Pioneer Lord: Starting From Daily Intelligence

Chapter 150: Chapter 91: The Lively Banquet

Following Su Li’s order to reward the soldiers with Light-Scaled Fish, the atmosphere of the territory’s feast reached its climax.

Even the Dwarves widened their round eyes; living in the deep mountains, they rarely saw such precious fish full of Spiritual Energy.

Dwarf Ranger Leader Dorglin and their army’s Commander Mudalin exchanged glances, each swallowing a mouthful of saliva. This kind of qualification-enhancing thing was more potent for Dwarves than for humans.

Due to the Dwarves’ inherently stubborn and obstinate nature, they could persist single-mindedly; they could tirelessly swing a hammer thousands or even tens of thousands of times.

Therefore, a small improvement in qualifications, transformed into their long lifespans, would exponentially enhance their achievements and attainments. Dwarven forging techniques and engineering levels would see significant improvements.

Dorglin whispered, ”Our big friend is indeed very generous. We can’t let this friend suffer a loss.”

”It’s only natural!” Mudalin, being the most traditional and upright Dwarf, widened his eyes, his beard quivering: ”Taking advantage of a friend would tarnish the Dwarves’ reputation! We must think of a way to give our big friend a big help!”

Their murmurs amidst the lively banquet did not catch Su Li’s attention; at this moment, all his focus was on Knight Oerstein.

Amidst the fervent gazes of all the Flame Sun Knight Order members, he took a Half Griffin egg from Knight Oerstein, playing with it while asking with concern: ”My dear Commander, tell me about the situation of this war. Was the battle challenging, and what about the Green Dragon’s followers?”

Knight Oerstein solemnly provided a detailed war report: ”Lord, beneath the dense canopy of the Blood Pine Forest hide terrifying threats everywhere; twisted vines, despicable Beastmen, roaming Green-skinned Warbands, and the omnipresent various Magical Beasts and Monsters constantly menace the safety of our army. This venture into it was not won easily. From knights to soldiers, everyone was on high alert. If one were to rashly launch an attack, leaving the main force’s sight, the pursuer would very likely be ambushed and completely vanish in the dark woods.”

”Because of this, we battled the Centaur Tribe four times before finally achieving victory.”

Su Li nodded, understanding the tense battle and the crisis-ridden situation Knight Oerstein described.

In any world, entering the dense forest for combat is not an easy task. Even with helicopters hovering overhead, it would be challenging to detect enemies hidden in the tree shadows waiting in ambush.

And it happens that the Beastmen, Magical Beasts, and Monsters are all naturally adept at forest ambushes.

Thankfully, human knights are extremely skilled in close combat, even when ambushed, they can rely on their powerful defense to stabilize the situation and defeat their opponents.

If it were a group of Half-Elf soldiers with firearms and bows entering, being ambushed and attacked by Monsters up close, stabilizing the situation would be much more challenging.

The forest is ultimately unsuitable for human habitation and activities.

Knight Oerstein also summarized: ”In short, our knights face restrictions everywhere in the forest; the cavaliers’ mobility advantage cannot be utilized. If war breaks out with the Green Dragon’s followers, we must avoid the dense forest. Engaging in combat on plains or in canyons would be our best choice.”

After hearing Knight Oerstein’s concluding speech, Captain Constantine of the Corona Knight Order couldn’t help but speak: ”Forgive my intrusion, but from what your excellency said, it seems our territory not only faces the threat of Demons, but also a Green Dragon’s follower legion lurking in the forest, watching intently?”

Knight Oerstein, with a lion-like majestic gaze, looked at him: ”Indeed, this Green Dragon is slumbering, but I fear in a few months it will awaken. The previous Lord of this territory perished in the rampage of its followers. Captain Constantine, are you afraid?”

Constantine, directly hot-tempered, heavily pounded the table, stood up, and glared at Oerstein: ”Afraid? Our Flame Sun Knight Order knows not the meaning of fear. Are you questioning the honor and courage of our Knight Order? I will use a duel, with your blood, to cleanse your insult and prove our glory!”

Su Li raised an eyebrow, smiling as he said, ”Doesn’t Captain Constantine know that Knight Oerstein also once served in the Flame Sun Knight Order?”

Hearing Su Li’s words, Captain Constantine’s excited mood calmed somewhat; if both were members of the Flame Sun Knight Order, he need not care if the other intended to insult them.

Yet, he remained hot-headed, as no Knight has a mild temperament, and it’s unlikely they would coexist harmoniously.

So he directly said: ”Then Your Excellency Commander is doubting our strength! We can go to the arena for a match to see who is the coward!”

Su Li remained calm and did not prevent this suggestion.

He had previously thought about how to subdue these proud and arrogant knight order members.

