Chapter 144: Progress and Dream

After a series of “crackling” sounds, George put down the fine steel longsword in his hand. He began to observe the human-shaped target that had been cut into two pieces by him.

The strike just now looked simple, but in reality, the sword was attached with the effects of “Thundering Weapon” and “Shocking Weapon.” Coupled with the huge force pulled during the swing, this was equivalent to giving the human-shaped target a strong electric shock and two fierce thunder strikes! This was the power that “Flash of Lightning” could unleash—even the 6-ring interlocking chainmail wrapped outside the human-shaped target was cut into two sections by this strike.

George bent down to pick up the broken human-shaped target and the somewhat shattered chainmail, and began to observe the damage of both. The human-shaped target used by George was not the kind of scarecrow made of straw wrapped in cloth that some people often saw on TV. Instead, it was a special target custom-made by George. An apple wood rod as thick as an egg replaced the human spine, and wet woven grass mats were wrapped layer by layer on the outside to act as human flesh. The texture of the water-soaked grass mats was close to that of the human body, which could restore the effect of actual combat to the greatest extent. Coupled with the heavy chainmail put on the outside, it could already be said to imitate possible Barbarian soldiers to a large extent. After all, although those guys’ muscle density was above that of most ordinary people, their armor was far inferior to the heavy chainmail George just used in most cases.

A grass mat is a mat woven from tough grass stems. Although George did not know if there was such a thing in this world before, at least there was none in the Bolerum Territory or even the entire Duchy of Nohan. However, as the Lord, George asked the weavers who wove linen to make an attempt in this regard, and soon got the finished product. Because technically speaking, there was no great difficulty.

Unfortunately, there had been no sales volume. Simply put, the people in this world did not accept it highly. But the real reason was that it had no irreplaceability, that is, it had no advantage over existing goods. Perhaps there would be demand in the deserts further south! However, the commercial network related to Bolerum could not reach there yet.

The final result was not quite the same as the results of George’s previous experiments. Although at that time he did not put chainmail on the human-shaped target, because the price of heavy chainmail was not cheap. Taking the one George just used as an example, its selling price in the store was definitely above 150 Gold Coins. Although it was much cheaper than the densely woven chainmail George used before, it was not something to be used as a consumable casually.

But the difference was really amazing! According to the past situation, the cuts on the grass mats and wooden rods would present a very smooth and clean section. But this time, the cut position of the grass mat was like a mess of hemp—all the fibers on the dry grass exploded. This not only existed on the cut but also extended to both sides for about 5-6 cm. Connecting with the powdery debris from the grass mats on the ground, it could be said that this was the impact caused by the effect of “Thundering Weapon”! After all, “Thunder” damage was more like sound waves or shockwaves.

George then touched the cut of the grass mat with his finger—it was very dry. You know, before this, this grass mat had just been fished out of the water not long ago, and touching other places still felt a little wet. This should be the effect caused by “Shocking Weapon.” The moisture was all evaporated the instant the current passed through. As for why there was no fire, this should be because the flow was not large enough.

As for the cut of the apple wood rod that could replace the spine, it also became very unusual. The entire cut surface was uneven, as if it had been gnawed by mice. At the same time, many charred traces were revealed on such a cut surface. After touching it slightly with his hand, there was not even a single wood thorn on that irregular surface, but rather some powder like sawdust.

As for the cut on that heavy chainmail, it was even more unexpected. In addition to the cut metal rings, the rivet connections on the metal rings adjacent to them were all broken. It was as if they were forced open by a force from the inside.

The heavy chainmail used by George was made of iron wire with a diameter of about 2 mm, heated and forged into a ring with a diameter of about 1 cm, and hammered into a flat ring with a width of about 3 mm. Small eyes with a diameter of about 1 mm were punched at both ends of the ring. After interlocking each other, they were connected with rivets with a diameter of 1 mm. Its iron rings were interlocked, sometimes matched with smaller iron rings for the required shape, suitable for humans to wear and move.

And the impact of the “Thundering” effect actually deformed those iron rings and broke the rivets, this effect was much more obvious than that on the grass mats. After all, the strength of metal was not comparable to those of cattails. As for the effect of “Shocking,” it failed to manifest here, but George had already been mentally prepared when he saw the grass mats. Metal itself was an excellent conductor of electricity. Just the current attached to the longsword just now must have been shared to a certain extent by the entire heavy chainmail the moment it touched. Coupled with the physical properties of the metal itself, it would probably not be that easy for the shock effect attached to that move “Flash of Lightning” to leave any marks on it.

