar before scattering and fleeing back into the forest. Several corpses of beastmen and unfortunate villagers lay scattered across the fields, the golden wheat stained crimson with blood. The cost was heavy, but the food was saved, and the town was defended. The survivors' eyes held both sorrow and the relief of surviving a catastrophe, along with an even stronger resolve. They understood more deeply the importance of their usual training, their sturdy fortifications (the town walls were also coated with stone-skinned pumpkin paste), and their timely support.

But not every battlefield is so easy. On the northwestern edge of the Black Forest, near a newly reclaimed area known as the "Wailing Wasteland," lies Lonely Stone Farm. It is a fertile little basin, far from the main villages and towns, making it particularly desolate.

The farm was owned by an elite knight named Albert, who had been forced to leave the lord's main army due to injury and chose to run a manor here, while also taking on the responsibility of guarding this border.

Also stationed with him was a dwarf blacksmith named Thorgan Stonebrow, who was temporarily staying there for a trade escort mission, but became friends with Albert because they got along well.

During the autumn harvest, the farm's warriors remained vigilant day and night. But this time, the threat they faced was far greater than usual. It wasn't a scattered group of goblins or small bands of beastmen, but a massive mixed warband of over two hundred, led by a twisted Chaos warrior! Among them were hideous inferior horned beasts, strong, bloodthirsty horned beasts, and even a few staggering, rotting Nurgle walkers!
The battle erupted under the blood-red moonlight, instantly escalating to a fever pitch. The farm's walls, smeared with stone-skinned pumpkin puree, trembled violently under the corrosive energy unleashed by the Chaos War Wizard and the impacts of the small catapults. Knight Albert led the charge, his swordsmanship masterful, each swing precisely claiming the life of an enemy, yet the number of enemies seemed endless. Thorgan Stonebrow, on the other hand, was like a moving anvil, his warhammer powerful and heavy, each strike capable of shattering the bones of a horned beast, dwarven runes flashing on its head, resisting the evil magic.

"Granny's beard! You filthy, unshaven long-legged bastards! Can't you let an honest dwarf finish his axe in peace?!" Thorgan roared in his hoarse voice as he fought, his classic dwarven insults echoing across the battlefield, "Your mothers must have been having an affair with a fart-wisp to give birth to you deformed bastards!"

Albert had no strength left to speak; he simply gritted his teeth, parried a rusty axe with his shield, and plunged his sword into the attacker's throat. His armor was covered in scratches and dents, and his breathing was heavy as a bellows. The monster's howls echoed incessantly. An atmosphere of despair, like a cold fog, began to permeate the hearts of the defenders. They were completely surrounded, and reinforcements seemed a distant dream.

The battle raged from the dead of night until the darkest hour before dawn. Albert and Thorgan stood back to back, surrounded by layers upon layers of monster corpses, exhausted and bearing several wounds. The Chaos Warlock let out a piercing laugh in the distance, preparing to unleash another deadly spell. The remaining monsters swarmed around them again, their eyes gleaming with cruel intent.

"Looks like... I'm going to see Granny today, big guy." Thorgan panted, his beard stained with blood and sweat. "But I'll take a few more down with me before I die!"

Just as despair was setting in, the horizon in the east began to lighten with the first hint of dawn. Then, without warning, a strange and icy mist began to spread from the direction of the wasteland, quickly enveloping the bloody battlefield and casting an eerie and tranquil veil over the brutal fighting.

From the thin mist, a tall, silent figure clad in ancient, faded plate armor slowly emerged. He rode a warhorse also shrouded in mist, and in his hand wielded a long halberd that emitted a faint green glow—a weapon of such unique and legendary form!
At first, there was surprise and doubt, but then, the tired and almost blurred eyes of the knight Albert suddenly focused on the iconic weapon and armor. A story that had long been spread throughout every tavern, every outpost and every family in the Black Forest Territory exploded in his mind like a thunderclap - it was the legend of the legendary spear "Oath" in the hands of Lord Su Li!

The bards chanted: "When the spear of oath stands tall in the land of Blackwood, the ancient guardians will respond to the will of its wielder, bringing hope to those who fight loyally in the darkest of times!"

