Knight Lord: Start with Daily Intelligence.

Chapter 519 The Generous and Strategic Grace of the Goddess
As Su Li finished inspecting the treasury area, the grand banquet and war merit announcements in the Forbidden City finally came to an end.

But the final chapter of the triumphant march must be played in the sacred land. The next day, as the rising sun bathed every brick and stone of the Black Forest Territory's capital in its golden light, Su Li led the core of the expeditionary force and the territorial officials on a pilgrimage to the summit of Green Leaf Hills—the Temple of the Blazing Sun.

Early in the morning, Su Li obtained the crucial intelligence for the day!

[The Goddess's Generosity: Today's midday sacrifice carries far greater significance than the ordinary. You have brought not merely victory over a single army, but a complete purge and end of all major evil forces in the entire Orca region—the Greenskins, Chaos, Skaven, and even the Undead. Such an achievement will greatly please the Sun Goddess, who governs strategy and war. She has cast her gaze upon you. If you can present the victory of this "Holy Crusade" in its most appropriate manner, the blessings promised by the goddess will far surpass those of the past. She will not hesitate to show her favor, and the [Blessing of the Sun - Mark of Triumph] imprinted on your soul will receive unprecedented enhancement, its effects depending on the order of your sacrifices. The order of sacrifices will determine the characteristics of the [Mark of Triumph].] Offering the head of Grudog the Skullbreaker and the Battle Axe of the Citybreaker: The insignia will emphasize [Assault and Deterrence], significantly increasing the effectiveness against enemy elites and command nodes, and inflicting a crushing defeat on weaker enemies. Offering the Nurgle Armor and the Chaos Banner: The insignia will emphasize [Resilience and Purification], greatly enhancing the army's resistance to corruption, plague, and chaotic energy, and inspiring a stronger fighting spirit in dire situations. Offering the Skaven Engineer's Power Claw and the Tome of Sorcery: The insignia will emphasize [Insight and Adaptability], improving the ability to detect tricks and traps, and slightly increasing the army's movement and reaction speed in complex terrain. Carefully choose your sacrifice sequence; the first three will determine what weapons of war the goddess bestows upon you.

Therefore, the atmosphere of the team this time was completely different from that of the last great victory in Memory Valley. The solemnity of facing an unknown and powerful enemy was gone, replaced by a sense of dignity and high spirits as victors presented their achievements to the guardian deity.

At the heart of the group was the expeditionary force, forged in the crucible of war and now gleaming with armor. Led by Gilles and Constantine, all the knights who participated in the expedition, whether seasoned veterans or newly risen heroes like Bartorem, Kaslan, and Heinrich, donned their most magnificent and gleaming ceremonial armor.

The sun emblem of the Knights of the Sun and the crest of the Moonflower of the Knights of the Crimson Night shone like flames in the sunlight. They did not ride horses, but marched solemnly in orderly infantry formations, their iron boots clattering heavily and uniformly on the stone pavement, like the lingering echoes of war drums.

At the heart of this steel column were several vehicles draped in heavy black cloth, escorted by church priests and elite guards. Beneath the cloth lay the spoils to be offered to the goddess: the rune-bound head of Gruddog the Skullbreaker, his "Citybreaker" battleaxe symbolizing pure brute force, the twisted Nurgle armor, the blasphemous Chaos banner, the sorcery tomes, and all other trophies seized from the Greenskins and Chaos forces, imbued with evil concepts. Though initially purified and suppressed, their very existence was a challenge to the goddess's authority, requiring complete cleansing with holy fire.

Su Li walked at the head of the procession, wearing a lord's cloak embroidered with bauhinia flowers and the emblem of the blazing sun, his expression solemn and resolute. Patriarch Rong En and a group of high priests followed closely behind, chanting a low and solemn hymn.

Along the roadsides, crowds who had come to hear the news stood silently, their eyes filled with awe and gratitude as they gazed upon the army that had brought them unparalleled glory and the spoils of war symbolizing the destruction of their enemy. They drew the emblem of the blazing sun on their chests and prayed silently, a sacred and solemn atmosphere permeating the entire city.

The procession wound its way along the mountaintop and soon arrived safely at the Temple of the Blazing Sun. Passing through the golden procession of Black Forest Guard knights, they stepped into the familiar, magnificent forecourt known as "Radiant Plaza."

The sun shone brightly, piercing the crisp air and illuminating the entire square. The enormous stained-glass dome reflected a dazzling array of light, mirroring the eternally burning cauldron in the center of the square.

