The Empire's first Extraordinary Legion, the Northern Lands Breathing Technique

Thanks to the GG effect of Dragon Blood, the population coming to Zero Crossing City from all directions has increased significantly, especially in Northwind City, where the migration frequency has become frighteningly high since Ryan took over the city.

Zero Crossing City also became a prosperous economic center, and with the influx of people, news from all sides continued to arrive.

"Those damned Orcs, they sleep it off all winter and then come out in the spring."

"What's worse, they even destroyed the seeds in the fields. We already didn't have enough food, and now most of the seeds have been destroyed."

"I really hope the Eight Knights can kill them all."

People were filled with righteous indignation and longed for the Eight Knights to save them. This also made Ryan realize that the nobles' territories were not having an easy time in the spring of the new year.

The hundreds of thousands of Orcs roaming the Northwind Province remain a ticking time bomb, constantly destroying the nobles' territories.

Spring is undoubtedly the most crucial season in the territory, and the same is true for the Orcs. The cold winter makes the Orcs move less, which reduces the consumption of physical energy. When spring comes, they get hungry as the weather warms up.

The search for food was not smooth. The land in the Northwind Province was owned by someone, Orcs always managed to appear in the sight of the nobles and wage war against their armies.

The most direct feeling is that the Northern Kingdom's Braveheart Guild has once again spent more than two thousand Gold Coin, and the steward Bilder has been frowning a lot lately.

"What's the rush? Haven't I already given away enough things?"

Ryan kicked Bilder in annoyance. He was always frowning, which made Lord Ryan feel bad and he thought there was something wrong with his treasury.

"Sir, you are too kind."

Bilder was right. Ryan was known for his hospitality among the nobility, and among the commoners and slaves, he was so well-liked that they didn't know what to say, and could only say simple things like "Hello, Lord Ryan."

"What are you afraid of? Shouldn't you be happy?"

"Have the Northern Kingdom's Braveheart Guild's income and expenditure statistics been released yet?"

Hearing this, Bilder finally laughed.

"My lord, your wealth has increased by 630 Gold Coin and 1,200 silver coins in the first month. Most of the knights who have come from afar are carrying weapons, but they also buy tents, dried meat, and flint from Northlands, as well as daggers."

Everything else is fine, but the key item is the dagger at the very end. The adventurers in Zero Crossing City now have a very uniform style, with Knight's Greatsword being standard equipment, since the knights have been training with such longswords for many years.

However, daggers are also important, especially when adventuring in the Northlands. In many situations, longswords cannot compare to the effectiveness of daggers, especially outside of combat.

The knights from afar didn't pay much attention to these aspects of life. After suffering losses, they could only buy things in Zero Crossing City, where the prices were not low, but fortunately, they were still able to make a profit.

Among them, there were still knights who came to earn money with a sense of guilt, because they brought Orcs they had killed on the way to Zero Crossing City to ask for money. The Northern Kingdom's Braveheart Guild gave them money. It can only be said that these knights were of very high quality, otherwise Ryan would have had to spend at least twice as many Gold Coin.

Ryan didn't mind. Orcs weren't like roadside weeds that could grow all over the mountains in a year. Even if all the hundreds of thousands of Orcs in the Northwind Province were killed and sent to Zero Crossing City to exchange for Gold Coin, Ryan would still give them to them without hesitation.

This will only enhance Lord Ryan's reputation and make his wealth famous. Besides, the Mayers Family hasn't even used much of the millions of Gold Coin they traded before.

In fact... this is also why Bilder did not die for his cause. Although Lord Ryan's wealth seemed to be spent in large and small amounts, in reality, his wealth was actually increasing when viewed in its entirety.

The Northern Kingdom's Braveheart Guild is currently operating at a deficit, but this is temporary. In other parts of Zero Crossing City, everything from cow dung and horse manure on the road, to stones and wood being transported, to woven clothing and firewood being sold, brings profits to Ryan.

