I just covet their strength

Chapter 274: Praising Suffering is a Disease
Westhead's voice was light, but it sounded like thunder to the knights' ears, causing them to burst into exclamations of surprise.

"Wait, abolish serfdom?!"

"Did I hear correctly?"

"Sir Westhead, are you awake?"

"."

The handsome young man with black hair and purple eyes looked at Myvana and nodded:
"It means abolishing serfdom. Yonglan's huge number of serfs are the cornerstone of this country. Give them some benefits. I've thought about relaxing restrictions on movement, abolishing excessive taxes, giving them a rest week, and even improving their welfare."

Even though the visiting Knight Yonglan had good intentions, he couldn't help but instinctively oppose Westhead's proposal when he heard it.

"Please think about it again!"

"Abolish serfdom? Then Yonglan won't be able to compete internationally!"

"The laws of our ancestors are immutable!"

Seeing this, Westhead sneered:
"Is this some kind of golden rule? Or did the [Eternal Storm Riders] personally issue a divine oracle to establish serfdom?"

"Among the kingdoms of order, the Kingdom of Eternal Mist has the most backward social outlook. Don't you know this? Open your eyes and see the world. Because of this system that has no development potential, what has the Kingdom of Knights been dragged down to?!"

"It just so happens that I have some experience in social reform. It won't be a problem to build Yonglan Country into a more prosperous country. This will benefit the country and you. I just can't understand why I can't carry it out."

Lord Knights: "."

No, isn’t this the kind of talk we usually use with our subordinates?
Compared with the prosperity of other order countries, with all kinds of high-rise buildings and fertile plains, the Kingdom of Yonglan is a bitter and cold place in terms of its geographical location, and the technology tree has not been paid much attention to, and only a few aspects can be considered top-notch.

If it weren't for the fact that the path of knighthood was so abnormal and its combat power had not improved, the Kingdom of Yonglan would have been hard to compare with other countries.

There was no need for comparison in the past, because the countries with divine ancestors were all similar. Under the power of the gods, the difference in national strength was insignificant.

But this is no longer the case in this era.

However, even though he knew this clearly, Knight Yonglan still found it difficult to accept it.

Uther explained more seriously:

"Mr. Westhead, please understand that this system is not a simple economic issue for us."

"It is the knights who truly built this country. Only with a constant supply of new blood can we maintain our heritage. This is a necessary suffering."

In the country of Yonglan, knights and serfs are clearly distinguished, but the two are not completely parallel.

It can even be said that the former emerged from the latter group.

It is true that knight families will train their members to be knights and devote all their resources to nurturing them, but there are actually not many knights from this background, not to mention that many knight families are exterminated - the Yonglan people are not imperial aristocrats who would think about preserving the family seeds. In many battles, all of them go into battle, and if they are defeated, they will die and their family will be exterminated.

For example, the family of the old hero in Jinquan Territory has become extinct under Miwana's Tutu.

The real source of blood of the knight family comes from the vast group of serfs. These lower-class people who work hard in peacetime and serve as cannon fodder in wartime will always stand out in the tempering of blood and fire.

These serfs with outstanding talents will be taken in as knight apprentices and then join the ranks of a knight lord.

If you can make military achievements and advance in rank in the years to come, you will be able to obtain territory and create your own knight family.

The vast majority of Yonglan Knights today must have been serfs five or six generations ago.

The Yonglan Knights knew that the serfdom system hindered the development of the country, but so what?

".We follow the path of our God-Ancestors. Only in this mortal world filled with thorns and tribulations can we forge an extremely tough character and soul. People with such a steel-like will are the seeds of knights. How can we abolish tradition for the sake of utilitarianism?"

This is how the Divine Ancestor came to be. Is there anything wrong with imitating him?

The abuse and harshness towards the serfs were intentional, and only a few people would do it directly like Lyonette, but most knights agreed to let the people suffer a little more.

They don't even exploit the people just to make themselves live comfortably, because the Yonglan Knights themselves also believe in asceticism!

If you create suffering simply for the sake of suffering, not only will you suffer, but everyone will suffer too!

