Knowledge Is Power

"These are all the potions I made during this time. I'll leave them all to you, Big Brother, to distribute," Sunan said.

"Good work!"

Kei excitedly patted Sunan on the shoulder, then looked at the potions on the table. After a moment's thought, he asked, "How effective are these potions for Advanced Knights?"

"Very limited," Sunan replied without hesitation. "They can probably only increase an Advanced Knight's physique by one to two percent."

"I see."

Kei shook his head in disappointment. It would be too wasteful for him to take these potions.

After thinking for a moment, he turned and called out, "Jordan."

"Yes, my lord."

The knight whose name had been called stepped forward with delight on his face.

Kei picked up a bottle of potion and tossed it to Jordan.

"Drink it."

Without the slightest hesitation, Jordan pulled out the wooden stopper and tipped the crimson liquid into his mouth.

The next instant, his skin visibly turned red, veins bulged across his body, and his face twisted in agony.

Fortunately, it lasted less than two minutes before Jordan's body returned to normal.

He panted heavily, drenched in sweat, but his expression was filled with excitement.

"What an incredible effect!"

"I feel much stronger, and my reactions have become faster too."

Jordan excitedly gestured with his limbs.

Sunan nodded to himself.

The Lesser Dragon Blood Potion should increase a Novice Knight's physique by around 0.7 to 0.9 points.

A Novice Knight's physique was only around 8 to 10 points to begin with.

An increase of roughly one-tenth was already an enormous improvement.

For an Advanced Knight, it would probably only add 0.2 to 0.3 points of physique.

However, this was merely a low-grade Tier-Zero Lesser Dragon Blood Potion. Once his Potion Making skill improved and the quality of the materials rose, he would naturally be able to make Dragon Blood Potions with better effects.

Seeing Jordan's transformation, the surrounding knights' eyes lit up, and the way they looked at the potions on the table grew increasingly fervent.

A delighted smile also appeared on Kei's face. After a moment's thought, he said, "Go call Nelson, Kadi, Nuo Dan, and the others!"

Kei named seven people in succession.

They were all Apprentice Knights who had followed the two brothers when they left Shining Territory. They were combat forces their father had left them, and their loyalty was assured.

Naturally, the Lesser Dragon Blood Potions were to be used on these people first.

A knight immediately turned and left to relay the order.

The other knights were somewhat disappointed, but they quickly composed themselves.

They all understood that rather than letting them take the potions for a small boost in strength, it was more appropriate to use them on Apprentice Knights.

If they could create several more knights, it would be far more beneficial to Blackstone City!

Especially with the Blackscale Lizardmen stirring and preparing to invade Blackstone City.

At a time like this, even three or four additional knights could greatly ease Blackstone City's shortage of manpower.

Before long, the seven selected Apprentice Knights were brought to the council hall.

After taking the Lesser Dragon Blood Potions, three of the seven condensed their Seeds of Life on the spot and broke through to become Formal Knights.

Although the remaining four failed to break through, judging by their appearances, they were not far from advancing to knight rank.

All seven were so excited that their faces flushed red.

Kei offered the seven a few words of encouragement, then swept his gaze across the room. His expression turned solemn as he said, "The existence of these potions is of vital importance. Without my permission, no one present is allowed to reveal them to anyone else. Whoever violates this order, don't blame me for dealing with them under military law!"

Everyone's expressions grew stern, and they answered in unison.

None of them were fools. They knew what this kind of potion represented.

Leaving everything else aside, if that rebel in Shining City learned of the Lesser Dragon Blood Potion's existence, he would undoubtedly move against Blackstone City without hesitation. He would never allow them to develop and grow in peace.

Sunan had originally intended to give a reminder, but seeing that his Big Brother had already considered it thoroughly, he said no more. He took a list from his person and handed it to Kei.

"Big Brother, help me gather the materials on this list. The more, the better."

"And keep an eye out for Wizard Codices as well."

"No problem." Kei nodded without hesitation.

After witnessing the miraculous effects of the Lesser Dragon Blood Potion, he no longer harbored the slightest doubt about wizardly methods. All that remained was amazement and admiration.

Now, he wished he could satisfy every request his younger brother made, allowing him to focus on his research and create potions even more powerful than the Lesser Dragon Blood Potion.

After entering the Frostfall Moon, the weather became increasingly cold.

Blackstone City had already taken on a desolate air.

The thin white mist exhaled by the militia into the frigid air hung over the city walls like clouds. Many militia members huddled behind the battlements, rubbing their hands against the cold and occasionally poking their heads out to look beyond the walls.

Suddenly, one of them sprang to his feet, stared wide-eyed into the distance, and shouted, "Scout cavalry are coming! They're headed here from Kassel Village!"

Several militia members hurriedly lowered a basket, preparing to bring the rider up.

More than ten minutes later, the piercing alarm bells rang throughout Blackstone City.

Everyone heard them.

In the study, Sunan raised his head, his expression shifting slightly.

The Blackscale Lizardmen have finally come.

Since last month, Blackstone City had been preparing for the Blackscale Lizardmen's invasion. The residents of more distant villages had been temporarily relocated into the city.

Soldiers were stationed to guard the nearer villages.

At the same time, Kei remained armored and stationed in Blackstone City, ready to lead the army out at any moment to wipe out the Blackscale Lizardmen.

In previous years, the atmosphere in Blackstone City was always extremely heavy at this time.

After all, the Blackscale Lizardmen's invasions caused Blackstone City considerable losses.

Casualties among the population, damaged buildings, trampled fields—these losses all required an entire spring the following year to slowly recover from.

Blackstone City gained no benefit whatsoever from its wars with the Blackscale Lizardmen. Whether it won or lost, its strength would be damaged.

But this year was different.

The existence of the Lesser Dragon Blood Potion had turned the Blackscale Lizardmen's blood into nourishment for Blackstone City's army to grow stronger.

For every Blackscale Lizardman killed, Blackstone City's army gained another chance to become stronger.

Blackstone City now had the means to strengthen itself through war!

Under these circumstances, the Blackscale Lizardmen's invasion was no longer merely a disaster for Blackstone City. Instead, it had become an opportunity.

As long as they obtained a large number of Blackscale Lizardmen corpses, Blackstone City would gain a great many Apprentice Knights, and perhaps even knights, next year.

With profit as the driving force, the army could naturally unleash several times its usual morale and enthusiasm.

Sunan could already picture those knight Generals charging at the Blackscale Lizardmen with excited expressions.

"A mere Tier-Zero Potion can turn around Blackstone City's predicament."

"Knowledge is power. That saying really is true."

Sunan's eyes flickered as he lowered his head and continued reading.

On the slightly yellowed page, the first line bore a row of small black words.

'Wisdom is the true source of a wizard's power!'