A Realistic Mount & Blade Game

“Spiritual Realm Mark.”

Shen Mu walked forward, looking at the dark red crystal that was still rotating, his eyes filled with a hint of amazement.

Speaking of which, this was only the second time he had seen this kind of Spiritual Realm Mark.

The first time was in the Spiritual Realm scene in the apartment.

Even counting his predecessor, the parallel world's version of himself with the same name and surname in this Blue Star world.

That would only be the third time at most.

“The last Spiritual Realm Mark directly gave me a castle main building.”

Shen Mu was moved at this moment: “So what will this one bring me?”

Under the protection of the 40 dismounted Swadian Knights and Fatis, Shen Mu stepped on the slightly warm, but not hot, black shell that seemed like solidified lava, and finally arrived in front of the dark red crystal.

Then he slowly reached out his hand and directly grasped the suspended Spiritual Realm Mark.

‘Buzz!’

Almost the instant Shen Mu reached out and grasped the Spiritual Realm Mark, a violent force of resistance instantly began to spread.

In the sky above, the abyss crack that stretched for several miles, like the eyes of a demon god, revealed countless dark red and eerie lights, which descended directly from the sky and covered Shen Mu's head, who had already placed his hand on the dark red crystal!

At the same time, within this dark red light, with just a slight perception, one would notice a tyrannical and restless emotion permeating it.

If there were normal humans here, just one glance at this dark red light.

Their minds would change drastically, becoming extremely angry.

If there were enemies here.

They would definitely pounce on him directly, using every method they knew to kill him, regardless of the cost!

And at this moment, a tyrannical emotion was actually surging in Shen Mu's heart.

Countless images flashed through his mind.

Especially the last one in his predecessor's remaining memories, which could be described as an obsession that even Shen Mu couldn't forget after he transmigrated and replaced him—

Being threatened and intimidated unreasonably by the Diesel Company, who snatched away the opportunity that should have belonged to him.

That Spiritual Realm Mark that might have allowed him to obtain a Spiritual Realm creature as a follower!

‘Buzz!’

But just as the dark red light completely enveloped Shen Mu, another change occurred.

A stream of emerald green light naturally emerged from the position of Shen Mu's heart, bringing a cool and refreshing sensation, like the spring breeze, the coolness of summer, the fragrance of autumn flowers, and the silence of winter.

It directly caused Shen Mu's expression to change slightly, breaking free from the hatred in his predecessor's mind!

“This…” Shen Mu subconsciously muttered to himself.

He directly raised his head.

At this moment, he was right in the center of this dark red light, looking at the top of his head, at that eye that really resembled a huge demon god, coldly, twistedly, violently, frenziedly, with countless negative emotions, staring intently at him through the crack in the sky!

Making all of Shen Mu's equipment, including the mithril-infused Holy Tree chain armor, helmet, greaves, gloves, and weapons.

Begin to glow faintly!

“Abyssal Consciousness!”

The cool feeling in Shen Mu's heart brought him some information: “It wants to…transform me!”

‘Buzz!’

Just as this thought appeared.

From the center of Shen Mu's brow, countless white light data streams, just like before when they chose to lie dormant, luring the enemy into their encirclement, rushed out with a bang.

Countless white data streams instantly devoured the dark red crystal in Shen Mu's hand.

And directly began to spread in all directions.

Not only did it devour the surrounding Lava Throne in the blink of an eye with countless data streams, but it also devoured the dark red floating crystal phantom above.

It even devoured the source of the dark red light shrouded above.

That abyssal crack and the abyssal consciousness inside!

‘Buzz!’

The abyssal consciousness contained in the abyssal crack above, which belonged to a fragment of the general consciousness, directly cut off the dark red light.

The abyssal crack, which was originally suspended in mid-air, stretching for several miles, and had appeared in the Black Tide.

Actually slowly closed in Shen Mu's gaze.

As if closing its eyes.

As the dark red and eerie light completely disappeared in the closed crack in the sky.

‘Buzz!’

The white data stream missed its target.

Then, as if turning from anger to shame, it turned its direction in mid-air and directly transformed into a large net of countless data streams, pouncing towards the ground.

To be precise, it should be pouncing towards the ground, which had transformed into a bottomless abyss-like scene because of the appearance of the abyssal crack.

And at this moment, he was still stunned in place, looking at the scene that appeared before him.