The offerings were carefully placed on a specially made stone platform in front of the sacred fire basin. The black cloth was lifted, revealing their grotesque or distorted original forms. Even after being processed, the combined aura of violence, decay, and blasphemy still made the air in the square momentarily still.

Patriarch Rongen donned his most solemn priestly robes, his sun crown gleaming in the sunlight. He led all the priests, facing the main temple with the utmost devotion.

"My lord, the offerings are ready, the ceremony may begin." Ron's voice echoed across the empty square.

Su Li nodded slightly and stepped towards the sacred cauldron. All eyes were on him—lords, commanders, generals, knights, priests, and all the high-ranking officials of the territory who had been granted special permission to attend the ceremony. An almost frozen solemnity filled the air.

Patriarch Ron began a long and ancient prayer, praising the goddess Violet for her wisdom, courage, and justice, and for the guidance she bestowed upon her believers in war and strategy. The songs and prayers echoed through the valley, coalescing into a powerful torrent of faith.

At noon, when the sun was at its most intense, as if responding to the call of the believers, an incredibly thick and condensed golden beam of light suddenly pierced through the stained glass dome and precisely enveloped the entire cauldron! The sacred fire in the cauldron seemed to be infused with life, bursting forth with a roar, transforming into a golden-red pillar of fire that connected heaven and earth, its radiance dazzling and blinding.

Su Li took a deep breath and stepped forward. His voice wasn't loud, but it contained the power of a lord and the conviction of a warrior, clearly reaching the ears of everyone present, seemingly even piercing through the barriers of the mortal world:
"In the name of Su Li, the Lord of Black Forest!"

"In the name of the devout defenders and victorious army under the command of Violet, the Goddess of the Sun!"

"We hereby present to you, Lord of War and Strategy, the glorious results of this sacred expedition!"

He calmly chose the order of the offerings, spread his arms, pointed to the spoils of war, and spoke with a voice as powerful and resounding as an epic verse:
"Behold! This is the skull of Grudog the Skullbreaker, the leader of the Greenskins, whose brute force once shook mountains, but now he has been slain!"

"This is the axe of the 'City Shatterer,' the embodiment of pure destruction. I now offer its ferocious battle intent to your holy fire!"

"This is the armor of the Nurgle, bearing plague and despair; now I offer its corrupt nature to your glory!"

"This is the banner of chaos, a symbol of blasphemy that flies high. I now offer its twisted will to your order!"

"All that is here was ended by the blood and courage of our soldiers, who purified the darkness and cleansed the evil!"

His gaze swept over the soldiers standing solemnly behind him, finally settling on the towering pillar of light:

"We give all victory and glory to you! Our swords are wielded for you! Our strategies succeed because of you! We humbly beseech the supreme Goddess of War to accept this sacrifice and bless your loyal warriors and people. May your blazing sun forever illuminate the Black Forest land, guiding our path and shattering all darkness!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Su Li suddenly waved his hand.

The priests and attendants, who were already prepared, threw the spoils of war one by one into the sacred fire that seemed to devour everything with utmost piety and solemnity!

The "City Crusher" battle axe was the first to be unleashed. This symbol of brute force emitted a resentful hum within the sacred flames. The remaining WAAAGH! energy transformed into a struggling green phantom, only to melt away like ice and snow in the holy flames. The axe's body rapidly turned crimson, its structure beginning to disintegrate. The suffocatingly savage aura was gradually refined and stripped away. Grudog's head followed closely behind, turning into a wisp of smoke in the flames, its final ferocity eternally purified.

When the Nurgle armor was thrown in, it made a "sizzling" corrosion sound, and foul-smelling black smoke tried to rise, but was mercilessly suppressed and burned away by the sacred fire. The pustules and proliferating tissues quickly carbonized and disappeared under the high temperature.

The Chaos Banner curled and charred in the flames, its blasphemous symbols writhing like living things, before finally turning to ashes in the blazing sun fire, its remaining malice completely evaporated.

Sorcery books, ratman armor, mutant weapons... each item carrying the concepts of darkness and chaos, like impurities thrown into a furnace, has its evil essence forcibly extracted and purified under the burning of the sacred fire, reduced to the most basic matter and energy.

Because the sacred fire had devoured so many high-quality, highly symbolic "evil concepts," it burned more fiercely than ever before. The color of the pillar of light gradually changed from golden red to a purer, more incandescent white, as if the goddess was personally conducting a grand purification and alchemy ritual with supreme power!

