A Realistic Mount & Blade Game

The night shrouded in the rules of necromancy passed just like that, with time arriving at precisely six o'clock in the morning.

‘Swish!’

The instant the first ray of sunlight appeared on the horizon, it was as if the darkness that had solidified here was directly and forcefully pierced, without the slightest qualification to obstruct it, completely dissipating along with the endless, countless gray mists.

Even in the places where this ray of sunlight had not yet reached, the darkness enveloping the sky vanished in an instant.

Only on the ground, the darkness and gray mist in the shaded areas were still clinging to life, taking advantage of the fact that the sunlight had not yet fully appeared.

But once the sunlight fully rose, what awaited them would definitely be complete obliteration.

At least, complete obliteration during the day.

East of Bali River Street.

The junction of the city and the suburbs.

The town of "Dhirim" had already begun its day of labor, with the captains shouting orders as soon as the sunlight appeared.

The Swadian militiamen who had been standing guard on the city walls were replaced by newly arrived militiamen.

These new Swadian militiamen, holding spears, carrying old broad shields and hunting crossbows on their backs, and with quivers full of crossbow bolts and entrenching tools hanging on their left and right waists, wore cotton robes and hats, standing on the city walls with their chests puffed out and heads held high, spirited and full of vigor.

Behind them, on the city walls, Swadian light infantrymen in chainmail also marched past in neat rows, carrying long spears.

They were the patrol team.

Currently, there were still 591 Swadian light infantrymen in the entire town, which meant that the troop strength was quite abundant.

Coupled with the Lake Rat gang thugs patrolling inside the town, the defenses were extremely tight.

Any abnormal situation would be discovered first.

Then, it would trigger a response from the entire defense system, summoning a steady stream of troops to investigate and eliminate the abnormal area.

The town of "Dhirim" might be lacking in supplies, denars, commerce, agriculture, and even handicrafts.

But the only thing it didn't lack was soldiers!

Moreover, most of them were elite soldiers of the fourth and fifth ranks. In terms of combat power, they were definitely quite formidable.

Shen Mu had once again come to the city walls of the town area.

He was inspecting.

Mayor Marnid was following behind him, explaining the arrangements outside the city walls to Shen Mu:

"The land around Dhirim has now been simply measured, and basically 1,000 mu of fields can be reclaimed."

"1,000 mu of fields?" Shen Mu raised his eyebrows, looking at the flat, dark brown, humus-rich fertile land outside, and asked again: "Are you sure you can reclaim so many fields?"

What Marnid was saying was that in the southeast, northwest, and every direction of the town, 1,000 mu of fields could be reclaimed.

For the current Dhirim, that was a total of 4,000 mu of fields.

How could this number not be astonishing?

"I'm sure," Marnid said very positively and confidently: "This is still a conservative estimate, Lord Shen Mu." As he spoke, he reached out and pointed to the east, continuing: "If we can continue to reclaim outwards, then even more fields can be reclaimed in those flatter lands to the east."

Shen Mu followed the direction Marnid pointed to, looking at the east of the town, the flat, boundless rural suburbs that directly connected to the horizon, with only sporadic high-rise buildings obstructing it.

He also nodded in agreement: "Indeed, that is originally the agricultural production area of this city."

It was just that such reclamation was not wise for Shen Mu.

Because the necromantic rules were still in effect.

Although the vegetation of Blue Star could still grow under the necromantic rules, the growth of food crops was extremely slow and limited.

According to the memories left by the predecessor.

Many things similar to the wheat, corn, and even potatoes that were planted before.

If they were left to grow in the wilderness, in the darkness, they would exhibit poor growth, even very little or no heading, growing like weeds.

Only by lighting bonfires next to the crops growing in these fields to dispel the darkness and gray mist could they be ensured to grow successfully and head, and be able to harvest some grain.

But even so.

The amount of grain harvested was very small, more than two-thirds less than before the arrival of the necromantic rules!

