Knight and Wand

Chapter 218: Going South to See the Emperor
"What is the 'chivalrous oath'?" Leon asked curiously.

"This has to start with the history of the Knights-Errant." Larian explained to Leon, recalling the records.

Listening to the story patiently, Leon gradually learned the origin of the other party's identity.

The term "Knight Rider" originated from the distant era when the ancestors of Feru walked out of the mountain kingdom in large numbers to open up the western continent.

At that time, even the identity of "knight", which included honor and military nobility, had not yet appeared in Feru culture.

Under the command of the early rulers of the Feru people, the countless horse-riding warriors who led the mountain people to overcome difficulties and establish new lands were the predecessors of the title of "Knight" in the current Feru Kingdom.

The ancient Feru Knights, although they also fought against the primitive dangers and monsters that were everywhere in the wild land to protect the land and the people, they usually only operated within their limited areas of rule.

The confrontation between the Feru lords on all sides, as well as the covetous eyes of various races and nationalities, have led to many people in the frontier areas who lack strong warriors being harassed by various threats.

However, an idealistic warrior stood up and began to wander around different settlements, hunting monsters and fighting evil to earn bounties, but not intervening in worldly attacks.

Soon, as time went on, some inspired warriors followed suit, and the earliest group of people called "Rangers" were born.

It was not until the concept of knights emerged that these wanderers who traveled around the world on horseback were given the honorific title of "Knights-Errant" by the world.

Knights-Errant travel across the continent slaying demons and monsters, but they usually travel alone.

It's not that their identity as rangers requires them to do so.

However, once multiple rangers form a group, they may be able to maintain their original intention of chivalry in the early stage, but as time goes by, they will inevitably conflict with reality due to various reasons, and transform into an armed force with a lot of interests and then become an organization similar to "mercenaries" or "knights", losing their original style of action and are no longer regarded as "knights ranger".

Over time, this has created the traditional impression that knights-errant are loners.

This impression and experience, in turn, gradually became the creed that influenced the rangers' idea of ​​traveling alone over thousands of years.

They usually gather together rarely and disperse frequently. Even if they occasionally travel together, they will disperse after defeating a target and continue to practice their chivalrous ways, avoiding losing their ancient beliefs due to the complexity of human nature.

But when fighting alone is ultimately insufficient, it is said that the so-called "chivalrous oath" is the ancient knights in ancient books. The purpose is to gather a large number of companions to work together to fight against the powerful enemy when facing a powerful evil that a few knights cannot defeat.

Unfortunately, due to various practical reasons, the number of knights-errant has long been dwindling over the past few hundred years.

Ranger knights of the ancient school like Larian were rare to begin with, and they did not form a group. Due to the rise of various kingdoms, the growing strength of the lords' armies, and the gradual extinction of monsters on the continent, most ranger families had long since put aside the creeds of their ancestors, began to be loyal to the lords of all parties, and turned into ordinary knight families.

It is really a question whether the current "Chivalrous Oath" can still summon a few rangers who remember the oath.

"I cannot guarantee how many knights I can summon, but at least my few ranger friends in Dineshion will surely come to fight against the terrible disaster you mentioned."

Larian knew that his former ranger companions still had an unshakable faith.

"That's enough. Even if we can only summon one, it will be a huge help to us." Leon didn't expect too much. At the moment, every bit of strength is good.

Watching Larian return to his residence to prepare for the long journey, Leon quickly summoned Corvis and informed him of the mission of assisting the ranger in traveling to various parts of the continent.

Thinking of the mage's mount that was the size of Sharma in his previous life, Leon asked worriedly, "Is the stamina of the Hippogriff enough to support the two of you on a long journey?"

"Please rest assured, if we don't carry any other heavy objects, Xiao An is strong enough to carry two adult men during the flight. Lord Larian and I can also wear leather armor and travel light." Corvis replied.

"Okay, be careful on the road." Leon thought for a moment and then reminded: "Go get 300 gold crowns before you set off, just in case you need money. Also, I will prepare documents to prove your identity, which will be useful at least in Orland."

Corvis did not refuse, but before turning around to discuss the itinerary with Knight Larian, he reminded his lord, "My Lord, the two new sets of armor you commissioned the Dwarf Guild to make have already been completed. Master Adya heard that you were back and just sent someone to deliver them. They are now in the hall. Should we put them in the warehouse first, or wait for you and Olivia to try them on?"

