Chapter 481: Formation of the First Knight Regiment Completed

With Lord Luoning's wedding concluded, the regions of Wubei, Moonlight Valley, Rapids Island, and Purple Thunder Domain all sprang into motion.

Construction at Wubei Port, land reclamation, spring plowing, mining, smelting, transportation—every project unfolded in orderly progression.

Every able-bodied subject across his lands was caught in ceaseless labor.

Though arduous, most welcomed the toil.

Compared to three years prior, life now offered hope: so long as one worked hard, hunger no longer haunted their doorsteps. Some commoners even indulged in luxuries once only dreamed of—white bread upon their tables.

When survival turns hopeful, hearts grow eager.

Especially after Luoning enacted sweeping policies on land distribution and childbirth—policies strictly enforced—the people’s willingness to bear children soared.

More children meant more grain rations, an extra twenty-square-meter house—how could motivation not rise?

According to Population Officer O’Malley’s estimates, the domain’s population would surge significantly this year.

And just in time—potatoes and rice, two new crops, were now widely sown, their yields sufficient to feed a rapidly expanding populace.

Yet while his subjects bustled, Luoning himself found unexpected leisure.

Lately, he had been escorting Blanchette across the domains, letting her observe the industrial structure and meet key local leaders.

Blanchette, after all, was a princess; by rights, she should have arrived with a retinue of knightly guards.

But Bruno, perhaps believing Luoning strong enough to need no protection, sent only a few maidservants in her stead.

Fortunately, Misi was training griffins in Wubei, so Blanchette wasn’t entirely without familiar faces.

Time slipped by unnoticed. By the end of May, it had already arrived.

Since the conclusion of Luoning and Blanchette’s honeymoon, they had lived here almost entirely.

Partly because the region remained in ruins awaiting rebirth, partly due to Blanchette’s own request.

She wished to help govern the domain, but her knowledge was purely theoretical—she needed a place to practice.

“Luoning, the remaining forty thousand your father transferred have all arrived in Moonlight Valley. As per your earlier arrangement, they’ve been distributed among Nasca Town, Pisa Town, and Tars Village.”

Blanchette rode back to the castle on her enchanted flying carpet, finding Luoning bent over a table sketching designs.

“What are you drawing?”

She didn’t understand it, yet instinctively sensed its brilliance.

Luoning set down his pen and smiled. “This is called a bicycle—a simple conveyance to aid travel.”

True, inflatable tires were beyond current means, but other components could be forged. Hard-riding it might be, yet serviceable.

Blanchette gazed in fascination. Since living closely with Luoning, she’d realized her husband’s mind brimmed with extraordinary ideas. Even when she couldn’t grasp his sketches, they radiated promise.

After a tender moment, she retrieved a stack of books from her spatial ring.

“These are the latest population registers. Wilson was too busy, so he had them delivered to the administration hall for me to pass on to you.”

Luoning’s eyes lit up. “Over thirty thousand this batch? That means only the final group of twenty thousand remains from the hundred thousand my father promised.”

The four thousand from Wubei had recently arrived, though their register hadn’t reached him yet.

Even without it, today’s influx alone pushed his registered population past five hundred thousand.

As if summoned by thought, a line of text shimmered before Luoning’s vision:

【"Prosperous Population" achievement attained. Attribute points +10,000. Energy essence +20,000】

This marked the eighth tier of the achievement—only one level remained.

The final reward: 30,000 attribute points and 60,000 energy essence—but the requirement was one million souls.

That threshold could no longer be met by mere migration.

Either Luoning must expand outward, conquering cities and claiming their people, or wait for natural population explosion.

At the projected explosive growth rate of 15%, his lands would gain roughly eighty-five thousand each year.

Sustained, it would still take four or five years to reach a million.

Not an eternity, yet compared to the meteoric leaps of the past three years, his progress now crawled.

Recent gains, combined with this achievement’s bounty, brought his total attribute points to 14,448.

All poured into his knight progression, he now stood at Solar Rank (19,460 / 20,000).

His mage advancement lagged further behind—Grand Sorcerer (4,000 / 30,000).