These were all the results of those Blue Star humans carefully cultivating them in their hidden apartments or rooms over the past 3 years.

And in the end, it was also proven that it was more convenient to scavenge for supplies in those places shrouded in darkness.

Of course, even if they ate this grain, they would slowly become weak and powerless.

Especially those Blue Star humans who had spirit world followers or had undergone soul-level resonant frequency, the reaction would be even more intense.

Eating this grain often, even if they felt full, would eventually starve them to death.

It was as if they could not absorb any nutrients.

Unless they used the flesh of spirit world creatures.

Or...

Finding those lords who possessed lord imprints and could summon various supplies, various foods, and even various spirit world buildings and spirit world lands from the astral realm, only then could they obtain a normal life under their protection.

Therefore, reclaiming land for cultivation in the current doomsday shrouded in necromantic rules.

Was extremely unrealistic!

"Marnid, just carry out reclamation and sowing on our own land."

Shen Mu said after a moment of pondering: "Don't bother with anything outside our land range. When we expand our land range in the future, there will definitely be land suitable for reclamation and sowing."

"I understand," Marnid nodded.

Without much more conversation.

Shen Mu took Marnid on a tour of the city walls of the town area and then parted ways with him.

Marnid needed to return to the administrative residence to continue handling the various trivial matters at hand.

Shen Mu then came to the Holy Light Torch Tower in the castle area.

At this time, in the warehouse on the ground floor of this Holy Light Torch Tower of the Holy White Council, it was completely filled with chopped firewood.

They all looked like top-quality, sturdy wood.

Even using it as a beam or main beam would be no problem, but now, because of the Holy Light Torch Tower, it was only being used as firewood.

Shen Mu just glanced at it and felt a little pity.

But this pity was only temporary.

Arriving on the second floor.

This was the library area, which was empty without any books, so it had been converted into a dormitory for people to live in.

James and 20 devout followers from the Kingdom of Eldergard lived together here.

"Lord Shen Mu!"

When Shen Mu entered the library on the second floor, James and the 20 devout followers in gray robes, who were still chattering and discussing something, immediately noticed his arrival.

One by one, they hurriedly stood up, then respectfully bowed and saluted, paying their respects to Shen Mu.

"Yes, hello," Shen Mu walked over.

"Lord Shen Mu, we were discussing matters concerning faith and a sincere heart."

James, acting as the leader at this time, quickly moved a chair to Shen Mu's side, respectfully invited him to sit down, and then reported: "I believe that these devout followers from Eldergard do have their own set of theories, which are very interesting, and I am also studying and learning diligently."

"Mr. James is one of the purest people we have ever seen, and he also knows how to accept the Holy Light with his heart."

Just as James finished speaking, a devout follower who was clearly the leader spoke with emotion, "We were simply discussing with Mr. James how to communicate with the Holy Light with a sincere heart, and he has already learned it. His talent and level are truly astonishing."

"Indeed, if Mr. James had been exposed to the Holy Light at a young age, I believe he would have achieved considerable accomplishments in the Holy Church Monastery of the Aedengard Kingdom!"

Even the other older devout followers nodded in agreement, filled with admiration.

Clearly, during this exchange, James, the most skilled doctor on the Calradia continent, who also possesses unique insights into natural medicine and religious beliefs, left a deep impression on them.

"So, James, you have already mastered the power of the Holy Light?" Shen Mu raised an eyebrow and looked at James.

"Because I have reverence for you in my heart, the Holy Light has accepted me," James said with a smile, then stretched out his hands, his face solemn as he made some kind of mentally focused gesture.

‘Buzz!’

Then, under the gaze of Shen Mu and the other devout followers, wisps of tiny white light gradually emerged and formed tiny specks, like grains of sand.

Because the sun had just risen, there wasn't much light shining through.

Therefore, in this still somewhat dim second-floor library, these sand-grain-sized specks of light were extremely noticeable!

