Knights and Magic Wand
Chapter 526 - 526 250 Heading to Deyatuk Happy New Year asking for monthly passes

526: Chapter 250 Heading to Deyatuk (Happy New Year, asking for monthly passes) 526: Chapter 250 Heading to Deyatuk (Happy New Year, asking for monthly passes) In the Lord Hall of Avalon.

Leon received the knight from Deyatuk County and, after conversing with the envoy sent by the Border Marquis, realized the situation was not as he had imagined.

“…You said, how many troops came from the Holy Court Kingdom?”

Leon confirmed again.

“An elite army numbering over a thousand.” The Marquis’s envoy answered honestly.

Leon frowned; the situation had exceeded his expectations.

It wasn’t a conflict between the Ranger Knights and the Lord of Deyatuk, but rather the presence of such a large, unknown foreign army.

No lord would easily approve of their passage.

Thanks to this age, national borders couldn’t be controlled as tightly as in modern times.

This thousand-strong army had actually traveled across the Garsom Domain and reached the eastern Deyatuk County within the Klonia Kingdom before being intercepted at the fortress pass of the Border Marquis.

However, according to Larian and Kovis, even with messaging efforts, the Rangers responding to the oath—including their attendants—would ultimately number at most a few dozen.

A thousand troops…

Even if one searched the entire continent, they wouldn’t find that many Heroic Knights.

The envoy from Deyatuk could not help but wonder: “Baron, could it be that they have no association with you?”

“No, I did indeed invite some Rangers from Dinexion to Avalon.

That much is true,” Leon quickly clarified.

“But among them, only a few are Ranger Knights.

The majority of that army is composed of foreigners who call themselves the ‘Illaril Knight Order.'” The envoy reminded him.

Upon hearing this name, Leon showed no outward reaction, but inwardly he began to speculate.

Illaril Knight Order?

A military organization named after the Holy Prophet, originating from Dinexion—could it be a military force dispatched by the Holy Sun Church?

But he himself had never had any dealings with the Holy Sun Sect.

How could he suddenly receive support from the Church?

Could it be that one of the Rangers from the Holy Court Kingdom acted as a well-meaning mediator, leveraging personal connections to bring in military reinforcements for Avalon?

With too many unanswered questions, Leon decided to arrange for the Border Marquis’s envoy to rest and immediately sent Olivia to summon Larian for inquiry.

However, when Larian hurriedly returned to the main castle, he could identify a few Rangers mentioned by the Marquis’s envoy.

But when it came to the so-called Illaril Knight Order, he was baffled, knowing nothing about the organization.

“Lord, perhaps I should accompany the envoy to Deyatuk County to investigate?” Larian suggested.

Leon rubbed his chin thoughtfully, then raised his head and said, “Handling this alone won’t work; you’re not an Orland noble, so negotiating with the Border Marquis would be troublesome.

I’ll go with you.”

Unable to confirm the army’s origins and credibility, he dared not make any guarantees to the Marquis’s envoy.

Moreover, even with his verbal assurances, the Border Marquis might not accept it and allow the army to cross the King’s Domain.

If anything went wrong within the domain, the consequences would be catastrophic.

He had to go personally, negotiate directly with the Border Marquis, and also investigate the origins of the knight order named after Lola.

Recalling the location of Deyatuk County, Leon slightly frowned.

With Death Claw still recovering and unable to fly, and Kovis inconveniently having set out for the Magya Territory just yesterday…

If they took the route the envoy had traveled, heading north from Avalon Castle, passing through the Gray Robe Valley territories, Kosos County and River Valley County, and crossing the western mountain pass of the Garak Mountains into the Klonia Kingdom, then traversing Blue Creek County and Demate County in the south of the King’s Domain, it would finally lead to Deyatuk County…

Such a convoluted journey would waste too much time.

Count Eriv had already agreed to the Eastern Kantadar’s call for aid.

The Thorny Flower Family’s army was only waiting to recover before assembling to march.

Leon felt he had very little time left to squander on the road.

He stood up, took Olivia and Larian to the meeting room, spread out a map, and after brief contemplation, decided not to waste time taking the domestic route.

He could now travel via the former route of Northern Kantadar Kingdom.

Departing east from Glade County, passing through the occupied territory of Mamor County held by Orland nobles, and reaching the Deyatuk border directly—this plan could save over half the journey’s time.

Since Orland launched its southern campaign, most of northern Kantadar had been conquered by Orland.

On the map, only the small stretch of road from the eastern Mamor occupied territory to Deyatuk remained under the control of Count Marmore of Kantadar, but that stretch had always been sparsely populated borderlands.

With a few guards, Leon wasn’t worried about bandits.

Traveling along the eastern edge of the Garak Mountains, it would only take a day and a half to cross the area, minimizing the risks.

Having finalized the route, Leon did not want to delay.

He planned to set out immediately the next day, avoiding any potential mishaps involving the invited Rangers in Deyatuk.

After all, the envoy had already wasted considerable time traveling along the domestic route to Avalon.

As for the traveling party, it would naturally include his protector Olivia and Larian, responsible for coordinating with the Ranger companions from the Holy Court Kingdom.

And, of course, some guards…

Larian glanced at the planned route on the map and couldn’t help proposing: “Lord, why not ask Glenn Soren if he’s willing to join us?”

Leon, lost in thought, found the suggestion appealing.

Glenn Soren and his comrades were renowned Heroic Knights within Orland, and having these local champions as additional endorsements during negotiations with the Marquis would strengthen his credibility in vouching for the foreign Rangers.

Moreover, traveling with a group of skilled Knights of Valor would certainly make the journey safer.

Nodding, he instructed Larian to inquire about their willingness to join.

Leon folded the map and informed the envoy to rest well for the night before departing together the next morning.

At the banquet that evening, Glenn Soren and the others readily agreed to accompany the group in responding to the Rangers’ call.

Having enjoyed fine food and drink in Avalon for some time, the Knights were eager to stretch their legs.

But with the Corpse Ghosts largely eliminated in the Avalon region, and no harmful beasts left to hunt, they had been growing restless awaiting action against the undead.

The next morning, after giving instructions to Azeryan and others, Leon donned his armor, mounted his Wuzhui Warhorse, and set out with the well-fed and well-rested knights toward Deyatuk County.

Besides him, the party consisted of just ten companions:

Olivia, Larian, seven Orland Rangers, and the knight under the Border Marquis’s command.

All were warriors of exceptional endurance, riding high-quality riding beasts with remarkable stamina.

Once on the road, their efficiency was astounding.

By nightfall, they had already left the Thorny Flower Family’s domain in Glade County and entered Mamor County.

…

…

Dusk fell.

Along the rural paths of Mamor, the knights tread lightly on horseback, traveling a rugged trail.

Leon surveyed the surroundings and suddenly felt them grow increasingly familiar.

The memories of his escape eleven months prior flooded his mind as he observed the distant terrain.

Understanding dawned upon him.