"Just leave it there, I'll go down and take a look right away." Leon said.

He quickly reviewed the documents at hand, went downstairs to the lord's hall, and looked at the two sets of custom-made plate armor being guarded by the guards. The servants had also brought the lining and robes to match the armor.

The one on the left is his. It is a deep black color, with a gray battle robe embroidered with gold thread and his favorite red-feathered helmet.

There are not too many complicated decorations on the surface of the black armor, but the golden bronze griffin reliefs on the right shoulder armor and right knee armor, the red sword-wing emblem reliefs on the left shoulder and chest, and the scarlet cloak make this set of heavy-style knight plate armor made by dwarf craftsmen still look majestic and luxurious.

Especially when paired with the black war beast armor on Deathclaw, the armor styles of the knight and the behemoth partner were finally unified, no longer abrupt as before with one silver and one black.

It's so cool, it should be able to boost the morale of our soldiers during the battle, Leon thought to himself as he touched the cold surface of the steel armor.

He was finally able to exchange the spoils originally seized from Baron Dawson for his customized exclusive knight armor. This was a moment that was enough to make him excited and leap for joy.

But with so much on his mind right now, Leon wasn't even as excited about changing into new armor.

After getting dressed with the help of the guards, Leon waited for the maids to hang the cloak for him. He stretched his body slightly to feel the griffin plate armor made by the dwarf craftsmen.

Although it looked thicker and more solid than the Duosen serpentine plate armor, Leon was somewhat surprised that not only were the joints of this armor extremely flexible, it also seemed to be no heavier than the old armor, and it felt very sturdy and easy to wear.

After putting on the winged helmet, Leon drew the long sword handed to him by the guards and swung it in several postures as he walked.

The sword slashes and steps are powerful, and a burly knight in black armor is walking in the hall with his armor ringing and his cloak fluttering.

Suddenly, the sound of iron gloves clacking made Leon stop his sword and look up.

Olivia, who had just been guiding Treia outside, also received the notice and came to the hall. She looked at Leon and couldn't help but exclaimed: "Is this your new armor? It's so impressive. After putting it on, you seem to look taller."

"You've come just in time." Leon pushed open his visor and pointed to another set of knight's plate armor with the same color as mine. "I'm not the only one who has it. Go try yours and see if it fits."

In the past, even if he wanted to give the captured good armor to his lover, he couldn't do it because no male knight had a petite body like the girl, and Olivia couldn't wear the ready-made complete knight plate armor.

But now, she can replace her ordinary mixed armor with some solid exclusive equipment.

"Is that mine?" Olivia looked up and was surprised by the exquisiteness of the plate armor on the shelf. The silver armor was decorated with golden bronze edging, and on the right shoulder was a golden bronze lion head.

The inner lining of the battle robe is blue with gold edges. The hem of the robe extending from the skirt armor on both sides is embroidered with golden lion emblems. The azure cloak makes the already gorgeous armor look even more noble.

Of course, the most indispensable thing is the beautiful white feather winged helmet.

Leon put the sword back into the scabbard in Zabron's hand, took off his helmet and handed it to him. He immediately stepped forward impatiently, helped Olivia take off her old clothes, and pushed her to put on the new golden lion armor.

He swiftly dressed the girl, then took a few steps back and looked up and down at his majestic Golden Lion Knight in silver armor and blue robe, with admiration in his eyes.

Although the requirements are put forward by the craftsmen themselves, how to implement them ultimately depends on the craftsmen's own ideas and craftsmanship.

After all, practicality cannot be sacrificed for beauty.

However, although the dwarves look big and strong, they have surprisingly delicate taste in terms of aesthetic taste for weapons.

This set of armor almost completely covers the girl's body without affecting her flexibility. While being extremely practical and protective, it is also extremely exquisite and elegant in appearance. The Heran people are, after all, a race of craftsmen with thousands of years of cultural heritage.

"Is it appropriate?" Leon asked.

"It fits me well and doesn't affect my movements. But the robe and skirt that go with this armor is too extravagant. What if it gets stained by mud and blood?"

Olivia was shocked as she lifted up the blue robe with gold edges. How much did this azure blue robe and cloak cost? If it got stained and couldn't be washed clean, she would probably faint from worry.

"As the champion of the Knights of Avalon and the martial arts instructor of all the knights, how can you not have a majestic outfit?"