Outside the city, in Zero Crossing Prefecture and other parts of Northwind Province, Ryan would gain some wealth to varying degrees. Especially during the war, Ryan made many transactions with nobles, many of which were based on contracts, starting at least three to five years and ending at least eight to ten years. Those nobles would give Ryan some resources or money every year.

The benefits of the war continue, and the Northern Territory Merchant Guild is the biggest beneficiary, generating revenue from the two eastern kingdoms, the South Calais Province, and the Imperial Capital.

Furthermore, the Northwind Avenue, along with numerous manors and farms in both kingdoms, will also bring unexpected surprises to Ryan from Dawn City.

The two thousand-plus Gold Coin paid to the adventurers were not a serious matter.

Actually, the biggest expenses are mostly those unseen things.

For example, Grand Mage Macken recently began researching whether the Northern Warhorse could acquire some of the power of the Nidhogg World Dragons, since that world has many Magical Beast Magical Beast, and all of them are related to the Dragons Overlord.

For example, Rose the Alchemist is trying to create a giant mechanical arm that can be controlled by humans, using alchemical methods to achieve a result similar to mechanical and electronic control. Hmm... Ryan was greatly shocked.

For example, Frostmourne.

Each Frostmourne is unique. Master Brock even abandoned the forging of other weapons for these weapons. About 70% of the materials used in Frostmourne are Supernatural Materials, which need to be traded with merchant guilds or the Northern Territory Merchant Guild, and there are even exchanges with the Frost Giant. The Frost Giant gems are also within the range of raw materials for that sword.

Ryan had always given away these swords for free. In fact, five Frostmourne swords had already been left in the Northern Lands. All the nobles who brought them into the Northlands died Northlands. This caused considerable conflict between Ryan and several nobles. If there hadn't been no direct heirs to the Noble Title among them, war would probably have already broken out.

Ryan has no good way to resolve the conflict with the nobles. At the Northern Kingdom's Braveheart Guild, Ryan has offered a reward of three hundred Gold Coin Gold Coin to any adventurer who brings back Frostmourne.

Even more... this price will continue to rise.

Why? Because it's a monopoly. Ryan doesn't need to raise prices at all. Three hundred Gold Coin is a huge sum of money for knights, and the adventurers in Zero Crossing City have been discussing it recently.

That's not how you do it.

First, the noble bloodlines on whom Ryan placed high hopes are the offspring of nobles, and often have direct blood ties to the current Noble Title. Second, these people are the ones Ryan gifted Frostmourne to build his base, and they are all very powerful in themselves.

They were highly talented and stronger than ordinary knights. When they entered the Northlands, they died in those dangerous, remote places.

In short, the risks of bringing their remains and swords back are very high.

Finally, Ryan also needed to continue to illuminate Lord Ryan's wealth and power in this way, and if possible, to give an explanation to the nobles who had lost their sons in this solemn manner.

Of all the enormous expenditures, the most fatal was the incalculable conflict with the nobility.

Money can buy many lives, but the dignity of the nobles prevents them from falling into depravity.

"How can we reassure the nobles about the death of their offspring?"

Ryan wants to build an army composed of nobles. Since it is an army, it will bring a lot of deaths, both now and in the future, and the conflict with the nobles will never end.

Ryan thought about it for a long time, and there was actually only one answer to this question.

No nobleman is willing to bear the death of his own offspring unless they share the same fate.

In simple terms, it means dignity and honor!

For example, in the Sera Kingdom, the sons of nobles would eagerly join King MacReynolds ' Griffin Legion to demonstrate their loyalty and the glory of their families.

Make them realize that in such a legion, achieving victory and glory is an incomparably honorable thing, and then any death in the process will pale in comparison to this brilliant light.

Ryan cannot replicate Sera King because he is not the Monarch of this land.

He lacks a rational legitimacy, and his very nature inspires people to be loyal to him.

