The bonfire banquet in the territory was cooked by Half-Elves, whose culinary skills are renowned across the continent.

The roast whole lamb they cooked was so fragrant that it could make two armies halt their battle, enjoy this delicious food first, and then decide whether to continue the war.

Su Li spared no expense tonight to boost the battle morale and ordered the Half-Elves to roast 100 lambs!

It's worth noting that the total of soldiers participating in the battle, men and women combined, was less than eight hundred. Even with the logistical personnel added, an average of 8 to 10 soldiers could get one whole lamb glistening with golden oil, and everyone ate to their heart's content.

Even the Ogres, known for their massive appetites, padded their bellies, feeling warm and full of strength.

And these roast lambs were just the main course for tonight's bonfire banquet. More than fifty resourceful Half-Elves cooked a vast amount of food, emptying a third of the granary in the territory.

Besides the golden oil-glossed roast lamb, there were plates of sausages, pancakes, muffins, and baskets full of bread — over twenty baskets in total.

Next to these main dishes were roasted venison pies, their aroma enticing.

Of course, the territory's special catches weren't absent either: fried fish fillets, steamed bass, herb sunfish, and platters of white sauce clams.

As there was no wine brewing, and with a major battle tomorrow, fifty barrels of milk were brought from the territory, each with jars of honey added.

The sumptuous food made by the Half-Elves was rarely seen even within the Empire!

And as for the slaves, they could never even imagine this kind of feast.

The members of the Battle Pilgrimage Group gobbled down the food greedily, exclaiming, "Such delicious food, shared with the slaves, what a waste!"

But evidently, the slaves had entirely different thoughts.

Feasting on such rich food, the farmers and forest bandits who had just joined the territory were moved to tears, reminiscing about their previously harsh days.

With so much good food in sight, damn it, they would fight against the Green Skin, never allowing them to destroy the territory.

Yet their intentions were totally unaffected by the true masters of the territory. At the moment, as the privileged class of the territory, the knights gathered together, creating a lively atmosphere.

It should be said that wherever there are Half-Elves, the atmosphere will always be lively and enthusiastic.

These Half-Elves loved fine food, strong drinks, excellent tobacco, and any idle chatter that could make knights and attendants blush, paying no attention to saying something wrong to strangers, like vividly discussing the aunt's passion last night and details involved.

Though most Half-Elves were country folk, even when living in towns, they still carried a rustic charm. Yet in such a lively moment, a touch of countryside flavor was needed to ignite the passion of the night.

Many Armed Attendants and members of the Battle Pilgrimage Group no longer cared to stuff more food into their mouths, grabbing a lamb leg and desperately squeezing before the bonfire, listening to the somewhat vulgar but vividly told stories of the Half-Elves with burning chests.

The girls around had flushed faces, shyly covering their ears but secretly opening a finger gap, listening with blushing faces and racing hearts. When the story reached its climax, and the crowd burst into laughter, they became more bashful, as if being discovered as the protagonist in the story.

Su Li actually also wanted to listen; gossip and enjoying excitement were inherent talents of his people. But as a noble, he certainly couldn't gather in such a place where the country folk assembled.

He congregated with the cabinet ministers in the territory, accompanying Lord Rong'en and Knight Beckman on the tallest hill, overlooking the lively crowd below.

As the leader of the Pilgrimage Group, Lord Rong'en excitedly said to Su Li, "Honorable Pioneer Lord, the prosperity of your territory doesn't seem like a Pioneer Territory. I believe if given time to cultivate and develop, you'll surely win the favor of the Sun Goddess, and your Hesse Territory will become the Holy Land for the Sun Goddess Church — a model territory basking in Divine Grace."

Su Li smiled and replied, "I look forward to all of this coming to fruition soon, just as you have said."

After speaking, Su Li couldn't resist his curiosity and asked a question that had intrigued him since meeting him: "Lord Rong'en, I want to know how you became the leader of the Pilgrimage Group."

This was a follower of the Sun Goddess who could unleash the strength of a Divine Chosen Knight under duress.

Yet he currently possessed only the strength of an Apprentice Knight.

Rong'en did not hide anything, filled with memories, he said, "Actually, I was not originally a follower of Her Majesty Violet of the Sun Goddess but of the Medical Goddess Shalya, who is Her Majesty Violet's sister."

Su Li raised his head in surprise and asked, "What caused you to change your faith? As far as I know, Empire subjects seldom change their faith."

"It was during a fierce battle in the Empire's Nord Territory when the temple of the Medical Goddess Shalya in the city was struck by a pink lightning bolt, followed by a shocking scene. The temple dragged itself through the city's streets, using stone tentacles, magic pores, and water-spouting Dimensional Flame mouths growing from the temple to attack the Elector's palace. When the city guard unit gathered to face the mutated temple, the temple's doors crashed open, pouring out a horde of laughing demons as its defense."

"From that moment, I knew learning medicine could not save the Empire. So, I turned to Her Majesty Violet, deciding to sweep away the Empire's internal and external troubles with the sharp sword in my hand."

"But because of the betrayal of my faith, wastage of vast Divine Grace, I suffered a backlash of Divine Power, dropping from a Divine Chosen Knight to an Apprentice Knight. Neither was I accepted by Her Majesty Violet, so I can only fight more fervently to prove my loyalty and faith to the Goddess."