Leon smiled and shook his head, comforting him: "Don't worry, this battle robe is for you to use when attending ceremonial occasions. If you really want to go into battle, just change it into an ordinary lining robe that is resistant to dirt."

"That's right." Olivia breathed a sigh of relief.

Putting aside her worries, the excited girl immediately took Leon outside to stretch her muscles and get used to the new armor.
The time in Avalon passed by in a flash.

Leon and Olivia told the truth to old Brian who had rushed back from the Selva Barracks.

At this point, the old knight no longer mentioned the idea of ​​taking his daughter away from danger as he had in the past. He had accepted the life path that Olivia had chosen.

Leon entrusted him with the task of continuing to train new recruits for the Knights Templar, and then arranged personnel to begin recruiting young and strong men from good families with service experience in the territory within Orland.

Azerien, Lohak, and Lady Martha each led a team to the surrounding cities and towns to purchase weapons and pack horses.

Olivia changed her usual gentle attitude and trained the warriors in the Knights Templar day and night with a stricter attitude than before.

Knight Filippo, who had fought alongside her in Ronca, had witnessed the girl's strength and accepted her teachings very honestly. The other three young knights he brought with him, after being beaten up in the arena, were soon shocked and convinced by the "champion".

If you want to gain the respect of warriors, proving your strength directly has always been the easiest way to establish prestige.

The blacksmith workshop in Avalon started to operate at full efficiency after Leon emphasized the time limit to Adela, and the chimney was soon filled with smoke.

Nine dwarves, plus three blacksmith apprentices of Shock who were transferred from the Selva Barracks to help and actually learn the craft, a total of twelve craftsmen worked with all their might and overtime to create armor for the future heavy cavalry. It is expected to be completed within two to three months.

Larian and Corvis did not delay. The Knight-Errant bid farewell to his lover and rode on the Hound to a distant place, carrying the letter of help and commission given by Leon.

In the barony, which was originally quite leisurely, everyone was suddenly caught up in a rush and busyness, and no one had any leisure time.

The companions went out separately, and Leon stayed in Avalon Castle, dealing with a pile of government affairs on his own. Fortunately, with the help of Elena and Ms. Vereesa, he was able to handle the situation.

It was August, and on the fifth day after returning to Avalon, Leon finally met the messenger sent by Count Elliver to inform him to go south.

Since he had to travel with Elifer, Leon did not ride the Deathclaw, but took out the Black Horse to ride after a long absence.

After getting on his horse, he told Olivia who came to see him off, "Before Azerien comes back, all the affairs of the territory will be temporarily handed over to you for management. If you really encounter any problems, go to the Mage Tower to consult Miss Lola. She once ruled over the people in ancient times and can give you some advice."

Seeing the girl nod in agreement, Leon rode his horse and rushed to Achesburg alone to meet up.

It only took half a day to reach the feudal lord's residence by riding the black horse. When entering the Achesne Castle and meeting Elipher, Leon discovered that there seemed to be more than just him and the feudal lord going south together.

Around Elifer, there gathered many newly appointed barons of the Thorn Flower family.

The War Dog Count Rahman of Duwana County was also present, and there were some strange nobles in the hall whom Leon could not recognize.

After a brief introduction by Elifer, he learned that the team going to meet the king actually included more than twenty lords of all sizes.

There are allies and friends of the Thorn Flower Family, as well as Westerland nobles who are on good terms with the Rahman Family.

"I have long heard of your martial reputation in Longka and your chivalry in Selva, Baron Pendragon." A middle-aged nobleman wearing plate armor and a robe with an eagle tattooed on it stepped forward to greet him.

Leon looked at the other party's coat of arms and asked in a daze, "Are you Baron Anguila?"

"That's right. I was delayed by the war not long ago and was unable to come to Glade County in person to witness Lord Earlliver's conferment of the title. It's a pity that I never had the chance to thank you in person. Fortunately, my child and my family have saved their reputation thanks to you for uncovering the conspiracy."

Baron Anguila said, and sighed to Baron Griffin in front of him: "I heard that Filippo has the honor to join your Knights? I hope he can learn your bravery and integrity in the future under your care."

Leon smiled and said, "Sir Filippo is already an excellent knight. I dare not say that I am taking care of him. I am very grateful that he is willing to serve my Knights."

"Now that everyone is here, let's set off." Earl Elliver stood up from the throne and said, "I'll ask you to help the Thorn Flower family advise His Majesty."

(End of this chapter)