Chapter 46: Chapter 46: The Hope-Filled Castle
While Su Li was exchanging ideas with the Minister of Agriculture, Vandar, the High-level Attendant Chief Hilude walked up from below the castle wall.
"Lord, you have just arrived at the territory, the agricultural matters are numerous and cannot be settled in a short time. It’s very late now, you should rest."
Su Li turned his head to look at his High-level Attendant Chief. She had removed her heavy armor, revealing her slender figure, her rounded thighs shimmering faintly in the moonlight, while her breathtaking bosom quivered with each step as aftershocks hit intensely. In stark contrast to her seductive and alluring physical charm, her demeanor was very robust and neutral, her golden short hair casually draped over her shoulders, a few strands fluttered lightly in the breeze, accentuating her sharply defined face. Her bright eyes were like a clear spring, steadfast and intelligent.
All this made Su Li’s heartbeat accelerate, unable to resist the impulse to conquer her again, he said to Vandar: "My High-level Attendant Lord makes a valid point, farming matters are not accomplished in one go, let’s focus on these few key aspects first, you go back and prepare."
"With respect to your will, good night, Lord." One of the teachings of the Goddess of Dawn believed by Vandar is to encourage procreation, he and his followers consider newborns as the hope of the world, so he quickly left, giving Su Li room to relax and enjoy.
Once he was gone, Su Li immediately turned and embraced Hilude’s slender waist, his hand touched that softness he most enjoyed, looking at her heroic and spirited cheeks, feeling an excitement that bordered on desecration of sanctity.
The position of High-level Attendant Lord might be the most powerful in each territory of the Empire, for she manages the noble court and all attendants within the directly affiliated lands.
In theory, all knights and attendants within Su Li’s castle and Pioneer Territory are under Hilude’s management.
It appears her role overlaps with the Military Commander Oerstein Knight, but in fact, it doesn’t at all.
A normal lord would have various vassals under them, if there was a need for military mobilization, Su Li and his vassals would need to mobilize the army and assemble for battle.
As the Military Commander, Oerstein Knight can command the entire territory’s army, which includes Hilude’s knights, attendants, and those led by other vassals.
Appointing Hilude as the High-level Attendant Lord and Oerstein Knight as the Military Commander are significant appointments, indicating Su Li promised his subordinates that he would reward those knights who contribute merit with lands.
The knights who followed him came for this goal, so they are enthusiastic and morale is high.
Yuan Shao, the negative example in contrast, granted territories of four states to his sons and nephews before the Battle of Guandu, leaving little enthusiasm among his subordinates for meritorious achievements and leading to core generals surrendering when encountering minor setbacks.
Granting Hilude such a high position is certainly not because of her beauty, nor solely for her excellent talent, but most importantly for her loyalty!
In matters of great importance to the nation, only rituals and war. Su Li must tightly hold onto the military power and rituals.
Loyalty often surpasses ability in most situations. Otherwise, Count Suna’s Guardian Knight wouldn’t be Connor but would have long been Oerstein.
As for loyalty within Su Li’s ranks, undoubtedly Hilude tops the list, having already reached a state of absolute loyalty, proving it through personal practice.
In a critical battle with Oerstein Knight, had Hilude hesitated or harbored distractions, she wouldn’t have been able to block the Champion Knight’s attack in front of Su Li.
Assigning her to manage the castle’s attendants, Su Li certainly trusts her.
Holding her slender waist and inhaling her fragrant hair, Su Li asked, "Is the interior of the castle all tidied up?"
Hilude responded crisply and efficiently, "It’s tidied up, though somewhat simplistic. Calling it a castle is more like a house built with stones, the interior castle has only two floors, and there’s still some stained blood on the first floor, I and Avril have just fetched water to clean it, we might all have to squeeze into the upstairs room."
"Other attendants will have to temporarily spend the night in the stable and blacksmith shop."
"Is there also a blacksmith shop within the castle walls?" Su Li’s eyes brightened, this was an unexpected surprise as the territory currently lacked ironware.
Hilude nodded, "This castle is small but it has basic amenities, structured with a simple wooden ring wall, with stables on the east and west sides upfront, and buildings in the east, south, and west directions include blacksmith shop, armory, church, small bakery, granary and guard room, though most are somewhat dilapidated and will need repairs to be usable tomorrow."
Su Li’s face beamed with a smile, "Much better, much better, far exceeded my expectations."
These buildings are enough to support a central castle area, it’s not as exaggerated as Hilude described as stone houses, just the lord’s castle main building is a bit basic.
If necessary in the future he won’t live here, truly wealthy lords reside in manors, for instance, a Bauhinia Flower Manor could be built in the northern region of the castle, planted with beautiful bauhinia and iris flowers, along with hundreds of hectares of vineyard for comfort and economic value.
Only when facing a strong enemy or external threat, knights return to the slightly dark and damp castle.
Following this, Su Li brought Hilude and Avril into the castle main building’s bedroom, with several large cracks on the wall and a giant hole in the ceiling from a boulder impact, through which the clear night sky and countless stars could be seen.
Yet despite this, Su Li felt great, seeing all scenery as cooling breezes and bright moonlight, with a gentle and harmonious atmosphere.
After intense activity, he embraced the two closest beauties on either side, smiling brightly and happily, his attitude positive and determined, "I believe this is our worst state now, tomorrow will be better than today, and every future day will be better than the previous."
Hilude unconditionally believed Su Li’s every word, her pale hands gently stroked Su Li’s chest, listening to his intense and vigorous heartbeat, a smile of happiness graced her lips, "I trust you, Lord, our Hesse Territory will certainly become stronger under your leadership."
Avril, merely a delicate maid, lacked Hilude’s physical strength, after the exercise, with a rosy complexion, her eyes were dreamy, she coquettishly looked at Su Li and asked, "Young Master, I want to become stronger too. Why is the Knight’s Cultivation Method I’ve practiced for so long having no effect? Can I still become a knight?"
Su Li replied with a smile, "Weren’t you a Female Knight just now? Your gallant demeanor was quite charming."
Avril blushed more deeply, shyly burying her face in Su Li’s chest, "Young Master~ I meant not that kind of knight, but a formal knight like Hilude."
Su Li gently stroked her sweat-drenched smooth back, smiling, "Then sleep now, perhaps when you wake up tomorrow morning, you will find to your pleasant surprise that all you aspire to is within reach."
"Really?" Avril excitedly raised her head, lying on Su Li’s chest, her bright eyes filled with surprise. She knew Young Master Su Li wouldn’t joke about such matters, yet the prospects of all she once dreamed now coming true so quickly was both surprising and hard to believe.
"My advice is that perhaps you should think more about how to repay me... I mean in intimate entanglements, oh."