Just as the last piece of spoils was engulfed by the Olympic flame—

The blazing white beam of light suddenly contracted inward, as if compressing all the energy, all the achievements, and all the faith and will into a single point. Immediately afterward, a sacred storm swept across the entire Radiant Plaza!

It was not a destructive storm, but a tide of grace composed of pure light and divine runes!
The beam of light burst apart, transforming into countless fine streams of light, each possessing different qualities, as if they were alive, precisely searching for their targets.

First, there was the overwhelming blessing that enveloped the entire army: [Blessing of the Blazing Sun, Mark of Triumph, Destroyer of the Enemy!]: According to Su Li's choice, all the soldiers who participated in this expedition, whether they were present at the moment or not, as long as their hearts were with the Goddess and the Black Forest Territory, seemed to have a tiny phantom of the Blazing Sun Holy Emblem branded deep in their souls.

This mark is not a physical object, but it brings tangible benefits: all knights and armed squires who participated in the Holy Expedition have a significantly increased killing efficiency against enemy elite knights and commanders, and it also comes with a powerful shield that makes weaker enemies flee!
This is nothing short of a transformative baptism! Especially when the elite knights, their bodies ablaze with blazing flames, charge, it's as if they've unlocked the [Induce Fear] ability. If they successfully execute a decapitation strike, their side will instantly gain an overwhelming tactical advantage. This directly causes the enemy army to crumble and collapse before the knights' lances. Simultaneously, their resistance to plague, curses, and mental corruption is permanently increased; their morale is even higher, and their will as firm as steel, when fighting for Blackwood. Furthermore, their connection to the Sun Goddess's faith is strengthened, giving them a tactical advantage, making them harder to ambush or trap. They also receive a slight priority response and effect bonus when praying.

But that's not all; the goddess's generosity was on full display this time.

He not only rewarded the knights who participated in the expedition, but also bestowed unparalleled rewards upon Lord Su Li and the entire territory that supported the expedition.

[Temple of War - Strategic Resonance]: Centered on the Temple of the Blazing Sun, an invisible "strategic domain" has been strengthened and expanded. As long as this temple stands, uncorrupted by chaos, and unsubmerged and destroyed by waves of evil monsters, all commanders belonging to the Black Forest Territory will possess clearer tactical thinking, faster processing speed of battlefield information, and their orders will be more accurately understood and efficiently executed by their subordinates! The entire Black Forest Territory's military command system has undergone a thorough optimization and upgrade.

The moment the light flow merged, it was as if millions of miniature suns lit up simultaneously in Guangyao Square!

Every knight standing solemnly, regardless of the original color or style of their armor, was now enveloped in a soft yet resolute golden halo. This halo was not static, but undulated gently like breathing, resonating with the surging life force and unwavering faith within them. The sun crests or moon-crowned flower emblems on their breastplates seemed to be infused with real flames, shimmering and radiating a sacred majesty that dared not be looked upon directly.

Especially those heroes who distinguished themselves during the expedition and have already received special favors.

"Shield" Bartorem felt the phantom of the giant shield, which had long been intertwined with his soul, solidify once more, the light of the Sun Emblem on its surface burning brighter than ever before. This was the most typical characteristic of a champion-level character: the ability to form their own bloodline aura behind them, like Orstein, who once had a golden, fiery lion behind him.

Bartorem could even sense that this barrier, built of faith and grace, no longer protected only the front, but rather, like a faint halo, subtly enveloped a small area around him, shielding his comrades from stray arrows or energy shockwaves from the flanks. Standing there, he was like a small, mobile fortress, radiating a reassuring aura of stability.

Golden flames seemed to leap and burn in the eyes of "Sun Pioneer" Kaslan. His perception had been elevated to a whole new level. Without consciously concentrating, he could sense the subtlest energy flows in the air and "hear" whispers and disturbances carried on the distant wind, imperceptible to ordinary people. He even felt that the holy flames enveloping the blade of his "Twilight Judgment" longsword were more condensed and penetrating, its efficiency in purifying evil having undergone a qualitative leap. He was like a holy blade drawn from its sheath, its sharpness fully revealed, and no hidden darkness could hide before him.

Heinrich, the "Barrier of Desperation," underwent a more restrained yet equally astonishing transformation. He didn't radiate a dazzling light; instead, he seemed to merge with his surroundings, the ground beneath his feet, and the soldiers beside him. His eyes deepened, like unfathomable pools, reflecting the entire plaza and even the distant landscape. When he slightly closed his eyes, a three-dimensional "situation map" naturally appeared in his mind, centered on him and encompassing a certain area. Enemy and friendly positions, morale levels, and terrain advantages and disadvantages were all clearly presented in an almost intuitive way. This wasn't a skill he actively activated, but a constant, passive perception that allowed him to grasp the overall battlefield situation instantly and make the most accurate judgments in any situation. He stood there, silent as a mountain, yet it seemed he controlled every movement within a hundred meters.

