Knight Lord: Start with Daily Intelligence.

Chapter 289 Arrival at Maraisburg and Treatment of the Griffin Knights

Dermster made no secret of the fact that his mount was a donkey, introducing it as follows: "My mount, Blackhoof, was guided to my adventure by His Majesty Morr in a dream. You've seen it, it's powerful and strong, with incredible endurance, surpassing most horse kings. The only downside is that it has a stubborn and violent temper, and will kick at the slightest disagreement."

Black Hoof is really as bad as its name suggests. Not only are its hooves black, but it is also extremely despicable. It likes to stab people from behind and kick them hard with its hooves.

Su Li had seen its volatile temper before, but he was simply very interested in Mor's adventures. He felt that this deity's abilities were somewhat similar to his own, so he asked, "How did Mor predict and guide your adventures?"

Demster was a sharp man. He immediately understood Su Li's intention and asked, "Sir Su Li, are you interested in the prophecy part? I heard that you also possess powerful prophetic abilities and are a prophet of the Hessen Territory. I'd like to know if your abilities are related to Mor?"

Su Li did have a slight suspicion about this. After all, he had been a slave in his previous life and died suddenly, and then he traveled through time.

Maybe it was really because Master More took pity on me that he gave me the powerful ability of a chosen one.

Dermest didn't hide anything, saying, "My adventure was foreshadowed by a dream. That night, the dream began on a desolate battlefield, with skeletons and broken armor scattered across the ground. The sky was gloomy, and crows circled in the air, cawing mournfully. I was alone on the battlefield, filled with confusion and anxiety."

"I don't know how much time passed, maybe a few minutes, maybe a few hours, when a dark figure descended from the sky. It was Mor, the God of Death. He was clad in a tattered black robe, and a cold gaze flashed beneath his skull mask. In a low and majestic voice, he said to me: 'The path of destiny calls you, young knight.'"

"Then he pointed in the distance, where a mist-shrouded land loomed. I walked for a long distance and found myself at an ancient temple. The walls of the temple were covered with ancient runes and murals, depicting scenes of war, death, and rebirth. In the center of the temple, a huge stone statue caught my attention. The statue was carved with the image of a donkey, but this was no ordinary donkey—it was enormous, and its eyes glowed with an eerie red light."

In my dream, the stone donkey spoke, "I am the witness of your destiny. You will face an unprecedented challenge, and this is only the beginning! Fate will take care of things; you only need to follow its guidance."

"Then I woke up. For many things afterwards, I felt as if I had already experienced them somewhere before. Following this intuition, I indeed found the ancient temple in a dilapidated, long-abandoned village. Black Hoof was the only one inside, all alone. I wonder how a donkey like him could have survived in such an environment for so many years."

"Then it became my mount. I rode it through countless adventures and witnessed countless deaths. Finally, I was chosen by Mor and became Mor's Chosen One."

"Oh, right, this dream happened when I just broke through to become a full-fledged knight. So I seriously suspect that His Majesty Mor must have taken a fancy to my youthful and handsome appearance long ago! So he deliberately gave me guidance and bound me so early. You know, these gods are very... very cunning. They understand the principle of placing bets early and reaping high returns."

Su Li guessed that the word he wanted to use at first was definitely not cunning, but at least something like cunning.

However, Su Li could see that not every believer of the gods was so serious.

Perhaps the pastor of the More Church does have some mental problems.

This was understandable. In this dark and hopeless world, there were too many people with insane mental states. Nearly one-third of the patients admitted to the Shaerya Church's orphanage were mentally ill.

As the Morel Crows are in constant contact with death, being eccentric is almost their hallmark.

However, if what Demster said is true, Su Li feels that his ability to predict has almost nothing to do with Moore.

He asked curiously, "Why is the God of Death associated with prophecy?"

Durmster stroked his shiny bald head, snapped his fingers excitedly, and said, "Because everyone will die, this prophecy is always correct. In fact, many believe that the inhabitants of the Old World, especially the Empire, have an unhealthy obsession with it, so much so that the symbolism of death is embedded in everything. From the skulls adorning the flags to the military culture that permeates Imperial society, death is everywhere, and its master is Morr."

Isn't this too unreliable? Su Li seriously doubted the mental state of this Morr's Chosen One.

