Knight Lord: Start with Daily Intelligence.

Chapter 522 Unstoppable! Su Li's Farming Achievements (Bonus Chapter at the Helmsman's Request)
Su Li's command was brief, violent, and without the slightest hesitation; it was filled with undeniable power and a determination to destroy everything.

"For the Lord!"

"For the Black Forest Territory!"

A deafening roar erupted from the aerial legion, echoing Su Li's command and merging into a tidal wave of sound that swept across the battlefield.

Immediately afterwards, the massive air cavalry formation, as if its last shackle had been removed, roared into action!

The lead crimson dragon let out a deafening roar, its scorching breath gathering in its throat, before swooping down. A formation of twelve Warhammer helicopters followed closely behind, their side-mounted gyro-cannons humming deadly, and the muzzles of their sulfur guns flashing with dangerous sparks.

Nearly sixty griffin riders surged forth like a flood, transforming into a deathly cloud, their piercing cries and lances held high as they pressed down on the enemy flank with overwhelming force. Five griffin knights, like golden lightning, targeted the most conspicuous commanders or powerful monsters within the enemy ranks. Meanwhile, hundreds of swan riders quickly dispersed, preparing to clear out the remaining stragglers on the perimeter.

The sky was now completely dominated by the Black Forest Territory's army. The golden armor and the forest of weapons reflected light like sharp swords piercing the gloom of the battlefield. Countless battle banners fluttered furiously in the gale, like burning clouds, announcing the coming of destruction.

This powerful air force, with unparalleled might, slammed down like a hammer of judgment hurled by a god, towards the diverse enemy force below the Drywood Pass!

Crimson Dragon Morkana charged ahead, her massive body streaking across the battlefield like a meteor. As she approached the rear of the enemy siege forces, she suddenly opened her enormous maw, unleashing a torrent of her long-breathed energy!

That was no ordinary flame, but a deep purple breath containing destructive power. This breath was intense and viscous, like a death torrent from the abyss. It erupted violently upon contact with the ground and formed a continuous burning trail as the crimson dragon flew forward.

The breath of fire began from the relatively dense hordes of monsters and auxiliary troops waiting in the enemy's rear, spreading forward, sweeping across the siege engine positions in the middle section, and eventually even licking the edge of the vanguard troops besieging the walls. Wherever the purple flames passed, everything turned to charcoal. The ferocious swamp monsters instantly carbonized amidst their howls; the rudimentary siege towers and catapults twisted and collapsed in the flames; even the damp mud was scorched and vitrified, billowing black smoke. A shocking, charred trench, accompanied by countless twisted fragments, instantly pierced through the entire enemy ranks, causing astonishing chaos and casualties.

Almost simultaneously with the dragon's breath raging, the main force of the air cavalry swooped in. An even more awe-inspiring scene unfolded: several Griffin Chosen Knights and commanders of the Horse Eagle Knights at the forefront of the charge suddenly erupted in dazzling light during their dive!

Their figures rapidly expanded in the light, the runes on their armor were fully activated, and in an instant they transformed into giants nearly thirty meters tall—the very symbol of the Black Forest Territory's high-end combat power, the "God General" form! These enormous knights, like legendary Titan warriors, crashed into the enemy ranks with overwhelming force.

The moment they landed, the earth trembled! Hilder's greatsword swept across, crushing dozens of enemy soldiers, armor and all, into a bloody pulp; another divine general, Orstein, slammed his warhammer down, leaving a massive crater in the ground, the shockwave sending surrounding enemies flying like straw. They marched through the enemy ranks, each swing bringing a storm of blood and gore. Ordinary swords and blades, striking their massive chosen armor, could only produce a few sparks, utterly failing to inflict any real damage.

Just as Su Li had predicted, the Black Forest Territory's air cavalry legion might not have an absolute numerical advantage, but its high-end combat capabilities created an overwhelming asymmetric advantage on this battlefield. Dragons, divine generals, elite air cavalry... the concentrated appearance of these forces, which would be considered strategic in a fantasy world, was a devastating blow to the Swamp Territory's allied forces, which were still mainly composed of conventional infantry and monsters.

The three thousand-plus enemy troops, under the baptism of dragon's breath and the ravages of several divine generals, saw their already weak formation completely collapse. Fear spread rapidly like a plague. Faced with this power beyond common sense, the courage of the swamp lord's soldiers crumbled instantly, and the mercenaries and reinforcements immediately began to scatter and flee. The shouts of the overseers were drowned out by screams and roars; the entire besieging army was in chaos, with countless soldiers trampling each other.

