Knight Lord: Start with Daily Intelligence.

Chapter 508 The Adventure Team Returns - Lord of Thunder - Aiolos (Bonus chapter at the request of the Helmsman)
The autumn sun gilded the harvest scene in Blackforest Territory. While Su Li was immersed in the busy and happy harvest and the new round of farming plans, the dwarf king Kadrin Ironsworn and his army had also finished their preparations and embarked on their journey back to Gray Mountain.

The dwarven lord's stay in Blackwood for over a month was fraught with immense risk. Within Gray Mountain, the various dwarven fortresses were like isolated islands surrounded by an endless sea of ​​monsters, constantly facing threats.

His personal deployment of over five thousand elite warriors to Blacksene effectively removed two complete elite legions from the homeland, leaving the defenses of the fortresses inevitably vulnerable. No one could predict whether the greenskins, rats, or other more sinister beings underground would seize this opportunity to cause trouble.

However, King Cadlin considered all these risks worthwhile. The sight of his massive army returning laden with spoils was enough to set any dwarf warrior's blood boiling.

Behind the main force was a supply train consisting of over three hundred large wagons, piled high with plump fish smoked using techniques unique to the Black Forest Territory. The rich, salty, and smoky aroma filled the air, and these high-protein foods would greatly enrich the dwarf warriors' diet.

Even more precious were the twenty-five heavily guarded vehicles. They were filled with a full fifty thousand kilograms of steel wheat gleaming with a metallic sheen! The energy and resilience contained in these extraordinary grains, once supplied to the dwarf legion for a long period, would significantly enhance their physical strength, endurance, and ferocious power in battle, creating even more powerful war machines.

In addition, there were mountains of pearl bread, numbering over 30,000. This magical bread, made from pearl wheat flour, was valued for its imperishability. It would be transported back to the core fortresses as the most reliable strategic reserve. No matter how fierce the battles became or whether trade routes were cut off, as long as the fortresses remained unconquered, the defending forces would never succumb to starvation.

The caravan also included several wagons loaded with other supplies traded or received from Blackwood: finely tanned, thick leather; large quantities of high-quality iron and steel ingots (dwarves never have too much metal); Blackwood-brewed spirits (which the dwarves highly valued); and practical tools and spare weapons crafted by human artisans. These supplies reflected the pragmatic tradition of dwarven interactions with humans—solid and useful.

But none of these gains could compare to the mithril and rune-sealed container in King Cadlin's arms. Inside lay five pods of the Blessed Wisteria Tree—meaning that the lives of this dwarf king and five important ministers or lords of the Grey Mountain Kingdom had been extended by a full year!
This has unparalleled strategic significance for the Grey Mountain Dwarves.

Kadrin Ironsworn, with his unparalleled resilience, extraordinary bravery, and exceptional strategic brilliance, was an unparalleled restorer of the Grey Mountain Dwarf Kingdom in its millennia-long history. His snow-white beard was braided into a majestic plait, and his face, etched with the marks of time and battle, shone with a piercing gaze. Under his rule, the declining Dwarf Kingdom straightened its back once more.

He is a legendary warrior-king, and as long as he sits on the throne, the morale of the Grey Mountain dwarves will not falter, and the kingdom will not decline. Countless people hope that he will lead them step by step to infiltrate, cleanse, and ultimately reclaim the ancient halls and mines that have been taken over by evil.

The caravan moved slowly forward. King Kadrin, atop his strong ibex mount, looked back as the outline of the Blackforest castle gradually blurred in the distance. In his thick hands, he gripped not only the longevity-enhancing fruit, but also another reward from Su Li—the legendary [Rage Rune] containing terrifying power.

His knuckles were slightly white from the effort, but the old king's heart surged with pride. With this powerful rune, the kingdom's finest rune blacksmith could forge it into the rare materials he had prepared, creating a truly legendary suit of armor for him!

Then, he, Kadrin Ironsworn, will wield the legendary warhammer of his long lineage, the Hatredbreaker, and don the newly born legendary armor! His figure will be as immovable as a mountain, and his rage will burn all enemies like a furnace.