Dermster, however, didn't notice anything wrong and continued, "Of course, it's dreams that truly connect Mor to prophecy. In dreams, people are closest to death, and death is the future that awaits everyone. Therefore, Mor is also the god of dreams and prophecy. Aside from funerals, most people only pray to Mor for these two roles, though Mor is unlikely to reveal any information unrelated to death. Only the dead can receive his protection, and the dead don't pray."

Only the dead can receive his protection? After hearing this, Su Li inexplicably felt that Demster's mental state was normal. If there is such a god, then there should be such believers.

Dermster shrugged. "I must correct your stereotype of us. Most people think of Morr's priests as serious, solemn, and quiet men. That's because they only see them at funerals. Humor, hobbies, and even a selective circle of friends are not uncommon among priests. Improved burial techniques, good sewing skills, or an interest in melodious music are all encouraged by the sect. Socialites, frivolous people, and hedonists are certainly not inclined to worship the god of death, but Morr priests are likely to surprise those who think they know them well."

"Okay." Su Li nodded and said, "You guys really surprised me with your success. Where are you going next?"

Durmster sighed and said, "I can no longer stay in the Greenmoss Swamp without completing the commission from the Swamp Lord. I think I will continue my expedition. You know, we followers of Morr occasionally go to battlefields, villages destroyed by orcs, and other similar dangerous places. Since most quests cannot attract the services of the Night Watch, we are forced to travel with adventurers frequently. We are famous for being able to complete a complete funeral service in less than a minute, while escaping from a group of orcs at the same time."

Famous for being able to perform a full funeral service in under a minute while also running away from a group of orcs??!

This is a talent. Su Li said decisively: "If you have nowhere to go, I can give you some guidance. There are a large number of obsessed souls in Akendenfu Castle who need a priest to free them. At the same time, the dwarf tombs in the Graystone Tribe surrounding my territory are being polluted by necromancers. You can complete the task of purifying the holy tomb. All of this is enough to bring you generous rewards and outstanding reputation. At the same time, my territory also welcomes your arrival and will provide you with shelter."

Although Su Li could directly use the opportunity to repay a favor, as long as Su Li's emotional intelligence is not that low, he would not be so straightforward. Giving Demster some choices would bring him more favor.

As expected, after hearing Su Li's guidance, Demster's eyes lit up and he said, "How did you know this information? Even Moore didn't give me any guidance in this regard."

Su Li smiled and said, "You know, I have a certain ability to predict the future. Perhaps in our territory, you will be able to obtain more opportunities."

Demster thought carefully for a moment before replying, "I think that's all fine. I'll visit your territory for a while. If you don't mind, I'll also build a temple to Morr in your territory."

Su Li immediately extended his hand and said excitedly, "Of course, I will support your missionary work. Our Hesse Territory is a very tolerant and open territory. What kind of temple do you want to build? Perhaps you can tell me about your church and I can provide you with a sponsorship through the Bishops' Council."

As long as Demstrach was brought into the Hesse Archbishopric, he would be unable to escape anytime soon. For at least three years, he would have to serve Hesse for the funds the Archbishopric provided him and his church.

Demster was still quite enthusiastic about promoting the Church of More. He extended his right hand and shook Su Li's hand firmly, then replied in detail: "Our churches in More are not that luxurious. They are almost all built of stone. There is always a wide stone door, and there is no door panel, only a heavy lintel that can be opened like a portal. The door is formed by a pair of pillars. One is black and the other is white, reflecting the dual nature of God. More churches are usually in the quietest places underground, famous for their cool temperature and good ventilation. The interior of More churches is usually empty. Any necessary furniture is stored in the warehouse and only taken out when needed - such as at a funeral."

Other details depend on the denomination. Shroud Order churches are usually rectangular, with several side rooms where the body can be prepared for burial. At the end of the nave is the main altar, opposite the door, with a coffin in front of it where the deceased is placed during the funeral procession. Behind the altar is a door leading to the More Gardens. Larger churches have several altars so that more than one funeral can take place at a time, and each altar has its own door leading into the gardens.

"A diviner's church is typically circular and domed, with an oculus at the top. The seer sits in the center of the dome, surrounded by the smoke of incense. Attached rooms and chambers are part of the main building, accessed directly from the church's main hall. A diviner's church does not have a Moorish garden attached to it, but it is not uncommon for the churches of the two main sects to be located next to each other. In some places, such as Terrabheim, this is different. Most choose to be buried in Talvert, Tal's sacred forest. Their bodies are carried along a pilgrimage route to Moor, and at the end of the route, they rest for a period in Moorish gardens. Finally, when the body is properly prepared, it is carried through a gate dedicated to Rhea, known as the Stone of the End."

