Heroes of Might and Magic: Grand Consul

Chapter 368 Knight's Trial
The establishment of Congress was naturally met with city-wide celebration, and taverns were opened free of charge for a day for everyone to enjoy drinks.

Dance troupes and acrobatic troupes took to the streets to create a lively atmosphere. The most practical benefit was that all purchases at the market were free of charge, all taxes were waived, and free citizens received a month's worth of food and three days' double pay.

Although the yield of food in the world of heroes is very high, since the war, the lower classes have barely managed to feed themselves. There are relief stations in the city, otherwise many refugees would starve to death.

This might cost some of the treasury's funds, but since it's a celebration, let's give out some real benefits instead of just empty slogans.

In fact, the people below have very simple thoughts: if you can provide gold coins and fine wine, and create a stable environment, I will naturally support you.

Otherwise, if you only talk about faith, loyalty, and chivalry, but you're starving every day and can't even support your wife and children, even the greatest enthusiasm will be extinguished.

Kuraki was celebrating, while Forrest continued building the remaining structures, but an important trial was now on the agenda: the test of the knight hero.

Currently, there are three most suitable candidates for Kuraki. Pelayo and Goode are two knight commanders who were selected a long time ago.

Another was Gene Lake, the knight commander under Conrad, who was ordered to go south to support the valley. As a result, he was separated from the knight commander forever. He wanted to avenge the knight commander, but was labeled a rumor-monger by the Congress. Helpless, he fled to Kuraki and was protected by Sumu.

After Sumu conquered Winter City and killed Somra's clone, Gene swore allegiance to Kuraki, so he also prepared to give it a try.

The test was simple: to be promoted to Wind Erosion Knight, ride an iron-blooded warhorse, and take a journey through a dream world.

However, it is also quite dangerous in some ways, because this astrological month is a lunar eclipse, and if one enters a dream, one may encounter unpredictable events.

Risk can also be an opportunity. Su Mu can use his governing skills to create opportunities for advancement in his dreams. This may be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the three leaders. It remains to be seen whether they can overcome it.

Of course, this was inseparable from the assistance of the Eight Kings Palace, and Su Mu also paid some price, but he felt it was worth it in order to select new knight heroes.

The three leaders entered the dream at the same time. This dream area was jointly constructed by Maggie and Su Mu. It was located in the brand-new equestrian training ground, and there were also dozens of newly recruited Wind Erosion Knights. Everyone watched their challenge selection together.

Kuraki's heroes were also present, and after the joyful time spent with the people, they naturally became more interested in who would be their next colleague.

Those heroes who are truly under the rule know that there is still a vacancy in the Hall of Eight Kings, waiting for a new knight hero, which shows how much the lord values ​​him.

This makes sense, though. The higher the troop type, the harder it is to promote to hero. While the most common class for castle heroes is knight, that's a completely different matter from a hero who excels at knighthood. Over the years, there have only been a handful of truly high-level heroes, while there are countless archers and spearmen with similar specializations, demonstrating the difficulty involved.

Despite having three knight commanders, promotion is still extremely difficult.

Logically speaking, Pelayo is the most talented, and his performance has been outstanding after many trials. Even though he was depressed for a period of time, his overall performance was excellent. As for Goode, he has full cavalry spirit and is good at training warhorses. He personally trained the Ironblood warhorse, so he should have a great chance. Moreover, the lord has high hopes for him. At first, Gene seemed to be just a runner-up, but he fought alongside the Knight Commander in many battles and experienced the most battles, so he was more experienced.

The three each possess unique strengths, making it difficult to distinguish between them. Therefore, Su Mu gave them all equal opportunities, prioritizing the most capable. Whoever advanced to hero status would be nurtured as a core hero.

With the skills of governance, they are guaranteed to shine.

But the prerequisite is that they can pass the test.

As the mesmerizing dream descended, the three cavalry commanders entered without hesitation.

Maggie is responsible for maintaining the dream world, while Su Mu acts as a guardian, observing the events they encounter and protecting the leaders.

To become a hero, one must break through the limits of magical power, which is also an amplification of a certain obsession. When you surpass the vast majority of people in a certain aspect, this ability is materialized by magical power and becomes a skill.

Pelayo appears at an equestrian training ground. His childhood dream is to become the strongest knight. To this end, he trains hard and perseveres. What is rare is that he is good at thinking about his shortcomings and improving them.

