Knight Lord: Start with Daily Intelligence.

Chapter 512 The Opportunity and Rich Results of the Era of Oak

After saying this, Edmund changed the subject, his tone becoming more serious: "Speaking of Uros cattle, we must mention those reckless Zani people this autumn. As you know, seeing that our main force, especially Lord Saint Lily Knight Hilde, led a large number of troops to the Swamp Territory, they assumed that the northern defenses of our Blacksene Territory were weak. They gathered more than a dozen tribes, calling themselves the 'Alliance of the Sons of the Mountains,' and rode their Uros cattle down the mountain like a swarm of locusts, intending to plunder our farms and pastures."

"However, Marshal Orstein had anticipated this." Edmund's tone was full of admiration for the Marshal. "He did not panic and recall the elite troops to the front lines. Instead, he made full use of the 'hiding troops among the people' strategy promoted by Your Excellency. He quickly assembled a militia composed of retired armed squires from various places, the provincial standing army from various towns, and supplemented it with a small number of elite knights left behind as the core and supervisory force, setting up a solid pocket around Heimaitun."

"The battle was a foregone conclusion," Edmund stated succinctly, his eyes gleaming with victory. "Those Zanis had nothing but brute force and fierce mounts; they were utterly undisciplined and lacked any strategy. Their charges were thwarted by our spear formations and pre-set traps, and their attempts to outflank them were met with well-prepared militia crossbowmen. As their morale began to crumble, Marshal Erstein personally led an elite counter-charge of knights, completely shattering their formation."

"The next two weeks will be the real harvest time." Edmund's voice was tinged with excitement, clearly overjoyed by the great victory. "Our army pressed on with the victory, penetrating deep into the southern foothills of the Black Mountains, and completely annihilated the Zani tribe that participated in this raid. Their camp was burned down, their winter supplies of dried meat and cheese were confiscated, and their totem poles were toppled..."

He reported a series of exciting victories:

"In this battle, our army beheaded more than 800 people, most of whom were tribal warriors who put up a last-ditch resistance. More importantly, we captured nearly 2,000 Zani people, including their women, children and artisans. This is an unprecedentedly large slave harvest in the Black Forest Territory! These slaves are strong and resistant to the cold, making them an excellent resource for developing mines, building roads and fortresses, or enriching the manor's labor force."

"The spoils were incredibly abundant: over three thousand live Uros cattle (already incorporated into the territory's herds), mountains of rough but thick hides, a large quantity of handcrafted bronze ornaments and weapons (though poorly made, they would still be good raw materials for melting down), and various exotic herbs, ores, and animal bones scavenged from the tribal shaman's tent (already handed over to the alchemy workshop and mage tower for appraisal). And of course, most importantly—"

Edmund pointed to the armored oxen in the enclosure: "—We discovered these 'big guys' grazing leisurely while sweeping through an ancient tribe in a very secluded valley. The tribe seemed to regard them as some kind of totem and did not fully tame them for labor, only offering them food periodically. The marshal considered them extremely valuable and ordered them all captured, along with their docile calves, and sent here."

“In this way,” Edmund concluded, “the Zani’s raid not only failed to harm my Hessian territory in the slightest, but also brought us much-needed labor, livestock, supplies, and these pack animals with immense potential. Marshal Orstein asked me to tell you that the northern border will be free from large-scale threats for at least the next few years.”

Su Li listened, a satisfied smile spreading across his face. This was the victory he desired—not only to repel the enemy, but also to gain tangible benefits from it, using war to fuel further war, making the Black Forest Territory stronger through the tempering of blood and fire. The arrival of these armored oxen and Zani slaves was the perfect embodiment of this strategy.

At the same time, he was all too aware of what logistics meant for an army. The saying "an army marches on its stomach" applies here; with these armored oxen, the Hessian army's sustained combat capability and strategic projection range would experience a qualitative leap!