"Praise the Holy Light!"

Especially the 20 devout followers, when they saw the tiny specks of light appearing in James's hands, their faces turned extremely fanatical.

At the same time, they all respectfully lowered their heads, murmuring scriptures belonging to the Holy Church Monastery of the Aedengard Kingdom.

They seemed to be extremely reverent towards even this tiny speck of light.

"This is the Holy Light?" Shen Mu raised his eyebrows at this moment, looking curiously at the light spot appearing in James's hand.

Although it looked tiny to the point of being adorable.

The light it brought, however, was like a candlelight, illuminating the more dimly lit environment of the crowd surrounding them.

And faintly, there was also a warmth originating from the soul level.

Very peculiar!

‘Buzz!’

Just as James was displaying the power he had comprehended, the light spot in his hands flickered for a moment, and then went out.

The entire process lasted less than fifteen seconds.

"This is my limit," James finally lowered his hands, sighed heavily, covered in sweat, and said with considerable mental exhaustion, "I can only maintain this light sphere for such a short time, and I can't use these light spheres to create Sunfire Rays to attack enemies or Holy Light Healing Arts to heal injuries, like these devout followers do."

"Mr. James, for a beginner, you have already done very well."

The devout follower beside him comforted, "Many beginners find it difficult to summon the Holy Light as steadily as you in several months. It requires the support of a devout heart towards the Holy Light and inner kindness. You were able to summon the Holy Light in one evening, which is truly an amazing achievement."

"That's right, it's really amazing, Mr. James." The other devout followers nodded, and their gazes towards James also gained a bit more respect.

Just as the devout follower captain who spoke first said, summoning the Holy Light to descend is not easy.

Many beginners who start learning to summon the Holy Light in their teens often need several months of hard work, waiting for their hearts to calm down, and guided by a reverent spirit towards the Holy Light, before they can summon such Holy Light and sustain it for about ten seconds.

Like this, in one night, no, it should be said, from the moment they taught James how to condense Holy Light runes and how to summon the Holy Light to descend.

James had already summoned that extremely subtle speck of light that appeared instantly.

And now.

He was already able to maintain the Holy Light for nearly fifteen seconds.

This was simply astonishing!

When these devout followers themselves could maintain the Holy Light for fifteen seconds, at least six months had passed.

Now it seemed, how could they not know that the James before them…

Could be considered a genius?!

"I don't have much of a concept of the Holy Light, but when I was meditating, I sensed that within this Holy Light Torch Tower, there seemed to be some special power, and also, I couldn't help but think of Lord Shen Mu, still persevering in such a dangerous otherworld. Thus, my heart increasingly rose with reverence for Mr. Shen Mu, so I experienced that power of the Holy Light."

James hesitated for a moment at this time and chose to tell the truth.

Only, these words stunned everyone present.

"Hmm?" Shen Mu also felt a little dazed: "When meditating on the Holy Light, you thought of me?"

This was a little interesting.

To James's words, the 20 devout followers present actually did not refute them.

It should be known that these devout followers, who had devout faith in the Holy Light, also possessed the grace of the Holy Light and mastered how to use the Holy Light to protect themselves and heal others, were surprisingly silent at this time.

Each of them looked at each other, and they all saw in each other's eyes, that kind of 'as expected' look.

They did not have any anger because of this language that was almost blasphemous to the Holy Light!

"Lord Shen Mu is indeed like the legends circulating in the Aedengard Kingdom," the leading devout follower captain slowly spoke with emotion, his tone also carrying a complex color: "Lord Shen Mu is the embodiment of the Holy Light!"

"That's right, Lord Shen Mu is the embodiment of the Holy Light!" The other devout followers responded earnestly.

This was a response, and it also represented their attitude.

"What embodiment of the Holy Light?" Shen Mu frowned slightly at this time.

What kind of title was this again?

"Lord Shen Mu, when your name spread in our ears, there was already a legend that you are the embodiment of the Holy Light, the messenger of justice, the spokesperson of kindness."