The dialogue box then refreshed on Shen Mu's retina.

[Ding! Congratulations! You have successfully completed the fifth wave of missions, discovered the core of the Abyssal Power spreading in this area, the Lava Throne, and destroyed it.]

[You have received the mission stage reward - opening a large Spiritual Realm scene.]

Finally, the content in the dialogue box indicated that Shen Mu's temporary mission after entering the Black Tide this time was now completely completed.

‘Buzz!’

In the palm of Shen Mu's hand, he discovered that the dark red crystal, which was about half the size of a fist, was now slowly trembling.

Then, under the erosion of the countless data streams that were materialized from Shen Mu's Mount \u0026 Blade system.

‘Whirr!’

The dark red color in the crystal actually turned into a piece of filthy blood, dripping down Shen Mu's fingers onto the ground with a whirring sound.

Then, before there could be any changes, a stream of emerald green power, still wrapped in white light, belonging to the fragment of natural consciousness, appeared and swept over these filthy blood-like things, and then evaporated them cleanly!

All of this happened in the short span of Shen Mu's few blinks.

When he came back to his senses.

In his palm, there was only the crystal that was crystal clear, as if it had never been dark red, with a warm white light.

The mark of the Spiritual Realm rules projected onto Blue Star.

Possessing countless inheritances and opportunities.

“This mark…”

Shen Mu looked at the crystal at this moment, his mind thoughtful: “As long as it is opened, it can become the key to opening a large Spiritual Realm scene, completing the corresponding missions, and you can obtain the corresponding professional inheritance, creature followers, and various Spiritual Realm buildings or treasures!”

This was the information that naturally emerged in his mind when he grasped this crystal clear crystal.

‘Crack!’

But before Shen Mu could continue to ponder the fifth wave temporary mission reward that appeared in his mind.

The shaking coming from under his feet immediately brought him back to his senses.

“This place is about to collapse!”

Fatis was right beside Shen Mu, directly supporting his swaying body.

His expression was solemn.

He directly reached out and commanded the Swadian Knights, as well as the Holy Tree Knights and Holy Tree Cavalry, their expressions extremely solemn: “We need to leave here!”

“Let’s go!” The Holy Tree Knights surrounded Shen Mu and Fatis and directly left along the steep path.

Although the situation was relatively urgent.

They were still wearing heavy armor that was not very convenient for movement, but with each other's help and the help of their excellent physiques.

It didn't take long.

Before they quickly arrived at the warhorses that were still waiting there at the foot of the Lava Throne.

“Lord Shen Mu, this place also doesn't seem very safe! Darkness and gray fog are encroaching around us!”

At this moment, Fatis's expression did not improve.

He was still extremely serious.

“Yes.” Shen Mu also saw the appearance of the darkness and gray fog that were surging over again as the crack above disappeared and the Lava Throne slowly disintegrated itself.

He directly nodded and said: “Everyone! Mount up! Return to the village immediately!”

“Mount up! Let's go!”

Whether it was the Swadian Knights, or the Holy Tree Knights and Holy Tree Cavalry, their movements were very fast.

One by one, they mounted their horses.

Shook the reins.

Following the figures of Shen Mu and Fatis, they once again let the horseshoes of their mounts strike the ground.

As the speed increased, they quickly arrived at the breach in the city wall without a moment's delay.

One by one, they entered in an orderly manner without hesitation.

They still stepped on the corpses of the dozens of Abyssal Demons that had been filled into the moat, and quickly entered the village of Dherim.

Which was equivalent to obtaining the protection of the Mount \u0026 Blade rules that existed within the scope of the Mount \u0026 Blade village!

“Lord Shen Mu!” Bandak, who was still directing the cleanup of the battlefield, noticed the surging darkness and gray mist outside, his expression slightly changing.

After all, he had been in this Blue Star world for several days.

Of course, he knew the terror of this darkness and gray mist.

Although the undead monsters inside wouldn't cause much trouble as long as he and his soldiers were prepared.

But they had just finished a fierce battle.

They still needed to rest.

“Light the篝火 and block the gap in the city gate.”

Shen Mu dismounted.

Looking at the darkness and gray mist that had followed closely behind him, completely filling the area outside the trench, just like before, rendering everything invisible.

Knowing that the undead rules were once again completely filling this area.

After pondering for a moment, he said to Bandak: “Arrange for some militiamen to cook something to eat. Everyone must be hungry after the battle.”