It wasn't just them. All the soldiers of the expeditionary force felt the change within themselves. Exhaustion vanished, old wounds seemed completely healed, and strength flowed joyfully through their limbs. More importantly, an invisible bond connected them more closely to one another, to the goddess they worshipped, and to the lord they served. They could feel the fighting spirit and determination of their comrades, and understand more smoothly every subtle instruction from their commander. This army, tempered by blood and fire, was now baptized by divine light, truly becoming a unified whole, working in perfect harmony!

At the same time, the Temple of the Blazing Sun behind them also underwent a miraculous change that was visible to the naked eye!

The temple's already pristine white stone walls now seemed to be coated with a layer of flowing liquid gold. The ancient runes and icons originally carved on the walls appeared to have been redrawn, their lines becoming clearer and deeper, radiating a soft and constant glow. Especially the massive stained-glass dome of the main hall, with its patterns depicting the goddess leading a victorious war—seemed to come alive, light flowing within it, and a holy figure appearing as if it might step out of the light at any moment.

The entire temple was no longer merely a magnificent building; it resembled a sacred entity with life and will! The radiance of its "strategic domain" spread outwards from the temple like ripples on water, and the range and intensity of its influence were clearly significantly enhanced compared to before the sacrifice. Standing within this strengthened domain, even ordinary soldiers felt exceptionally clear-headed, with improved understanding and execution of combat strategies.

Patriarch Ronne trembled with emotion as he gazed at the miraculous scene before him, at the knights bathed in divine grace like celestial warriors descended from heaven, at the sacred temple seemingly touched and renewed by the hand of a goddess. Tears blurred his vision once more. He raised his arms high and, with all his might, let out a cry, choked with sobs yet incredibly loud:

"Divine grace is as vast as the sea! The sun shines eternally! Long live Black Forest! Long live the Lord!"

This shout was like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, instantly creating huge waves!
All the knights, priests, spectators, and even the soldiers on guard duty who witnessed all of this could no longer contain their shock, excitement, and piety; it erupted like a volcano!

"Divine grace is as vast as the sea! The sun shines eternally!"

"Long live the Black Forest! Long live the Lord!"

A deafening roar of cheers surged into the sky, intertwining with the sacred radiance emanating from the temple, soaring straight into the heavens, as if even the barriers of the celestial realm were about to be shaken by the faith and power gathered in this mortal world!

But the divine grace is boundless and clearly goes far beyond this! The goddess Violet, the lord of war and strategy, never hesitates to bestow her rewards upon her followers who have achieved glorious victories!
Amid the cheers of the believers, the blazing white light of the sacred cauldron burned even more intensely! But this time, it was no longer a spreading stream of light, but rather like an invisible divine craftsman, using light as its material to forge precisely and swiftly above the sacred cauldron!
The first to be completely solidified in the sacred fire were three physical battle flags, each embodying a different sacred concept and possessing magnificent and powerful patterns! Their flagpoles were cast from platinum, and their flags were made of a strange material woven from light, meticulously embroidered with a unique emblem centered on a blazing sun pattern and elegantly surrounded by sacred lilies—this was the sacred emblem of Violet, the goddess of the sun.

[Banner of Triumphant Sun] (Chosen Banner): This banner is the grandest, with a golden sun emblem dominating the center, radiating light, and surrounded by a wreath of pure white holy lilies, symbolizing supreme victory achieved under the guidance of the goddess. It exudes a powerful inspiring force; when it stands on the battlefield, it significantly boosts the morale, fighting spirit, and resistance to fear effects of all Blackforest troops within its field of vision, and effectively suppresses the morale of enemy units. It is the supreme symbol of the legion's offensive and decisive victory!

[Sacred Bastion Banner] (Chosen Banner): This banner has a more serene background, with a sun emblem inlaid in the shield shape of a sacred lily, radiating an indestructible protective glow. It grants the wielder and a large number of friendly units around them a powerful defensive bonus, significantly improving blocking efficiency and resistance to knockback, and can form a weak positive energy barrier to continuously offset some of the damage from ranged attacks. This banner is the absolute core for consolidating the front line and resisting the onslaught of powerful enemies; its ownership symbolizes the legion's most steadfast defensive duty.