The devout follower captain straightened his chest and spoke in a very solemn, almost chanting tone:

"This is circulated from the Einphas Empire to our Aedengard Kingdom, even to the former exile, the current Elven Land, the Avalon Kingdom."

"What you represent is the Holy Light!" The other devout followers agreed in unison.

Like the chorus chanting of a choir.

Only at this time, all the devout followers present looked at Shen Mu with increasing fanaticism and respect.

Tears were faintly visible in their eyes.

"… …" Even Shen Mu at this time felt a bit complicated in his heart towards this extremely religiously charged scene.

But thinking about it, he also understood.

This should be a special identity added to him by the Mount \u0026 Blade system.

Especially in the Aedengard Kingdom, which was founded on religion, the Knight Kingdom known for its faith in the Holy Light, and among the forces that possessed religious organizations such as the Holy Church Monastery and the Religious Inquisition.

This kind of identity itself was a myth to Shen Mu.

Symbolizing that Shen Mu himself was a living saint-level mythical existence!

"Calm down your spirits," Shen Mu nodded, letting the 20 devout followers in front of him, who were extremely fanatical towards him and had an even more respectful attitude, calm down.

It was better to communicate calmly like this.

After a moment.

These devout followers finally broke free from the fanatical religious emotions they had just experienced.

The leading devout follower also bowed again, placing his hand on his chest, and said, "Sorry, Lord Shen Mu, we were too happy to see you, so we became so excited."

"It's a small matter," Shen Mu waved his hand, indicating that the topic should continue.

At the same time, he looked at James and asked, "Just now you said that you felt the special power within the Holy Light Torch Tower, and then through your reverence for me, you mastered this power of the Holy Light?"

These were James's original words.

James didn't hide anything and immediately said, "Yes, Lord Shen Mu, to be precise, the source of energy that I filled into the Holy Light runes when I condensed the Holy Light came from within this Holy Light Torch Tower."

"The energy source filled into the Holy Light Torch Tower?" Shen Mu was even more puzzled.

He was indeed very unfamiliar with the extraordinary.

"It's like this, Lord Shen Mu." At this time, the devout captain who had regained his composure explained again.

He pondered for a moment, then said seriously, "Lord, within this Holy Light Torch Tower, we indeed felt a special magic power surging. Although it is very weak, it can indeed become the energy for me to summon the Holy Light to descend."

"That's right, that's right." The other devout followers also nodded in agreement.

"Is that so…" Shen Mu said thoughtfully.

Before Shen Mu could explain the origin of this Holy Light Torch Tower of the Holy White Council.

The devout captain continued, "Moreover, in my perception, this Holy Light Torch Tower does possess a sincere and pure energy similar to the Holy Light. It's a pity that it lacks effective magical support, otherwise, it could release a very pure Holy Light energy!"

"Yes, that's indeed the case." Shen Mu nodded and briefly explained the origin of the Holy Light Torch Tower.

"Holy White Council? Maia Elves?" At this time, the faces of these devout followers changed slightly: "It seems that these are… the creations of the High Elf race."

The devout followers exchanged glances again and nodded slightly, "Then it's no wonder. Those High Elves who established the Avalon Kingdom do possess powerful magical powers."

Moreover, the Avalon Kingdom and the Aiden Gard Kingdom have a very special relationship.

They are also allies against darkness and evil.

Overall, the relationship is still considered harmonious.

Apart from the religious court having some criticisms about the Elf race, the Aiden Gard Kingdom generally maintains a neutral and friendly attitude towards the Avalon Kingdom.

"Lord, if possible, could you allow us to visit this Holy Light Torch Tower?"

The devout followers also asked at this time.

"Of course." Shen Mu smiled, "This Holy Light Torch Tower will be handed over to you for management from now on. When my caravan returns, it will bring a batch of magic scrolls, which are the key energy to drive this Holy Light Torch Tower. At that time, the daily maintenance and use of this Holy Light Torch Tower will also require your help."

