Knight and Wand

Chapter 217 Chivalrous Knight
On a midsummer night in southern Orlando, the weather is pleasant and the moonlight shines through the starry sky, making it cool.

After taking a bath to wash away the dust from the journey, it was time for a good sleep, but Leon found it difficult to fall asleep.

Looking at the night view outside the window, he still couldn't stop thinking.

After the decision to expand the army was made at the meeting, the Knights Templar's standing army was to be fully expanded with dozens of sets of cavalry armor and weapons, two hundred and dozens of sets of infantry chain mail, weapons, shields, bows and arrows, and the indispensable thirty pack horses for transporting baggage. The first allocation alone was as high as 2615 gold crowns, and more than half of the public treasury funds were consumed.

This does not include the purchase of seventy or so qualified military horses, which would conservatively cost between nine hundred and one thousand two hundred gold coins.

After the expenses of building the army are paid, the monthly maintenance costs of the army after it is fully staffed with 500 people will also be considerable. A simple calculation shows that with the current excessive military spending, the fiscal deficit of the territory next year will be as high as 1,800 gold crowns.

The limited funds made Leon wonder if he was born to spend money lavishly, as he really couldn't keep any wealth at all.

He sighed, wondering whether the tax cuts he had implemented during his previous southern tour were right or wrong. At that time, he had never expected that he would face a huge crisis shortly after settling down.

Thinking of this, Leon began to feel somewhat regretful that he had easily agreed to let dozens of dwarf survivors go north.

No one had expected that the war machines would need to be started so soon. Right now, the nine dwarf craftsmen in Avalon would need more than two months to make sixty-five sets of cavalry armor even if they burned the furnace until it started to smoke.

As for the hundreds of sets of infantry chain armor, it would be better not to waste the precious working hours of these master blacksmiths and purchase them from various chambers of commerce in other cities.

Unfortunately, if there were dozens of dwarves at the time, they would have forged armor and weapons, without the middlemen making a profit from the price difference. This time, the expansion of the armaments would have saved a lot of money, and the efficiency would have been high and the quality would have been good.
As Leon was lost in thought, his waist was hugged tightly, and he felt the familiar girl's body gently pressed against his back.

Burying her head in the nape of her lover's neck, Olivia sniffed the fresh scent of Leon after his bath. She liked this soothing smell.

".No matter what happens, I will be by your side." The girl whispered comfortingly.

"Yeah." Leon's expression relaxed, and the pressure was slightly relieved by the girl's comfort.

Touching the back of Olivia's hand, he seemed to draw strength from his partner's emotions.

"I will definitely protect you." Leon responded.

He turned around and held the girl's shoulders. "Besides, we are not without a way out. I have talked with Lord Elliver. If the situation really reaches the worst point where it is irreversible, the Farolis family will not cling to the land. We can lead our people north to Duwana County in the Great West Territory. Lady Adelina's father, Count Rahman of the War Dog Family, will accept us.

At worst, I have a good relationship with Princess Ines, so as long as we hide you well, we can go to the territory of the Lady of Xiwan County."

Leon's mind worked quickly. He still remembered that on the map, there was an overseas kingdom called "Nosnia" to the north of Westerland.

If this land is really facing the end of being swallowed by the undead scourge in the future, taking everyone to escape to the sea is also an option.

Thinking of this, he secretly thought that it was still too early to think about these things.

The continent of Omroth is not the "Continent of Ves-O-Lo" in his previous life's artwork.

In this land, there are tens of thousands of powerful Knights of Arms and many spellcasters, and the royal family of the Northern Kingdom alone controls three powerful adult fire dragons.

In addition to the flying dragon named "Overlord" owned by Ledwin III, there is another flying dragon named "Beauty" sitting under the throne of the current Crown Prince.

There is also a flying dragon named "Mountain Rock", which is the mount of Marquis Deyatuk, a member of the royal family's side branch in the southern part of the kingdom.

As for the princes and nobles of the countries in this world, the undead and monsters are far from being fantasy. Humans in this world have experience in fighting against undead creatures.

As long as we can unite, it is not impossible to curb the spread of the eternal night area.

"Princess Ines"

Hearing this name, Olivia inexplicably felt a sense of crisis.