"Excellent! What a 'super strong worker'!" Su Li clapped his hands and laughed. "This is the true backbone that can support the legion's expedition! Edmund, this work is of great significance, no less than forming a new knightly order! Food supply is not a problem; the agriculture of Black Forest Territory is sufficient! I want you to spare no expense to expand the population of armored oxen as soon as possible and establish a complete breeding and domestication system. In the future, I hope that behind every one of my main legions can be a mobile logistical fortress composed of armored oxen!"

He could already see that in future battles, while the enemy's logistics still relied on fragile horse-drawn carts and wobbly packhorses, the army of the Black Forest would have a steady and reliable supply of these steel behemoths—what a tremendous advantage that would be!

The military machine of the Black Forest Territory is gradually becoming more powerful in all aspects, from its charging fangs and soaring claws to its burdened spine.

Upon hearing Su Li's plans for the armored bull, Edmund's face showed deep agreement. He continued Su Li's line of thought, his tone brimming with a noticeable sense of accomplishment:

"Your Excellency is farsighted; the armored oxen will surely become a solid support for our army. In addition to these newly discovered species, we have also made unprecedented and remarkable progress in the domestication of existing monsters, especially in the Griffin Forest."

His voice rose slightly, tinged with excitement: "Thanks to the peaceful yet powerful life force emanating from the Tree of Life, and the application of some universal soothing techniques from the Titan Codex, the magical winds in the Griffin Forest area have become more stable and orderly than ever before. This has made the half-griffins in the forest... well, relatively 'reasonable'."

"Now, as long as a knight has enough courage and skill to enter the forest and demonstrate his strength and goodwill, the probability of successfully taming a half-griffin as a companion has greatly increased," Edmund reported, but then cautiously added, "Of course, risks still exist; there are still unfortunate ones who get torn apart by talons or thrown off cliffs, but their numbers are less than a tenth of what they used to be. In the past few months alone, we have successfully added twelve more tamed half-griffins! That's almost equivalent to the total number added in the past few months! Our half-griffin knights are growing in strength at an astonishing rate."

At this point, Edmund's expression became particularly solemn, even with a hint of awe: "However, of all the achievements of domestication, the most astonishing and the most worthy of celebration do not come from our Pastoral Garden, but from the Church of the Blazing Sun."

He paused slightly, as if to emphasize how extraordinary the following news was: "His Excellency Ron, the Patriarch of the Church of the Blazing Sun, recently ventured into the most treacherous nesting area of ​​the Griffin Forest and successfully tamed an incredibly rare and powerful tiger-striped griffin!"

“My lord, that is far beyond what an ordinary half-griffin can be compared to!” Edmund’s description was full of imagery. “It is nearly twice the size of the largest half-griffin, and its wingspan, when fully extended, is enough to cast a small shadow. Its fur is not the usual tawny, but a bright gold like the purest sunlight, covered with majestic and flowing deep black stripes, like a perfect combination of a tiger and an eagle, hence the name ‘Tiger Stripe’.”

“Most astonishingly,” Edmund emphasized, “its flight altitude, speed, and endurance far surpass those of its kind, and its roar is like thunder, capable of intimidating all beasts. Its sharp claws and beak are said to be able to easily tear through thick steel plates, and its eyes are sharp as torches, as if they contain the divine power of the blazing sun itself.”

"His Excellency Rong En named it 'Wings of the Sun.' Now, His Excellency the Patriarch rides this sacred and powerful creature, his very image becoming a tangible symbol of the Sun's faith in the world, greatly boosting the morale of the people and believers. This is not only a demonstration of the Church's power, but also signifies that the high-end aerial combat power of my Black Forest Territory has gained a guardian comparable to a dragon!"

This news moved Su Li deeply. Patriarch Rong En's taming of the tiger-striped griffin was not only a testament to his personal strength, but also a symbol of the close relationship and shared power between the Church of the Blazing Sun and the Lord's Mansion. Its political and military significance was no less than that of acquiring a new knightly order.

The skies over the Black Forest Territory are becoming increasingly crowded, yet also increasingly safe—in a way that is increasingly dangerous to the enemy, of course.

