Heroes of Might and Magic: Grand Consul

Chapter 369 Crimson Knight
The crimson warhorse beneath him neighed softly, showing no fear even as it carried its master through the bizarre dreamscape, as if this psychedelic world could not hold it back.

【Crimson Dream Beast (Tier 4 Warhorse): Cavalrymen (including advanced units) riding this warhorse gain +40 HP, +6 DEF, +4 Speed, and +40% HP recovery from attack.

Training cost: 1200 gold coins per horse. There is a 50% chance of falling into eternal madness during training.

Commentary: When the crimson moonlight descends, the enemy can only succumb to this dream.

Influenced by the Dream Realm, the Ironblood Warhorse mutated into the Crimson Dream Beast, but the cost of raising it was very high, with each horse costing a full 1200 gold coins. This horse was even more expensive than a priest.

Even worse, the training requires entering a dream state, and there's a 50% chance of going insane. Simply put, you've already spent money, and you're also consuming horses—it's a truly enormous expense.

However, there's a reason why they're so expensive. If the Wind Erosion Knights ride the Crimson Dream Beast, they will reach an extremely terrifying combat power. They are fast and powerful. Without level 7 units, they are the most powerful force, bar none.

Even the Nightmare Knight is no match for the Wind Erosion Knight.

Most importantly, Goode's successful promotion to knight also provides a significant boost to the cavalry legion.

Good (Crimson Knight): Attack 3, Defense 3, Spell Power 2, Knowledge 1
Loyalty: 90, Willpower: 98 (Extremely high resistance to mental attacks)

Features: Breaking through dreams, equestrian master, steady shooting.

Beginner Crimson Knight (Forbidden, promotion and use in combat may encounter an ominous curse): For every 9 attribute points a hero has, cavalry (including upgraded units) gain 1 point of attack and defense, 1 point of damage, and a Dream Shield equal to 2% of their health.

Junior Equestrian Master: Able to train higher-tier warhorses (Tier 5), granting cavalrymen +1 speed and increasing the horse's overall strength by 10%.

Equestrianism was the foundation of Goode's life; his deep affinity with warhorses led him down the path of heroism. Dreams altered his character, granting him unparalleled abilities.

But all of this comes at a price. Crimson Knight is one of the forbidden abilities, somewhat similar to Randall's forbidden Blood Hammer. Using it will incur additional costs, perhaps health, perhaps magic, or perhaps an arm or a leg.

This ability, gained from dreams, is both extremely dangerous and extremely powerful.

It's not that every activation will trigger the curse, but it's always a hidden bomb; no one can be sure when it will explode. If the commander is cursed on a closely contested battlefield, it would be disastrous.

Goode believed in his own abilities; if he could overcome the dream once, he could overcome it a thousand times.

However, he still wanted to hear the lord's opinion, as the other party might have a solution.

When Goode arrived at the Magic Guild, he hesitated, knowing that the lord had suffered a backlash for suppressing the Dream Realm, and wondered if visiting now would disturb him.

To his surprise, Maggie was already standing at the door, waiting for him.

"Come in, the lord has been waiting for you!"

Upon hearing this, Goode was taken aback at first, then understood.

Who is Su Mu? After the dream ended, he actually had some understanding of everyone's condition, but the final hurdle still had to be overcome by the heroes themselves.

All this trouble, even using the Eight Kings Palace to suppress the dream, wasn't just for the three lost cavalry commanders. He only wanted one thing: a knight hero!

Goode stepped into the guild hall with composure. At this moment, he felt neither guilt nor fear.

Are the trials in dreams truly formed entirely by personal will? Or are there special methods that can influence them and help them resolve their inner conflicts to the greatest extent possible?

Goode didn't know, but he always regarded the lord as a god-like figure, omnipotent!

When he arrived at the guild center, he saw Su Mu studying new magic.

[Level 4 Magic Guild: Added 1 Level 4 spell, which can research Level 2 spell scrolls.]

Resources required: 1000 gold coins, 5 logs, 5 raw stones, and 8 different rare resources.

Special Effect (Advanced Civil Engineering): Produces one additional level 4 spell, allows the creation of level 3 spell scrolls, and consumes 16 of various resources.

The magic produced is prayer and the portal to time and space.

[Prayer (Level 4 Water Elemental Magic): Increases the attack, defense, and speed of the selected friendly unit by 2 points each. The duration is affected by the spell power.]