To reach Legend status, he needed another 26,000 points.

At a marquis’ pace of daily check-ins, that would take nearly four years.

Luoning glanced at his achievement interface. The next feasible goal was 【City Conquest】, offering 8,000 attribute points—cutting waiting time by a year.

To accelerate further, he must either ascend to duke—or slay a legendary-level supernatural being.

“Luoning,” Blanchette said, voice tinged with worry, “I heard many among the recent arrivals are noble bastards, even fallen aristocrats. If they join our domain, could they bring trouble?”

She had learned to think as he did since marriage, and recent experience sharpened her insight.

For nobles, trusted positions went only to those proven loyal.

Those untrusted, of uncertain origin—no matter how talented—were kept far from power.

Take Kalada: gifted, full of potential, yet barred from both the Griffon Knights and Royal Guard.

“What you speak of is possible—but only in ordinary circumstances.”

Luoning drew her close, smiling. “A traitor may alter a battle’s course, but a true powerhouse can overturn fate itself. On battlefield and beyond.”

“And though I employ them, I’ve placed none in critical roles or near core technologies. Their capacity to harm is minimal.”

In truth, he welcomed the hidden patrons behind these men—their support indirectly funneled resources into his domain.

And to earn his trust, they would strive fiercely, accelerating development all the more.

*Knock knock.*

Tom’s voice came from beyond the door. “My lord, Commander Rudar awaits outside—he says he has urgent matters to discuss.”

Blanchette rose from Luoning’s arms, smiling. “I’ll rest awhile. Don’t let me interrupt.”

“Go,” Luoning said gently.

Moments later, Rudar strode into the castle study.

As his forces grew, the former commander of Mountain Grove had gradually reclaimed the commanding aura of his past life—the Supreme General of the Flame Expeditionary Army.

Clad in heavy armor, his steps deliberate, face stern, gaze sharp—one glance revealed a veteran forged in war.

“What brings you here, Rudar? Finding time amidst your duties?”

Rudar saluted, chest to fist, and grinned. “My lord, your First Knightly Regiment has completed expansion and training. It is now combat-ready.”

Luoning’s status and renown in the Kingdom of Auduin had risen beyond measure. Professional knights flocked to his banner.

Coupled with awakening elixirs, the number of novice knights under his command had swelled so greatly that he’d even reduced their pay.

A typical knightly regiment comprised 120 professional knights, 360 cavalry, 100 archers, and 600 infantry.

Luo Ning expanded each of these categories to 200, 800, 200, and 1,500 individuals respectively.

It was for this reason that Ryder had spent nearly half a year assembling and training them.

"Hammond has recently sent new intelligence," Luo Ning said. "The war between the Principality of Magma, occupied by Tricia Kingdom and the Holy Storm Order, has ceased. The exact circumstances remain unclear, but one thing is certain—their border defenses have not been reduced."

"Though Crown Prince Garrett keeps urging an assault on Mistveil City, His Majesty continues to stall with excuses of ongoing preparations. As a result, the shadow of war looms ever-present, yet the actual outbreak remains uncertain."

Many speculated that Bruno was waiting for Luo Ning’s knightly regiment to be fully ready.

Ryder nodded slowly. "My lord, even so, I believe we could move ahead and take position at Westwind Hill, securing this strategic point in advance."

Westwind Hill was the military stronghold assigned by Bruno for Luo Ning to garrison. Currently, it was held by a royal knightly detachment—Luo Ning only needed to relieve them before year's end.

After a moment’s thought, he asked, "How is the formation of the second regiment progressing?"

"The numbers of professional knights, cavalry, and infantry have met requirements, but archer selection is still underway—likely another month. Add training time, and they won’t achieve basic combat readiness until November."

"Then we wait."

Luo Ning said, "I’ll inform His Majesty in early August. By mid-August, you may begin your march to Westwind Hill. In the meantime, you can settle all matters concerning the second regiment."

Ryder nodded again, measured and calm. "That suits well. I can continue intensive training with the elite knights of the first regiment." (End of Chapter)