【Dawn's Light Banner】(Chosen Banner): The banner's design features the first rays of sunlight piercing the dawn sky, subtly blended with outstretched petals of a sacred lily, embodying divine power of insight and swiftness. This banner enhances the movement speed, battlefield mobility, and awareness of traps, illusions, and concealed enemies for all friendly units within its area of ​​effect. It is a powerful tool for guiding surprise attacks and clearing the fog of war, representing precise strikes and tactical flexibility guided by strategy.

These three powerful battle flags, representing different battlefield functions, fluttered in the air, radiating a sacred and awe-inspiring energy. They were not tailor-made for any one person, but rather were the goddess's enhancement and blessing of the Black Forest Territory's overall military strength on different levels, awaiting Su Li to bestow upon the most suitable legion or commander based on future strategic needs.

Immediately afterwards, powerful personal weapons began to coalesce within the sacred flame!
A [Purifier's Warhammer] (a Chosen Weapon), its entire body ablaze with pure holy flames, slowly flew out. The hammerhead seemed to be composed of solidified holy light, and the handle was entwined with silver lily branches. It exuded an aura of extreme restraint against the undead, demons, and chaotic creatures, and naturally flew towards Constantine. This warhammer would perfectly align with his mission of purification, greatly enhancing his ability to channel the divine fire of the sun and burn away impurities.

A set of ancient-looking yet imposing [Sun Guardian Plate Armor] (Chosen Armor) materialized in the light. The armor was engraved with a defensive array resembling dwarven runes but also featuring patterns of the Sun's Hundred Peaks, and the joints shimmered with a lava-like luster.

However, what is most eye-catching is not these powerful weapons, but a "Holy Relic of Glory" that slowly rose from the core of the sacred flame, emanating a regular power fluctuation!
The sacred flames surged, and a colossal object gradually materialized. This was a gigantic pendulum that required a specially designed vehicle for transport—the [Goddess Strategic Pendulum]. It was the largest relic of glory that Su Li had ever seen.

The pendulum's base is a heavy metal frame, topped with a sculpture of Violet, the goddess of the sun, standing solemnly on the battlefield, sword in hand, her gaze lowered as if surveying the entire battle. The pendulum's fulcrum is located beneath the goddess's statue, connected to a nearly three-meter-long main arm crafted from dark metal. At the arm's end is a heavy counterweight engraved with intricate sun motifs and sacred lilies. The entire pendulum structure is ancient and sturdy, exuding a heavy weight and a subtle, restrained energy.

It was securely mounted on a specially made, heavy oak cart pulled by four strong draft horses, becoming a mobile relic and command center.

At the same time, his effect was also perceived by Priestess Rong'en. The patriarch of the territory, the Goddess of the Sun, spoke to Su Li with an uncontrollable tremor and piety:

"My lord! The goddess has bestowed unparalleled grace! This [Goddess Strategic Pendulum] is the embodiment of her war will on earth! When it moves with our army, its natural swing can soothe the soldiers, boost their morale, make our army march faster, and make our lines more stable."

He took a deep breath and continued explaining, his tone becoming increasingly serious:
"When our army engages in battle with a powerful enemy, at the crucial moment that determines victory or defeat, a powerful knight or commander can guide its power and set its swing direction according to the needs of the battle—if it points towards our army, it can forge an 'impregnable wall,' making the defense line as solid as a rock; if it points towards the enemy, it can transform into an 'arrow,' making the offensive invincible; if it is made to swing widely, it can spread 'order,' dispel evil magic, and stabilize the morale of the army! Although the pendulum needs time to recover after each use of its great power, at this moment, it is the cornerstone of our army's victory!"

Listening to Patriarch Rong En's introduction and feeling the immense power contained in the pendulum that could influence the course of the battle, Su Li felt a surge of ambition in his chest. Such divine grace should be sacrificed with the defeat of the enemy!
The power that the Black Forest Territory has been accumulating for so long is now ready to be clearly seen by the entire border princely territory, no, by all those who covet this land!
He whirled around, his gaze sweeping over the generals and knights below, all ecstatic with divine grace. His voice was clear and resolute, like the beating of a war drum:
"Pass on my order! The entire army shall immediately begin final preparations! March towards the Swamp Territory! We must use this victory to tell everyone that under the skies of the North, only the banner of the Black Forest Territory will never waver!"

"Yes, my lord!" The thunderous response echoed through the sky, and at this moment, the gears of war were completely driven forward by the divine grace and the lord's will.

(End of this chapter)