The Black Forest defenders on the walls of the Deadwood Pass stared in disbelief at the dramatic turn of events. Their once precarious defenses had vanished in an instant, replaced by a complete rout of the enemy. They watched their lord soar through the sky with his dragon, and saw their divine general moving through the enemy ranks with unparalleled ease; their hearts were filled with immense pride and the ecstasy of victory.

This is the fruitful result of Lord Su Li's long-term "cultivation" and accumulation of power! This is no longer a battle of equal strength, but a one-sided, overwhelming war showcasing absolute power. The Black Forest Territory's military might, in its very first cries, has already revealed its ferocious face, capable of sweeping across the northern border!
Faced with the devastating air and ground attacks from the Black Forest Territory, the Swamp Territory's army was instantly thrown into chaos and fear. However, driven by the roars of some stubborn officers and swamp demon chieftains, sporadic resistance was still attempted in some areas. They knew that fleeing into the open would only make them lambs to the slaughter by the air cavalry; retreating back to the swamp was their only way out.

At the very center of this chaotic vortex, the ground suddenly bulged and cracked violently! Accompanied by a nauseating churning of mud and a deep, mournful roar, a colossal creature crawled out from underground.

That was a real swamp monster.

Standing over twenty meters tall, its bloated body was roughly humanoid and composed entirely of a mixture of black silt, rotting plant roots, pale animal bones, and unidentified swamp debris. Thick mud constantly dripped from its torso, emitting a pungent, putrid stench. It had no clear face, only two hollow holes in its head, flickering with eerie green soul fire. A rune-covered Ogwanite, faintly radiating magical energy, was embedded like a heart in the center of its mud-constructed chest, glowing softly and sustaining the existence of this hideous construct. Each step it took caused the earth to tremble, displaying a terrifying power befitting its clumsy appearance.

The appearance of this monster seemed to inject a shot of adrenaline into the enemy army, which was on the verge of collapse. Some fleeing soldiers instinctively moved closer to it, attempting to rely on this behemoth for a last stand. It swung its arms, made of giant trees and rocks, and let out a silent roar full of resentment at the nearest general, trying to stop the advance of the Black Forest Territory.

However, it chose the wrong opponent.

"Hmph, a magic-powered clay doll, daring to block your way?" Hilder roared thunderously, her voice filled with disdain. Far from appearing clumsy, her massive body was surprisingly agile under the enhancement of divine power.

Facing the heavy mud arm hurled by the swamp monster, she neither dodged nor evaded. The huge legendary war sword in her hand ignited with golden holy flames, delivering a clean and swift upward slash!
"Sizzle!"

The blade sliced ​​into the muddy, skeletal arm without resistance. The holy energy clashing violently with the dark magic that formed the monster produced a scorching sound. The thick, muddy arm was severed from the body by the sword, turning into a shower of filthy mud and bone fragments.

At the same time, another divine general, Tiberius, swiftly approached from the flank. His massive shield slammed forward with a fierce shield bash, striking the swamp monster heavily in the back of its knee. The immense impact caused the behemoth to stagger, falling to its knees, causing the ground to rumble once more.

Orstein decisively seized this fleeting opportunity. He leaped high into the air, his massive body displaying astonishing agility, his warhammers gripped tightly in both hands, gathering destructive power, and smashed down with the precision of a meteor into the glowing Ogwan stone on the swamp monster's chest!
"Bang—Boom!!"

The warhammer struck its target squarely. The Ogwanite, embedded in the mud, could not withstand such a violent combination of physical and magical damage, and instantly shattered into countless fragments!

With its core destroyed, the magical ties that sustained the swamp monster's existence snapped abruptly. It let out an even louder, yet more liberating howl, and its massive body began to convulse and disintegrate violently as if it had lost its support. The soil, bones, and decaying plants that made up its body collapsed with a clatter, turning back into a lifeless pile of swamp debris, emitting its final stench.

From its appearance to its complete destruction, this seemingly terrifying swamp monster lasted less than a minute against several well-coordinated Black Forest Lord generals. Its demise was swift and decisive, almost as if it had been dismembered.

This scene utterly crushed the enemy's last shred of resistance. Even such a powerful magical creation was so easily destroyed; what could possibly stop these giants, who seemed to descend from the heavens? Panic, like a flood bursting its banks, could no longer be contained. The remaining enemy forces were completely disorganized, crying out, pushing and shoving, desperately fleeing into the depths of the swamp. Su Li, piloting Ailiria, hovered in mid-air, calmly surveying the entire battlefield. The overwhelming performance of the divine generals was the best proof of his long-term investment in resources and the cultivation of high-end military power. This battle had already devolved into a one-sided crushing defeat.

