Chapter 1115 - 170: Two Knight Orders and the "Surprise" from Philis_4

Chapter 1115: Chapter 170: Two Knight Orders and the "Surprise" from Philis_4

The size of this Secular Knight Order is roughly comparable to the Red Night Knight Order, with all members being Elite Knights. It consists of 6 squadrons, and the Knight Order Leader is a Champion Knight.

The two knight orders alone have more than 1500 Elite Knights, and adding their families, attendants, slaves, grooms, and artisans, it’s definitely not an exaggeration to say the number reaches thousands.

Su Li’s entire territory has more than 20,000 people, but in the Black Forest Mountain Range, the population is actually around 10,000. Having thousands of knights, attendants, and civilians suddenly join in makes settling them extremely challenging.

Fortunately, these people are resilient knights; even if Hesse Territory doesn’t provide them assistance, they can still camp and settle independently.

So, with the joint effort of both parties, after two cycles, Hesse Territory finally managed to methodically settle them completely.

The Eternal Light Knight Order was the first to be settled. Their faith in Virena is very strong, so on Black Iron Ridge Island, they settled 300 knights to guard the academy and fortress.

They plan to build a fortress belonging to the Eternal Light Knight Order here, just to the northwest of the central Holy Hall.

Then the remaining knights and attendants, along with artisans, stationed northeast of Flash Spear City; that area is a vast plain. Su Li allocated 130 kilometers of land to them. It might seem small, but keep in mind this is a flat and fertile plain, capable of being cultivated into 200,000 mu of arable land.

This piece of land was named "Silver Radiance Plain." The terrain is flat and the soil is fertile as if it can be squeezed for oil. A tributary named "Silent Speech River" meanders through the center of the plain, providing an excellent water source for irrigation and the future castle moat. The eastern side of the plain is low hills covered with autumn-brown meadows, acting as a natural barrier; to the west lies Flash Spear City’s solid walls and bustling dock area; north leads to the trade route to Gray Rock Castle, while the south connects to the Brionne River and the broader hinterlands of Hesse Territory. This is a treasure land with both defensive depth, agricultural potential, and convenient transportation. ℴ

Bradley chose the core base of the knight order at the north bank of a wide river bay along the Silent Speech River. The terrain here is slightly elevated, overlooking the vast plains, and backed by a sparse oak forest, providing necessary timber and some concealment. The bay itself offers natural water sources and some degree of waterway transport convenience.

Under the protection and planning of the knight order, a pastoral scene filled with Empire charm quickly unfolded across Silver Radiance Plain:

The knight order’s accompanying serfs (many are family members or dependents of knights) as well as recruited free farmers from Hesse Territory, under the supervision of attendants and low-tier knights, utilized the winter hiatus to cultivate the land. Huge wooden plows, drawn by strong draft horses, churned up the deep-colored fertile soil. Neatly planned furrows divided large fields of winter wheat, bean fields, and reserved spring planting areas. New saplings of fruit trees were planted along the ridges, heralding future orchards.

Near the edge of the hills and oak forest, areas were opened as pastures. The knight order’s precious Northern Land warhorses, along with cattle and sheep brought by the army, leisurely grazed on specially reserved post-autumn grass or freshly cut hay under the care of attendants. The newly built livestock pens are spacious and sturdy, the stables made with superior wood ensuring these valuable war companions can safely pass the winter.

Downstream from the core castle site, a nascent village for accompanying personnel has appeared. Wooden houses and stone-built farmhouses are arranged tidily, roofs covered with thick thatch or newly cut planks, with smoke curling from chimneys, full of the breath of life. A huge windmill on the highland by the riverbank is being constructed swiftly, with its enormous wooden blade framework already erected, destined to play an important role in grinding grain in the future.

On the sunny sloped terrain in the castle planning area, a small patch of terraced fields was cleared. An old gardener from Sulande directed people to plant frost-resistant grape vine saplings. This is Bradley’s foresight, as he dreams of one day producing wine belonging to the Eternal Light Knight Order. A future inner courtyard garden area has also been reserved, waiting for spring sowing of rare flower seeds from Sulande.

At the center of the temporary camp, a simple Holy Hall made of white canvas and raw wood serves as the spiritual support for the knights. Every morning and dusk, melodious hymns and prayers would echo across the fields, with Virena Goddess’ Holy Emblem — the golden sword scale symbol — hanging in the center of the Holy Hall. Around the hall, posts engraved with the goddess’ aphorisms stand neatly.