"Thank you for your trust, Lord Shen Mu. We will earnestly fulfill our duties."

Upon hearing Shen Mu's arrangement, these 20 devout followers immediately stood up respectfully, lowered their heads, stroked their chests, and bowed, their tone very solemn and serious.

"James." At this time, Shen Mu looked at James again and instructed him, "I'll leave the leadership here to you. While diligently learning how to use the Holy Light, I also hope that this Holy Light Torch Tower will not have any mistakes."

"Absolutely not, Lord Shen Mu. I will use my life to maintain your trust." James replied with the same solemnity.

"Mm." Shen Mu was also very satisfied with James's answer.

Then he left the Holy Light Torch Tower.

The mysteries of this Holy Light Torch Tower were left to these devout followers and James to study on their own.

Currently, because the caravan heading to White Tower has not returned.

And it has not brought back the magic scrolls to maintain the Holy Light Torch Tower.

So, this Torch Tower is really just a Torch Tower. It's completely just a decoration now. Taking advantage of its uselessness, let these devout followers with high magic backgrounds study it. Maybe they can research some surprises.

Accompanied by the knights, Shen Mu turned and came to the southwest corner of the town area.

At this time, a faint stench permeated this area.

Because the corpses of the enemies encountered by the entire town of "Deherim" had all been piled up here.

Whether it was the corpses of those Abyss Demons or the corpses of these Spirit Realm creatures, they were all piled up into some small hills, exuding a strong bloody smell and stench at this time.

Shen Mu, who had a slight obsession with cleanliness, couldn't help but frown and cover his nose.

The only thing worth rejoicing about was perhaps that with the advent of the Undead Rules, there were fewer insects such as mosquitoes and flies now, and the temperature was somewhat cold, preventing the corpses from easily rotting.

Otherwise, with so many corpses piled up here, once they rotted and stank.

It was estimated that the entire town of Deherim would not need to continue to maintain any normal operation. Just smelling this smell would make people nauseous and vomit.

Nor would there be some Swadian light infantrymen who were specially arranged to pick and choose here, as if picking up scraps, taking off the valuable items from these demon corpses or spirit realm creature corpses, whether it was linen cloth or iron products, or weapons, armor, leather armor, etc., and classifying them separately.

"Lord Shen Mu, you've arrived." Aileon was in charge of supervising this work here.

This noble knight of the Kingdom of Vaegirs.

It was also his initiative to arrange.

After all, although Aileon had participated in battles in the Kingdom of Vaegirs, on the continent of Calradia, and had won many wars.

But to be honest, he was still quite unfamiliar with Abyss Demons and Spirit Realm creatures.

It was the first time he had seen them.

So even if he endured the nausea, he had to come and see what these guys looked like.

It could be considered getting to know the enemy first, and also preparing himself mentally.

"Mm, thank you for your hard work." Shen Mu looked at the piles of corpses of various colors in front of him, his expression quite complicated.

"I'm okay, these are all child's play." Aileon patted his chest wearing chainmail and said proudly:

"Back then in Rivacheg, during the months-long bloody battle with the Nords, I saw even more corpses than this, and the bottom layer had already rotted like mud, everywhere was greenish fat mixed with black pus flowing, I could eat vegetable soup on the city wall while being wary of those incompetent and furious Nords who might continue their attack at any time."

"…" Shen Mu glanced at this guy who was a little tactless in order to show off his military exploits and didn't say much.

He just chatted briefly and left here.

Aileon's personality does have problems. It can be seen from the background story that he is quite stubborn.

However, this cannot deny that he is an excellent knight and a powerful warrior.

"Bandak still puts my mind at ease." Shen Mu saw Bandak on the edge of the city wall in the distance, still directing the soldiers to clean the west city wall, wipe away bloodstains, and carry corpses, and went over to briefly inquire about the situation.