Pioneer Lord: I Have Conquering System

"Like you?"

Count Andao sighed, tossed aside the sunflower seed shells, and clapped his hands. He looked seriously at the Lion Hunter Knight. "Like you? Don’t even mention it. If cultivating the Holy Word Treasure Manual in this day and age could achieve even one-tenth of your current effect, then Debei wouldn’t have its so-called three gods."

"Did you know, Levi, ever since the fall of the Holy Knights, even cultivating the Holy Word Treasure Manual to its peak only grants a twelvefold increase over an ordinary person? And I can briefly achieve that same boost with an explosion of Combat Qi, though the consequences are severe."

"The main issue is that the Holy Word Treasure Manual is notoriously difficult to cultivate the further you go. Among the active Holy Knights in the Holy Light Church, not a single one has reached the final stage of Holy Hall Knight. The vast majority are basically at the third stage, ’Bright Moon,’ and there are very few at the fourth stage, ’Scorching Sun.’"

"It’s much harder to cultivate than Combat Qi, yet at the same level, you get beaten so badly by Combat Qi users you don’t know which way is up. That’s why it’s fallen from grace. If the Holy Light Church didn’t need the Holy Knight Order as a gimmick, it probably would have been relegated to history long ago."

"That can’t be right. Holy Knights don’t just have outstanding physiques. They have Holy Light in their bodies and can also practice Divine Magic. In a way, you could even call them a different kind of Caster."

Levi picked up the conversation, a skeptical look on his face.

The last time, he had learned two Divine Magic skills from Fatir, the official Saintess of the Holy Light Church. He’d been holding back from using them, saving them to make a big splash at a critical moment.

"It seems your little lover never mentioned this to you." Count Andao gave the Lord a teasing smile before continuing, "The concentration of Holy Light in a Holy Knight’s body is tied to their physical constitution. This means that in this era, Holy Knights of the same Tier have physiques not even a tenth, or perhaps even a hundredth, as strong as those from the glory days. The same goes for the Holy Light in their bodies!"

"This results in them being completely unable to cultivate powerful Holy Light Divine Skills. They can only use Low Tier Divine Techniques like Holy Shield Protection and Holy Light Healing."

"Alright."

Levi lowered his gaze, speechless.

’I thought there was some hidden drawback I didn’t know about, but it turns out they just don’t have enough mana.’

Feeling the rich Holy Light that was about to surge out from within him, the Lord didn’t continue the conversation on this topic.

Back when he had just successfully condensed the Holy Light Seed, he could already envelop his whole body in Holy Light and run around acting as a bright lightbulb for quite a while.

As the Holy Light Seed continued to condense Holy Light in his body and grow stronger every moment, he had long since lost track of what level he was at.

All he knew was that if he considered the two Holy Light Divine Skills he had learned, his recovery rate probably outpaced their consumption.

"Gentlemen, I’m sorry to disturb you, but may I join in?"

A woman’s voice, as clear and melodious as a warbler’s song, came from behind them.

The moment he saw the newcomer, the uncouth smile on Count Andao’s face vanished completely. It was replaced by the impeccable smile of a nobleman as he bowed slightly. "Miss Liya, you are too kind."

His noble bearing and perfectly modulated tone were so flawless that not even the Royal Court’s most fastidious etiquette master could find any fault.

"Good day, Miss Liya."

Levi greeted her as well.

Then, he walked with a smile toward a large figure behind her.

"How have you been, Orak?"

Levi bumped fists with the Beastman Shaman.

He had left Orak with Liya to follow her orders and hadn’t brought him along.

"My Lord, aside from getting rusty, everything is fine," the Beastman Shaman said, his voice tinged with grievance.

"Levi, Master Orak has been grumbling this whole time in the rear about wanting to join the fight," Liya said with a smile, picking up the thread. "I’m in the center of the main army now. There’s no danger, so there’s no need to waste a combat master on protecting me."

"True. From now on, Liya, you should stay with Fatir. You two should have a lot to talk about."

Levi nodded.

"I still have some military affairs to attend to, so please excuse me." Count Andao knew the upcoming conversation was not for him, so he tactfully took his leave and departed.

"Orak, you can return to your unit. Zat and the others should be sparring in the clearing."

Levi waved his hand, shooing away the Beastman Shaman as well.

Once there were no outsiders, the two opened their arms and shared a light hug before quickly parting.

"I heard Little Skinflint is dead?" Levi asked.

"Yes. My aunt Fulina and I were invited to rest at Terror Castle. Halfway through the banquet, an attendant found him dead in a brothel." Liya rubbed the bridge of her nose, her tone heavy. "In his fury, the Old Earl sent all the prostitutes at the brothel who had been in contact with Red Debei to the gallows."

"What does that have to do with the prostitutes?" Levi shook his head.

’There’s a saying: "Scorn the poor, not the whore." Besides, most prostitutes in this world are sold to brothel owners by slave traders. They’re forced into it.’

"Not necessarily. I heard the prostitute who entered the room with Red was never found afterward. Some say she fled, fearing punishment from the Count. Others say she was an assassin who escaped after completing her mission."

Liya provided more detail.

"What a turbulent time," Levi lamented.

"The worst is yet to come. We’re already unwelcome here," Liya sighed.

"Oh? Who doesn’t welcome us?" Levi asked.

"The nobles, the officers, the soldiers... anyone from the Northern Territory doesn’t welcome us." Liya looked at the various officers and counts flooding into Kalia Town in the distance, her face full of helplessness.

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