Chapter 125: Gathering the Seven-Colored Life Flower, What I Require is Loyalty

As December approached, the date of departure drew near. Before leaving Star-Prayer Lake, Velen decided to dive to the bottom of the lake to visit the cave filled with seven-colored life flowers. Over a year had passed, and several of the flowers had reached maturity.

Under the cover of night, Velen went to the lakeshore alone, careful not to alert anyone. Because of his own prohibition against unauthorized personnel approaching the lake, the area remained quiet and peaceful. Removing his outer garments and strapping on a wooden box, Velen plunged into the water, following the familiar route to the lakebed. He pushed aside the boulder blocking the cave entrance and, gazing into the dark, deep opening, swam inside.

After traversing the hundred-meter passage, Velen surfaced once more and climbed onto the bank. Upon seeing the faint purple glow and the seven-colored life flowers growing on the ground, he couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction. Unfastening the waterproof wooden box from his waist, Velen crept around to inspect the area. Compared to the previous bumper harvest, this time only three flowers had bloomed with seven petals, displaying their full iridescent colors.

Velen was not disappointed. He carefully harvested the three seven-colored life flowers and placed them into the wooden box.

"One for Kyle, and the other two will be stored until the right moment to be sent back to the family."

With a general plan for their distribution in mind, Velen closed the box, fastened it to his waist, cast one last look at the cavern, and slipped back into the water. After leaving the cave, he resealed the entrance with the boulder and swam back to the shore. He wiped the water from his body with a piece of cloth, dressed, picked up the box, and rode his red-phosphor horse back to the castle.

The next morning, Velen arrived at the training grounds while yawning. He had slept for less than two hours after returning the previous night, and having already handled the accumulated official business, he felt quite exhausted. However, in a few days, when he left Star-Prayer Lake to report to the provincial capital, these administrative duties could be delegated to Baird, sparing him the three hours of work he spent on them every day.

"My Lord, you have arrived."

On the training ground, Kyle, who had been waiting for some time, stood up and bowed as Velen entered.

"Come, let’s test your strength today and see how much you’ve improved, lad."

Velen went to the weapon rack, selected a balanced iron sword, and stepped before Kyle. Seeing this, Kyle drew his knight's sword, held his breath, and focused intently on his master, bracing himself for combat.

"You attack first."

Every sparring session was intended only to test combat technique, so the use of battle aura was forbidden.

Watching the speed of his personal attendant’s attack, Velen noted that he had indeed improved significantly compared to two months ago. When the knight's sword was only a meter away, Velen parried with one hand, the force of which made Kyle retreat repeatedly, his hands trembling as he gripped his blade. Even when comparing only combat technique, the gap in physical constitution between a Silver Knight and a Bronze Knight was impossible to overcome. Therefore, Velen tried his best to restrain his physical strength to avoid sending his attendant flying with a single standard parry.

"Increase your speed. Do not hesitate."

As the fight continued, Velen blocked Kyle's attacks while offering constant corrections.

"Your force must be applied quickly."

"Don't just go through the motions with your feints; they are too easy to see through."

"Your stance is unstable; go back and practice."

"Your observation of your left flank is lacking; focus on that in your training."

After half an hour of sparring, Kyle was panting heavily, lying on the ground. Velen, still feeling unexhausted, tossed his iron sword back, and it landed steadily on the weapon rack. Two servants waiting nearby stepped forward to help Kyle up and poured a vial of ice-blue potion into his mouth.

"Your foundation is solid, but there are areas that require focused training."

"Yes, My Lord."

As the pain in his body subsided, Kyle replied with a touch of shame.

"Rest well. In three days, come to my study."

"Yes."

After returning to his study, Velen glanced at the remaining work before taking out a large piece of parchment. With pen in hand, he began to draft a development plan for the next three years. He did not know how long the war would last or when he would be able to return to his territory, so before leaving, he aimed to establish a clear long-term strategy, leaving the remaining details for Baird, Orlando, and Andrew to discuss.

Over the next two days, Velen barely left his study. He spent every moment contemplating potential scenarios and writing down contingency plans. Three days after the sparring session, Kyle, having fully recovered, came to the door of the study and knocked.

"Come in," Velen said, stopping his pen.

Kyle entered and bowed. "My Lord."

Velen rose, went to the bookshelf, took down a small wooden box, and placed it in Kyle’s hands.

"This is a seven-colored life flower. Consume it after you return, and barring any accidents, you should be able to break through to the Silver rank."

"This... My Lord, you..."

"I told you I would bestow upon you a great opportunity. This is my promise."

"Thank you, My Lord." Kyle said, his voice choking with emotion as he clutched the box.

"Your loyalty has proven your worth. Everything you have earned was through your own concrete actions," Velen said, patting Kyle on the shoulder. "My attendant, my confidant—shouldn't I be the one to cultivate you?"

"I hope you will not fall too far behind me, for I intend to entrust my back to you. There is no one more suitable by my side."

"Yes, My Lord."

Kyle said nothing more; he knew that proving his loyalty through action was more convincing than any number of eloquent words.

After Kyle left, Velen felt a wave of reflection. He had originally scouted the Orlando and Hebrew brothers as his personal attendants. However, after the mysterious orb was activated, keeping them by his side felt like a waste of their potential. Instead of mere guards, they were meant for greater things. Thus, during his subsequent development, he had discovered this young man, the knight-attendant he had taken in, who had always worked silently and diligently. For over a year, he had kept Kyle by his side to mentor him. Time had proven that his judgment was correct.

"Resources are not an issue, and talent is not an issue. I only require your unwavering loyalty."

Over the next half month, Velen entered a period of total busyness. He gave detailed development plans to the three town mayors, visited Lady Anastasia, and inspected Greenvine Mountain, Black Tea Gorge, the Rhinoceros-Ox pasture, the Black-Skin Pig farm, the Ice-Blue Herb plantation, and the Ice-Blue Potion workshop. From time to time, he visited the Church of Life to secretly gauge the intentions of Priest Lavia.

Finally, at the beginning of December, Velen was set to lead five hundred troops, fifty knights and knight-apprentices, his low-rank Silver Knight Kyle, and his mid-rank Silver Knights Imogen and Greg. Accompanied by three hundred militiamen serving as auxiliaries, they would march to the border between the Cadro and Serlop provinces to assemble.