Therefore, we have to try a different approach.

If there is more than one path to the end, what else can be compared to the glory of loyalty to one's sovereign?

"People place high hopes not only on Monarch who inherit power, but also on heroes."

"Heroes who fail, and heroes who succeed."

"In a sense, they are all the same: weak people yearning for the arrival of Monarch and a hero to change their insignificant and dissatisfied circumstances."

"Since Monarch is no longer possible, then the creation of a hero will be the next step."

On Rhino Horn Mountain, Ryan looked south and seemed to hear the discussions of the people in Zero Crossing City.

"Are they talking about the Eight Knights?"

Ryan asked, Apia, who had just walked in, nodded with a limp and said:

"As you wish."

"Wait a minute, where's the blind man I asked you to find?"

Nidhogg, the blind old man who guided the Dragon Chosen, Ryan hadn't forgotten. He sent Apia to find him, but Apia returned limping, supposedly injured by a Magical Beast that had stormed into the city.

"Reporting to your master, he is dead. The people of Blue Butterfly City said that the old man died on a cold night."

"I went to look for him, but I only found a grave. His entire fortune had been taken by others, and nothing was left."

"Is he really saving his last breath to guide the Dragon Chosen?"

Ryan frowned. Ryan completely believed that there was a certain type of person in the extraordinary world who had a strong sense of mission and would not even dare to die if they did not complete their mission.

With a wave of his hand, he sent Apia to Zero Crossing City, while Ryan headed to Nidhogg.

The Frost Giant is still fighting the Dragons.

With the arrival of a large number of knight-level adventurers, the local adventurers in Zero Crossing City also felt the pressure.

As for the Natives inhabitants of Zero Crossing City, they were filled with despair and wailing.

"It's over. I thought Lord Sir Beile would become one of the Eight Knights, but last night he actually lost to a knight from Silver Stream County. He was completely defeated, and even his Knight's Greatsword was broken."

"My fifty copper coins!!! I bet fifty copper coins with the Northern Territory Merchant Guild. If Lord Beile becomes one of the Eight Knights, I'll get five hundred copper coins!"

Someone cried and complained, while those around them sneered.

"Lord Beile has only been a knight for two months. You were too greedy. If the Northern Territory Merchant Guild hadn't prohibited commoners from placing more bets, you would have even sold your wife."

"Lord Beile, my foot! If it weren't for the rules of the arena, a knight could only declare his opponent's defeat by cutting off his weapon, and Lord Beile would be killed."

"If it weren't for Lord Beile's cowardice in not daring to purchase the Northern Lands Breathing Technique, which is exclusive to the Northern Kingdom's Braveheart Guild, he wouldn't have lost so badly."

"If you ask me, Lord Beile certainly won't become one of the Eight Knights, but Valentin definitely will. He was one of the Eight Knights last year."

"Even though I can only get seventy copper coins, it's a sure profit."

The passing knight was still shocked by the uniqueness of Zero Crossing City. In his opinion, Zero Crossing City was very different from other places, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it. But when he heard people discussing the Knight Breathing Technique, he froze on the spot.

When did the Knight Breathing Technique become something these peasants are qualified to discuss?

He finally realized what was different: the peasants here showed little fear of the knights.

In his mind, the ceiling that ordinary people could reach was precious wealth like Gold Coin, while the Knight Breathing Technique was a legacy and an honor. Let alone accessing it, ordinary people were proud to even know the name of the Knight Breathing Technique.

Knights need to take an oath to receive Breathing Technique from the nobles for knightly training. Breathing Technique are never cheap; in fact, they are quite precious. Not every noble family in the Florian Empire possesses its own Breathing Technique.

He heard about the Northern Kingdom's Braveheart Guild and angrily went there. He came here on behalf of the nobles, and also represented the nobles in entering the Northern Kingdom's Braveheart Guild to question the people there.

