Knights and Magic Wand -
Chapter 471 - 471 220 The True Knight
471: Chapter 220 The True Knight 471: Chapter 220 The True Knight In the Lord Hall of Avalon Fortress, Leon received what could truly be called a “Dwarf Mission,” rather than the fabricated tale he previously used to obscure the Helarn remnant’s identity.
After two months, seeing the Dwarf Furnace Guard Captain Hem return from his homeland search, Leon was quietly astonished by the efficiency of his return.
It wasn’t surprising how fast he made his way back to Avalon Fortress.
Leon had already observed from the fortress roof this morning the few flying beasts they rode.
Those creatures, with lion-like heads, fleshy wings, and spiked tails, known as “Lion Scorpions” or “Scorpion-tailed Lions,” are larger than Stormhawks but still much smaller than Griffins.
Though their flying speed and altitude don’t match those of Stormhawks and Griffins, they are flying beasts nonetheless, and traveling in a straight line from the air is significantly faster than horseback travel.
They were left outside the city by the Dwarven riders accompanying them to prevent startling the Death Claws residing in the Griffin Tower.
Had they encountered each other in the wild, adult Griffins, especially those protecting their young Death Claws, would have killed any Lion Scorpions entering their territory.
With Scorpion-tailed Lions as mounts, Hem’s swift return isn’t too surprising.
What truly shocked Leon was that the Helarn remnants indeed managed to locate a dwarven settlement in this era, sought in vain by the world’s populace, within just one or two months.
He reestimated the land travel efficiency of the Scorpion-tailed Lions, calculating silently how far Hem’s group could have traveled over land within a little over a month.
Within this time frame, the dwarves most likely could only reach regions surrounding the Orland Kingdom.
Helarn settlements still surrounding the northern borders is equally groundbreaking news.
Leon believed the information given by Lola had to be accurate; nine out of ten, the ancient Helarns indeed left en masse.
What they found might be the other possibility Lola had guessed at that time… namely, people like Hem, who, for some unforeseen reasons, were “remnants” missed during the Ancient Dwarf King’s departure.
Sitting in his chair, Leon rubbed his chin, continuing to scrutinize the unfamiliar dwarf warriors accompanying Hem to meet him.
The most direct evidence was the sensory difference of their armor and weapons compared to the ancient equipment worn by the dwarves of the Edel Mining Team.
The heavy armor on these unfamiliar dwarves was also considered excellent, with armor and weapons etched with Helarn runes, clearly of extraordinary quality.
However, it was still evident that their style greatly differed from the golden and copper hues, arc-shaped inlaid armor, and intricately interlocking parts worn by Hem and Adya, ancient Rune Furnace Guards, and Melter Technicians.
If one had to describe this feeling, it would be like seeing a generic dwarf image from previous life’s art standing alongside a Karadon’s Air Dominance Officer from the Western O’mara era, not resembling contemporaries at all.
These dwarves were likely not from the same time period as those of Hern.
Perhaps they were offspring of earlier “remnants” and possibly never witnessed the civilization of ancient Helarns.
If six or seven hundred years have passed, even with dwarf longevity, several generations would have turned over.
“…My Lord Leon, Lady Olivia has already spoken with us.
Since you are facing the threat of war, the Helarn people will not ignore the difficulties of friends.
How about this…
Adya and the others will continue working here until we support some kin craftsmen coming to Avalon to complete your armament orders.
Those armors have no technical challenges, and any of my kinsmen can forge them.
Once a second batch of craftsmen arrives to resolve your needs, they will then leave independently.” Hem assured with a pat on his chest armor.
“This proposal is certainly acceptable.
Rest assured, I will not detain your people.” Leon nodded in agreement.
However, he was more concerned about another important issue rather than them hastening to take the Dwarf remnant away.
“Where will you live in the future?
Since you have found your kin’s location, could the Avalon Domain have the honor of establishing contact and communication with the Helarn Kingdom?” Leon probed.
Hem held his helmet, scratched his beard, glanced at the Steel Furnace Castle guard beside him, and answered with some difficulty, shrugging: “Sorry, I can’t tell you much.
Our leader’s decision to no longer interact with the continent is for our safety.
However, out of gratitude for your help, if Avalon needs many weapons and armors, I promise to forge a batch of them with my mining team companions for you as a free gift, delivered in the future.”
Leon was thrilled, for free Dwarven armaments hold great value.
Plus, he deduced quite a bit from their words.
Those Helarans left in this world by misfortune are certainly not numerous; otherwise, their leader would not be so cautious of the external world.
Nonetheless, faced with the current crisis, Leon still didn’t want to relinquish any potential allies.
He expressed the real difficulty to Hem and others: “…
Frankly speaking, my Lord Hem, during your absence, a disaster is spreading in this region.
If unchecked, the entire continent might face overwhelming catastrophe in the future, and no one would be able to fend for themselves.
I still hope to establish diplomatic relations with you and obtain as much help as possible…”
After informing the dwarves about the situation in Eastern Kantadar, Leon saw the shock that even their big beards couldn’t conceal.
The bearded men exchanged words in Helarn, a language Leon couldn’t understand, raising and dropping their voices, spittle flying everywhere.
Hem, frowning thickly and heavily, appeared to argue with others but was held back by another companion, and his tone sounded especially grave.
Leon patiently awaited.
It took a while before Hem turned back and replied, “In the name of Uvgaard’s eggs, this news is hard to believe, and I cannot give you an answer right away.
It requires informing the king before a decision can be made.”