The clamor of battle gradually subsided, replaced by the shouts of the victors mopping up the remaining enemies and the desperate cries of the defeated. Marshal Erstein deactivated his divine general form and returned to his normal human form. He strode to Su Li, who had just landed on his green dragon. Despite the fierce battle, his aura remained calm, and his eyes gleamed with the cool brilliance of a strategist.

“Sir,” Erstein reported in a loud voice, giving a military salute, “this encounter has undoubtedly confirmed the current battlefield situation.”

He pointed to the ravaged battlefield and the scattered enemy troops fleeing into the depths of the swamp: "Count Litanel certainly has the advantage of the swamp, and like a gopher, he can actively choose the time and place to attack our stronghold. However, we also have a perfect solution—that is our powerful and swift air cavalry legion!"

The imposing marshal spoke with absolute confidence: "As long as our intelligence network and sentry tower system can provide timely warnings, our air cavalry, especially our high-end combat force with dragons and divine generals, can reach any frontline stronghold at a speed the enemy cannot even imagine. Every initiative of Litanel's will not only fail to breach our fortresses, but will instead turn into a decisive battle in the open field dominated by us. Just like this time, he lost not only these three thousand ragtag soldiers, but also a considerable portion of his elite forces who dared to leave the swamp to fight. If this continues, his fighting strength will be gradually depleted by us."

Upon hearing this, Su Li nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over the griffins and swan knights still circling and keeping watch in the sky. He remarked with admiration, "Indeed. The mobility of our Imperial Knights, combined with the absolute advantage of our high-end combat power, has indeed created an overwhelming force. Even though Litanel has the swamp as a barrier and can choose his battlefield, in the face of absolute power and speed, every choice he makes is nothing more than walking into a trap."

His gaze then turned downwards. The wooden gate of the Deadwood Pass was now fully open, and the defending troops, who had previously held their ground, were now in high spirits. Led by their officers, they launched a proactive attack, coordinating with the low-flying horse eagle riders and swan riders to fiercely pursue and wipe out the scattered enemy forces, continuously expanding their gains.

Further away, the battlefield cleanup had already begun. Squads of human prisoners—mainly mercenaries from outside the swamp territory and soldiers suspected to be from other territories—were disarmed and gathered under guard, their heads hanging low.

Looking at the group of prisoners, Su Li already had a plan in mind. These able-bodied men would be a valuable addition to the population of the Black Forest Territory. Among them, those knights or veterans who were reasonably equipped and seemed to have some combat experience could perhaps be sold to passing slave guilds in exchange for hard currency to improve the territory's finances; while the majority of ordinary soldiers would be directly absorbed within the territory. Those manor owners and large landowners who urgently needed manpower to expand their land and increase production had long been eagerly anticipating this batch of "serfs" as resources.

However, what attracted Su Li's attention most was a different scene. In some relatively stable areas, one could see the knights and mounted squires of the Black Forest Territory, in groups of three or five, excitedly shouting and using lassos, fishing nets, and sturdy ropes to work together to deal with the swamp monsters (Femirians) who had survived the dragon's breath and the impact of the divine generals and were trying to escape back to the swamp.

"Quick! Hold its tail!"

"Watch out for its single eye, that thing glows!"

"Haha, caught another one! This one-eyed monster is really strong!"

The knights were clearly enthusiastic about capturing this "rare trophy." They worked in perfect unison: some used shields to draw attention, others threw lassos from the flanks to restrain it, and finally, several rushed in, pinning the struggling, howling swamp monster down and binding it securely with specially made shackles. These captured swamp monsters were obviously of far greater value than ordinary human captives; whether for research, interrogation, or other unknown purposes, the knights were utterly motivated.

Su Li watched this scene with great interest. These ancient creatures from the depths of the swamp, and their unusual alliance with Litanel, must conceal a deeper secret. And these living specimens might just be the key to unlocking the mystery.

Erstein noticed that Su Li's gaze lingered on the captured swamp monsters for a long time, so he stepped forward and explained in a deep voice, "My lord seems to be very interested in these Fimir people. Although these monsters are savage, their internal social structure has a harsh and distinct hierarchy, somewhat like the deep-rooted caste system of the southern Indian kingdoms."

He pointed to the enormous monsters that were being fiercely suppressed by the knights and were still struggling, and said, “These big guys you see now belong to the warrior caste in their society. Look at the bone spikes or hammers at the ends of their tails, like blades; these are their innate weapons and symbols of their status. The warrior caste holds a high position in the group, second only to spellcasters. They have priority in obtaining food and are equipped with the best armor and weapons available to them, which is why they can grow to the largest size. They are the backbone of the Litanel army.”