One man can form an army—this is no exaggeration! He could almost see those damned green-skinned brats and cowardly rats crying for their parents and utterly routed under his hammer and fury.

"Move forward!" The king's voice, like rolling thunder, echoed throughout the ranks. "Our homeland awaits us, and countless battles await us to win!"

Though the journey home was fraught with peril, the dwarven army, brimming with hope and strength, marched with ever greater determination.

After seeing off the dwarven king Kadrin Ironsworn, who was returning with a full haul, Su Li thought he could enjoy a few days of peace and focus on the autumn conscription and training work in his territory.

The financial situation of the Hessian Territory improved greatly due to the autumn harvest and trade. The influx of the Golden Crown and the significant population growth gave him the confidence to expand his army.

Moreover, the military strength of the territory is actually quite strained at present. The legendary Holy Lily Knight, Hilde, has led an elite legion to the Swamp Territory, where they are clearing out the perimeter of that perilous land and searching for the Swamp Fortress hidden in the thick fog and swamp.

The swamp was vast and boundless, shrouded in mist year-round, and its environment was extremely harsh. If a large army were to venture deep into it rashly, it would easily lose its way, be ambushed, or even be swallowed up by the swamp itself.

Even the air cavalry dared not lower their altitude for reconnaissance, lest they be shot down by lurking enemies or strange creatures in the swamp. Progress was extremely slow.

Therefore, rapidly recruiting soldiers, advancing steadily and gradually, and squeezing out the hiding space of the swamp fortress with a near-carpet search became the safest but also the most resource-intensive strategy.

In order to carry out this large-scale conscription and improve the overall quality of the army, Su Li issued a clear order.

Within their territory, the dwarven artisans answered the call and displayed their work: two squads of well-equipped, imposing elite Ironbreaker warriors were ready for battle. One squad consisted of heavy armored melee infantry wielding heavy warhammers; their armor gleamed with runic light, enough to withstand even the most brutal carnage.
The other team was equipped with the fearsome Troll Hammer Flamethrower, a terrifying ranged weapon that could spew out all-consuming alchemical flames, enough to purify any gathered enemy forces or fortified positions.

This is merely a microcosm of Su Li's efforts to improve the quality of his troops. He is currently recruiting more elite knights and veteran warriors on a large scale, while at the same time, an even more important initiative is being implemented: allowing a large number of ordinary armed retainers to retire and return to their hometowns.

This move has two core benefits.

First and foremost, it conserves precious food, perfectly aligning with Su Li's strategic concept of "accumulating grain for military training." While armed retainers are far less powerful than regular knights, their food consumption is no less.

Maintaining an excessively large low-ranking army would not only rapidly deplete the territory's food reserves, but would also severely impact agricultural production—for every able-bodied young man conscripted, there would be one less laborer in the fields.

By allowing these armed retainers to retire, manpower can be immediately returned to the land and workshops, ensuring that the territory's food production and material manufacturing are not affected, and may even be improved due to the return of the workforce.

Secondly, these retired armed retainers greatly enhanced the self-defense capabilities of villages, manors, and even border outposts throughout the Black Forest Territory. In this dark and dangerous world, human settlements faced constant threats: predatory beastmen might emerge from the forests, plundering Skaven might rise from the ground, undead roamed the wilderness, and there were even more bizarre beings at play.

The return of veterans with combat experience and basic military training to their hometowns means that each village has gained a group of militia leaders who can be quickly organized. They can operate simple fortifications, use weapons to fight off small groups of raiders, and buy precious time for their fellow villagers before the regular army arrives.

This is equivalent to weaving a more robust civilian defense network for the entire territory without consuming additional military rations.

Su Li stood on the castle wall, watching the newly recruited, more elite soldiers begin their drills on the training ground, and then looked out at the fields gradually returning to their bustling state.

A well-trained army, sufficient food supplies, and a peaceful populace—these three elements combined are the foundation upon which the Hessian Territory was able to stand firm amidst powerful enemies and gradually expand.

Sweeping away the swamp territory and finding that damned swamp fortress was just the first step in his strategic blueprint.