“It’s…it’s him! The Green Knight! The guardian of the oath!” Albert’s voice was hoarse with excitement and disbelief, but it instantly dispelled all weariness and despair. An indescribable joy and power surged through his body. “The Lord’s oath has been answered! He is with us!”

Thorgan Stonebrow, standing beside him, also stared wide-eyed. Dwarves had an innate reverence for ancient legends and heroic deeds. He spat out a mouthful of bloody saliva, his rugged face filled with shock and boiling battle lust: "Granny's hammer! I didn't see wrong, did I?! It really is that Army of the Mist, the legendary Green Knights?! The story of that brat Lord Su Li is actually true! Hahahaha! Good! Excellent!"

The appearance of the Green Knights was like the most fervent war drums, heralding the prelude to the counterattack. They were no longer merely desperate, trapped beasts, but warriors carrying the will of their lord and ancient legends! This aid, this power, belonged solely to the Black Forest Territory, solely to the people who pledged allegiance to Lord Su Li! This was an unparalleled honor, and even more so, a boundless force!

"For Black Forest Territory! For Lord Su Li! For the oath!" Albert roared like thunder, his heavy sword suddenly becoming light and shining with an unprecedented light of determination.

"What are we waiting for, human brat! Do we want an ancient spirit to wipe out all the scum for us? Dwarves can't afford that! For our lord, for our friendship, kill them all!" Thorgan laughed wildly, as if the pain had been forgotten. He swung his warhammer high once more, the runes shining brighter than ever before.

The Green Knight, like an unstoppable whirlwind of death, silently carried out the ancient oath. Behind him, two warriors, ignited by legend, launched an unprecedentedly fierce counterattack. Their power seemed inexhaustible, for they knew they were not fighting alone—what an honor it was for the Lord's will to descend upon them in such a mythical manner!
Upon seeing this, the Chaos Warrior who had been casting spells from the rear let out a roar a mixture of rage and greed. He recognized the power of this uninvited guest, but also saw him as a perfect sacrifice to the dark gods. He spurred his mutated mount, brandishing a battle axe wreathed in corrupted energy, and charged forward.

"For the Dark Gods! Your soul shall be mine!" roared the Chaos Warrior, his battle axe slashing down at the Green Knight with a piercing shriek.

However, the Green Knight silently turned his horse around, and his halberd, gleaming with an eerie light, met the attack at an angle that seemed simple yet contained boundless skill and power.

"clang!"

A deafening roar erupted, the energy shockwave even briefly dispersing the surrounding mist. The Chaos Warrior's seemingly inevitable strike was firmly blocked, leaving his arm numb from the impact. Before he could react, the Green Knight's halberd slid down like a venomous snake, its tip piercing precisely through the weak point in his armor and embedding itself deep in his chest.

The Chaos Warrior froze, his rage turning to utter disbelief and horror. Foul black blood gushed from his mouth; he tried to speak, but only gurgled sounds escaped his lips. The Green Knight flicked his wrist, his halberd lashing out, drawing out a spray of filthy flesh and shattered entrails. The Chaos Warrior crashed to the ground, dead.

The leader's sudden death plunged the remaining monsters into immense chaos and terror. The evil core upon which they depended collapsed.

"Ha! See that! You bunch of scum! Your leader's dead!" Thorgan burst into a rough laugh, his jaw clenched despite the pain from his wounds. He swung his warhammer. "What are we waiting for, human brat! Let's join this friend in the mist and sweep these scum into the dustbin of history!"

The Green Knight charged through the monster horde, unstoppable. Albert and Thorgan followed closely behind, clearing out enemies on both flanks. Their coordinated attack, though brief, was exceptionally efficient. The Green Knight drew away and routed most of the organized resistance, while the human knights and the dwarven blacksmith dealt with the panicked and isolated enemies.

Under the terrifying intimidation of the Green Knight and the valiant counterattack of the two resilient warriors, the monsters' morale completely collapsed. They no longer thought of plundering and killing, but were driven only by the instinct for survival. They screamed in terror and scrambled to turn and flee into the thin mist that filled the Howling Wasteland, disappearing from sight.