"You're selling precious Knight Breathing Technique? That's a knight's dignity and creed! How can you just sell it to those damned peasants!"

The knight's loud question drew the attention of many people. Upon hearing his words, many of them couldn't help but show mockery in their eyes, while the rest sighed and gloated.

"This knight..."

The steward, a Bard, stepped forward, accompanied by a shy-looking girl, none other than the chief Bard Sven and Milly he had brought from Nidhogg.

"What's your question? The Northern Kingdom's Braveheart Guild won't reject any questions from adventurers."

"The knight was furious and had already drawn his longsword, intending to have a death match between knights with the person in front of him."

"You dare to sell the Knight Breathing Technique? This is a gift from nobles to their followers. The Council of Elders has also decreed that no noble or practitioner of any extraordinary path may impart the enlightenment of the extraordinary path to commoners and slaves in any way."

Such matters are naturally governed by cruel and harsh laws, and nobles have every reason to isolate the common people and slaves from extraordinary powers.

If Ryan spreads knowledge, especially extraordinary knowledge, in this way, then the whole world will be his enemy.

This includes those to whom he imparted his knowledge.

Sven smiled and said:

"These knights, are you aware of the birth of the Florian Empire?"

"The Eternity flower of Kingdom of Heaven was born in the hands of the ancestor of the Columbus Royal Family. He inherited the will of Great Being, the great Lord, the Lord of Dawn, the God of Light, who bestowed upon him great power, enabling him to resist the invasion of the Northlands and making the Columbus Royal Family strong. Every member of the Columbus Royal Family is born with the power to give birth to the Seed of Life knights."

"In the beginning, the ancestors of the Columbus Royal Family and his followers all became knights, including the ancestors of the Four Grand Dukes families. But at that time, many commoners and even slaves also became powerful knights and followers of the Columbus Royal Family, following the noble emperor to resist the invasion of nobles from the two-thirds of the northern lands."

"This is the origin of the first Extraordinary Legion of the Florian Empire, the Apocalypse Legion."

"Those slaves and commoners were all taught the powerful Apocalypse Knight Breathing Technique. The original nobles of the Florian Empire all had the inheritance of the Apocalypse Knight Breathing Technique."

Sven calmly recounted the ancient story, then continued:

"I am telling you this story not to tell you that the Knight Breathing Technique can be mastered by commoners and slaves, but to tell you that mastering the Knight Breathing Technique requires very strict qualifications."

"The original Knights of the Apocalypse Knights were brave, fearless, righteous, indomitable, and benevolent. It was because of these precious qualities that they were able to become Knights of the Apocalypse, the original nobles of Flor, the ancestors of the nobles, and follow the esteemed His Majesty Emperor Flor."

"The Northern Kingdom's Braveheart Guild does sell the Knight's Breathing Technique to many people, but not everyone is qualified to obtain it."

"Even though it's far less powerful than the Apocalypse Knight Breathing Technique."

Sven walked around step by step, looking at the people around him. These people were all knights, most of them Apprentice Knight.

"Loyal to one's lord, loyal to the sword in one's hand, guarding the nobility with one's life, with an invincible sword, slaying all enemies, defending the land of mankind in blood and fire."

"This is the knight's creed, and every knight practices it on this path of glory and honor. This is also why your lord bestowed upon you the Knight Breathing Technique."

"The creed you uphold is what qualifies you to obtain the Knight Breathing Technique."

"Do you know what qualifications are needed to obtain the Northern Warrior Breathing Technique?"

Sven looked at the knights, and his words plunged them into a solemn and reverent faith, while his question left the knights before him bewildered.

"What is it?"

He asked instinctively, and was then led by Sven to the depths of the Northern Kingdom's Braveheart Guild. There, there was a stone tablet, and the sunlight shone down from the hollow above, the golden light like sharp arrows piercing the stone tablet inscribed with words, sacred and inviolable.

(End of this chapter)