Once he has pacified this area and forced the Imperial Electors Council to grant him a high-ranking noble title, his territorial expansion will proceed exceptionally smoothly.

At that time, small territories similar to those of pioneer knights or even kingdom knights can be easily established by issuing a proclamation.

Don't underestimate these small forces; within the border princely territories, the most numerous are these scattered small lords.

If any faction could truly unite and integrate all these small territories, it would instantly possess 7-8% of the entire border princely territory.

If they truly possessed such strength, then they could easily capture this important town of Maleburg when their army reached it.

Before Su Li could savor the lingering emotions of the dwarves' departure, nor could he dwell on them, a series of hurried and excited footsteps interrupted his thoughts. Chief Druid Fandral and Elven Mage Edmund practically ran to find him, their faces beaming with barely suppressed excitement.

"My lord!" Fandall's voice trembled slightly with excitement. "Great news! Incredible good news! Our expedition to the deepest part of the Blackpine Forest—the one led by the bone merchant Frostwood and the halfling hero Ashfield—has returned!"

Edmund then added, his emerald eyes gleaming with near-ecstatic joy: "They did it! They really found it! The legendary, reclusive, last ancient sky Titan in the world! And they've successfully made contact with that ancient being!"

The two subordinates, who were closely connected to the Way of Nature, were visibly excited. For them, the opportunity to make contact with a Titan, who originated from the beginning of the world and symbolized the ancient sky and the power of nature, was far more significant than a simple military victory or resource harvest.

This means that the expedition team may very well obtain some ancient knowledge, artifacts, and even the most precious thing—the seeds of ancient plants—from that ancient being. “The Tree of Life…” Edmund’s voice was almost a whisper, filled with boundless anticipation and awe. “My lord, this is our greatest hope! My lifelong desire is to witness a new Tree of Life take root and grow!”

This was the fundamental reason why he was willing to leave his familiar forest to serve Su Li. Although there were already dwarven communities within the territory, and elves like him and druids like Fandral lived there sporadically, a true elven community core could never be formed. The root cause was the lack of a Tree of Life to serve as the focal point of elven civilization and magic.

Once they possess the seed of the Tree of Life, everything will be different. This means that the Black Forest Territory will be able to cultivate its first Tree of Life!

With this sacred tree at its core, more elves and nature's companions can be attracted to settle here, gradually building a prosperous elven town and guiding the surrounding natural environment to evolve into a tranquil forest filled with magical energy. This is not only a huge ecological improvement, but also a qualitative leap in culture, magic, and even strategy.

Looking at his two excited subordinates, Su Li quickly grasped the profound impact of this news. It wasn't just another wonder or resource; it added a crucial piece to the puzzle of the racial composition and magical foundation of his territory.

"Where are they?" Su Li asked immediately, her tone filled with obvious urgency and anticipation. "Take me to see them right now! I want to hear their stories firsthand, especially... any information about the seeds of the Tree of Life!"

"They should have already arrived at Stormshade Fortress by now!" Fandall reported quickly, his face flushed with excitement. "The garrison's fast horse just delivered the message. Judging by the distance and the expedition's speed, they have probably already passed through the fortress and are heading towards Blacksin City along the main road!"

A glint flashed in Su Li's eyes, and without any hesitation, he ordered: "Send the order! Once Shuanglin and Ashfield arrive in Hessen City, there is no need for any delay. Immediately bring them to the Purple Thorn Palace to see me!"

The order was quickly relayed. And soon after, a weary but excited group appeared outside the gates of Blacksem City.

Leading them were Frostwood, the skeletal merchant with a somber air but gleaming eyes, and Ashfield, the ever-cheeky, crooked-mouthed halfling hero. Their group was small, but each member carried the weariness of a long journey and the excitement of completing their mission.

They didn't linger in the bustling city of Hesse, but walked through the crowded Carnival Square where a small harvest celebration was taking place, and headed straight for the city's central landmark—the enclosed giant covered bridge spanning the rushing Brienne River, "The Jaw of the Lion."