As the dawn's sunlight completely dispelled the morning mist and the stench of blood, the Green Knight's figure, just as he had arrived, quietly vanished into the gradually brightening light, leaving behind no words, only a mess of monster corpses and two warriors who had survived the ordeal.

Albert and Thorgan supported each other, gazing silently in the direction the Green Knight had disappeared. Their wounds burned, and exhaustion weighed heavily on them, but an unprecedented, burning emotion surged within them, washing away all the pain.

“He’s gone…” Albert’s voice was hoarse, yet filled with an almost reverent excitement, “But He has come… when we needed Him most. The legend is true, Thorgen, the Lord is with us, even in this most remote corner!”

"Ha! I believe it now! I believe it completely!" Thorgen coughed heavily, grinning as he pulled at his wounds, causing him to gasp. "Before, I only thought Lord Su Li was a capable and decent human lad. Now I know, damn it, he's also a guardian favored by ancient powers! This Black Forest Territory is interesting!"

This fierce victory, along with the legendary arrival of the Green Knights, spread like wildfire from Lonely Rock Farm. The bards quickly composed new ballads about the battle, which were sung in taverns, markets, and outposts. The ballads not only praised Albert and Thorgan's bravery but also repeatedly chanted the key lines: "When the oath stands, the army of the mist arrives, to vanquish the enemy for the loyal!"

This is not just a story, but also irrefutable evidence that Lord Su Li's rule brought more than just bountiful harvests to the Black Forest Territory; it also provided tangible and unimaginable protection.

The reactions of all the villages and manors that heard the news were remarkably consistent. First came an unparalleled sense of security and pride—behold, our lord is so extraordinary that even ancient spirits have answered his call! Second came an even more urgent need for practical action.

"Quick! Order another batch of Stoneskin Pumpkins! Double the thickness of that section of the wall on the east side!" Old Morgan from Oak Village shouted to the village chief immediately after hearing the bard's chant. "The lord has given us such good things, we can't waste them! We must defend our home firmly!"

While offering condolences to the families of the fallen, Sir Custer of Stonehoof firmly ordered: "Fortify the town walls and add more arrow towers. Next time, we cannot rely solely on patrols arriving in time; we must also rely on our own stronger shields and sharper spears—and, of course, the Lord's protection." His words resonated with the townspeople.

An unprecedented confidence is taking root in the hearts of the people of the Hessian Territory.

They still faced this despairing world, still had to contend with endless waves of monsters. But everything was different now.

In the past, defensive fortifications were merely passive bulwarks, a last-ditch struggle in despair. Now, however, applying stone-skin pumpkin paste, raising walls, and digging trenches have taken on a new meaning—they are active actions in response to their lord's call to action and to fortify their homeland; they are efforts to win that "possible miracle." They are more proactive in procuring and cultivating stone-skin pumpkins, striving in every way possible to enhance their defenses.

Because they knew they were not alone in fighting the darkness. The sky above them might not only send reinforcements from their lord, but also, in the darkest hour, a silent guardian of the mist might descend. This belief greatly boosted morale throughout the border regions.

Each rumor of the Green Knight's appearance further strengthened the people's support for Su Li. This support was no longer based on gratitude for tax relief or a bountiful harvest, but had evolved into a loyalty and trust bordering on faith. They believed that as long as Lord Su Li remained, as long as the Spear of Oath stood on the land of Black Forest, hope would never be extinguished.

The bountiful harvest brought sustenance and abundance, while this omnipresent yet mysteriously powerful protection brought courage and cohesion. Su Li's name, in every corner of the Black Forest Territory, was gradually transforming him from an excellent ruler into a legendary guardian. His rule truly made this land resilient and strong from the inside out, capable of facing any challenge from this cruel world.

Although the territory still faces the eternal siege of the evil faction, and all sorts of greenskins, goblins, and monsters roam outside the villages and in the fields, even the most remote villages are no longer isolated and helpless. The lord's rule and the church's influence surround them and are always with them.

Even the most ignorant serfs clearly felt that their fate was so closely linked to the lord's glory, and that their lives were so profoundly influenced by their lord.

(End of this chapter)