Chapter 21: Mu Zhuo's Friendly Gesture
On the training grounds, more than twenty knights gathered, their eyes gleaming as they stared at the Blackrock Panther in the center, their expressions as eager as if they were looking at a beautiful woman.
Every knight dreamed of owning a fine warhorse.
Although the Blackrock Panther wasn't a warhorse in the traditional sense, it could serve as a mount.
More importantly, this mount had the combat power of a primary knight. Wasn't that much better than a warhorse?
How impressive it would be to ride one!
They would be unstoppable on the battlefield!
"My lord, Master Sunan, can I have this Blackrock Panther first?"
Jorton rushed towards Kyi and Sunan, his voice loud enough for the entire training ground to hear.
The other knights immediately voiced their dissatisfaction.
"Why should you get it first, you drunkard?"
"I'm a mid-level knight, I should have it first!"
"Bah, I'm the best rider, it should be mine!"
"That's riding a horse, this is a panther!"
"It's all the same!"
"Nonsense, I'm also good at riding women, shouldn't the Blackrock Panther be mine first?"
Seeing that they were about to start arguing, Kyi rubbed his temples with a headache and waved his hand. "Silence! This Blackrock Panther will go to Bradd first."
Bradd, who had been standing quietly to the side, was overjoyed by this unexpected reward.
"Thank you, my lord, thank you, Master Sunan."
Jorton and the others looked at each other, pouting but saying nothing.
Bradd was well-respected among the knights and one of the strongest. Giving him the first Blackrock Panther was reasonable, and no one objected.
As for Kyi, Sunan had already promised to create a more powerful Blackrock Panther for him later.
Sunan tossed a necklace to Bradd. "This is the key to controlling the Blackrock Panther. As long as you wear it, the panther will obey your commands. However, it can only understand simple instructions."
"Understood, thank you, Master Sunan!"
Bradd excitedly put on the necklace and, under the envious gazes of the others, mounted the Blackrock Panther and galloped around the training grounds.
Kyi turned to Sunan and asked, "How long does it take to create a Blackrock Panther?"
"Three or four hours."
Seeing the joy on Kyi and the knights' faces, Sunan poured cold water on their enthusiasm.
"The materials for a Blackrock Panther are Blackrock Iron and gemstones. The cost for one is about thirty-eight gold coins."
Kyi frowned but quickly relaxed.
Compared to the increase in military strength, thirty-eight gold coins wasn't much.
As long as the Blackrock Mine was operational, Blackrock City would have a steady stream of income.
What Blackrock City lacked most now was military power.
Only with a strong army could they protect the Blackrock Mine, their source of wealth.
"Don't worry about the money, I'll handle it. I'll leave the creation of the Blackrock Panthers to you."
Sunan nodded calmly.
Currently, his days were spent meditating, creating Inferior Activity Potions, and reading. He mostly replaced sleep with meditation. It wouldn't be difficult to spare a few hours to create a Blackrock Panther.
Moreover, creating Blackrock Panthers also increased his puppet creation skill proficiency. As he created more and his skill level increased, the time required would decrease.
This wouldn't take up too much of his energy.
Two months passed in a blink of an eye.
In the Month of Summer Haze (June), the rising temperatures scorched the leaves, and the sun beat down relentlessly.
Despite the heat, the residents of Blackrock City were all smiles.
With the reopening of the Blackrock Mine, a large number of caravans were attracted to the city.
The flourishing commerce had significantly improved the people's living standards.
Although the city had recently taken in a large number of refugees, the Blackrock Mine, the army, and the reclamation of wasteland had effectively absorbed them, greatly mitigating the impact on the city.
Everyone could see Blackrock City thriving, their hopes for the future burning brighter.
Incidentally, Sunan's birthday also fell in the Month of Summer Haze.
Although Sunan said it wasn't necessary, Kyi insisted on holding a birthday banquet for his 17th birthday.
All the knights of Blackrock City, as well as representatives from several trading companies closely associated with the city, attended the banquet.
Mu Zhuo, the president of the Fire Fox Trading Company, even came in person, presenting Sunan with a precious gift – twelve rubies!
Perhaps he had heard that Blackrock City was buying gemstones.
In any case, this gift, worth over a hundred gold coins, was the most extravagant among all the guests, surprising many.
Sunan was also somewhat surprised.
He could sense Mu Zhuo's intention to build a good relationship with him, but he didn't understand why.
Could it be that Mu Zhuo had discovered his identity as a wizard apprentice?
And did he understand the implications of that identity?
Despite his doubts, Sunan didn't refuse Mu Zhuo's goodwill and had a lively conversation with him during the banquet.
"I heard that old fox Mu Zhuo likes to invest in promising young people. He probably already knows you're a wizard apprentice and understands the power that comes with it, which is why he gave you such a generous gift."
After the banquet, Kyi and Sunan returned to the study and discussed Mu Zhuo's actions.
"But the Fire Fox Trading Company has influence throughout the Flower-Thorn Duchy and cooperates with many trading companies in the Astral Duchy. Befriending him will make it much easier for you to collect wizard books and materials."
"Indeed." Sunan nodded and glanced at Kyi. "What's wrong? You seem distracted tonight."
"You noticed."
Kyi smiled wryly, then his expression turned serious.
"My spies in Flashing City received intelligence that Zolf, Norwood, and Devon will all attend the harvest festival in Flashing City three months from now!"
Zolf, Norwood, and Devon were all subordinates who had followed Baron Ainest on the battlefield and had been promoted to lords by him.
However, when Baron Ainest died unexpectedly on the battlefield and Owen seized the barony, these three, intimidated by Marquis Goldenrock's power, chose to protect themselves.
It was precisely because of their silence that Owen hesitated and didn't immediately eliminate the two brothers.
However, Kyi wouldn't thank or forgive them for this.
"If it weren't for our father, those three guys wouldn't have had the chance to become lords. But they don't know gratitude and have now turned to serve that robber. Damn them!"
Compared to Kyi's anger, Sunan appeared calm and collected. "Except for Blackrock City, Owen now has complete control over Flashing Territory. I think he'll make a move against us soon."
Kyi calmed down, his brow furrowed.
What Sunan said was also his biggest worry.
After thinking for a while, he quickly made up his mind, slapping the armrest of his chair and standing up.
"We can't delay any longer. In three days, we'll attack the Blackscale Lizard lair and eliminate this closest threat!"
After two months of training, the cavalry regiment Kyi had formed was starting to take shape.
Although it numbered only a little over sixty, it had twenty knights, and the rest were all apprentice knights.
More importantly, the entire cavalry regiment was equipped with Blackrock Panthers as mounts.
Although it was a bit rushed, with this cavalry regiment, Kyi had some confidence in wiping out the Blackscale Lizards.
"Let's do it. I'll go too," Sunan said, standing up.
If they postponed the attack until the Month of Books (August), when he would be a level 2 wizard apprentice, they could minimize their losses.
But even if they could win now, the casualties would inevitably be higher.
However, it wasn't certain. He still had th
e trump card of spell scrolls.
With some luck, they might achieve a good outcome.