Many physically strong knights have honed their skills through daily training. However, when it comes to their own weaknesses, they are often unwilling to overcome them, remaining unchanged and thus stagnating.

Unlike Pelayo, he aspired to become the strongest knight, so he studied diligently, thought deeply, and constantly improved himself.

Finally, one day, he led a large cavalry force into battle and annihilated the enemy's elite legion, achieving a great victory. However, upon returning to the city, the lord attributed the credit to another general, only mentioning him briefly.

In the days that followed, he fought bravely against the enemy every time, but he never gained recognition.

As a result, his temples turned gray, he gradually became depressed, lost his initial motivation, and the spear in his hand became heavier and heavier, until he became just another ordinary person.

Even when he has moments of brilliance, they are often born out of desperation and struggle. To say he has completely given up is an exaggeration; late at night, he still recalls the lofty ambitions of his youth, unwilling to accept his fate, and can only drown his sorrows in strong liquor to numb himself.

Until one day, when the army was trapped in a desperate situation, and he saw several men who were more trusted than him trapped in a great siege, yet he was powerless to help them, he actually felt a sense of satisfaction.

You've finally achieved what you have today, aren't you so eager to claim credit? But when it comes to real combat, why aren't you leading from the front?
As Pelayo laughed, his eyes suddenly turned blood red. Upon closer inspection, it turned out to be a lunar eclipse, obscuring his vision and perhaps giving him a chance to break free.

With his horsemanship and combat skills, it might truly be a relief for him to escape alone and completely distance himself from this conflict.

Pelayo's horse was eager to carry its master away.

……

Gene, on the other hand, appeared directly on the brutal battlefield. He fought bravely on his warhorse, and although he was brave and fearless, the number of enemies he killed increased and became countless. The cavalry regiment was about to be wiped out.

"Commander, you should leave now. We can't win. As long as you survive, there is hope for revenge."

As Gene gazed upon the enemies covering the mountains and plains, and even the giants as tall as the clouds deep in the snow-capped mountains, he felt his legs tremble and he became unsteady on his horse.

Logically speaking, having fought to this extent, they have already done their best, so what is there to regret?

Gene had a slight headache and seemed to have forgotten something.

The reason this battle is so difficult is because there are people to protect.

But if the enemy is too powerful, even if they fight with all their might, they can't win or even stop the enemy for a moment. What's the point then?

Who is this person who deserves such sacrifice? Someone more precious than his own life?

"My head hurts so much, I really can't remember!"

Gene clutched his head, veins bulging, his fingers digging until they bled, but he didn't move an inch.

The crimson moon reflected on his face, staining it a deep red.

……

Goode was the most unassuming; he spent every day in the stables training warhorses, and even when things didn't go smoothly, he persevered.

Despite the wind and rain, the freezing snow, day after day, he never gave up.

There were mockers, jealous people, saboteurs, and attackers, but no one could stop his career.

But things in this world cannot be accomplished by perseverance alone. Resources, materials, inspiration, and opportunity are all indispensable.

Until one day, a generous lord appeared and sponsored his impoverished life, providing him with abundant resources and opening his doors to training.

What could be more satisfying than having your talents go unrecognized your whole life, only to be appreciated and helped by a nobleman?
Goode lived up to expectations, not only improving his own skills day by day, but also achieving remarkable results in training his warhorses.

But at this moment, the sponsors encountered a great predicament and were likely to be defeated and killed, while the other side needed higher-level warhorses and powerful cavalry heroes.

Logically, this should be the time for him to overcome the pressure and repay his benefactor.

Unfortunately, things didn't go as planned. The warhorse he was training developed a limp and couldn't be improved in the short term; he himself also encountered a bottleneck that he couldn't overcome.

But his benefactor was going to have a decisive battle in a few days, and there was no way he could make it in time.

His once unwavering conviction had turned into impatience, and even his daily gun-wielding became somewhat unsettling.

If you can't reach a higher level at crucial moments, what's the point of endless repetition? Even if you succeed one day, it will be an expired success, which will seem ridiculous.

Goode, distracted, continued forward, unaware that his warhorse had been stained crimson by the moonlight.

……

"Damn it! The lunar eclipse phenomenon has begun to invade my dreams. We must get them out, or there will be unpredictable consequences!"

Maggie, who was maintaining the dream, was the first to notice the anomaly. The once vibrant and colorful world was now shrouded in a crimson hue, and the illusory creatures had all gone mad and were no longer under her control.