Even though Westhead was aware of this, he couldn't help but hold his forehead and laugh out loud when he heard the great knight clenching his fist and pounding his chest in front of him, speaking righteously.
"So the old Lan people really are done with the humor for you guys."

"Sir! Please don't slander our way of dealing with the world. The Kingdom of Yonglan has gone through many hardships and stood here. We were born to fight. Suffering can cleanse the soul and eliminate weakness. This is the root of the strength of the Knight's Land!"

I, Yonglan, have my own national conditions here! You are making rash conclusions because you don't understand Yonglan!
“But suffering is never worth singing about.”

Leixia frowned. She didn't want to say anything. After all, the affairs of the Kingdom of Yonglan had nothing to do with her. The white-haired dragon lady was just following Westhead's general line. But after hearing such words, she couldn't help it:

“Suffering can indeed sharpen one’s spirit, but that is not brought about by suffering itself. Can those who experience suffering accept it willingly?”

As someone who had suffered greatly from the "Way of Withering and Flourishing", the Silver-haired Princess was absolutely qualified to say this.

A knight lord said calmly:

"No one wants to suffer. Those who are not aware enough will always try every possible means to escape. So there is no need to ask for consent. This is for their own good."

Upon hearing this, Mivana immediately jumped up and growled like a small animal, saying:
"Singing praises to suffering, praising suffering, and believing that this is the only way to go, is why the Knights' Kingdom is sick."

"It has always been like this. This is not the right reason. I will never agree with anything that goes against the code of chivalry."

Mavis stroked the glass of fruit wine and said slowly:

"What you said may have some truth, but we have always been doing this way. Since it still works, there is no need to change it."

The young and beautiful knight looked at the wolf-eared girl with a teasing look:
"Besides, what do you know about true chivalry? Don't talk like you are God's chosen one. When has the God ever even glanced at you?"

"."

The two sides exchanged sharp words and glances, and the originally harmonious atmosphere became tense.

Even if the multiple legendary warriors did not really have the will to fight, just a little bit of seriousness made the air around them become heavy, and the orcs who were pouring wine and singing and dancing beside them fell to the ground with a thud.

"It seems that we do have a big disagreement."

In the silence, it was Westhead who spoke first:
"But it doesn't matter. The process of the pilgrimage is the process of practicing chivalry. Let's debate. The truth becomes clearer the more we debate. What's wrong with chivalry?"

Uther thought for a moment and said in a deep voice:
"If we just practice chivalry, there are precedents. It's not too difficult. Many knight lords can accept it reluctantly. Why don't we promote chivalry?" The Lord of Yingxi Castle tried to persuade him with good intentions, but Westhead just shook his head firmly.
"The abolition of serfdom is the basis of everything, and no bargaining will be accepted."

Uther frowned: "That will make the pilgrimage particularly difficult."

The difficulty of the king's pilgrimage depends entirely on the degree of recognition. It is said that you have to conquer the entire country, but if the king himself has a long-standing reputation and the ideas he puts forward are also popular, then at most he just needs to exchange ideas and get recognition of his strength.

But abolishing serfdom would mean uprooting many lords, directly escalating from martial arts competitions to war conflicts. If they would rather die than obey, it could even turn into a tragedy where their entire family is wiped out.

Once the King's Pilgrimage begins, it cannot be stopped. Either conquer the country and kill Yonglan, or accept defeat. There is no other way.

"That doesn't matter. Praising suffering is a stubborn disease. Let me cure it."

Westhead acted unmoved.

It's not just because this is Mivana's wish. It's hard to imagine how much worship and faith the liberated serfs will bring. Westhead is counting on this achievement to become one of his [great deeds].

Accumulating the "great achievements" to become a god is a long process. Simply liberating the serfs is certainly not enough, but if you add up a little bit, it will always be enough.

When it comes to the cause of ascension, there is no room for maneuver.

Lord Qinghui stood up directly, clapped his hands and said:

"Okay, everyone, I've made it very clear, and I think you've fully understood it. So you can tell others about my philosophy of chivalry when you go back. Please continue to enjoy the banquet for the rest of the time. If you want to leave, please do so. I won't see you off."

The Knight Lords were all silent. Westhead's attitude was so resolute that they could not continue to persuade him. They were all thinking about how to respond next.