Goodness gracious!

He once truly was a Divine Chosen Level knight.

Learning medicine could not save the Empire.

Thus, he, in effect, switched from the Hospital Knight Order to the Holy Hall Order.

He willingly abandoned his Divine Chosen-level strength solely for the Empire's future and his belief.

Su Li felt a sense of respect for him, raising his cup and saying, "A toast to Lord Rong'en with tea instead of wine."

Rong'en drained his cup in one gulp, then laughed heartily, saying, "But I may have misled the Lord. The more I fight, the more lost I feel. From the cold Claw Sea in the north to the towering black mountains in the south, the vast forests, wide rivers, and rugged passes of the Empire are all hiding various monsters and enemies, with dangers lurking both inside and out."

"Relying on just one person or the power of a single Divine Spirit, it seems impossible to cope with so many risks and challenges. The Empire is always beset both internally and externally."

Su Li smiled and said, "But there's always a hero who stands up in times of crisis, isn't there? Although the Empire is always teetering on the edge, it's been around for more than 2,500 years and it seems like it could last another 2,500 years."

Hearing this, Rong'en finally felt at ease, saying, "Lord, your mindset is truly admirable. Let's not dwell on such heavy topics; tonight is a lively night, let's enjoy the food and the scenery! It is this kind of life worth remembering that gives us a reason to fight."

"Hahaha, well said." Su Li turned his head to the Sulande girl Philis, who was quietly sitting by the fire, and said, "Only good food and beautiful women are not to be missed. Philis, would you perform a dance for everyone?"

Though the Daily Intelligence suggested that Su Li confess to Philis in public for the greatest support to ascend the throne.

Su Li did not rashly rush forward like an inexperienced youth.

All of his grand plans are for the sake of lying low. Thus, he restrains himself, refuses to disrupt superior-subordinate relations, or allow his career to be swayed by a couple of women.

Even if Sophie and Amorri have a bit of affection for him, Su Li steadfastly maintains his principles. Unless he plans to marry into a Knight Clan, he would never mess around with subordinate knights.

It is the same with Philis. If Su Li could defend his Territory and defeat the Green Skins, there would naturally be flowers and sweet kisses upon his triumphant return.

So before the battle, he would not confess to Philis or do anything to affect tomorrow's victory.

But not confessing does not mean he has no feelings for Philis.

For a young girl, the sweetest period is the ambiguous stage before a confession.

A single glance from Su Li could make her shy, and upon hearing Su Li's words, Philis blushed, quickly waving her hands weakly and softly saying, "No, no, I'm not very good at dancing."

Su Li chuckled, "How could that be? Everyone knows that the girls of Sulande can sing and dance beautifully and charmingly. If you don't dance today, you may not have another chance to dance for us in the future."

Philis' delicate body immediately tensed a bit. She bit her cherry lips lightly, restrained her shyness, looked up at Su Li, and said, "Lord, you will definitely return triumphant. According to the customs of our Sulande Province, before the army sets out, the maidens always perform a dance for the troops to pray for the Divine Spirit's blessing on the warriors."

"Let me dance the 'Song of Sulan' for you, may the God of Justice bless you."

With Su Li's approval, Philis lifted her skirt and walked gracefully before the bonfire, elegantly bowing slightly to everyone.

Then, her clear and soft voice rang out in the bustling night sky:

"Brother Sulan, sound your horn:

Justice hears, she will send troops back.

Brother Sulan, brave forward,

For justice, never retreat."

...

As the song reached its climax, Philis' dance became more enthusiastic, her white dress fluttering, reflecting the bonfire's glow with brilliant radiance.

Soon, the uplifting battle song echoes over the entire camp, and everyone paused their conversations, gazing here in admiration.

"In darkness, we are light,

In despair, we are hope."

Her dance grew increasingly passionate, in tune with the melody's ups and downs, her figure sometimes gentle as water, sometimes as sharp as a sword. Each spin was like a whirlwind, stirring the atmosphere even more intensely.

Everyone's blood boiled within their chests, eyes widened, unblinkingly watching the white figure by the bonfire; she was so dignified and elegant, unsurpassed in beauty!

Su Li felt even more invigorated, "Hahaha, good! Good! For me to feast on this, crush the Green Tide Army tomorrow."

At this moment, with a beauty singing and dancing, Su Li felt like a grand and ambitious conqueror, his eyes filled with the graceful white figure, the peerless elegance and exquisite body filled him with a sense of conquest.

Until the banquet dispersed, everyone still found it difficult to forget Philis' stunning dance and outstanding presence.

This performance of the departure dance was too perfect, everyone was resolute, the morale of the entire army was sky-high, brutally refusing to allow evil monsters to touch the splendor of the Territory!

Su Li, even more, felt his pulse racing; returning to the castle, he unleashed the heat aroused by that peerless figure entirely upon Hilude.

He entirely envisioned Hilude as the dancing Philis, engaging fully with her in practice. This made Hilude, who tried to maintain clarity, fulfill the role of soothing Su Li, yet the repeated intense surges washed over her mind, making her feel as though she was floating on soft clouds, unable to maintain her thoughts, succumbing time and again to the Lord's passionate presence.

Finally, in her high-pitched cries, the practice bore fruit, as she embraced Su Li tightly, her power returning once again to the Middle Tier of a formal knight!

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