Edmund's face beamed with barely suppressed joy. He stepped forward, his voice trembling slightly with excitement, and reported another breakthrough that might have even greater far-reaching significance:

"My lord, if taming adult behemoths has strengthened our current claws, then this next achievement will ensure that the skies of Blackforest will never be lonely!" He took a deep breath and continued, "Even more fortunate is that the ancient knowledge of 'life resonance' and 'bloodline continuation' in the Titan Codex, combined with the selfless assistance provided by the Church of Dawn, is fundamentally changing the predicament of the difficulty in artificially breeding half-griffins, griffins, and even pegasus!"

“In the past, these powerful magical creatures found it extremely difficult to mate successfully and produce healthy offspring in artificial environments, which severely hampered the growth of our aerial power. But now, the situation is different!” Edmund’s eyes gleamed with excitement. “The secret code provides methods to guide them into estrus, select the best mates, and optimize the gestation environment. The priestesses of the Church of Dawn have played a crucial role, casting exquisite life spells—[Blessing of Harvest] and [Light of Tranquility]—to precisely regulate the endocrine system of the female beasts, soothe their agitated emotions, and infuse the embryos with pure life energy, greatly increasing the chances of conception and embryo survival!”

He reported an exciting number: "Currently, in our secret breeding base, a total of seven precious female animals have been confirmed to have successfully conceived! This includes three and a half griffins, two pegasus, and even one of the most ferocious horse vultures! They have all received the most meticulous and comprehensive care."

Edmund looked to the future with hope: "This means that as long as we can get through this war cycle safely and provide them with a stable environment, by next spring, the Black Forest Territory will likely welcome more than twenty healthy behemoth cubs and pegasus foals! This will be an unprecedented explosive growth, enough to build a truly organized air force, entirely bred on our own soil!"

“And this is just the beginning,” he added. “As long as this technology continues to be used, our giant beast breeding will enter a virtuous cycle. In the future, the number of griffin riders will no longer be subject to the luck of capturing them in the wild, but will depend on our breeding and propagation! This will be one of the cornerstones of my Black Forest Territory for generations to come!”

Listening to Edmund's report, Su Li felt even more shocked and joyful than when he heard about taming the tiger-striped griffin. Taming adult monsters provides immediate combat power, but mastering breeding techniques means mastering the source of power!

This means that the Hessian Commandery can establish a stable and reliable behemoth breeding system, freeing itself from dependence on wild capture and truly achieving autonomy and large-scale air power. Its strategic value cannot be overstated.

"Excellent! Excellent!" Su Li couldn't help but exclaim again, "Emond, and the priestesses of the Church of Dawn, you have made unparalleled contributions! The significance of this achievement far surpasses the victory of a battle! All participants must be given the highest level of reward!"

He had already begun to imagine the future skies of Blackwood filled with flocks of native griffins and pegasus, darkening the sky. What a magnificent sight that would be! The foundation of Blackwood was being forged into an incredibly solid foundation by these seemingly insignificant yet crucial technological breakthroughs.

"Pass down the order," Su Li immediately instructed, "Raise the security level here in Linyu Town to the highest level. Provide unlimited supplies of all necessary resources! I want to ensure that every pregnant female beast can successfully give birth to healthy cubs!"

After inspecting the exhilarating achievements of the Pasture, Su Li and Edmund strolled to the foot of the majestic Tree of Life. The golden canopy of the sacred tree cast a soft glow, and the pure, ancient winds of Giron surged like a warm tide, soothing the soul. In this vibrant core, Su Li's expression became remarkably relaxed, even tinged with a playful casualness. He took out a charred, twisted fragment of an ancient oak staff from a specially made container and weighed it in his hand.

“We have to give it a try, right?” He smiled at Edmund and the others who had rushed over, as if he were holding not a relic with ten thousand years of history, but just a special tree branch.

He walked to the thick trunk of the Tree of Life, and without much hesitation, he found a spot with natural grain and forcefully inserted the charred broken piece into it, even patting it with his palm to make it more secure.