"Please wait a moment."

Just as Westhead and the others were about to turn around and leave, Mavis stopped the former.

"What's wrong? Do you have any questions?"

Westhead turned around and said, "I have made it very clear about the pilgrimage."

“It’s not a matter of pilgrimage.”

Mavis patted the pleated skirt covering her thighs and said with a smile:
"I want to see Viona's grave, is that okay?"

Westhead did not speak, but looked at the owner of the Twilight Territory. Myvana nodded and said:

"There is no reason to stop others from paying tribute to their blood relatives. Please follow me."

Myvana brought Mephis to the outside of the main city. Considering the nature of the mourning for the deceased, not too many people should be present, so all the followers were dismissed, leaving only Westhead and four others.

The altar built by the orcs of Dusklight for the former lord was covered with bright red petals, which formed small whirlpools in the breeze and surrounded the calves of the visitors.

Mavis walked to the altar, took off his long white silk gloves, and gently stroked the marble stele with his fingertips.

The knight girl in the exquisite and pure uniform lowered her eyes slightly, the madness in her indigo eyes subsided, and her voice was low and trembling:
"Viona, Viona, my sister, you are just going to rest here forever. How can you let go so peacefully?"

"Despicable. It's really despicable."

Seeing Mephis's delicate body trembling, Myvana could not help but step forward and say:

"Teacher Viona is our savior. Although it is inappropriate for me to say this because I hurt her, she never regretted it until the last moment of her life."

"Do you think I'm being sentimental?"

Mavis suddenly turned around and asked.

Her smooth sky-blue hair had bangs on her forehead, covering half of her left eye, and the ends of her hair were slightly messy and curled. This great knight was about the same age as Myvana, and traces of youth still remained on her pretty face.

But at this moment, the corners of his mouth were filled with a playful smile.

Mivana was stunned: "After all, Teacher Viona is your sister."

"Sister? Hahahaha"

The blue-haired girl covered her cheeks and laughed wantonly, then slowly shook her head:

"No, no, no, I'm not sad because my blood sister died. On the contrary, I'm angry. I'm so fucking angry!"

Mephis took off the silver sword from his waist and smashed it into the petals along with the scabbard. His exquisite beauty was completely replaced by resentment, and he gnashed his teeth and said:
"How could Viona die like this? How could she die like this?! What did she regard the mission of the Qinxin family as?! And it was to save the orcs!"

"Why did she have to be an orc? As a member of the Qinxin family, she should kill all of you! Only in this way, only in this way can she wash away some of her sins and stains."

The blue-haired girl pulled her hair back from her forehead and stared blankly at the gloomy sky that was sprinkled with a faint ermine light:
"She is naive, stupid, and cowardly, escaping from her duties as a member of the Qinxin family, or does she think this is the right thing to do? It's ridiculous."

The animal-eared girl was startled by Mavis's reaction. Her beautiful golden eyes widened and her expression was naive.

Leixia raised her eyebrows and said bluntly: "What is she doing?"

Westhead tilted his head and said:
"I do know the reason, but the person involved is here, so it depends on whether she is willing to tell it."

Mavis heard Westhead's voice, tilted his head and smiled:

"Lord Qinghui, do you know the reason?"

Westhead: "Ah, the origin of the Qinxin family, do you need me to tell you, you are..."

Before the man could continue, Mavis interrupted:
"Descendants of Hellenandike."

"The Qinxin family is the descendant of Helen Nandike."

"Helen Nandike?"

Leixia was a little surprised: "The creator of the orcs was strangled by the coalition, and his entire power and bloodline were eradicated, right?"

"Even a centipede is still alive after death, let alone a person who has created a huge force and is a legend. But you are right. Under the joint strangulation, not to mention the remnants of the force, the descendants of the chief culprit should not have any blood left."

Mephis spread his hands. Unlike the madness and anger just now, the knight's delicate face was full of piety:
"The ancestors of our branch are just an unpopular branch of Helun Nandi Ke. The only special thing about us is that our ancestors secretly believed in the [Eternal Mist Rider God]."

"So when Helen Nandike died and all his descendants were about to be liquidated, a miracle that we never expected came to our great God-ancestor and saved us."

(End of this chapter)