“Understood.” Bandak nodded, an idea forming in his mind. He inquired:

“Lord Shen Mu, I think what our soldiers need to do is to clean up the battlefield as soon as possible. Could we ask Miss Liu Na, who is under our protection at the top of the castle, and the 12 halflings to help with these routine tasks?”

The village of Deherim was now completely quasi-militarized.

The only reason it was 'quasi' was because the large number of personnel were Swadian militiamen, these second-tier, half-civilian, half-soldier personnel.

However, these Swadian militiamen had also just experienced a bloody battle.

They were equally exhausted.

And they still needed to clean up this messy battlefield.

It would really be better, as Bandak thought, to hand over these ordinary daily tasks to those halflings from the Spirit Realm who were under their protection.

“…” But Shen Mu was silent for a moment regarding this suggestion.

But he still nodded and said, “Then let the halflings take care of the daily cooking and other tasks.”

Shen Mu affirmed this suggestion.

That would indeed work.

Moreover, Shen Mu was in no mood to continue discussing this matter, because right before his eyes, on his retina, with the end of this battle.

More dialogue box content began to appear!

[Congratulations! Because you led your troops with near-perfect tactics, defeating a larger force with a smaller one, successfully defending your village “Deherim,” and capturing and destroying the enemy's core territory.]

[After system post-war evaluation, you have won an 'Epic' victory!]

[Congratulations! Because your epic victory was so magnificent, you have received 'Golden Treasure Chest' ×2.]

[Congratulations! You have gained +1 Legendary Reputation in the entire Mount \u0026 Blade world! Currently, you have +1 Reputation with minor factions!]

[Ding! You have absorbed special rules and extracted special energy contained within!]

[Since the special rules absorbed this time are field-type, after fusion, you can choose an area of corresponding size in a Mount \u0026 Blade world to replace it.]

[Since the rules absorbed this time allow your village “Deherim” to be upgraded and unlock a new list of buildings.]

[Since the rules absorbed this time, you have received +1 'Establish Village' reward.]

[Ding! You have obtained: 'Magic Ball (Map Editor) Usage Permission ×60 minutes'.]

[Congratulations! You have soldiers that can be upgraded!]

A large number of dialogue boxes appeared on Shen Mu's retina.

Dense and packed.

All of these were the rewards Shen Mu had obtained this time.

“Epic victory, two golden treasure chests.”

Shen Mu first looked at the post-war evaluation above, his eyes slightly shrinking.

This represented his surprise.

The level of the golden treasure chest was basically confirmed as the top-tier version.

The items that came out were all related to rules!

Compared to the bronze treasure chests related to daily necessities and ordinary combat supplies.

Silver treasure chests related to buildings and advanced combat supplies.

This kind of golden treasure chest that could produce rules-related items that directly produced huge effects.

This post-war evaluation gave two golden treasure chests at once.

It really surprised Shen Mu a bit.

Because this was really precious.

“And there's more behind, directly about changes in the rules!” Shen Mu raised his eyebrows slightly, his expression becoming more solemn.

He didn't stay there.

After arranging Bandak and Fatis's work, Shen Mu immediately stepped forward and quickly walked towards the direction of the main building of the castle's keep.

He returned to his lord's chair and sat down.

Shen Mu began to explore the various props and related instructions that appeared in his mind.

However, when Shen Mu came back, Bandak also dispatched 10 Lake Rat Gang Destroyers behind him to follow as guards, re-incorporating the castle hall into the monitoring range.

There were 2 Lake Rat Gang Destroyers on the spiral staircase of the tower, and 2 at the castle gate.

The remaining 6 Lake Rat Gang Destroyers were personally standing not far from Shen Mu, holding their jagged spears, which were still stained with blood, watching the surroundings vigilantly.

As long as there was the slightest unusual situation, they would immediately go over and dutifully question them.

Of course, Shen Mu couldn't care about these Lake Rat Gang Destroyers now.

He also couldn't care about Miss Liu Na and the halflings, who were descending from the spiral staircase of the tower, covered in blood, with pieces of flesh still on their weapons, heading to the village to cook food at the invitation of the Swadian militiamen.

However, just as Shen Mu was checking the content of the Mount \u0026 Blade system's dialogue boxes.

The 10 Holy Tree Knights and 50 Holy Tree Cavalry also arrived at the bottom of the castle's keep.