Advanced Water Element Bonus: Increases the attack, defense, and speed of all allied units by 4 points each. Duration is affected by spell power.

[Time Gate (Level 4 Earth Elemental Magic): You can travel through the Time Gate, select an occupied castle, and consume 200 movement points.]

Advanced Earth Elemental Mastery Bonus: Allows free return to the destination and reduces movement point consumption; enables the transport of resources and a large army (not exceeding 1). If in enemy-occupied territory (areas where the boundary marker does not belong to your side), there are requirements regarding city level and resources.

Both of these spells are powerful and well-suited for Kuraki's hero training, but in terms of their effects, the Time Gate will be a spell that changes the course of events.

Normally, even a level 4 magic guild cannot produce this earth elemental magic. Its appearance rate is extremely low, and it even requires special spatial treasures for the guild to obtain this magic.

But the art of civil engineering is so magical; the more choices you have, the more possibilities you have. It was incredibly lucky to have obtained this earth element magic from the void of the magical world.

Forrest was very pleased. He had made a wish at the Rainbow Palace before construction began, and he felt that the large amount of gold coins spent on the construction of the Capitol and related buildings was related to this.

Therefore, after seeing the Gate of Time and Space, he made a special trip to the Rainbow Palace to fulfill his vow, which shows how happy he was.

It's no wonder he was so excited. After all, Kuraki's operations have expanded significantly, but his military strength is not keeping up. It will be very difficult to protect both the northern border and the hills at the same time.

The original plan was to vigorously develop the power of Silvertop City and Tower, so that they could withstand the Arcane Empire's retaliation. However, relying solely on the existing troops of Tower, it would be almost impossible to complete the mission, and troops had to be sent.

If Kuraki were to be attacked by other forces at this time, he would be in danger.

If the Magic Guild possessed a portal to time and space, the situation would be entirely different. Utilizing the inherent magical properties of the Magic Guild, they could move more secretly, and with the high mobility of this magic, they would be able to defend the entire territory.

"There's been so much good news lately, it seems my luck-boosting spell is starting to work!"

Although he knew Su Mu was joking, Goode didn't care. He believed that all of this was inseparable from the lord's wise command, so he explained his situation in detail.

"Leaving you with my powerful skills and final governing techniques is definitely the best decision I've ever made."

"Now, it's time for you to see why Kuraki has been able to develop to this point, and why all the heroes are willing to risk their lives for Kuraki!"

Su Mu unleashed his magical power, raising the sword with his hand. Gu De, like a knight being knighted, knelt on one knee, bowing his head in oath. As the sword rested on Gu De's shoulder, an unprecedented surge of magical power pierced through his body, bringing unparalleled energy.

In a hazy vision, Goode saw a magnificent hall with its massive doors opening, revealing statues of seven heroes, all imposing and spirited, figures he recognized. Beneath their feet lay an endless abyss, within which sealed an immense treasure.

A delicate balance was achieved between the two sides, who jointly maintained order in the hall. At the far end of the hall, on the steps, stood a throne forged from a broken sword, its radiance boundless, shining down upon all.

"I am loyal to you forever!"

"My knight, I grant you strength!"

Having felt the infusion of the power of the ruling arts, Good finally understood why Kuraki's heroes were so powerful.

[Junior Crimson Knight (Ruler, limits curses to additional mana consumption): For every 9 attribute points a hero has, increases cavalry (including upgraded units) by 1 (4) points of attack and defense, 1 (4) points of damage, and 2% (8%) of health as a Dream Shield.]

Su Mu used the power of the Eight Kings Palace, which could even change the curse of the Crimson Dream. Although there were still negative effects, it was the best outcome compared to losing an arm or a leg at any time.

Even though Goode's knowledge attribute is not high, the new Wall of Wisdom and other treasures can completely make up for the lack of magic.

Moreover, Crimson Knight requires all attributes, so even if the ruler acquires Su Mu's knowledge attribute, it's not a problem at all. It can only be said that this skill is too powerful.

【初级马术大师（执政）：能够培养更高阶的战马（5阶），骑兵获得+1（4）速度，且能够增幅马匹10%（40%）的效果。】

If the equestrian masters under the new regime were to follow their lead, the warhorses would be able to perform even better.

【绯红梦兽（4阶战马）：乘骑这匹战马的骑兵（包括进阶兵种），+40（56）生命值，+6（8）防御力，+4（10）速度，+40%（56%）攻击恢复生命效果。】

Such attribute bonuses are hardly like those of a Tier 4 warhorse; they can even be compared to Tier 5 warhorses.

