North Mangde County, Cold Spring Castle.

On the training ground paved with blue stone, three knights moved swiftly, the longswords in their hands sparking incessantly, and whenever they struck the ground, they could shatter a tile.

The tall female knight was clearly the youngest, yet she practically pressed the two adult male knights down.

Even though the two knights were the attacking side, the tall female knight was at ease.

Each time, she seemed to foresee the future, blocking the direction of their attacks with her longsword in advance.

"Ding——" With a crisp sound, Black Knight Herman looked at his hand in astonishment, only to find that his sword was only half left.

"I concede." He casually threw the sword to the ground, turned around and sat on a small stool, "You can practically be called a Champion Knight."

The other knight, Moro, dejectedly put away his longsword, unable to suppress Moliat alone.

Though their proficiency in breathing techniques far exceeded Moliat, they were still no match for her.

The real function of the breathing technique is to increase stamina and recovery.

Friends who have killed in close combat know that killing is very physically demanding work.

Each time both sides fight with all their strength, within five minutes, they may be exhausted.

And the function of the breathing technique, apart from muscle recruitment, is like adding a virtual artificial lung and heart to the human body.

With the breathing technique, it may take an hour for exhaustion to set in, prolonging the peak state of combat strength.

But this means that some people with innate divine power, innate height, or good motor nerves can explode with greater combat strength, even if their breathing techniques are of equal level.

The same percentage gain with a larger base results in greater benefits.

This is why the empire does not rank knights by breathing techniques, but establishes arenas, dividing knight levels based on actual combat performance.

Although pure physical witches can hardly practice breathing techniques, the Church calls it "Miseria's punishment."

But Moliat is a psychic witch. Although she has half a physical witch's body, her strong physique is not maintained by mana.

Therefore, with the assistance of the breathing technique, Moliat may not reach the level of pure physical witches, but in combination with breathing techniques, she can almost suppress most Titled Knights in one-on-one combat.

"I have to say, I'm old." Black Knight Herman gulped down a cup of potato root wine, "I can't even achieve a double kill against you."

The so-called double kill is when both parties of comparable strength end up injuring or killing each other severely, a desperate measure in duels.

"You're not old; you're not only not old but very healthy." Moliat wiped the sweat from her neck with a towel, "Healthy enough that I had to retrieve you from the academy yesterday."

"Oh, no wonder some people can't even hold their swords steady."

Herman grabbed a small round shield and hurled it at Moro, who caught it casually and began spinning it on his finger.

"Move faster, strike more suddenly, and you might even kill one of those blasted Lingya Knights before a cup of wine cools." Spirotchu, sitting at the edge of the training ground with crossed legs, held a cup of warm corn spirit in his hand.

"Indeed." Wiping sweat, Herman echoed, "We clearly took down one and a half command regiments; Rapids City took down half, and the Salvation Army only defeated two.

Now it's said that the Salvation Army took down three; they claimed our half and Rapids City's half as theirs."

Intelligence Chief Phil laughed and said, "People are always curious; it's not surprising for a group of knights to defeat a command regiment, but it's surprising for a group of farmers to defeat one.

News from Thousand River Valley has spread to Falan and Norn, with discussions about the farmer army that defeated three command regiments.

According to the trading caravans, the gambling halls in Falan Kingdom have gone mad recently, betting on the outcome of the civil war in Leia, when the Thousand River Valley uprising will be quelled, and even His Highness the Crown Prince of Falan's wedding is barely noticed."

Moliat remained silent, knowing that Falan Kingdom had enjoyed peace and prosperity for decades, its national strength steadily advancing, and it was at the height of its prosperity.

They never worry that the Falan civil war would affect them, for they are confident in Falan's strength.

Perhaps, they even think of seizing the opportunity to reclaim Windmill Land.

The local noble forces in Leia Kingdom are too strong, several reforms have failed completely, and coupled with the Church's internal division after the Old Pope's death.

Anyone with clear vision can see that Leia Kingdom has gradually changed from a chess player to a fish on the chessboard.

Prince Kongdai hiding in Thousand River Valley to protect himself might just be to avoid the storm of division.

Ever since Prince Kongdai withdrew the troops, except for the southeast Honey River Town, all of Shangruifo County has returned to Moliat's control.

Taking advantage of the opportunity to rotate troops and return home, Moliat returned to her hometown Cold Spring Castle to recuperate and heal.

Gray Horse Knight Veen walked in from outside, observing the training ground as he walked: "How did you get here to train?"

"Too many knights on the training ground, so I decided to come here and reminisce." With arms crossed over shoulders, Moliat skillfully practiced breathing techniques.