Especially the leading Holy Tree Knight, touched the small and exquisite box in his chest, dismounted, and came to the castle gate along the zigzag stairs.

He happened to meet those halflings, who were only about 1.3 meters tall, coming out from inside, their faces pale.

And Liu Na, wearing a black robe, holding a staff made of vines, and being a level 2 Druid.

“Hmm?” The Holy Tree Knight frowned slightly.

“Ah…”

And Liu Na, who was walking out with her head lowered, not daring to look at the bloodstains in the corner of the keep, also seemed to sense something and subconsciously raised her head.

The two looked at each other.

The Holy Tree Knight saw that it was a woman, so he took the initiative to step aside and let Miss Liu Na pass.

“This woman seems to have some special power.” A special feeling emerged in the Holy Tree Knight's heart.

It left a deep impression on him.

Because he had seen this feeling once in a very secret operation of the Holy Tree Knights.

It was from several extremely mysterious guests from the mysterious forest, wearing black robes and hoods, shielding their figures and faces, who were personally received and consulted by the captain of the Holy Tree Knights.

Now, he actually detected it from an ordinary young woman, which really surprised him.

But what surprised him even more was Liu Na.

After walking down the zigzag stairs, Liu Na said to Elder Polo beside her with a trembling voice: “Elder… Elder Polo, I discovered something!”

“What is it?” Elder Polo looked up at Liu Na in confusion.

“It's… it's the knight just now!” Because she was a little nervous, Miss Liu Na's tone was hesitant and stammering.

“Miss Liu Na, please speak.” Elder Polo was even more curious.

Looking at the Swadian longhouse that appeared in front of him.

And the human soldiers around him, all covered in blood and injured.

Elder Polo couldn't help but swallow his saliva, reminding him: “The task that Lord Shen Mu gave us is to quickly cook the food, and then let these soldiers who have fought hard be able to eat some rich, delicious, and warm food that can warm their stomachs.”

This was their mission.

After all, the halflings' cooking skills were quite famous throughout the entire Spirit Realm Crystal Wall System before it collapsed.

What's more, these human soldiers really won the battle against the abyss demons.

Although it was extremely tragic.

But this was also, in their eyes, a real victory.

This was also why Elder Polo directly chose to agree when conveying the message, and even brought these halfling clansmen down together, wanting to quickly cook the food, regardless of whether the battlefield had been cleaned up or not.

Elder Polo truly held absolute reverence for that Lord Shen Mu.

"Ah… oh." Liu Na pursed her pink lips and said to Elder Polo, "Just now, when I brushed past that knight, I seemed to sense a certain sacred natural aura hidden within the knight's breastplate. It seems to be able to enhance and help my druid level!"

"Hmm? A sacred natural aura that can help your druid level!?" Elder Polo's expression slightly froze.

Immediately afterward, he widened his eyes in surprise.

"Yes, that's right." Liu Na nodded her little head in a very affirmative manner.

"No wonder Lord Shen Mu won this battle against the abyssal demon." Elder Polo paused his steps at this moment, his furry face thoughtful:

"During the most intense part of the battle, I saw Lord Shen Mu release natural magic that could perform group healing and summon spirit realm killer bees! The levels of these two natural spells were not low. Based on my understanding of druid spellcasting intensity when I was in the spirit realm, they far exceeded the level of many ordinary druid practitioners."

"Yes, yes, that's right." Liu Na nodded beside him, because Shen Mu was releasing natural magic on the castle's pier.

They could easily see the entire battle process through the second floor of the castle.

They knew how Shen Mu killed that terrifying, clearly titled high-ranking abyssal demon.

They also saw the two natural spells released by Shen Mu!

Considering that Lord Shen Mu's manipulation of matter could directly alter the floors inside the apartment, and now this abruptly appearing village,

Elder Polo couldn't help but swallow his saliva and said:

"We shouldn't inquire too much about the specific situation, but if it's something that can help your druid profession, after we finish with the food, I will personally help you ask Lord Shen Mu about it."

"Thank you, Elder Polo." Hearing this, a happy smile immediately appeared on Liu Na's face.

…

If Shen Mu hadn't been preoccupied with the rewards in the dialogue box, he would have immediately known.

The special natural power that Liu Na sensed.

Came from the Sacred White Oak Tree in the Iron Oak Fort, the base of the Holy Tree Knight Order, which had spent a great deal of effort to produce a vibrant seed of the Sacred White Oak Tree.