“You’ve only been cultivating this ability for less than half a month since you got it! I didn’t expect that you could actually achieve this level now. It seems that my vision was really right. The compatibility between this Knight Technique and you is high enough to make people jealous!” Mr. Val’s voice suddenly came from behind George.

‘The gap in strength has indeed reached an irreparable level. Even the perception that has now reached the extraordinary level can’t detect the other party’s existence?’ George lowered his head helplessly and mocked himself, then he turned around and said to Mr. Val: “Yes, this Knight Technique seems to have a really high compatibility with me! Although today is the first time to experiment with its power, it was possible to use it relatively easily a day or two ago!”

Although Mr. Val looked a little surprised, he also felt that George had no need to lie to him in this regard. Besides, unless it was the first experiment on power, otherwise, even with George’s wealth, he wouldn’t be willing to use the heavy chainmail on the side as a target! If that were really the case, he would definitely be full and have nothing to do. And since it was the first experiment on the effect, the time to master this skill was just a matter of these few days.

“To be honest, although I knew it shouldn’t be difficult for you to learn this Knight Technique before teaching it to you. But I really didn’t expect you to master it in such a short time! Plus Hiren is now a Formal Knight. Although he hasn’t stabilized completely, sometimes I really feel that the future is the world of you young people.” Mr. Val could not help but sigh with such emotion.

George touched his head and said: “Mr. Val, you should be joking! Your lifespan, having awakened the bloodlines of the Heavenly Realm and the Blazing Sun, is conservatively estimated to be over 500 years! You still have at least more than four hundred years to live, and your life has not even passed one-tenth of it! This is like a rising sun, how can you say those words of the setting sun!”

“Not exactly like that! In fact, if I hadn’t obtained the title of Vice Commander of the North Wind Knights, I would be in a semi-retired state when Hiren really grew up.” Saying this, Mr. Val touched his bangs that were a little messy in the autumn wind.

‘The waves of the Yangtze River push forward the waves behind, and a new generation replaces the old. This situation is the norm everywhere! But Mr. Val, since you won’t retire because of Hiren’s growth, what is there to worry about!’ George, who felt that Mr. Val was being a bit too sentimental, did not want to entangle too much on this issue: “I have always had a question to ask, where have those older knights in our Territory gone? To be honest, as the Acting Lord, I really don’t know their whereabouts at all!”

“Although telling you this kind of thing seems a bit too early, as the Acting Lord, you do have the right to know this content. But you must remember to keep it a secret from Hiren and the other younger ones!” Mr. Val specifically instructed.

‘Is there any unspeakable secret in this?’ With the doubt in his heart, George nodded.

“In fact, you have seen those older knights in the Territory!” Mr. Val did not make any other explanation, but first threw out such a sentence.

“Yes! If I hadn’t seen Old Ahuatan, I wouldn’t have thought of this aspect! On the contrary, Old Bart, who is not a Formal Knight, I can know his whereabouts quite often. In fact, except for my grandfather, Old Viscount Bolerum, who has been confirmed dead, those old people of the same generation should all be alive!” George raised such a question based on his own knowledge.

“That’s right, the five knights of the previous generation are still alive and well! It’s just that most of the time they are not in the Territory.” Mr. Val gave such a statement.

“If they are not in the Territory, where else can they go!” George deliberately said this. In his opinion, since they were not going out to do things, they should stay in the Territory and retire obediently! Of course, strengthening the security work in the Territory at the same time was also necessary.

“Basically, they are traveling in different locations within the Duchy! But my father is different, he went to other countries on the Continent. Although it is said to be retired, if they don’t take action for a long time, their skills will decline significantly. In order to ensure their own strength, some even hope to have a greater breakthrough. After unloading their responsibilities, the knights mostly chose to travel as their future life.” Mr. Val said as a matter of course.

‘Went to pursue strength? This really fits the tone of this world!’ George then asked with a puzzled expression: “But won’t this greatly reduce the strength of the Territory? And if they travel alone, what if there is any danger? Even Formal Knights will have things they can’t handle! And with their strength, can such travel really make them progress?”

“Let me answer your last question first! There may be progress, but it can definitely ensure that they will not regress. As for danger, how could there be none. After fighting for the Duchy for so many years, plus the enemies made during the early years of traveling on the Continent, they are all big troubles. In fact, if they were not big troubles, those would have been solved long ago and would not be trouble at all. But we are not just one person! When traveling, the knights take their Retainers with them. And they are all coming back soon! Because the safety of the Territory is now threatened, isn’t it?” Mr. Val started to complain as he spoke, “It should be said that the stipend given to each family in the Territory can’t support the retainers of two generations. If they don’t go out to earn some extra money, they can’t live this life.”

