Lord: Start with the Pioneer Knight

On April 18, 9772 of the Radiant Era, the Gray Orc Kingdom declared war on the Sakel Kingdom. Both sides mobilized their armies and issued war orders to allied nations and subordinate forces.

On May 21, 9772 of the Radiant Era, Emilia, the Pope of the Holy Third Dawn Kingdom, announced a state of war. The eighteen southern provinces entered a state of war, and a crusade order against the Black Beastmen was issued to the human world.

In just a few months, the crusade order spread throughout the human world.

For over a hundred years, the Synapse Subcontinent's connecting corridor war has reignited. Regardless of the undercurrents between countries, they have all outwardly begun to form crusade armies led by the Church.

Star Crest Territory, Star Moon Castle, Verin was lost in thought as he looked at the official document from the royal capital.

Rejecting the crusade means he could ignore this official document.

If he responded to the crusade, he would need to lead a hundred people to join the expeditionary force.

"Hilda, go and call Kyle."

"Yes, Master."

Hilda bowed and replied respectfully, then turned and left the study.

Leaning back in his chair, Verin picked up the official document again and read it carefully.

According to the decree of Pope Palitzel Habakkuk Kleichil, nobles could respond to the crusade voluntarily. If they did respond, the number of troops to be sent would be determined by their title: three for a Baron, eight for a Viscount, thirty for an Earl, one hundred for a Marquis, and five hundred for a Duke, with strength no lower than Low-Bronze rank.

For the Church, conscription was mandatory.

Secondary dioceses were required to send three to ten people, with strength no lower than Low-Bronze rank.

Provincial dioceses were required to send thirty people, with strength no lower than Mid-Bronze rank.

As for adventurers, mercenaries, and merchants, there were no requirements. They could join the expeditionary force in their own name, but their strength could not be lower than Low-Bronze rank.

Before long, Kyle arrived at the study, bowed, and said, "My Lord, you summoned me."

Verin put down the official document, looked up at Kyle, and asked with concern, "How is your injury?"

"Thank you for your concern, my injury has healed and I can return to duty," Kyle replied solemnly.

Seeing this, Verin nodded slightly and handed the official document to him, signaling him to read it.

Kyle took the official document and quickly read its contents.

Before long, Kyle put the official document back on the desk, looked up at Verin, and asked, "My Lord, you want to participate in the crusade."

"I can't hide it from you," Verin said with a smile. "This crusade is dangerous, but it is also an opportunity to make a name for oneself."

"Besides, the expeditionary forces of various countries will gather, and you can meet many excellent people. Maybe you will even meet some old friends."

"Of course, the most important thing is that I want to achieve greater glory than my father and successfully surpass him."

Hearing his lord's words, Kyle said nothing and chose to obey unconditionally.

"My Lord, how do you plan to select the people who will follow you on this crusade?" Kyle asked.

Verin touched his chin and said, "In my opinion, the quota of one hundred people should be set as eighty Silver Warriors and twenty Silver Knights, selected through martial arts competitions in the army. The best will be selected."

"Does it include the Zephyros Territory?" Kyle asked again.

"Zephyros Territory..."

Verin hesitated, thought for a moment, and finally said, "Yes, Star Crest Territory will occupy seventy places, and Zephyros will occupy thirty places."

"Finally, add a restriction: Governors and senior officers are not allowed to participate in the selection."

"Yes, My Lord."

Kyle bowed and was about to leave the study when Verin suddenly remembered something and said, "By the way, half a month later, the Church of the Greedy God will send compensation. You can return that woman to them then. As for me, I won't go."

"Yes, My Lord."

After watching Kyle leave, Verin finished all the remaining official business and left the study directly to visit Lord Thaddeus, asking him to pay more attention to the surrounding situation and clear potential threats after he left Star Crest Territory.

He didn't know how long this war would last, maybe several years, or maybe more than ten years, so he didn't plan to leave Xemia in the territory.

In terms of politics, Baird and Andrew would preside over it.

In terms of military affairs, since the Southern War could not be fought, it could be presided over by Cassius, the veteran general, with the other Guardian Knights assisting from the side.

As for the Zephyros Territory, he was very relieved with Orlando there.

Finally, there was Hebrew, the worry-free kid, but with his wife watching him, plus his brother and sister-in-law paying attention at all times, he shouldn't cause any trouble.

Ten days later, Verin convened a territory meeting, set a policy of stability first, and after focusing on various affairs, he dismissed the meeting and called all the Guardian Knights to the study.

In the study, Verin leaned against the desk, looking at the fifteen Guardian Knights who were loyal to him. Compared with fifty years ago, except for Baird who had become a little old, the appearance of the others had basically not changed.

"Everyone, such a scene has not appeared in my memory for a long time," Verin said with a smile, looking around, feeling a little emotional.

"My Lord, I remember that the scene of us meeting you alone like this only happened in the early days of development. After that, there was no such scene," Baird said with a somewhat melancholy expression.

"Hahaha, it seems that is the case." Hearing Baird's words, the vague picture in Verin's memory gradually became clear. "Since then, Star Crest Territory has produced many talents, like Eden, Cyril, and Midia, generals or governors who grew up from soldiers, or my uncle, Devonshire and Duke, talents I found from outside, and the Eagle Territory..."

Unconsciously, Verin spoke for more than ten minutes, and Baird and the others listened quietly for more than ten minutes.

"Orlando, Hebrew."

The two brothers bowed and said, "My Lord."

"You were the first Guardian Knights to swear allegiance to me, and also the Guardian Knights I chose myself."

After saying that, Verin looked at Baird and the others, and said softly, "Baird, Andrew, Randolph, Remondo, Cassius, Greg, Dosius..."

Every time a Guardian Knight's name was called, the person whose name was called bowed to respond to their lord.

"...Imogen, Yalf, Adolf, Orion, Mike."

After saying the last person's name, Verin paused for a moment, with a look of reminiscence in his eyes, and said, "You were the second group of Guardian Knights to swear allegiance to me. You swore allegiance to me in Windsor Castle Square, witnessed by the Bishop of the Church of Life."

"Finally, there is Kyle." Saying this, Verin looked at Kyle and said with a smile, "You are the third group of Guardian Knights to swear allegiance to me, and also my last Guardian Knight."

"So far, my most loyal subordinates are all here."