Of course, Shen Mu was now really starting to study the rule-type rewards in the dialogue box.

"After absorbing that spirit realm imprint, I received three rewards."

Shen Mu pondered slightly:

"They are the ability to summon and replace a corresponding area of terrain from the Mount \u0026 Blade world, allowing the village of Dhirim to upgrade and unlock subsequent building lists, and finally, an additional village reward."

This made Shen Mu raise his eyebrows.

The first reward, summoning and replacing a corresponding area of terrain from the Mount \u0026 Blade world, as he understood it, was to summon a piece of Mount \u0026 Blade land of unknown acres to cover the corresponding land on Blue Star.

The second reward was that Dhirim could be upgraded and was no longer limited to just a village.

As for the third reward, it was even simpler to understand.

It was to obtain the authority to establish a village!

"This is… beyond my expectations!" Shen Mu slowly leaned back on the cold, hard stone chair back.

Feeling the cold spreading to his back.

Shen Mu felt that this time the rewards were truly surprisingly delightful.

Below these rewards.

There were also 60 minutes of Magic Orb authority.

In this way, not only could he directly use the various rule-based rewards obtained from the system.

But he could also completely erase the architectural traces of Blue Star again.

For example…

These reinforced concrete walls!

And underneath him, this seemingly foolproof foundation that supports the main building of the castle.

In reality, in front of undead monsters or abyssal monsters, it was as fragile as tofu dregs, and it was really easy for a tragic accident to break out!

Thinking about the fierce battle just now.

If he hadn't dug trenches in advance, and if these Mount \u0026 Blade soldiers hadn't fearlessly blocked those demon troops.

If they had really all rushed in.

That would have really put him, whose strength was not yet strong, in a situation of irreversible regret!

"I still don't have a deep enough understanding of this world, which is comparable to the end of the world."

Shen Mu couldn't help but sigh at this thought.

The architecture of Blue Star.

Really can't have any more involvement!

"Forget it, let's continue to upgrade all the existing soldiers."

Thinking of this, Shen Mu couldn't help but shake his head.

His mind communicated with the system.

【You have soldiers allowed to upgrade!】

【① Swadian Militia × 377, can be upgraded to 'Swadian Light Infantry (30 denars per person)'.】11310

【② Lake Rat Gang Veteran Thug × 36, can be upgraded to 'Lake Rat Gang Destroyer (50 denars per person)'.】1800

【③ Lake Rat Gang New Recruit × 27, can be upgraded to 'Lake Rat Gang Veteran Thug (30 denars per person)'.】810

【④ Swadian Heavy Cavalry × 10, can be upgraded to 'Swadian Knight (100 denars per person)'.】1000

【Upgrading all will cost 12490 denars (Your funds are insufficient).】

【Hint: Given that you have completed an epic victory this time, and the Swadian Kingdom +6 Legendary Reputation and +2 All Mount \u0026 Blade Series Reputation, these soldiers are willing to follow you fanatically, therefore the promotion fee is halved.】

【You only need to spend 6245 denars to complete the upgrade.】

A dialogue box appeared in front of Shen Mu's eyes.

And made his expression slightly stunned, and then revealed a smile: "Then pay these denars and choose to upgrade all the soldiers!"

'Clatter!'

Hundreds and thousands of small metal coins, as if scattered, collided with each other in mid-air, and finally all fell into the pocket.

This sound was as beautiful as the finest music, and anyone who heard it would be fascinated.

'Buzz!'

But with the sound of this coin collision.

The rules of Mount \u0026 Blade descended.

A powerful, extremely large stream of data turned into white light, whistling out from Shen Mu's brow.

Then, it began to scatter on the entire Mount \u0026 Blade soldiers who were still in a mess and busy.

Forming white light covers that looked like silkworm cocoons.

Letting these Mount \u0026 Blade soldiers inside…

Complete the promotion!

This white light cover was really like a silkworm cocoon undergoing a transformation.

Inside, these Mount \u0026 Blade soldiers would complete years of training and tempering in their respective Mount \u0026 Blade worlds, experience real battlefields, and eventually grow into qualified soldiers who had been promoted.

This was also why the age of these Mount \u0026 Blade soldiers would increase after they completed their promotion.

For the Blue Star world, for Shen Mu.