She leaned into Leon's arms, looked up at him, and whispered: "Last time you just went to help once, and you have become very close with that princess?"

Hearing this, Leon came back to his senses from his thoughts.

He looked at the girl with a strange look in her eyes, and sensed something, smelling a subtle hint of jealousy.

"What are you thinking, you little fool? I'm talking about my political relationship with her. Ines owes me a favor. Besides, why do you call her 'Your Highness'?" Leon laughed. He hugged Olivia tightly and pecked her lightly.

"You are my true princess."

There was nothing much to say, Leon immediately showed his feelings with full enthusiasm, calming the girl's cute little jealousy.

The sound of the wind blowing outside the fortress walls all night covered up the blushing noise.

The next morning.

Leon, feeling refreshed, cheered up.

He arrived at the study early, but before he started working on territory affairs, he thought of something and sent someone to talk to Knight Larian.

Not long after, the knight rangers who were on patrol in the town of Avalon quickly returned to the lord's fortress.

"Good day, Lord Leon, do you want to see me for something?" Larian walked in and greeted him with a bow.

"Please take a seat, Lord Larian. I have some news that I must tell you."

Leon did not hold back and told the knight, who was currently serving as the chief of security in Avalon, all the news about the undead disaster.

"The situation is so serious that I can no longer guarantee the safety of Avalon in the future. The territory will soon expand its military and prepare for war. This news should not be spread to avoid causing panic among the people. But I cannot hide it from you, Mr. Larian. After all, I persuaded you to stay here and serve me on the grounds of Miss Margarina's safety on her journey."

Leon said frankly: “Now, you can reconsider whether to stay or leave. Whether you leave or not, I won’t blame you.”

After hearing this horrifying news, Larian was stunned, but without any hesitation, he immediately stood up and shook his head.

"Thank you for your sincerity, Lord Leon. However, if such a disaster is about to bring disaster to the common people, how can I, as a knight-errant, escape alone? You all have the courage to defend the world, so I am naturally willing to stay and continue to lend a helping hand." As he spoke, the knight-errant frowned, worried about the people of his homeland who were already facing such a terrible disaster, and hated that he was alone and powerless.

Leon actually had a premonition that this upright knight would not resign and leave to avoid disaster, but he still reminded him: "I admire and am moved by your chivalry, but you are not alone, and you have to consider Miss Margarina's safety."

"You are right, Magalina."

Larian heard this and fell into deep thought. Then he looked up and asked, "I still want to stay and help you fight this disaster, but can you please do me a favor?"

Leon nodded: "Please tell me, I will do my best." "I wonder if you can use a griffin, or let Lord Corvis use his eagle, to send Magerina to the Kingdom of Dineshien on my behalf? I have several close friends living in the Holy Sun City." Larian explained.

With the efficiency of a Hippocampus, it should take less than seven or eight days to fly straight from the sky to the capital of the Holy Kingdom. He could feel at ease entrusting his lover to the care of a close friend far away.

"Of course." Leon agreed without hesitation: "I have something important to do and can't leave for the time being, but I can still send Corvis to escort Miss Margarina to the Holy Kingdom for refuge."

It is just a piece of cake to solve the worries of a Knight of the Order of Arms and gain his service in return.

"Thank you very much." Larian stood up and thanked him.

Leon smiled and said, "I will immediately inform Corvis to prepare for the long journey, but the road is unfamiliar. When you go back, you should also prepare the route and map in detail, as well as a letter to prove your identity. Discuss it clearly with Corvis before setting off."

The Knight Errant nodded and thanked him again. He hurriedly took his leave and went to discuss the matter with his partner.

After leaving the fortress, Larian was a little anxious, so he didn't delay and quickly went to the academy in Avalon Castle.

After he was appointed as the chief of police of Avalon, Margarina did not sit idle at home. She now teaches cultural courses in the academy.

When he went up to the second floor of the big house, he saw his lover giving literacy lessons to the children, and when Margarina winked at him, he waited patiently outside.

"Don't forget the characters we taught you today. Be sure to practice more." When the class was finally over, Margarina clapped her hands and asked the students to put away the wax boards.

"Thank you for your teaching, Ms. Magalina." The children stood up and bowed properly.

The girl picked up the book and walked out of the classroom with a smile on her face and a happy mood.