"Oh, it's worth mentioning that I'm a member of the Order of the Shroud. Our church is responsible for burials, so daily activities include receiving the dead, performing the necessary rites, burying the remains in the More Gardens, and protecting the deceased from grave robbers and necromancers. Junior priests handle most of this, although donations of corpses can be accompanied by services provided by senior clergy. The bodies of local nobles are naturally received by the archpriest himself. City churches tend to be always busy, while rural churches may only have one funeral per day, depending on the number of villages they serve."

"Members of the Shroud Cult?" Su Li raised his eyebrows and asked, "What are the main magical abilities of your cult?"

"Raven symbol. For example!" Dermster snapped his fingers, and four black ravens appeared on the shoulders of his plain black robe. "Brother Mor, summon a ghostly raven (the Chosen One can summon four). Cast a shadow of death upon the target, continuously draining the target's vitality."

"And, of course, there's the most powerful sacred magic of Morr. As the god of death and dreams, Morr provides guidance and assistance to his priests, helping them deal with the restless dead. According to tradition, the wisdom bestowed by him as the god of dreams is related to the night, while his assistance is associated with the day, and those who choose to balance the two are associated with twilight. Night Morr spells are usually only used by soothsayers, while those priests of the Night Guard who are blessed with the ability to perform miracles will use daytime Morr spells. These include [Doomsday Prophecy], [Death's Sleep], [Threshold Line], and so on."

No wonder he was able to fight with the red dragon for so long. It was all because these four ravens helped him absorb a lot of vitality.

With the addition of this God-chosen knight, the combat effectiveness of the Hessen Territory is bound to be further enhanced.

Su Li was in a good mood, so he said to him, "Then you can continue your travels. I'll give you a letter of recommendation. Take this letter to Hesse Territory to find our Marshal Knight Orstein. He will mobilize an army for you to help you complete the mission of purifying the Holy Tomb of the Dwarves. My knights and I will continue to rush to Maleburg." "To Maleburg?" Demste nodded and said, "Then my lord, you can keep an eye on the situation at the Araby Pyramid in Maleburg. I heard that the Araby Tomb King led a large number of undead to break out of the ancient tomb, causing many of our empire's knightly strongholds in the northern Araby Desert to fall."

"This means that many knights, captives, and slaves have ended up in Maleburg. As you know, these knights, pioneers, and colonists also moonlight as bandits, stealing many precious treasures from ancient tombs."

"I heard that the Empire is planning a large-scale operation recently. You might also want to pay attention to it."

The empire's power in the south collapsed?
No wonder the previous intelligence suggested recruiting the wandering knights who appeared, as they could attract a large number of imperial deserters to the territory.

It seems that these deserters were all withdrawn from the Araby coast.

We don't need too many of these Imperial deserter gangs; 30 to 50 men each would be enough to form a powerful raiding group.

To be honest, ordinary adventurers, mercenaries, and slave-hunting groups might not be able to capture them. They might even harass trade routes and rob villagers heading to towns.

If the Hessen Territory could recruit five or so groups of imperial deserters, it would be able to expand one or two villages.

After all, most of these people are young and strong laborers, and even many deserters have special skills and are outstanding craftsmen who can make paper, repair donkey hooves, make weapons, and some of them can even sew, repair, take care of horses, and act as veterinarians.

Relying on these people, it would be no problem to expand several villages and farms in the territory.

Of course, the most valuable slaves must be in Marley Castle. With so many strongholds being breached by the Tomb Kings, a large number of refugees who returned in defeat must have been arrested and sent to Marley Castle.

So Su Li became a little impatient. After saying goodbye to Demster, he took his guards and headed straight to Maleburg.

For the rest of the journey, he did not stop or make any unnecessary changes except for a short rest.

This also made his speed extremely fast, and he reached Maleburg in just three days.

Su Li was somewhat delighted to have arrived in Maleburg so quickly and smoothly. The moment he saw the magnificent city walls of Maleburg, he breathed a sigh of relief.