This promotion was only a short ten seconds.

But.

For these Mount \u0026 Blade soldiers, it was equivalent to personally experiencing years of great changes!

"The upgrade of these soldiers has been completed, just right, the stage rewards for the third and fourth waves during the battle with the abyssal demon have not been used."

Shen Mu suddenly thought of something.

A dialogue box immediately appeared on his retina.

【Item Name: Quartermaster's Troop Supply (50-man integer formation)】

【Item Description: Your legendary reputation is enough to let anyone know your name. When it is known that your troops have suffered losses, quartermasters from all worlds, all countries, and all forces are willing to replenish the losses of these soldiers after the war.】

【Item Effect: As long as the squads assigned to your troops are not full of 50 people, then the quartermaster can replenish them in the name of a 50-man squad.】

This was the stage reward for the third wave.

It should be a reward that the Mount \u0026 Blade system considered for replenishing and reinforcing the troops who entered the fierce battle at that time with the power of rules.

But at that time, the battle of the third wave happened too abruptly for Shen Mu.

After all, it was the high-ranking demon among the abyssal demons who directly took the stage to launch an attack on him, almost putting Shen Mu in mortal danger.

If Shen Mu hadn't just obtained the upgrade of natural magic.

With the help of Bunduk and light crossbows.

And the most crucial thing.

Was that the high-ranking demon among the abyssal demons was careless and did not take him seriously from the beginning.

As for what the outcome will be, that's another matter entirely!

"So, every 50 people form a squad, and if a squad has fewer than 50 people, the quartermaster, according to the system rules, will replenish the squad's personnel?"

Shen Mu looked at the dialogue box again.

That's how he understood it.

Therefore, using the mental communication system, he directly used the item he obtained after defeating the higher demon: "Use it immediately!"

'Buzz!'

Mysterious power of rules instantly began to descend.

Countless data streams surged out.

Then, in the village outside the castle, in Derchrem, patches of white light appeared on the bodies of the Mount \u0026 Blade soldiers.

At the same time, illusory banners appeared above the heads of these Mount \u0026 Blade soldiers.

Some had scimitars, some had axes.

Some had bows, and some had crossbows or javelins.

There were also heavily armored warhorses.

And light horses.

These illusory banners appeared above the heads of all the Mount \u0026 Blade soldiers.

As if…

All the Mount \u0026 Blade soldiers were categorized!

'Buzz!'

Finally, these illusory banners directly turned into a pile of white light and disappeared, scattering over the heads of their respective Mount \u0026 Blade soldiers.

As if they had never appeared.

Only in front of Shen Mu's eyes.

A new dialogue box appeared.

[After the current squad divisions, the quartermasters are aware of how to replenish and reinforce your troops. Thanks to your noble legendary reputation, leaders from various countries and forces are also willing to let their soldiers join your troops.]

[Batches of replenishments and reinforcements from various countries and forces, for soldiers in your existing troops, have arrived.]

[Reminder: Given the special nature of the Holy Tree Knights and the difficulty of training Holy Tree Knights, the quartermaster of the Holy Tree Knights Corps declined the request to dispatch 40 Holy Tree Knights to form a 50-man Holy Tree Knights squad for you.]

[Reminder: Given that the Swadian Kingdom is currently at war with other kingdoms, King Harlaus refused the request to dispatch 40 Swadian Knights to form a 50-man Swadian Knights squad for you.]

As the dialogue box appeared before Shen Mu's eyes.

Outside the eastern wall.

In the darkness where the fierce battle had just ended, figures quietly appeared.

Among these figures were heavy cavalry and light infantry from the Swadian Kingdom, archers from the Vaegir Kingdom, members of the Lake Rat Gang from the Khergit Khanate, and hired crossbowmen who frequented taverns.

Their numbers varied; some were a dozen people, some were seven or eight, and some were thirty to fifty.

Holding torches in the darkness and gray fog, they gathered together.

Looking at Derchrem, the village belonging to Shen Mu in front, they quickly came to the vicinity of the breach in the city wall, saw the bonfires inside, broke through the gray fog and darkness, and came to the village.

And looking at the soldiers who were still stained with blood and holding weapons, looking at them warily, they earnestly stated their identities:

"We are soldiers sent by the quartermaster to replenish the troops!"

… …

"King Harlaus of the Swadian Kingdom refused the request to replenish the Swadian Knights squad?"