Ever since Moliat repelled Prince Kongdai, knights from all over who previously opposed her have come forward with loyalty, clamoring to show their faces on Moliat's territory.

She almost sees young and handsome knights every day at the training ground, trying to become the future husband of the Thousand River Valley Prince or Duke.

She really doesn't want to see flowers on the training wooden dummy anymore, or be chased with poems, or have various coincidental encounters with those slick knights.

After much reluctance, she had to move the training grounds to this old training site.

"I kind of miss this place." Leading the horse and tying it to the post, Veen leaned against the wall, nostalgically examining the building before him, "Do you remember? When we were kids, we always practiced swordsmanship here."

"You mean when I wanted to stay and train, and you always dragged me to the circus?"

"It's cultivating one's mind, besides, shouldn't you have loved watching the circus at that age?"

"I had more important things to do." Moliat grunted discontentedly.

"I promised your father to let you grow up as an ordinary girl, carefree. Seeing you like this, I already regret it."

Gray Horse Knight Veen walked to Moliat's side, speaking with a bitter face, "But at least I hope you can marry and have children like a normal girl..."

"I will marry and have children, but not like an ordinary girl." Moliat swung the hammer a couple more times and added, "And certainly not with those knights, stop trying to set me up with someone."

Veen did not continue with movement, he just leaned against the wall, watching Moliat finish a full round of breathing exercise before speaking, "Your mother wrote to say you've already chosen a Duchess?"

"What?" The other three Titled Knights jumped up from their chairs in shock.

Moliat, with a blank expression, picked up an iron hammer and began practicing single-handed hammer swings, "My Thousand River Valley Grand Duchy needs an heir."

"I want to be the godfather, I said it first." Moro raised his right hand high.

Herman glared, "Why should it be you?"

"I said it first!"

Spirotchu rolled his eyes at him, "It's not about who said it first, that has nothing to do with it."

"I said it first, hey, I said it first, doesn't saying things first have any value now?"

The piercing sound of the hammer hitting the ground rang in everyone's ears, and Moliat turned her head coldly, "I haven't even married yet, and you've already decided who'll be my child's godfather?"

Even though there wasn't much anger in Moliat's words, the hidden fury beneath the cold tone made the four knights shiver collectively, remaining speechless.

Ignoring them, Moliat continued practicing her single-handed hammer swings, while the Titled Knights exchanged glances, taking their wine and ham, and gradually exited the training grounds.

"Thud!"

The hammer once again struck the ground, producing a clear ring.

Gasping for breath, with sweat dripping down, Moliat looked at the bloodstained hammer.

Marriage? It should be called a strategic marriage. If anyone could potentially achieve something in Thousand River Valley in the future, besides her, it would only be Horn.

It's merely for an heir, no genuine feelings were involved.

Of course, if Horn required it, she wouldn't mind playing the role of Jia Li to gain benefits and resources.

Once the path was paved and the territories connected, the two of them could unite.

Once the north and south merge, Moliat's elite cavalry paired with Horn's elite infantry, both proven their combat strengths on the battlefield.

Kick Prince Kongdai out of Thousand River Valley, letting her become the Duke of the valley, while Horn becomes the Archbishop or Shepherd Leader of the valley.

Their descendants could unify both political and religious power.

With the support of Norn, Falan, and Black Snake Bay behind them, perhaps during the former two's division of Leia Kingdom, Thousand River Valley could also seize an opportunity.

The final step, just the last step, and the grand plan would be complete.

Thousand River Valley, her father's hometown, the place he missed the most, would finally, like in her dreams, break free from the shackles of five hundred years.

"Uncle Veen." Moliat looked up, speaking to the empty training grounds, "I've written to the Salvation Army, asking them to cooperate. I hope you can attack Honey River Town and Deer Horn Town in October."

"As you command, Your Highness!" Veen poked his head out from behind the wall.

As Moliat expected, Veen still waited at the entrance, just like when they were kids, not leaving.

Moliat frowned, "Don't use that title, I don't like it."

Veen chuckled, "Before the attack, may I make a request?"

"What request?"

"When I win, will you tell me who that person really is?"

Moliat looked at his eyes filled with humor, and her face unexpectedly turned slightly warm, "Damn, that old lady already told you... why even ask me again?"

Moliat didn't need to listen to his thoughts, she could guess from Veen's expression that he had already figured it out.

As soon as Louise's information came, thinking casually, it was clear who it was.

"I want to hear it directly from you."

"Don't disturb me, I need to train." Moliat turned her head away and picked up the hammer again, "Once you return, I'll tell you."