After all, in most territories, the Lord and Knight Order Leader do not have the most harmonious relationships.

Perhaps letting them concede willingly is a good option.

Otherwise, the Knight Order always holds disdain and contempt for the territory, which is not conducive to long-term coexistence.

So Su Li smiled and calmed the two down, saying, ”A friendly sparring match is also acceptable. Our territory has just built the Lion Ring Arena, and tonight we can hold a grand tournament ceremony to celebrate the triumphant return. It will also allow the territory to witness the highest level of combat of the Flame Sun Knight Order, bringing the effect of the Light-Scaled Fish to the fullest!”

Hearing Su Li’s arrangement, the members of the Flame Sun Knight Order, who were somewhat indignant, all brightened up and cheered enthusiastically.

”Good! This arrangement couldn’t be better.”

”Exchange between knights should be the clash of strong physiques in the arena, the pulse of knightly bloodline in confrontation.”

”Yes, after eating the Light-Scaled Fish, watching a marvelous competition that can fully unleash the effects of the fish brings substantial breakthroughs.”

Constantine also immediately agreed to this proposal: ”If we don’t show our strength, I’m afraid the Commander-in-Chief would look down on us! Our Corona Knight Order is here to settle any demons and green dragons completely.”

Su Li laughed upon hearing this. Although these knights were arrogant and domineering, their courage was genuinely admirable.

Hearing the presence of powerful demons and green dragons, they showed no fear, only thinking about charging forward to crush everything.

It is precisely this spirit of rejoicing in battle that has allowed the Empire to stand for three thousand years amidst countless internal and external crises.

The knights, though ruling cruelly in ordinary times, truly rise to the occasion. Regardless of facing demons or giant dragons, they would brace their long lances and charge on horseback, defending the territory and estates.

Without them, relying only on peasants and serfs, demons and monsters would ravage the entire continent, and humans would live worse than death.

Su Li smiled again and continued to Knight Oerstein, ”To solve the threat of demons and green dragons, we must first understand their intelligence. As they say, ’know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated in a hundred battles!’ My Commander-in-Chief, please continue discussing the situation of the Green Dragon Followers.”

Upon hearing Su Li’s words, the followers of the Sun Goddess in the room were filled with approval, and the territory’s Minister of Religious Affairs, Rong’en, nodded and said, ”Lord, your understanding of the Goddess’s teachings is becoming deeper. The Goddess indeed encourages us to use strategy and tactics to achieve victory with overwhelming tactical advantage.”

”Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated in a hundred battles.” There was a fervent glow in Constantine’s eyes: ”Lord, your understanding of the Goddess’s teachings is truly admirable. I believe your aptitude is not inferior to Her Majesty Hilude, and you can certainly become a Divine Chosen Knight of Her Majesty Violet.”

Knight Oerstein proudly stated, ”Naturally. Lord, wise and mighty, is the Venus guiding our entire territory and all knights.”

”Regarding the intelligence on the Green Dragon Followers, Lord, you do need to understand.”

”Achieving victory with overwhelming advantage may not be easy. Even with just the Centaur Tribe, we find it difficult to achieve a complete victory.”

Su Li frowned and asked, ”What do you mean? Haven’t we already captured the Centaur Tribe’s camp?”

Earlier when he returned, he saw the head of the Centaur Leader among the spoils on the cart, its head larger than that of a Great Horned Beast. It would join the bipedal flying dragon as part of Knight Oerstein’s collection.

The head of a regular Great Horned Beast is half a meter large, and just seeing their remains can bring an extremely formidable sense of oppression. A charge of Great Horned Beasts in heavy plate armor can be overwhelming.

And the head and horn of the Centaur Leader are even larger than the Great Horned Beast’s.

Su Li could imagine that Knight Oerstein must have gone through an intensely fierce and prolonged battle to defeat the formidable Centaur Leader.

Thus, seeing this trophy, Su Li thought their side had already achieved a great victory.

But unexpectedly, was there a twist in the story?

Knight Oerstein gravely stated, ”We did capture the Centaur Tribe’s camp, but a batch of centaurs escaped. We initially planned to continue the pursuit, spending a month to sweep the west side of the forest thoroughly, which would also fulfill the security guarantee agreement with the West Commerce Association.”

Su Li nodded in agreement; he remembered there was indeed such a matter. The West Commerce Association set off only two or three days later than Knight Oerstein, so after half a month, Knight Oerstein returned with his troops, suggesting the agreement might not have been completed.

Su Li asked with concern, ”What happened? Did any changes occur?”

”Yes. During the pursuit, we encountered an interception by bipedal flying dragons. After a tough battle, we managed to repel them. However, we also suffered some casualties, and the potions and supplies we carried were entirely exhausted.”