Being a knight is not easy

Chapter 216 Two
Robin stood on the high platform, his gaze sweeping over his army.

The crossbowmen were responsible for long-range suppression, while the spearmen were responsible for close-quarters combat and annihilation. Their roles were clearly defined and they cooperated seamlessly.

The only drawback was the lack of cavalry; the territory had very few warhorses, only about fifty, all of which were assigned to knights.

They were the sharpest swords in his hands, but they were still far from enough.

"My lord, there's news from Ironjaw." Andisu walked over quickly and reported in a low voice.

Robin raised an eyebrow and immediately headed to the knight training grounds. Iron
The ten warrior apprentices of Jaw were kneeling on one knee, their bodies radiating a pale red life force.

They consumed the Power-Power Fruit, and under Robin's personal guidance, the power within them surged forth like a flood.

"Drink!"

With a low growl, the apprentice in the front row suddenly opened his eyes, his life force swirling around his body like flames.

Immediately afterwards, the second, the third... ten people broke through in succession, officially stepping into the realm of knights.

Iron Jaw grinned, his rugged face full of pride: "My lord, it's done!"

Robin nodded slowly, the last trace of worry in his heart finally dissipating.

With these newly recruited knights, his army's combat strength will be elevated to another level. Even without a well-organized cavalry force, these fifty-odd knights would be enough to tear apart any enemy formation on the battlefield.

He looked up into the distance, a slight smile playing on his lips.

In the castle corridors late at night, the flickering light of torches danced on the stone walls.

Robin's leather boots clattered on the ancient stone steps.

When he pushed open the heavy oak door to the study, he was greeted by the scent of parchment and cedar wood.

Viscount Wilke was standing in front of the fireplace with his back to the door.

The flickering fire cast his tall figure onto the wall covered with military maps, which still bore the marks made with red crayon during the day's discussions.

Knight Ito stood by the window, moonlight casting dappled colors on his resolute face through the stained glass.

"Father, I'm sorry to have kept you waiting." Robin closed the door behind him, the heavy wooden door making a soft "click" sound.

Viscount Wilke turned around, his silver-gray beard trembling slightly with his hurried movements: "You brat, do you know what time it is?" Although his tone was stern, he couldn't hide the expectation in his eyes.

Robin took out an obsidian box from his pocket. When he opened it, two dark red fruits lay quietly on a velvet lining. The surface of the fruits was covered with golden veins, and they seemed to pulsate slightly as if they were alive in the candlelight.

Knight Ito's breathing became noticeably rapid, and he instinctively took half a step forward: "This is the legendary..."

“To be precise, this is the Fruit of Life Force,” Robin continued, “but consuming it directly could kill an ordinary person.” He turned to his father, “I need to guide the flow of energy.”

Viscount Wilke snorted and grabbed the fruit: "What haven't I seen on the battlefield back in the day?"

But when he actually put the fruit in his mouth, his calloused hands trembled almost imperceptibly.

The moment the fruit entered his mouth, the old lord's pupils suddenly contracted.

His strong body suddenly straightened, and the veins on his neck bulged like snakes.

Upon seeing this, Ito immediately swallowed another fruit, then knelt on one knee, his armor striking the stone floor with a crisp sound.

Robin quickly placed his hands on their shoulders.

A faint blue light emanated from his palm, as he used the Dragon Breathing Technique to guide the raging energy flow.

The air in the study began to distort, the flames in the fireplace became eerily still, and even the falling ash seemed to hang suspended in mid-air.

“Hold on!” Robin’s voice seemed to come from a great distance. “Imagine you are taming a wild horse!” Viscount Wilke’s knuckles turned white from the effort as he gripped the edge of the desk so tightly that the expensive mahogany groaned under his weight.

Ito was in slightly better condition, but sweat had soaked through his inner lining and was dripping to the ground through the gaps in his armor.

Suddenly, a clear and melodious sword cry rang out.

Ito's sword automatically drew three inches from its sheath, its blade shimmering with silver light.

At the same time, Viscount Wilke unleashed a wave of energy that scattered the documents on his desk.

When the last trace of energy fluctuation subsided, the air in the study seemed to freeze for a moment.

Robin held her breath, staring intently at the two people in front of her.

Viscount Wilke slowly opened his eyes, and a pale golden light shone in those weathered eyes.

He gently raised his palm, and a wisp of life force, solidified to a tangible state, coiled around his fingertips, radiating a soft yet undeniable halo in the dimly lit study.

Robin noticed that his father's wrinkled hands were becoming firmer at a visible speed, and several old scars were gradually fading under the nourishment of the life force.

"This is..." The old lord's voice trembled with disbelief.

At the same time, a ring of silvery-white energy suddenly erupted around Knight Ito.

The sword at his waist automatically unsheathed, hovering in mid-air and emitting a clear, melodious dragon's roar.

The ancient inscriptions on the sword suddenly lit up, as if they had been infused with new life.

Robin's pupils contracted slightly—a phenomenon known as "life force possession" only seen in legendary knights.

His clenched fists unconsciously loosened, and his tense shoulders finally relaxed.

The weight on his heart finally lifted. He had been worried that ordinary power fruits wouldn't be able to help the two peak Grand Knights complete their final breakthrough.

"Looks like I was overthinking it," Robin murmured to himself, a relieved smile playing on his lips.

Viscount Wilke suddenly burst into laughter, his deep laugh causing the ancient books on the bookshelf to tremble slightly: "You brat, what's with that expression? Are you worried that your old man can't withstand this little bit of power?"

But Robin clearly saw a barely perceptible glint of tears in his father's eyes.

The old knight had waited for this day for a full twenty years.

Ito knelt on one knee, his voice slightly hoarse with excitement: "My lord, I have finally broken through that threshold."

Even the usually composed Grand Knight Commander could not remain calm at this moment, and his hand holding the sword trembled slightly.

Robin slowly stepped forward and placed his hands on their shoulders.

He could clearly sense that the life force flowing within his father and Ito had undergone a qualitative change.

It is no longer a simple accumulation of energy, but has formed a continuous cycle.

This is precisely the most distinctive characteristic of legendary knights: their life force forms its own system, resonating with the heavens and earth.

“You were just one step away from success,” Robin explained. “The immense life force provided by the Power Fruit was simply the breakthrough you made.”

The sky outside the window was already turning white, and the first rays of morning light streamed in through the stained glass.

As this new day dawned, the territory's highest combat power finally achieved a qualitative leap.

As Robin gazed at the two newly crowned legendary knights, his strategic vision became even clearer.

(End of this chapter)