The surroundings fell silent instantly. All the elves and druids held their breath, their eyes fixed intently on the point of contact, anticipating a miracle.

One second, two seconds, ten seconds...

The Tree of Life still radiated a soft glow, and the winds of Giron still flowed gently, but the charred remains of the staff remained unchanged. Like a truly dead piece of charcoal, it stubbornly rejected all life from the outside world, incompatible with the vibrant life energy around it.

After a long silence, a low, barely suppressed sigh escaped from the crowd. Fandall shook his head, his face filled with an expression of "I knew it." He stepped forward, his tone tinged with deep regret: "My lord, your idea is good, but... the Oak of Ages, what a sacred existence it is. Its essence has long transcended the realm of ordinary wood. How can it be brought back to life simply by grafting a fruit tree? Moreover, it has been defiled, burned, and polished into a staff for ten thousand years... The last trace of vitality within it has probably long since dissipated."

The other elves nodded in agreement, their eyes dimming. To plant a magical staff in another tree like a twig, hoping it would come to life, was indeed far too... fanciful. The mystery and sublimity of life were far more complex than that.

Su Li stroked his chin, looking at the unresponsive, charred wooden stick, but he wasn't particularly disappointed. He'd been back for so long, and the intelligence system hadn't updated its information on this topic at all.

But he was optimistic by nature, and shrugged, saying, "It's alright, perhaps it's just not the right time yet. It's autumn and winter now, when everything is dormant, even the growth of the Tree of Life has slowed down. Maybe it needs more time to 'adapt' to its new home, and needs a special opportunity, such as a spring rain containing pure energy, or a specific ray of moonlight?"

The more he talked, the more likely it seemed, nodding to himself: "Yes, maybe that's it. It needs to slowly and thoroughly merge with the Tree of Life, absorb enough nutrients, and recall its instincts as a tree... In short, no rush."

So he truly stopped caring about it. That priceless, extraordinary remnant of the artifact was left there, like an ordinary, strange branch stuck in a tree by a child, its charred end deeply embedded in the trunk of the Tree of Life, which flowed with golden sap.

Days passed, and Forest Whisper Town prospered. Beneath the Tree of Life, elven children often chased and played, druids meditated in quiet contemplation, and lovers whispered sweet nothings to each other. No one would pay special attention to the inconspicuous half-charred, withered branch, as if struck by lightning, embedded in the towering, radiant trunk of the sacred tree.

It sat there quietly, as if it were part of the Tree of Life, an insignificant, old scar. Only a very few who knew the truth would cast a complicated glance at it as they passed by, silently sighing at the glory and loss buried by time.

No one knows whether this seemingly casual act, this secret hidden deep within the ancient tree of life from the distant past, will one day await a destined opportunity, or be awakened by a being with a special destiny. Perhaps then, the soul of the sacred tree, dormant for millennia, will beat once more, and the true bud of the ancient oak will break through its charred shell, bathing in the sunlight of a new era.

But for now, it remains silent, accumulating, waiting. Hope, like the deepest seed, often lies dormant in the most inconspicuous corner.

As the bountiful autumn harvest draws to a close, the Black Forest Territory does not fall silent as the weather turns cold; instead, it is immersed in a fulfilling and busy atmosphere of "perfect farming."

The Tree of Life in Forestwhisper Town still radiates warm energy, warding off the autumn chill and ensuring the newly transplanted magical plants and the creatures in the beast-taming enclosure survive the winter. The first batch of war mastiff cubs are thriving under careful care, their growls already showing signs of intimidation. Griffins and their riders occasionally sweep across the sky, aerial patrols becoming a regular occurrence.

In the dwarven workshops of Hessenberg, the furnaces burned day and night, clanging and clattering. Using metal seized from the Zani people and high-quality iron ore produced within the territory, sets of fine armor and weapons were forged, arming the ever-growing army. The master blacksmiths even began experimenting with embedding runes in powdered "holy lightning-struck wood" to create experimental magical weapons.