After coming to Avalon, she felt that her life had become much more fulfilling, with a beautiful environment, a loving partner, and a comfortable and free daily life. Now Magrena was even more fascinated by the feeling of being sincerely respected by these children.

Sometimes she thought about holding her wedding with Larian in Avalon Castle, completing the final and most important ceremony, and forming a real family.

She met many new friends here, including Miss Olivia, Ms. Veresa, Miss Sally, and Little Lina. When that day comes, Margarina looks forward to her friends sending their blessings to the two of them.
"Why did you come to see me so early today?" Margarina asked her lover puzzledly. Normally at this time, he should be in the town, patrolling with the sheriff and militia.

Larian looked at the servants and students passing by, but did not speak immediately. He took his lover's hand, walked down the stairs and came to the open space in the backyard.

He held the other person's hand and said seriously, "I have something to tell you."

The Knight Ranger did not explain the details of the disaster, but only told her that an extremely terrible disaster was happening in the eastern part of the country, and even the future of this area might be in danger.

"I've asked Lord Leon. Lord Corvis will use the flying beast to send you to Dineshien to live for a while until it's safe in the future."

However, the more Larian said this, the more the smile on Magalina's face disappeared.

The girl took a deep breath and interrupted with a somewhat stubborn voice: "No, I won't leave. I don't want to experience separation again."

Larian sighed helplessly and said, "Believe me, I don't want to be separated, but I'm afraid I can't protect you in this danger."

"If it's so dangerous, what about you? If something happens to you, do you think I will live on in distant Dineshien?" Magerina held Larian's hand tightly, with tears in her eyes.

"Do you know how scared and tormented you felt in the past whenever you were in danger alone and I had no news? How long do you think I can endure this pain now?" The girl lowered her voice.

"I'm sorry, it's my identity and responsibility that hurt you." Larian felt guilty as he blamed himself.

Margarina shook her head and smiled, "No, your responsibility is the reason why I am obsessed with you. You are a hero who stands tall and proud, and my beloved hero. But Larian, I am tired of waiting. No matter what dangers there are, I will go through them with you. Let us embrace each other in the end even when facing death, okay?"

Larian said no more.

He understood Margarina's feelings. If he ignored her feelings and thought he would be in a safe place, it would actually be a torture for his lover.

The girl does not want to tarnish her honor and oath, so I cannot insult her love for me.

Reaching out and hugging Margarina tightly, the Knight Ranger silently swore a blood oath in his heart.

Never let the danger of this disaster get close to her.
But how can this be done?
Empty vows are meaningless.

Although he is a martial artist who can slay demons and monsters, his personal strength is far from enough to face the disaster that Lord Leon said would require an unprecedentedly large army and unity to fight against.

How can we save the people and protect our loved ones?

The army, to unite a large army. I am alone.
Suddenly, Larian had an idea.

An oath in the family's ancient books, which was so old that it no longer had any practical meaning, came to his mind.

The lord's office study.

There were hurried footsteps coming from outside the door.

After hearing the announcement, Leon said, "Come in."

He put down the official document on the joint establishment of the Avalon Mining Guild and looked up at the returning Knight Ranger.

"What's the matter again?" Leon asked, sitting up straight.

"I'm sorry, sir. I want to take back my previous request for help. Margarina doesn't want to leave me and wants to stay in Avalon and live with me." Larian saluted.

Leon couldn't help but laugh after hearing this and said, "It's okay. Your love is enviable, and I admire Miss Margarina's courage. But don't worry, if Avalon is really in danger, I will arrange for all the women, children and weak people to evacuate to the north in advance."

"Thank you for your thoughtful consideration, sir." Larian expressed his sincere gratitude.

He stood up and continued his request: "But I still want to borrow Lord Corvis's Hippogriff to take me to some distant place as soon as possible."

"Are you in a hurry?" Leon asked doubtfully.

Larian nodded and said, "Sir, the disaster you mentioned has endangered the lives of tens of millions of people. In this disaster, I think any 'Knight-Errant' on the continent who still abides by the ancient oath will step forward without hesitation."

".Following the ancient 'chivalrous oath', I will issue a call to summon every chivalrous knight who still has faith today to come to Avalon to gather."

(End of this chapter)