Although the Dream Construction combines the magical powers of the two heroes, it still requires a lot of resources to build the magic circle in order to maintain stability.

They thought they could hold out for a while longer, but unexpectedly, the leaders went straight into the most difficult stage and couldn't break free.

Everyone has their own weaknesses, which are also the most difficult knots in their hearts to let go of. This is not a hurdle that the Knights must overcome, but the lunar eclipse has given them the greatest difficulty, which is obviously not good.

What's more troublesome is that if they become trapped in the dream and get injured or die within it, or are affected by the lunar eclipse, it might become real.

All eyes were on the lord, but Su Mu remained unmoved.

"Hold on a little longer, this is their biggest chance!"

After Su Mu finished speaking, he directly entered the formation, carrying the captured fragments of the magic lamp, and connected to the Eight Kings Hall of Cangmu City. Instantly, a powerful suppressive spell surged forth, isolating the effects of the lunar eclipse.

This is the territory of the governor, the capital city of the newly established parliament, and even the intrusion of evil gods is not allowed to cross the line.

The fragment of the magic lamp, possessing a trace of divine power, activated the strongest isolation of the Eight Kings Palace, enveloping the dream.

The blood moon still exists, but it is no longer alluring or frenzied; it merely emits a mesmerizing light.

While the art of governance is powerful, it cannot ignite the primal desires of heroes or reveal the depths of their hearts.

A lunar eclipse, however, can stimulate them to manifest their greatest fears and gradually erode their confidence.

Why are knights feared by their enemies? Because they possess an unstoppable charging ability, which is not only the pinnacle of skill and magical power, but also an indomitable belief in victory that overcomes all obstacles.

It's impossible for a person to live without fear, but to mount a warhorse, cast aside everything, and focus solely on the enemy before you—that's what a knight is! Can they do it?

……

Pelayo, alone and separated from the army, felt that something was being lost.

Looking back at the cavalry, everyone saw his retreat, but they tacitly accepted it.

It's normal to feel disheartened when you try your best but get no reward.

But this shouldn't be a knight.

Mount your warhorse, take up your lance, and charge into battle with unwavering courage. The rest can wait.

So what if no one recognizes or appreciates me?

Did he become a knight to prove himself to those people? Was his valiant fighting all for personal glory?
If these were the initial reasons, he wouldn't have embarked on this difficult and incredible journey.

He turned around, picked up his gun, and fought alongside the cavalry regiment—this was his path to glory.

……

Gene finally remembered what he had forgotten: he would lead his soldiers to protect the marshal.

In fact, the marshal had already died in battle. In the final battle, he entrusted the remaining cavalry brothers to him and told them to escape.

Every night, he would dream of the marshal's dying appearance and his heroic posture of covering their retreat.

He felt that they were the ones who killed the marshal, and that if they had been the ones covering the rear, the marshal might have been able to escape.

This self-blame tormented him constantly, so in this encounter, he forgot everything and only wanted to sacrifice himself completely to escape the suffering.

But when he looked at the surviving cavalrymen, not one of them was afraid of death. In fact, they understood everything and knew what Gene was doing, but they never said anything and even let him leave.

They also felt guilty, and they did not want to live a dishonorable life.

That is why the marshal's sacrifice was meaningful. This was not a cowardly and useless army, but a spark for future revival.

He wanted to fulfill the marshal's last wish and lead everyone to leave alive.

"Let's go! Let's go!"

"None of us are cowards, but we can't die here!"

……

Goode couldn't sleep all night, his heart tormented.

He wanted to give up everything, follow his benefactor to the battlefield, and do everything in his power.

But the response he received was to continue, to do what he was familiar with, and that he would eventually be able to transform.

The more this happened, the less he could bear it, and he could no longer continue what he wanted to do.

Finally, on a crimson moonlit night, he understood everything.

On the day of the decisive battle, he mounted his crimson warhorse, took out his lance, and charged with his troops towards the arrogant enemy.

Without a high-class horse, and without becoming a knightly hero, he was merely a dispensable helper.

But Goode laughed heartily, so openly.

……

When the dream ended, all three commanders appeared, each severely injured, covered in blood, and nearly dead.

However, with so many powerful heroes present and the magic guild nearby, they naturally wouldn't be allowed to die.

It's already considered lucky to have escaped the pollution caused by the lunar eclipse.

Throughout their lives, they may be watched by evil gods who will interfere with their advancement.