Granaries on farms across the land were overflowing with pearl wheat and steel wheat, the aroma of smoked fish wafted from the workshops, and newly brewed spirits were fermenting in the cellars. Two thousand slaves from the Zani tribe were effectively organized; some were sent to the mines, some began constructing paved roads leading to Linyu Town and the border outposts according to plan, and others were responsible for tending to the large herds of Uros cattle and the precious armored yaks.

Along the border, the Knights and patrols from various regions vigilantly patrolled, clearing out scattered beastman warbands and goblin scouts. Marshal Erstein's victory ensured that there would be no large-scale invasions by foreign enemies throughout the autumn and winter seasons.

Everything seemed orderly and full of hope. Su Li handled government affairs and inspected progress daily, watching his territory steadily grow stronger and more prosperous under his plan, his heart filled with the satisfaction of a cultivator seeing fruitful results. This was a period of accumulating strength, calm but not stagnant, like roots growing vigorously beneath the snow.

However, this peaceful and efficient farming life was suddenly shattered on a cold morning.

Su Li had just finished his morning practice and was about to have breakfast when the door to his palace was suddenly pushed open, without even the usual announcement. His high-ranking attendant, Vice-Chief Steward Tiberius, practically rushed in. This rogue knight, known for his erratic and unpredictable behavior, was now flushed, breathing rapidly, and clutching a letter with a golden eagle feather inserted—a symbol of the highest priority and extremely good news—tightly in his hand.

"My lord! Great news! God bless the Black Forest Territory!" Tiberius's voice was hoarse and trembling with extreme excitement. He even forgot to bow and held the letter high above his head.

Su Li paused slightly, then put down her wine glass. News that could cause Tiberius to lose his composure like this was certainly no ordinary matter.

"Calm down, Tiberius, what happened?" Su Li asked in a deep voice, but he already had a vague premonition.

"The Empire... the Empire's Holy Great Expedition! It's over!" Tiberius almost shouted. "Our expeditionary force from the Black Forest Territory! The main force! Has returned! Finally returned!"

He was so excited he was almost incoherent: "Lady Hilder! It's a messenger from Lady Hilder, the Holy Lily Knight! She's rushed back from the front lines of the Swamp Territory! The letter says she's met our triumphant army on the northern edge of the Swamp Territory, near the Twilight Mountains! The main force of nearly five thousand men is completely unharmed! She has dispatched her most elite knights to escort them back to the territory! It's expected... it's expected they'll arrive in Blackwood City in about half a month!"

After saying this, he almost collapsed as he presented the precious letter, his chest heaving violently, his eyes glistening with unbelievable tears of ecstatic joy.

Su Li suddenly stood up, snatched the letter, and quickly scanned it for Hilder's elegant yet firm handwriting and the unique seal of the Black Forest Army.

Confirmed!

In an instant, an immense, indescribable joy washed over him like a warm current. The sacred Great Expedition, which the Empire had spent years on and mobilized the entire empire's strength, had finally come to an end! And the five thousand soldiers he had sent from Black Forest Territory had actually returned alive from that meat grinder-like battlefield! This was not only the return of five thousand veterans tempered in blood and fire, but also the reunion of thousands of families, and an epic enhancement of Black Forest Territory's military strength!
"Good! Good! Good!" Su Li said "good" three times in a row, her face beaming with an incredibly bright smile. The calm of the past few days was completely shattered by this sudden burst of joy.

He looked out the window at the Black Forest Territory bathed in the morning light, his voice filled with strength and anticipation: "They're back! They've finally returned! Send the order to prepare a grand triumphant ceremony! I want to personally welcome our heroes home!"

The sharpest sword of the Black Forest Territory has finally ended its long expedition and is about to be sheathed. This sword, saturated with the blood of chaos, will surely carve out an even wider world for the Black Forest Territory's future expansion!
The peaceful farming season has ended. With the return of the expeditionary force, a new and more powerful force is about to be injected into the body of Black Forest Territory, propelling it into the next, even more magnificent chapter.

(End of this chapter)