George asked uncertainly: “You mean they are on their way back?”

“Of course, facing the possible war threat of the Kingdom of Lucia, how can they still live such a leisurely life! However, everyone still has some things to finish on hand, but they will definitely come back before you set off for the Northern Fortress.” Mr. Val’s affirmative answer was like giving George a reassurance. After all, 5 Formal Knights and their Retainers were a very large combat force.

George, who understood these contents clearly, asked back in confusion: “Mr. Val, there seems to be nothing in this content that can’t be told to Hiren and the others! Is there anything that needs to be kept secret?”

“Of course, the part about going out for travel is not needed, but you must keep your mouth shut about things like insufficient stipend and maintaining strength! Don’t ruin the image of elders in their minds so early.” Mr. Val said a little embarrassedly at this time.

‘So it’s about saving face!’ George finally understood the connection inside. He nodded to show that he understood the other party’s feelings.

“Then I won’t disturb your continued practice. Alf was right, George, you have found your own combat style. I hope you can integrate the Knight Technique I taught you into your own combat style. It would be even better if you can develop your own improved variants based on this. I am very optimistic about you in this regard! Future Lord.” Mr. Val said a joke that he didn’t know was true or false when he left.

After Mr. Val left, George continued to train for a while. Then he picked up the heavy chainmail that he had cut into two sections, and said to a Guard not far away: “Pack up the iron rings on the ground and put them together with these two broken chainmails. Send them to the Craftsman in the barracks later. With a little iron material added, this can definitely be repaired.”

“Understood, my Lord, please rest assured about this.” The Guard who ran quickly to George took the chainmail from George’s hand and made a guarantee to him.

Leaving the training ground, in the night of the same day, a scene appeared in George’s dream: He seemed to have turned into a giant bird with a body bigger than a Castle, spreading wings bigger than mountains, radiating a slightly red light all over his body, like a colorful sun standing tall in the storm. The surrounding strong winds, lightning, clouds and rain all retreated like shadows seeing the sunlight, booming away. Only leaving raging fire burning in the sky. Its appearance was between an eagle and a vulture, with feathers mainly blue interspersed with white stripes. With the flapping of the wings, lightning and thunder naturally emitted from the body.

Not far from it, there was a monster with a turtle head and a snake body thicker than a sea ship, coiling its body as long as a small mountain range and floating in the air. Around it, all flames, acid rain, and strong winds retreated far away, roaring unwillingly. A huge lake-like area was vacated in the middle. This monster had a turtle head that looked honest and harmless, but the two eyes on it each shot out a beam of water-blue giant light, shining around urgently. Wherever the light shone, it seemed that there was an invisible magnetic force attracting large groups of hail continuously. In an instant, countless blue cold hail gathered above the monster’s head into a blue cloud-like huge water mist.

And the giant bird seemed to have seen a natural enemy and just pounced on the other one like that. First, it launched a powerful attack on the strange snake. It dived down quickly and retracted its wings; its sharp claws spread out and stepped towards the middle section of the snake. The snake body with the turtle head twisted quickly to dodge this sharp edge. Facing the strong winds, lightning and clouds that followed closely around the giant bird, the monster with the turtle head and snake body let out a strange roar, spewing out a blue-green faint light like poison mist from its mouth, actively meeting it. Those strong winds and lightning were slightly blocked by the huge water mist formed by the cold hail, and upon contact with the blue-green poison mist sprayed by it, immediately turned into a puddle of clear liquid and was sucked in by the monster. Not only did it not hurt the other party, but instead made it feel a hundred times more energetic. The strange roar of joy in its mouth almost overwhelmed all the wind and thunder sounds.

The giant bird turning back radiated light all over its body like intense rays at this time. That light instantly turned into thousands of golden light arrows flying towards the strange snake. This successfully caused the huge water mist around the other party to gradually dissipate. And the giant bird itself seemed to turn into red lightning, like a sun in the void storm sprinkling its endless golden light and surging heat. Immediately after, that bolt of lightning rushed straight towards the strange snake.

George, who was startled awake by the dream itself, sat up directly on the bed with a “bang”. He stroked his forehead slightly and found that he was actually sweating in this season close to late autumn.