As they stepped onto the bridge of this magnificent structure, even those who had just experienced an adventure in the ancient forest couldn't help but marvel at this creation, a perfect blend of human strength and dwarven craftsmanship.

The bridge is wide enough for four carriages to pass side by side. Outside the huge arched windows on both sides, there is a surging river and a city view. The incredibly solid granite piers are deeply rooted in the riverbed bedrock, and above is a tall arch structure with a seamless fit and unparalleled precision.

The inner walls are not only engraved with the bauhinia flowers and imperial eagle emblem of the Black Forest, but also inlaid with huge bronze reliefs with a distinct dwarven style, depicting mountains, ancestors and forging scenes, both magnificent and sturdy.

After walking across the long covered bridge, the gate at the end slowly opened, and the view before you suddenly opened up.

They officially entered the main courtyard square of the Forbidden City.

Even the well-informed Frostwood couldn't help but hold his breath at this moment. The square was incredibly spacious, paved with polished white marble that shone like a mirror.

In the center of the square stands an extremely magnificent marble statue of a goddess. Her face is beautiful and majestic. She holds a long sword symbolizing the punishment of the blazing sun god, and her gaze seems to be fixed on the entire territory of Black Forest. She is the incarnation of Violet, the goddess of the sun worshipped in the territory.

The base of the statue is surrounded by meticulously manicured bauhinia bushes, which bloom with deep purple flowers even in autumn.

Surrounding the plaza is a vast complex of palace buildings, constructed in a staggered and orderly fashion according to the terrain. These buildings perfectly blend the grandeur of a human empire with the sturdiness and practicality of dwarven architecture.

The towering towers feature elegant spires and platforms for firing ballistae, while the heavy outer walls of the palace are constructed using the massive stone-laying techniques commonly employed by the dwarves. The windows serve both as sources of light and for defense. Exquisitely carved eaves and arches complement the incredibly sturdy steel-reinforced gates.

The expedition team traversed the magnificent plaza, their footsteps echoing through the open space. On either side, every ten steps, stood a palace guard, clad in opulent golden armor with purple plumes adorning his helmet.

They stood motionless like statues, their halberds gleaming coldly in the autumn sunlight, silently demonstrating the majesty of the Forbidden City and the power of their lord.

Under the solemn and imposing gaze of the golden-armored warriors, Frostwood, Ashfield, and their core team walked step by step toward the main palace entrance with its massive bronze doors at the far end of the square. Their hearts were filled with the excitement of completing a momentous mission, and inevitably, a touch of awe at the prospect of supreme authority.

The heavy bronze doors were slowly pushed open by the palace guards on either side, emitting a deep and authoritative scraping sound. Frostwood and Ashfield took a deep breath and stepped into the main hall of the Bauhinia Palace.

Inside the hall, the soaring dome is adorned with murals depicting the history of the empire and the achievements of the gods. Huge stone pillars support the entire structure on either side, and the floor, smooth as a mirror, reflects the autumn sunlight streaming in through the high windows.

At the far end of the hall, atop several steps, Su Li sat enthroned on the throne of the Black Forest lord, a symbol of power. He was not wearing full armor, but his crimson lord's robes still exuded undeniable authority. Fandral and Edmund stood slightly behind him on either side of the throne, their faces filled with eager anticipation.

Shuanglin and Ashfield quickly stepped forward, stopped at the bottom of the steps, placed their right hands on their chests, and bowed deeply.

“My lord,” Shuanglin’s voice still carried his characteristic deep huskiness, but it couldn’t hide the solemnity in it, “I have not failed in my mission.”

"Rise, welcome back, my warriors." Su Li's voice was steady, with a hint of warmth. "It seems the journey has not been peaceful." His gaze swept over the armor on the two men, which, though cleaned, still showed signs of battle, and over the tired yet excited faces of his team members.

No sooner had Su Li finished speaking than Ashfield couldn't hold back any longer. The halfling hero, as if a floodgate had been opened, was so excited he almost jumped up, gesturing wildly and chattering away:
"It wasn't just unsettling, sir! It was a series of nightmare parties, thank goodness we weren't made snacks!"

