Chapter 126: Striking Again!

Ten-year-old children who have never received an enlightened education and have had minimal exposure to outside information actually possess intelligence little different from that of a normal five-year-old; some are even lower. This distinction is clearly visible when comparing the golden-furred kobolds to the black-furred ones.

The golden-furred kobolds have only lived among humans for three or four months, yet they have already developed basic logical thinking, are able to communicate with humans, and can barely distinguish right from wrong. It is easy to imagine that as time passes, the minds of these golden-furred kobolds will become increasingly human-like. However, the black-furred kobolds, who have just recently submitted from the wilderness, remain as chaotic in their thinking and as wild and untamable as a pack of stray dogs, with their actions driven entirely by the desire to survive.

Viewed in this light, the villagers of Riverbend are not much better; aside from striving to survive and reproduce, they seem to have few other thoughts. Many villagers, unwilling to accept new things beyond their ancestral farming skills, possess no better learning ability than the kobolds. They struggle even to become simple craftsmen, appearing overly foolish. Therefore, education is of vital importance. With Leo’s support and encouragement, the literacy class run by Olivia and the little mouse has been persevering. However, children in Riverbend over the age of ten must work alongside their parents, leaving them with little free time. Only children under ten and a group of useless little kobolds have the time to follow them daily to learn arithmetic and reading.

After the farce concluded, Leo, accompanied by the kobold chieftain Fissa, conducted a comprehensive inspection of Kobold Valley and delivered an important speech regarding the production and construction of the valley. His speech sparked a warm response among all the kobolds, pointing the way forward for the valley’s development. Afterward, he visited the inventions Fissa had made during this time—most of which were full of whimsical ideas but entirely useless—and highly praised her innovative spirit. Before leaving, Leo pulled Fissa aside to give her stern instructions, emphasizing the need for production safety in the valley. He specifically warned her about her dangerous experiments, urging her to minimize experimental materials, reduce their explosive power, and stop blowing up her clansmen. Perhaps the farce of the ogres attempting to seize power was partly caused by the high mortality rate among the kobolds. This time, Fissa did not crack jokes but seriously took Leo’s words to heart.

Returning to Riverbend, the sky had already darkened. Smoke curled from the village’s communal kitchen as dinner was being prepared for everyone. As food in Riverbend became abundant and life improved, some villagers began to show their true colors, thinking only of slacking off and shirking their duties. After all, it was a communal kitchen; whether one worked hard or slacked off, the meal was the same. To improve the villagers' enthusiasm for labor, Ulyan changed the communal meals from two a day to one. The morning meal now had to be earned through labor.

Those who remained lazy and attempted to drift through the days would simply have to go hungry. There was no other way; while miners in Kobold Valley would be whipped by foremen if they slacked off, Ulyan did not want to treat his own kin like serfs, so he had to act more gently. After some time, the evening communal meal would also be reduced to once every three days, and eventually phased out entirely.

Olivia had also finished her day's work and returned to the main house. When Leo entered, she was holding the *Scripture of Holy Light*, diligently studying the spells within. The little mouse was by her side, peering with her small head, explaining the obscure and cryptic terms. Well, Olivia’s command of Imperial Elvish was not yet as proficient as the little mouse’s. There were seven or eight spells recorded in the *Scripture of Holy Light*, but unfortunately, without a teacher, Olivia had to figure them all out on her own. Aside from "Mind Blast" and "Holy Light," none of the other spells produced any fluctuations of holy energy, rendering them useless.

Leo had a sudden thought: "According to the traditions of the North, once a commoner ascends to the transcendent, they can receive a knighthood and be enfeoffed. So why the hell are we pioneering? Why not just have you go get knighted?"

Olivia had secretly looked into this as well, and upon hearing him, she scoffed: "It’s not that simple. You don't just become a knight the moment you awaken; you have to pass an examination."

"Besides, once you become a knight, you owe knightly service. Do you want me to go to the front lines and lead troops into battle?"

According to the decree issued by the Grand Duke of the North, every knight-lord is obligated to respond with troops when their liege issues a call to war. Even the lowest-ranking banneret must lead at least two knight-squires, ten armed retainers, and twenty serfs or commoners. Of course, one can pay a service fee to avoid military duty or entrust it to a landless knight.

There are many landless knights in the North, such as descendants of knights like Romon who have attained the title but have not yet received a fief, or commoner soldiers who have performed great feats of war and passed the knighthood examination. They have not yet chosen whom to pledge their loyalty to—or rather, they haven't found a lord with spare land to give them—so they are called landless knights and thus have no obligation to perform knightly service. Even among transcendents, there are many landless knights, as nobles do not have enough village fiefs to grant them all. Furthermore, nobles feel no loyalty toward unfamiliar transcendent knights and would rather grant land to descendants of knights who are loyal to them. These landless knights possess the equipment and combat skills of knights and can serve on the battlefield in place of banneret knights.

Leo, lacking a knighthood, did not even qualify to serve as Olivia’s substitute on the battlefield; he could only serve as a squire. Leo replied sheepishly, "I’d be willing, but Old Man Ulyan wouldn’t be! But you could still become a lady knight, or perhaps a priest of the Holy Light!"

During this time, Olivia had been harborning grievances against Leo and was not buying it. She huffed, "If I become a lady knight, then I am the Lord of Riverbend."

The little mouse giggled, "Then Leo is the Lady of the Manor!"

Leo was furious. "Insolent! You don't even call me Father anymore. I, the ruthless Harasho, challenge you to a duel!"

The little mouse jumped up. "I, the adorable Hakimi, accept your challenge!"

With that, she drew her wooden sword, shouting as she charged at Leo, crashing into his arms. Leo picked her up and hoisted her high. After they finished their tomfoolery and were exhausted, they lay on the bed to rest.

Olivia walked in and signaled to the little mouse. The little mouse nimbly climbed up and took the litter of little kobolds outside to play. Lying down beside Leo, Olivia’s hands began to wander as she asked, "Has Fissa found a husband yet?"

"Why are you so concerned about that?"

"This is a major matter!" Olivia insisted. "As the King of the Kobolds, finding a husband is important, right?"

"I don’t know either. Do kobolds practice monogamy? Or is it group marriage? It seems like a complicated affair."

As they chatted, Olivia’s coat vanished, followed by her blouse. More than half a month had passed since Agatha’s suggestion, but Olivia had made no progress. She often snuck into Leo’s bed, chasing the little mouse away. But perhaps due to concerns about their age, Leo always refused to truly engage in the "battle." The wilderness would not remain tranquil forever, and no one knew when Leo would next go to the front lines. Perhaps tomorrow, perhaps the day after; Olivia was starting to get anxious. If she wanted to bear Leo a son, she had no choice but to take the initiative!