The most terrifying thing is that this is only the effect of a novice equestrian master.

All I can say is that Su Mu's governing skills are simply too overpowered when applied to certain specific heroes.

Of course, heroes like Goode, who are proficient in cavalry, are extremely rare. Su Mu can only recruit and trust one such person.

Often, Su Mu prefers to cultivate a new hero from scratch, someone who is more loyal to him. Even if the cost is high, the rewards are also very high.

"My lord, I..."

He had come to the guild hoping the lord would offer some advice, but Su Mu had unexpectedly solved his most difficult problem, leaving Goode somewhat at a loss for words, his voice choked with emotion.

Su Mu patted him on the shoulder and laughed, "Don't be nervous. They were even more excited than you when they acquired the art of governance."

While this is an extremely powerful force, it may also become an obstacle on your path to growth. If you cannot fully control the power and are instead misled by it, you will eventually have to leave the Hall of Eight Kings.

I hope you can stay true to your original aspirations, continue to improve, and become one of the future kings!

This is a very high compliment. Su Mu rarely speaks such encouraging words to heroes, because he himself empowers people.

However, governance is ultimately his strength. Other heroes can rely on him, but not entirely. To break through his limits, he must find his own unique path.

Although the Hall of Eight Kings can still be expanded, the number of places will definitely not be too many. If heroes cannot keep up with the times, they may be eliminated.

Su Mu hopes that these heroes who started their business with him can support each other and move forward together.

"Alright, you can go now. Carefully study this newly acquired power; it will come in handy next time!"

Goode has just become a hero and has great potential for growth. After experiencing one or two major battles, he has a good chance to improve his abnormal skills.

However, Su Mu still allowed him to comprehend the skill and then sent him out to fight a battle, so that he could make progress before the final battle against the Arcane Empire.

Goode was not a man without war experience; like Pelayo, he had proven himself on the battlefield. But a soldier and a hero are two different roles, and Goode still needed to adapt.

With Kuraki's current strength, there is no need to force him to grow faster. Even if Goode comprehends things a little slower, it doesn't matter. He doesn't even need to exert himself in defending the city, since the cavalry regiment is too small to play a significant role.

Goode's true role lies in the future, in opening up new battlefields, storming attacks, and confronting level 7 units; this is his real mission.

After Goode withdrew, Su Mu also left the guild center and went to the Eight Kings Hall of the Prison.

On the stone table lies a broken fragment of a magic lamp, now stained crimson, and firmly bound by eight chains, preventing it from breaking free.

When constructing the dream, Su Mu paid a special price, which was to use divine power, namely, fragments of the magic lamp.

Generally speaking, the divine power of the Void Throne cannot be taken away or used; only heroes of the same level can destroy it.

But don't forget that the core function of the Eight Kings Palace is sealing and suppression.

This earthly structure was built by the collective power of the masses, and it is also the source of the governor's power. With the help of eight extremely powerful heroes, it can completely balance the prison below, gather all power to extract divinity, and use it for special purposes.

Even if Somra racked his brains, he would never have imagined that someone could decipher his divine treasure in the small town of Kuraki.

The genie, relying on his vessel, can live for millions of years; this is actually a manifestation of the power of the void.

In Somra's view, even if he lost a clone, he would only lose some magic. Once he defeated Kuraki and retrieved the fragments, he would be able to return to normal.

But once divinity is consumed, it is irreversible. Even if Somra recovers the fragments, his genie body will no longer be complete.

Moreover, Su Mu had planted a huge trap for him. If Somra were forced into a corner and had to use the legendary divine power, this incomplete treasure would make him pay the price.

Of course, when that time really comes, it will be a desperate attack, hoping to suppress Somra from start to finish and prevent him from using his ultimate move.

With the final hero added, the eight chains were perfectly balanced, greatly increasing their suppressive power. Even with its fierce struggles, the fragment of the magic lamp could not break free; the crimson bloodstains on it were extremely eerie, and even Su Mu dared not look at it for long.

Blocking the anomalies in the dream world naturally comes at a price, which should have been borne by the Eight Kings Palace. However, now that a great benefactor is helping to share the burden, the lamp is doing surprisingly well.

This incident teaches us a lesson: don't split Horcruxes carelessly, as it can easily lead to major accidents!

(End of this chapter)