He spoke incredibly fast, with the exaggerated energy characteristic of halflings, “We hadn’t been in the Black Pine Forest long when we ran into a swarm of mutated giant spiders covered in poisonous moss and mushrooms! Their webs were thicker than ship cables, and their venom would even smoke when it dripped onto the rocks! Thanks to Mr. Frostwood’s bone golem holding the line, and me,” he patted the short sword and crossbow at his waist with pride, “we shot several of their compound eyes with crossbow bolts coated with a special insecticide!”

He caught his breath, giving no one a chance to interrupt, and continued his rapid-fire monologue: "It's not over yet! We almost got completely lost in a place marked 'Whispering Woods'! The trees there were covered in burls that looked like human faces, constantly muttering curses in dark languages, trying to lead us to a bubbling, stagnant pool of water in the woods! One of our experienced rangers, as if possessed, started walking into the water on his own, and we couldn't stop him. If Lady Frostwood hadn't knocked him out with a cold, hard blow, he would have become another festering sore."

“It got even worse!” Ashfield’s words quickened. “We tried to take a shortcut through an abandoned dwarven mine tunnel, but it wasn’t a mine tunnel at all! It was a tunnel dug by rats! Countless Skaven poured out of the hole like a tide, carrying rusty swords and vicious dimensional stone weapons! Green, poisonous light flashed everywhere, and we fought our way back. Several of our brothers were slashed by their poisonous blades, and their wounds immediately festered and festered… To stop the pursuers, we had to blow up half of the tunnel to get rid of these enthusiastic bastards!”

"When we were almost at our destination, we ran into a gang of beastmen on a hunt! The leader, a Doomsday Bull, had horns thicker than my arm and reeked of blood. He was yelling that he wanted to offer our skulls to the Blood God, and we gave him a good 'lesson' about manners!"

Ashfield spoke eloquently, vividly describing the thrilling encounters along the way, as if it were an absurd, bizarre, and perilous drama.

Finally, during a brief pause for breath, Frostwood calmly added, his voice drowning out the halfling's excitement: "We've lost seven skilled fighters and more than a third of our supplies. The dangers deep in the forest are beyond our expectations."

These words made the atmosphere slightly more tense. Ashfield also slightly suppressed his smile and nodded in agreement.

But then, the halfling's emotions surged again. He took a step forward, his eyes wide, and his voice became high-pitched with extreme excitement:
“But! My lord! It was all worth it! We found him! We really found him!” He gestured wildly, “‘The Watcher of the Mountain Peaks, the Ancient Incarnation of the Breath of the Sky, the Lord of Thunder and Silence—Aeolus Herakl Leonidas Antirochus Gibson Skystriker!’ That’s his name, my goodness, it sounds like my aunt’s shopping list!”

“You absolutely cannot imagine, sir!” Ashfield’s cheeks flushed with excitement. “We searched for five whole days, following the markings on the old map, in that place known as the Silent Peaks! And found nothing! No gigantic figures, no thunderous breathing, only damned fog, rocks, and ancient trees!”

He suddenly spread his arms wide, trying to draw a huge outline: "It wasn't until later, when one of the elf druids in our party felt the winds of Giron flowing unusually slowly and heavily on a certain 'mountain'... that we were horrified to discover that we had been circling around Him all along!"

“That’s not a mountain!” The halfling’s voice was filled with disbelief and astonishment. “That’s Him! The ancient Sky Titan, seven in number! His height… at least three hundred meters, maybe even higher! He sits there quietly, having lived for countless millennia, covered in thick layers of soil and rock, with even giant ancient trees and forests growing on him! Moss and vines are like his garments, and clouds entwine around his shoulders and forehead… We had completely mistaken him for part of the environment! His breathing is as slow as the heartbeat of the earth, motionless, as if he himself were an eternal mountain range!”

Ashfield's description silenced the entire hall. Even Su Li leaned forward slightly, his eyes filled with shock and intense curiosity. Fandral and Edmund held their breath, as if they were witnessing that epic scene firsthand through the halfling's words.

(End of this chapter)