In fact, he had been very true to his word on this trip, having fulfilled all the promises he had made to the court ladies. Even in the past two days, he had avoided any unnecessary complications and avoided any conflicts that could be avoided.

Apart from getting the necessary opportunities, he did not deviate from his course at all, and even successfully avoided the battle with the red dragon Drake with tactics and wisdom.

That's why he was able to march straight in and successfully reach Maleburg in just three days.

When they were more than thirty miles away from the castle, they began to gradually descend from the air.

And sure enough, the scenery you see when you arrive at Maleburgh from high in the sky on a griffin and when you enter the city under the supervision of the guards at the city gate below are completely different!

Looking down from the air, Maleburg is extremely magnificent, worthy of being the empire's most prosperous and magnificent city in the border prince's territory. The city wall is more than 30 meters high and is built with huge stones. There is a watchtower every hundred meters, and the iconic flag of the empire - a griffin with spread wings - is planted on the top of the tower.

The tallest building in the city is the clock tower in the central square. The bells of the clock tower ring every hour, telling the time to the people of the city. Surrounding the clock tower is the most important trading area of ​​Maleburg, with shops and flags flying.

The east, south and west of Maleburg are all traversed by wide canals. Countless merchant ships and fishing boats are docked at the port, with masts standing tall like a forest.

Countless knight teams and caravans passed by on the roads that extended in all directions, and the busy procession stretched endlessly.

This scene is far more shocking than it looks to one person in the middle of the road below.

This wasn't the first time Fastrick had passed by here, but every time he saw the bustling scene, he couldn't help but sigh: "If we could capture this city, how much would we have to collect in customs duties and city entry taxes?"

The other Swan Knights were also full of fantasies. If they could capture this richest city, their rural territories would also become rich overnight.

Su Li said ambitiously, "Have faith, he can replace you! Sooner or later, we will lead 30,000 cavalrymen to the city. When that time comes, the city will open its gates and welcome their master into his loyal Maleburg!"

To be honest, neither Fastrick nor Ailiriya dared to believe it.

The gap between the two sides was simply too great. Maleburg, the wealthiest city in the Border Princedom, maintained four large legions, with over 4 elite knights alone, more than some duchies. Their city guards generally possessed the strength of elite knights.

The Hesse Territory currently has only 800-odd elite knights. Even including the armed attendants, there are only more than infantry and cavalry soldiers directly under the territory.

It can be said that the enemy can overwhelm the Hessian army with a single charge.

But Hildrede was full of confidence in Su Li. She gripped her sword tightly, looked down at the magnificent city below, and said, "My Lord, our territory is located in the north, relatively close to the city of Maleburg. You have much greater opportunities than other pioneering knights. Sooner or later, you will take control of this border jewel."

As they were talking, a group of knights mounted on hippogriffs soared up from the city. They flew between the towering towers and fluttering flags, and soon arrived in mid-air. They shouted to Su Li and his group from afar, "Welcome, distinguished pioneer lords, to Maleburg. May I ask which family of noble knights you come from? Our city lord has always respected the nobles of the princely domain, and sincerely invites you to come and have a chat."

This also surprised everyone. It was the first time they knew that if you rode a large number of griffins near Maraisburg, the city would send noble griffon knights to greet you, and you could even visit the city lord's mansion directly!
Hildre patted the griffin and flew forward, holding high the banner of the Black Forest Territory. He replied, "We are pioneering knights from the Bauhinia Family. Thank you, Lord, for your kindness."

There was a sudden commotion in the opposing crowd, and the knights looked at each other, at a loss.

"What?! He's just a pioneer knight? What should we do? To see the city lord, he must be at least an earl."

"Should we invite them?"

"How can we invite them? If we can even meet with the pioneer knights, will we meet with the kingdom knights? Will we meet with the barons? If not, won't we offend countless nobles? But if we do meet them, the city lord won't have to do anything else in the future."

"But those are griffins! The city lord always receives lords who arrive with griffin knights. And the pioneer knights have so many griffins. If they become nobles in the future, won't their future be limitless?"

The other party whispered for a long time, and finally the captain gritted his teeth and decided to invite Su Li into the City Lord's Mansion!

Isn't the Lord of the City meeting these Griffin Lords just for investment and to build relationships? This Redbud Knight, not even a noble, has arrived with so many Griffins and Pegasus. Wouldn't it be more profitable to invest in him?

(End of this chapter)