“Of course, I hope your king will make a wise choice.
I will mark on the map the locations under the undead threat for you.
With Scorpion-tailed Lions as your mounts, you may scout the reality but do not venture deeply into it.
I cannot guarantee how much lurking danger lies within that domain.” Leon advised…
After the dwarves left the hall, Leon leaned back in his chair, pondering, unable to think of any better argument.
No matter where the dwarven settlements still existing these days are, they must be separated from here by at least a stretch of northern land.
With the Orland Kingdom containing millions of Felu people standing in between, even if their leader believed his intel, he’s unlikely to share his urgency and concern.
Leon could only hope the dwarf king of his time wasn’t a shortsighted, mediocre individual.
Later, he might go to Lola to figure out a way.
Who knows if the young teacher has any persuasive argument to make the dwarf king Hem mentioned value the crisis happening here.
After dealing with the dwarves’ matters, Leon rose to arrange the expedition plan of the Knight Order.
Within half a month, the army must be assembled to follow Count Eriv north of the Ustato Mountains to rendezvous with General Trolsa.
King Lydwen’s mobilization edict could not be avoided.
Even if he dreaded heading south to waste time and lives on Ustato’s battlefields, as Orland’s lord, he had to fulfill his military duties to the king.
According to the scale of his fief, providing one hundred soldiers is the basic requirement.
Knights registered by the kingdom must also heed the call.
Of course, knights unable to serve could pay a “shield tax” of four gold crowns a month to substitute.
Kovis was traveling to distant lands with Larian in search of fellow Ranger Knights, with unconfirmable return time, and was unlikely to make it for the gathering, definitely having to pay the shield tax as a supplement.
Acro was delayed due to assigned tasks, and certainly, Leon would cover his expenses.
The same goes for Olivia; Leon dared not let her wander under King Lydwen and Count Trolsa’s scrutiny, neither could she follow this time, he could only let her and attendant Treya remain in Avalon to help manage and guard the territory.
To prepare for any unforeseen circumstances on the land, Leon would also leave several Light Cavalry and eleven Heavy Cavalry in Avalon under Olivia’s command and dispatch.
Anyway, it was not an independent operation.
The Thorn Flower family’s army had a full cavalry unit; as long as enough infantry was ensured, it would suffice.
Brian would have to stay too, not just due to the long journey straining his legs but also because the ongoing recruitment and training of new knights could not proceed without the veteran knight’s guidance and supervision.
Thus, except for these individuals who, for various reasons, remained to guard Avalon, the rest of Avalon Knights would all set out.
Including himself, Azeryan, Lokhak, Zabron, Filipo, and others — one Square Banner Knight, twelve subordinate knights, eight knight attendants, along with one hundred soldiers of spear bearers and crossbowmen — would march with Eriv’s army towards the Kantadar battlefield.
Twenty-one Heavy Cavalry, one hundred professional soldiers, six to seven single-horse-drawn small baggage carts — waging war every month required nearly thirteen tons of provisions, including the grain and some meat consumed by the warriors and the dry grass and various refined cereals for the warhorses.
Fortunately, since it was a national war in response to the king’s call and not one initiated by a private lord, this heavy logistical burden was not entirely shouldered by the conscripted lords themselves.
The kingdom would cover forty to fifty percent of the food and forage consumption for each Great Lord’s army.
The Great Lords would also cover forty to fifty percent of the supplies for the armies under their vassals.
Leon estimated Avalon needed to bear about 6.5 tons of food and forage monthly; the rest would be provided by his Sealing Lord’s allocation.
As long as the war did not drag on longer than expected, Avalon’s public treasury reserve, freshly collected from taxes, could fully sustain…
The three parties sent out to purchase additional military supplies, Azeryan and Lady Martha’s group remained unreturned, with only Lokhak recently back in Avalon due to closer travel.
Seeing the insufficient personnel to convene the meeting, Leon didn’t summon him, only inquired from the servants about the lad’s whereabouts and then left the main castle heading for the Central District Academy to discuss the expedition matters with him.
His brother had always yearned to avenge his enemies with his own hands; although the true culprits in their family’s death couldn’t be found now, it was said that the enemy in this war was the Eastern invading Kantadar army, and Lokhak and Azeryan likely wished to personally make those troops who had invaded their homeland pay.
…
Carrying a string of lily of the valley flowers found and picked in the valley at dawn, Lokhak, excited in his heart, walked with a spring in his step.
Trying to recall some verses his sister had taught him, he arrived at the academy’s big house, seeking the adorable girl he fancied, eager to give the flowers while their fragrance was still fresh.
The two-meter-tall, burly “big boy” tiptoed upstairs, quietly reaching the classroom side, peeking in from outside.
Regrettably, he didn’t see the young lady’s shadow; inside, Lady Vanessa was teaching some children.
“…Looking for Miss Sali again?”
The melodious voice from behind startled Lokhak.
He turned his head and saw Miss Magreina holding documents, smiling radiantly.
“Ah, n-no!” The oversized big boy awkwardly tried hiding the flowers behind his back.
However, she had already seen them, making his clumsy motion rather futile.
“Good morning, Sir Lokhak.” Miss Magreina smiled, covering her mouth, and pointed to the west of the large house, reminding him, “Miss Sali is in the backyard, letting the children relax with activities and dance practice.”
“Oh!
Thank you, Miss Magreina.” Lokhak felt his face glow with warmth from her good-natured tease, and quickly escaped down the stairs.
Outside, he finally breathed a sigh of relief.
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