Pioneer Lord: Starting From Daily Intelligence

Chapter 1109: Chapter 169: The Cursed and Mighty Eternal Light Knight Order (Part 2)

Su Li listened, dumbfounded, as his fingers unconsciously tapped the tabletop. The ”history” of the Eternal Light Knight Order as depicted by Oliver formed a stark and astonishing contrast to the imposing, cold-hearted steel legion outside Bauhinia Manor that he remembered from battles.

”Cursed... unlucky Knight Order?” Su Li’s voice was filled with incredulous surprise, ”Are those the guys who almost fought with us? That Archibald doesn’t seem like someone who would fall into a dung cart or get hit in the eye by a ricochet!” He recalled Archibald’s adamantine face and sharp eyes, finding it impossible to associate that image with the incredibly unlucky ”predecessors” Oliver spoke of.

Oliver opened his hands helplessly: ”Sir, that’s the most peculiar thing about Eternal Light. The curse truly exists; it clings to the Knight Order like a maggot on a bone, bringing all sorts of inexplicable misfortune. Yet, the knights’ valor, dedication, and discipline have never faltered because of it. They are still among the finest Heavy Knight Orders, charging with martyr-like determination. Archibald, the Leader himself, is the most vivid embodiment of this contradiction. He has superior martial arts, commands with precision, possesses unwavering will, but no one knows if he’ll be hit by a falling tile from his castle roof next, or be thrown by an unexpectedly spooked horse during a review. They... have grown accustomed to walking with misfortune, trying to overcome it with supreme martial virtues and the Goddess’s light.”

Su Li leaned back against his chair, digesting this bizarre information. He felt a complex emotion surging within him.

”It’s really... hard to imagine,” he murmured, his tone a mix of amazement and a barely detectable reverence. ”Bearing such a ’stigma’ that resonates throughout the Old World, yet maintaining such formidable combat strength, and still having nobles continuously send their second sons in... it requires an almost obsessive belief and immense psychological endurance. Like you said, they knowingly choose to draw their swords for the Goddess on a path full of thorns and... uh... dung pits.”

He paused, his gaze growing profound: ”I suddenly understand why Archibald seems so tough at Bauhinia Manor, even somewhat heartless. Perhaps it’s not just adherence to church commandments; it’s a self-protective shell formed under long-term ridicule and scorn from the world, to defend their remaining, unsullied knightly dignity with the most undeniable stance?”

Oliver slowly nodded: ”Your insight is keen, sir. The knights of Eternal Light yearn to prove themselves more than anyone. To prove they are not just objects of ridicule and that misfortune cannot tarnish their glory and worth. Every battle is a chance for them to fight against the curse and declare war on fate. They fight with unparalleled desperation, perhaps hoping for a ’decent’ end befitting a knight rather than dying in absurd accidents. This heavy sense of fate instead tempers their iron will and indomitable fighting spirit. On the battlefield, they are truly fearless warriors.”

Su Li exhaled deeply, the previous astonishment gradually settling, replaced by a new perspective. This Knight Order isn’t merely an external aid formed by strong military force; it’s a unique group burdened with heavy fate, struggling between absurd curses and noble beliefs.

”Continue, what other characteristics does this Knight Order have?”

After all, Oliver was Virena’s Divine Chosen and had to defend the honor of this Knight Order, he continued to praise after finishing the background: ”The Eternal Light Knight Order’s doctrine is strictly built on principles of fairness and justice, and all knights vow to protect Virena’s values: namely truth and justice. Despite their elevated social status, most knights have somewhat skewed values, and the common people don’t always agree with their declarations of ’justice.’ Nonetheless, they are undoubtedly often standing up for those who cannot protect themselves: when a tribe marched into plague-ridden Havbard, the ’Eternal Light’ Knight Order was the only one to rush for aid—no other Knight Order dared to approach; they were also the only knights willing to ascend the World’s Edge Mountains and fight the Ancient Dragon Demons lurking at the peaks.”

”The knights of Eternal Light rarely fulfill religious duties like guarding churches or escorting Priests. Instead, they continually launch Holy Wars against all kinds of enemies. Either as a means to promote the cause of justice or as a way to atone for sins—if those past transgressions can indeed be redeemed. Knights often raise their Two-Handed Giant Swords symbolizing the Sword of Justice, their expensive and exquisite Plate Armor polished to mirror-like smoothness. In battle, they recklessly throw themselves at the enemy, regardless of their own safety, since they are already cursed, how much worse could things get?”

”After experiencing several accidental disasters, including fires, earthquakes, and meteor strikes, the headquarters of the ’Eternal Light’ Knight Order relocated to a secondary city, Eisen, in Sulande Province. During last year’s invasion by the green-skinned Warlord Geba, Female Prince Philmanuel Liebowitz refused to let the Grand Leader of ’Eternal Light’ command her army—even though she was not a qualified Commander-in-Chief and had never led any battles. In response, the Grand Leader directly rallied the Knight Order and returned home, leaving the Elector’s army to resist the invading green-skinned army alone. Although the Beastmen were ultimately defeated, Sulande Province’s army suffered terrible losses, to the extent that in the following decades, the existence of this Elector’s Territory may depend on support from other territories.”