Pioneer Lord: Starting From Daily Intelligence

Chapter 739 - 71: Academy Tech Tree and Unlocking Technological Advancement

Undoubtedly, this is very difficult. Wanting to rise from a Knight to nobility is like a fish trying to cross a wide river, with only one in ten thousand making the leap like a carp jumping over the dragon gate.

Becoming a Knight is just the beginning of a long journey, much like becoming a public servant differs from engaging in politics.

But at least there is a glimmer of hope. In this dark and despairing Empire, any bit of light and hope is incredibly precious. Across the Empire, all people from the lower classes, whether merchants, workshop owners, or farm owners, are rushing toward this path like moths to a flame. Countless families, if they desire social mobility, have no choice but to take this route.

So it’s quite common for the territory’s merchants to donate to the academy to have their descendants trained as Knights.

"The second point is that merchants urgently need more and stronger Knights of Chivalry to protect their caravans. Lord, have you noticed that while there are indeed many Knights in the territory, at least half, if not two-thirds, are either in the military, the Knight Order, or the Church Armament. It is very rare for Knights of Chivalry and mercenaries available for civilian hire."

This was indeed something Su Li hadn’t noticed before, but upon further thought, it’s true. Previously, to address the crisis of the Green Dragon, he had made full preparations for war, recruiting nearly all the Knights, Armed Attendants, and even the Pilgrimage Group into the military.

This has indeed reduced the military force available to civilian caravans, making it difficult to assemble a guard.

Su Li couldn’t help but think of the Blue Heron Mercenary Corps, and asked, "Isn’t there a large mercenary base in the territory? I remember they have a famous 75th Cavalry Corps, known for their strict military discipline and formidable combat prowess."

Oliver spread his hands: "Marshal Oerstein enlisted this corps, and not only them, but also the Blue Heron Mercenary Corps’ Amber Mage Grondahl the Beastman Calamity Star, the first and second divisions of the Heavy Armor Long Spear Corps, the Divine Archer Corps, and the Fallen Wolf Mercenary Corps were all recruited by Marshal Oerstein for western expansion."

These Free People’s Corps are highly favored by Lords and Marshals for mobilization; in peacetime, they don’t require maintenance costs, and in wartime, they can hold the bloodiest front lines. When they fall, there is no need for compensation.

So it’s natural that Marshal Oerstein would favor them in siege warfare and call them up.

Su Li remarked with a smile, "It seems business for these mercenaries in the territory is quite good. No wonder so many people want to become Knights."

"How are the training results for these academy Knights?"

"Outstanding," Rong’en answered. "From the moment they engage with the teachings of the Sun Goddess, they’ve become more open-minded and enterprising, not stuck solely on choosing lances and swords, and they have a higher acceptance of bows and crossbows. We anticipate cultivating a squadron of Walking Knights, a squadron of Greenfield Knights, and a squadron of Impact Knights."

Once these Knights graduate, they can certainly enrich the manpower of various Knight Orders and Mercenary Corps.

The valor of the territory will inevitably be further enriched. If there is an invasion from foreign enemies in the future, the quantity and quality of Free People’s Corps that Su Li recruits will surely be enhanced.

"The key point is that this will benefit the strengthening of the Sun Goddess Church," Rong’en continued. "The more followers and Knights of the Sun Goddess, the greater the Goddess’ influence in the Empire. The territory’s contribution to spreading the Goddess Teachings will be noticed by Her Majesty Violet. This will greatly favor your advancement."

"When the Goddess bestows Divine Grace and transforms the territory into a Holy Land of faith, it will attract numerous Fiery Sun Church Knights to travel and visit. Our territory’s Champion Knights far exceed those of ordinary territories, precisely because since last year, you’ve added greatly to the glory of the Goddess."

This is indeed the case. In this world, gaining the favor of the Divine Spirit is the most important.

With the blessing of Divine Grace, even if you are at your wits’ end, you can always encounter powerful reinforcements, and sometimes just a small team or a single Knight Order can create miracles and reclaim your castle and territory.

Of course, Su Li does not wish to reach such a stage. He still leans towards holding his Destiny in his own hands, so he said, "Let’s go, continue touring the academy. Let’s see our young and hopeful Knights."

At his command, the lecturers of the academy immediately flocked around him, moving into the depths of the academy.

Su Li glanced around and spotted many familiar faces among the lecturers, including the territory’s Champion Knights, the Hesse Guard Knight Captain, and even Freya!

He waved his hand and called this cold and frosty beauty of a Female Knight Commander to his side, and asked, "Are you also serving as a lecturer at the academy?"

Freya’s face was icy yet beautiful, like a proud rose in bloom, especially as she wore the Encounter Orange Tide perfume. This scent, infused with the fresh style of the Forest Witch, with notes of fir, cedar, citrus, and vanilla, made her appear even more cool and noble, causing men to feel ashamed and distant.

The surrounding Knights and lecturers all showed respect towards her, maintaining at least a meter’s distance in her powerful aura.

But as she approached Su Li, he immediately detected the familiar fragrance he knew so well on her. No doubt, as she was the most sensitive woman in bed, Su Li had left a significant amount of his scent within her.