But now Shen Mu, inside the main building of the castle, frowned slightly:

"If it's King Harlaus, I can understand, but the Holy Tree Knights, because of their special nature, also can't complete the squad replenishment, which is indeed a bit of a pity."

The last reminder on this dialogue box left him speechless.

The use of this item.

Is that as long as a squad is less than 50 people, it will automatically be replenished to a 50-person squad.

Regardless of whether it's a 49-person squad or a squad with just one extra person.

After using this item.

It will be directly replenished successfully.

But the two fifth-tier knights, one the Swadian Knights, one the Holy Tree Knights.

They couldn't be replenished.

The system prompts even said that they refused or politely declined, using reasons from the background story to explain.

This made Shen Mu couldn't help but curl his lips.

"There is another reward."

Shen Mu's mind communicated with the system again.

The dialogue box appeared before his eyes.

[Item Name: Designate 200 Low-Tier Soldiers to Immediately Complete Advancement (Limited to Tier 1 and 2 Units)]

[Item Description: This item contains the fervent care within the training camp, and is willing to seriously and responsibly train 200 low-tier soldiers to complete their promotion.]

[Item Effect: 200 Tier 1 or Tier 2 soldiers immediately complete their promotion.]

"… …" Shen Mu's expression stiffened slightly as he looked at the content above.

But thinking about it, it was just like that.

After all, this was the fourth stage, the reward obtained when defeating those Abyss Demon troops that had already poured in through the breach in the city gate.

According to the Mount \u0026 Blade system's care for him.

It should have allowed him to directly use this item to upgrade 200 Swadian Militiamen into 200 Swadian Light Infantry, this kind of Tier 3 regular infantry, as a reward to resist the Abyss Demons.

But he didn't expect that he killed the higher demon and also obtained a skill upgrade.

Using the newly added 2 Mass Healing spells, he directly reversed the situation.

"This leads to the fact that looking at this reward after the battle, it's a bit useless." Shen Mu sighed.

Having just upgraded all the Swadian Militiamen, he had no Tier 1 or Tier 2 units anymore.

Now, at the very least, they were all Swadian Light Infantry, from the Tier 3 units!

"Let it be."

Shen Mu slowly opened his eyes.

There was no need to rush to use this item right now; after all, he could obtain more Tier 1 and Tier 2 soldiers in the future anyway.

At the same time, Shen Mu looked at the castle gate, where two Swadian Light Infantry were carrying a small cast iron pot over.

A scent of food wafted along with the wind.

Shen Mu's lips curled up slightly: "It seems it's time for dinner."

The reason he opened his eyes was also for this.

"Lord Shen Mu, there is a Holy Tree Knight outside who says he has important matters to report to you."

Seeing Shen Mu open his eyes, the Lake Rat Gang Thug, acting as a guard, gestured to the two Swadian Light Infantry to place the cast iron pot on the table.

Then he walked over, bowed to Shen Mu alone, and reported: "He's outside now, he hasn't left."

"Hasn't left? Then tell him to come in." Shen Mu nodded.

Outside the castle gate.

"Let's go." The Lake Rat Gang Thug came to this side and beckoned to the Holy Tree Knight.

The Holy Tree Knight, who was originally standing straight with the elegance of a nobleman and the standards of a warrior, causing the Lake Rat Gang Thugs to secretly nod in approval, heard the summons, took out the small box from his arms, and followed the Lake Rat Gang Thug inside.

"Greetings, Lord Shen Mu."

This Holy Tree Knight first knelt on one knee and gave Shen Mu a very serious knightly salute with extremely solemn knightly etiquette.

"Mm." Shen Mu just nodded and opened the lid of the cast iron pot in front of him to take a look.

Inside was thick salted meat porridge.

And several slices of thinly sliced white bread, baked crispy, were stuck to the edge of the cast iron pot.

Paired with various vegetables and seasonings, Shen Mu, sitting next to the long table, felt his appetite stir, and even felt his stomach, which had gone through a bloody battle, rumble.

He was indeed hungry.

Seeing this scene, the Holy Tree Knight, kneeling on one knee in front of Shen Mu, said apologetically, but earnestly:

"I am very sorry, Lord Shen Mu, I should not have come to report to you while you are dining, but this seed represents everything of our Holy Tree Knights Corps, and I hope you can take some time to listen to me introduce the miracle of this Holy White Oak."