Then, Orstein's tone became even more solemn as he continued to describe the higher ranks: "And above the warriors are even more dangerous beings—swamp sorcerers, who call themselves 'bane bringers.' These sorcerers usually grow twisted horns, can manipulate dark magic, and often engage in dangerous communications with chaotic demons. They are variables on the battlefield, capable of summoning corrupted energy and even demons to aid them in battle."

“And at the very top of this pyramid,” the old marshal’s voice trailed off, as if the very mention of the name carried an ominous air, “is the female chieftain known as ‘Mia.’ She is the absolute core and ruler of the entire tribe, possessing the most powerful sorcery, said to be able to even influence the swamp itself. We suspect that the one allied with Litanel is one of these ‘Mias.’

Finally, he mentioned the lowest caste: "As for the largest number, they are the lowly, slave-like working castes. They are always hunched over, doing the heaviest labor, with smooth, weak tails, and a submissive and numb nature. On the battlefield, they are usually used as cannon fodder or coolies."

After the introduction, Erstein concluded, "Therefore, these warriors we captured this time are of great value. They not only provide intelligence on the enemy's deployment and strength, but their research value as an ancient race is also invaluable for our mages and scholars."

Su Li nodded slowly, his gaze sweeping over the bound swamp warriors once more, lost in thought. This strict caste system explained why the swamp demons could form such an organized fighting force, and it also made him even more wary of the "Mia" chieftain hidden deep within the swamp. Defeating Litanel would likely ultimately require facing this true "Swamp Lord."

Su Li gazed at the captured swamp demon warriors on the battlefield and slowly said, "In this battle, we swept through the enemy, but it seems we didn't see the more dangerous 'swamp demon calamity envoy' you mentioned? It seems that Litanel didn't deploy his true main force."

“Your Excellency is astute,” Orstein responded immediately, correcting the subtle observational error with certainty. “Indeed, it wasn’t entirely absent. When Lady Crimson Dragon Morkana’s first wave of breath swept through the enemy rear, I clearly saw a dark figure with horns on its head and surrounded by magical aura attempting to resist amidst the purple flames. But in an instant, it was completely engulfed by the devastating winds of death and turned to ashes. It’s perfectly normal that you didn’t notice it during your first encounter with them, especially given the chaotic battlefield.”

Su Li nodded slightly, accepting the explanation, and then asked a more crucial question: "My Marshal, in your judgment, how many troops does Litanel command?"

Erstein's expression was solemn. After a moment of contemplation, he gave an astonishing figure: "My lord, although we cannot give an exact count, based on our comprehensive assessment of the swamp territory's controlled area, population density (including aliens), and its historical losses and replenishment capabilities, the total number of troops that Count Litanel can mobilize is probably no less than 30,000."

"Thirty thousand men?" Su Li's brows furrowed sharply. He had brought with him the core elite of the Black Forest Territory—including various knights, elite infantry, and dwarven helicopter units—a total of over three thousand men. Although there were also a large provincial legion and free militia, plus armed retainers serving the elite, bringing the total force to nearly six thousand, compared to the formidable monsters like the swamp demon warriors, the combat power of those auxiliary troops was negligible. The true core fighting force remained those three thousand-plus elite soldiers. Therefore, the ratio of enemy to friendly core strength was at least one to five; if all the enemy's possible miscellaneous troops were included, the ratio might even approach one to ten.

Seeing Su Li's expression, Erstein further explained, "My lord, this number is not an exaggeration. After all, Litanel is a powerful count who has been entrenched here for many years, with deep roots. Most importantly, he is currently on the defensive and can mobilize the entire population to the maximum extent possible, extracting every bit of manpower and resources from the territory. Imagine, if any foreign enemy dares to invade our Black Forest Territory, with the solid foundation you have laid, we can easily and effortlessly mobilize an army of nearly 20,000 (including our dwarven allies and various church knightly orders)."

He paused, then emphasized a key point: "This is precisely why the imperial high command often only considers the number of 'elite troops' under a lord's command when assessing his strength and rank. The number of regular conscripts has limited significance in a true battle between the strong. Just as we have the support of the dwarves and the church, it is not surprising that Litanel can mobilize 30,000 troops, given that he has the powerful ally, the Swamp Demons."

“So if it’s just the swamp territory’s own military strength, it’s not a big deal for us.” Erstein turned to look at the large number of humans among the prisoners, his expression grave: “But there is one problem that is the most troublesome and will directly affect the time it takes for us to conquer the swamp territory.”

(End of this chapter)