Chapter 6: Elf Express, Mission Guaranteed
Before the training ground, Joshua took the letter from Rin, opened it, and skimmed through it.
Almost all of it was good news.
According to Alfonso, his reputation had already spread from the Northern Lands to the Imperial Capital, becoming well-known among many nobles. As a Gold High-rank who was not yet thirty years old, in the eyes of those nobles and wealthy merchants, he would surely advance to the Ultimate-rank in the future, and might even attempt to break through to the Legendary realm. Because of this, those nobles and factions who had previously tried to merge and swallow up the Radcliffe Family's assets after the old Count's death had now respectfully returned the shops and property they had seized, along with gifts of apology and expressions of regret.
Some shopkeepers who had originally supported Joshua's cheap uncle, and later tried to seek shelter under other nobles, were now practically kneeling on the ground begging for Joshua's forgiveness—they didn't dare to run either. No one would shield them. A future Ultimate-rank warrior was a future legion commander, a future grand general, someone who could guide a nation's direction.
One had to understand that even the Empire's two Dukes, these great nobles with their own Dukedoms, pouring countless resources into each generation, could not necessarily ensure their descendants achieved the Ultimate-rank.
No one would offend a future figure of boundless potential for such a trivial gain.
As Joshua's agent in the Imperial Capital, Alfonso had completely taken control of the Radcliffe Family's assets there. Originally, as a small merchant, he needed connections just to get into the early spring auction. Now, he was receiving active invitations from the organizers. He knew full well that all of this was due to the opportunity Joshua had given him, and the reward for his own correct choices. Thus, his words were filled with utmost respect.
"Not bad."
After reading, Joshua nodded in satisfaction, then folded the letter and handed it back to Rin. "I hope everything goes smoothly for him, and he can buy that thing I want."
Standing slightly behind Joshua, Rin held the envelope in his hand and asked with some curiosity, "What is it that Master wants?"
"Some kind of oddity that can summon Abyss Demons, but it's well-hidden. Ordinary people can't detect it... I can't let something like that fall into someone else's hands, to avoid causing a disaster." Briefly explaining his goal, Joshua didn't bother with his Divine Mechanism's puzzled expression and continued, "How is Number Three now?"
"Everything is fine. Miss Number Three is very satisfied with the environment here. She just occasionally complains that the buildings here don't move. But the maid has already taken her around in a cart to have a look."
Rin shrugged. He seemed to know what his master would ask next, so he continued, "As for Ying, she's currently taking care of Master's horse... That horse is asleep again. It seems to be undergoing some strange change."
"Asleep again, huh..."
Hearing this, Joshua couldn't help but feel a bit of a headache. Hei, as his warhorse, had always been reliable. Last time, when charging into the Black Tide, it showed no hesitation or fear, but instead bravely trampled all kinds of Magical Beasts. Although it hadn't been brought along for recent battles, the horse had indeed been growing all along. Especially after being corroded by Chaos energy last time, and after he had purified it several times, Hei seemed to have awakened some kind of bloodline. After that, it changed its temperament completely, becoming extremely docile.
Since returning from the Dwarf settlement, Hei had been unusually quiet. Recently, it had even developed to the point of falling asleep from time to time, just like Ying used to.
"Is it normal to take a nap before advancing?"
Casually complaining, Joshua fell into thought.
Awakening a warhorse's bloodline was a common topic among knights in his past life. It undoubtedly required some special materials and potions. Although Joshua didn't understand potions or Alchemy, as a warrior, he happened to know the method for brewing such a potion.
Although some materials were rare, there were many merchants passing through his territory lately. Gathering the raw materials should be relatively simple.
Rin was still giving him a brief report on the situation in the territory. Joshua listened while occasionally issuing a few commands. The Divine Mechanism youth diligently recorded everything in a small notebook, writing and sketching seriously.
Unconsciously, the number of people around him had increased, and his work had become much easier.
Watching Rin walk back to the annex with a small notebook after the report, Joshua nodded with a smile at his retreating figure, then couldn't help but sigh in admiration, "How wonderful. Divine Mechanisms—whether in battle or handling official business, they're top-tier assistants."
With the help of Rin and Ying, he had now freed himself from administrative duties. Over the past month or so, Joshua had basically been constantly training himself and drilling his knights and City Guard.
With his current Gold Peak strength, the most important thing was no longer increasing Battle Qi or other physical power, but how to control these forces more smoothly.
If he could perfectly master every ounce of power in this body, then the last time he burst out with all his enhancement states, it wouldn't have placed such a heavy burden on his body. He was now level 48. To reach level 50 and advance to the Ultimate-rank, he needed a huge amount of experience. Before finding the next source of experience, he had plenty of time to fully master his power.
Scanning the knights before him, those who, in Joshua's view, still had potential for improvement, he had taught them the Steel Armor Breathing Art and the Stone Dragon Breathing Art. One increased physical strength and power, the other increased explosive force and endurance. The two could be cultivated simultaneously, but Joshua didn't think these fellows had that much talent.
And sometimes, cultivating both didn't necessarily bring more benefits than specializing in one. If strength increased, endurance would also improve. If endurance and explosive force increased, strength would certainly be enhanced as well.
The early spring air was still cold, but the thirty-plus knights in the training ground were all sweating profusely, their bodies soaked through. They weren't doing any high-intensity training, but were breathing in a peculiar rhythm on the spot. Each breath vibrated through their bodies, muscles, and bloodlines, guiding the Battle Qi energy hidden within, strengthening their bones and internal organs.
"Humans discovered the source of magic and Battle Qi power from the laws of nature, and using that as a foundation, they gradually strengthened it. Logic and wisdom support human power. Such power is deeply rooted, not like floating duckweed without roots. And power will also create new order, maintaining that order. Therefore, if you want to break through the limits of the human body and go further, you need to read more, understand the knowledge of this world, and then use it as a source to solidify your own beliefs. Without faith as a new foundation, the power within you is just stone, just coal—unable to burn and release higher, stronger energy."
Watching them undergo their arduous training, Joshua would occasionally speak up to offer guidance. What he said was indeed the truth of this world. Without knowledge, one cannot understand the essence of the Breathing Arts, cannot comprehend the source and origin of Battle Qi, let alone the Glory Force that stems from the soul. More fundamentally, without knowledge, these knights couldn't even summarize and correct their own combat methods, relying only on instinct to learn and modify.
Almost everyone present was illiterate. Apart from their own names, they couldn't even recognize characters—becoming a warrior certainly didn't require education, but to become a powerful warrior, one had to understand the principles and order of this world. To ensure his subordinates wouldn't all be illiterate in the future, Joshua had specially hired several teachers to educate these warriors.
"Of course, what I said earlier was aimed at those at Silver Peak—you lot, who haven't even reached Silver High-rank, all of you focus on training your bodies and honing your physical strength first. Today's final training goal is to run three laps around the main city. Start now! After running, return to the training ground for cultural lessons. No absences!"
Checking the time, feeling it was about right, Joshua ended today's Breathing Art training amidst the knights' despairing expressions.
He changed his clothes and prepared to return to the annex.
According to the craftsmen, the new Lord's Manor in the city center would be completed the day after tomorrow. The interior decoration was already finished. Now, they were just fixing some minor details.
Returning to the annex, Joshua received another piece of news from the maid.
The fruit of the Mother Tree of Life had arrived. (To be continued.)