However, all three commanders burst into laughter, feeling that the price was worth it to be able to overcome their inner demons.

But the result was disastrous; not a single person was promoted to hero, and all failed.

As expected, it is difficult to advance from a level 6 troop to a hero, and the generals present all showed regretful expressions.

Even with the lord's help this time, who helped them overcome their inner conflicts and gather magical power, they still couldn't become heroes. It seems things will be difficult for them going forward.

Su Mu didn't say much. He had exhausted himself this time, and controlling the power of the Eight Kings Palace exceeded his capacity. He needed to rest for a while.

The grand trial challenge ended without a trace, which was quite a pity. The heroes were already mentally prepared, so they didn't make any demands on them.

After a few days of rest, the three commanders made their own decisions.

Pelayo decided to leave Kuraki to find a place that suited him; Goode stayed in Kuraki to continue his horse-breeding career; and Gene, with the rest of his brothers, joined the Wind Erosion Cavalry to start a new career.

At the final farewell, Goode temporarily interrupted his training to see Pelayo off outside the city.

The two competitors chatted casually, a rare moment of relaxation for them.

Pelayo opened up first: "You know what? I really envy you. The lord has high hopes for you, and you have a skill. Even though you never have a cavalry unit and are criticized by everyone, you stay in the stables, concentrate on what you believe is the right path, and never give up."

In terms of willpower, I'm no match for you!

Goode, however, said: "Cavalrymen should be fearless and courageous, and dare to face difficulties head-on. This is courage, but more importantly, it is faith."

You've done very well in this regard. In reality, the lord hasn't shown favoritism towards anyone; it's just that the needs of the war have skewed his approach.

Pelayo nodded: "That's true. Since I came to Kuraki, I've received all the resources and weapons I was entitled to. I'm very grateful to the lord."

The reason I left was simply to try and break through, even if it seemed impossible, I wanted to give it another shot.

Goode did not try to stop him. In fact, Kuraki was willing to let him go and respected Pelayo's will. Their relationship was not one of forced employment, and the offerings would not be interrupted just because the other party did not get promoted. It was just that Pelayo had sensed a glimmer of opportunity after the dream trial.

It's not impossible for Pelayo to break free of his shackles and rediscover himself.

Meeting a nobleman like Su Mu was their good fortune, a consensus they shared.

"Alright, it's time to part ways today. It will be difficult to see each other again next time."

When I returned from the dream, I saw the warhorse beneath you, and it had changed drastically.

"I know you have been training Tier 4 warhorses for a long time and have acquired a lot of resources, but you are unable to advance any further."

With the great battle in the snowy region approaching, his heart began to waver.

But this is definitely the right direction, so don't give up and keep doing what you've always been committed to!

Just hang in there a little longer, and your most powerful treasure will be revealed!

After Pelayo finished speaking, he patted Goode on the shoulder, his shadow stretching long in the twilight until it disappeared.

Goode remained where he was, lost in thought for a long time.

He has let go of the past grievances. Many things in this world are not perfect, and we will encounter terrible situations that we have to deal with hastily.

It was placed abruptly in an impossible event, without preparation or proper planning.

It's okay, just enjoy it.

He mounted his warhorse, picked up his lance, and charged toward his target.

Hearing the wind howl in your ears, and radiating a confident smile, isn't this the spirit of chivalry?

Goode let his warhorse run free, his eyes closed, enjoying the journey.

He didn't know how long he had run, or how many times he had charged, but Goode felt the muscle memory kick in. He suddenly opened his eyes, thrusting his spear straight at the target in front of him.
This was actually the horse farm where he had practiced for countless days and nights, but the surrounding environment was strangely bizarre, full of absurd scenes.

An upside-down sun, a blood-red moon, a blood-soaked earth, ocean tides floating in the air, and a huge black eye in the abyss.

His warhorse, its crimson hue stirring up a gust of wind across the red earth, carried him into a dream.

It was supposed to influence his thinking and create a frenzied dream, but he completely ignored it. The moment he opened his eyes, he pierced through all the illusions and returned to reality.

Only the warhorse beneath him retained this unique mutation.

[Your warhorse traversed the dream realm, causing an anomaly. You have successfully raised a Crimson Dream Beast (Tier 4).]

[Alone you traversed the crimson wilderness, successfully escaping the dream realm, shattering illusions, and comprehending your unique magical power.]

A glorious victory!

(End of this chapter)