Chapter 301: Chapter 299: Broken Blade and Blue Rose (5000) _2
Translator: 549690339
Immediately after, she raised her slender hand and pointed to an elderly nobleman not far away, with snow-white hair but an upright figure and softly introduced, “For example, that one is the Grand Elder of the Marquis
Blackwood Clan. He recently broke through his shackles and stepped into the Tier 4 Powerhouses’ realm.
He not only received a count title from the Coldflame Royal Family but also a sizable territory. It’s safe to say that he’s enjoying infinite glory and ushering in his second spring in life.”
“I see.”
Looking at the elderly powerhouse with a glowing face, talking and laughing as he clinked glasses with other nobles, Leo Ray nodded slightly.
“And that person there is the famous captain of the Blue Rose Knights, Tina.”
Next, Kelsey pointed to another young female knight who was chatting with several noblewomen on the other side.
Following the direction of Kelsey’s finger, Leo Ray noticed her, looking past the noisy crowd around them.
The female knight, named Tina, was dressed in a light blue knight’s outfit, perfectly outlining her mature, slender figure.
Compared to Linda, another female knight, her pretty face had less heroic spirit but more charm. With the indifferent temperament she exuded, she had a sense of cold beauty like a mature sister.
“Her strength is on par with Linda. Reaching this level at her age can be considered a natural talent,” said Leo Ray thoughtfully. “However, I’m encountering a knight order for the first time.”
As he learned more about this world, Leo Ray understood clearly.
In this world, knight orders can generally be divided into two types.
The first type is the direct knight orders established by the royal family itself or powerful nobles with abundant resources.
Compared to ordinary cavalry units, knight orders not only have more formidable fighting power but also complete internal personnel structures.
They have an independent base and recruitment authority separate from regular armies, usually only obeying their creators. Basically, they are like privately-owned companies from the past.
The second type is independent knight orders founded by lesser nobles, either individually or collectively with joint investment and provided base.
The relationship between these independent knight orders and their investing nobles is more of a win-win partnership than a hierarchy. During wartime, they assist in defending territories of those nobles. Basically, they are like joint-stock companies from the past.
However, due to funding constraints compared to direct knight orders, most independent knight orders often need to put in extra work to maintain their normal operations.
For example, accepting commissions like mercenary corps to earn commission fees, or even collaborating with large mercenary corps and the like.
Thinking about this, Leo Ray couldn’t help but ponder, “Come to think of it, with my current financial resources, I can easily support establishing a few large teams or even corps-sized knight orders.
However, even with sufficient funds, starting from scratch to build a knight order – recruiting personnel, training and coordinating soldiers, and practicing tactics – takes too long and is too tedious and time-consuming to form combat power quickly.”
Therefore, the quickest method is to directly acquire these ready-made direct or independent knight orders.”
Realizing this, Leo Ray couldn’t help but chuckle while gazing at the exquisite silhouette of that indifferent female knight nearby. He thought to himself, “What a guy, I initially just wanted to poach talents. Now I’m planning to acquire entire companies directly. However, pursuing both simultaneously will surely enhance our power more quickly.”
With that thought, Leo Ray mustered his spirits and asked the red-clothed woman beside him, “Kelsey, what’s the strength of this Blue Rose Knights?”
“My Lord, as far as I know, the Blue Rose Knights are an independent knight order with their base at Iron Fort, located between Viennas City and Cyan Town. They have roughly two cavalry corps and one infantry corps, totaling more than 3000 members, but the specific composition of strengths is unclear. ”
“I see.”
Hearing that, Leo Ray casually accepts a high footed cup respectfully handed over by a pretty maid. While gently swirling the rose-colored liquid inside and smelling the faintly sweet aroma of wine, he pondered, “Are there any other knight orders nearby?”
“My Lord, there’s another independent knight order of a similar scale called the Broken Blade Knights.”
Kelsey first took a delicate triangular cheesecake from Scarlett, who was enjoying her meal.
Then, she pointed to a young man with a split hairstyle dressed in knight’s attire, “That man is the Broken Blade Knights captain, named Layne.
It is said that due to overlapping mission areas, the Blue Rose Knights and Broken Blade Knights often engage in small-scale conflicts, and their relations are incompatible.”
“Understood, is his strength also at Tier 3 Peak?”
Looking at the elegant young nobleman whose actions and demeanor resembled Gideon Black, Leo Ray nodded slightly.
Deciding in his heart, he thought, “It seems these two are my target characters. However, I shouldn’t be too hasty with this. Behind them, there are too many forces involved..”