My Players Are So Fierce - Chapter 338

Chapter 338: Murphy’s Self-Reward

 

Natalie gave the opportunity to become the Holy Grail Knight of the Forest Mother to Knight Valand.

 

This wasn’t a decision she made on impulse. Obviously, the Black-Hearted Witch Hunter had her own thoughts. After confirming that the Holy Grail used by the mountain folk came from Avalon, Natalie was determined to find a way to make amends for the old church’s centuries of persecution and misunderstanding of the mountain folk.

 

Although Lord Murphy’s suggestion to directly drink the holy water and become the Forest Mother’s Holy Grail Knight was indeed quite simple and effective, having the first Holy Grail Knight among the mountain folk come through Natalie’s hands could achieve the same effect without disrupting her career plans.

 

Facts proved that all the various suggestions given by Kudel, a genuine Holy Grail Knight, were very effective.

 

After Knight Valand drank a full cup of holy water, strange phenomena began to occur.

 

First, a cool wind suddenly rose, passing through the woods and rustling the branches, followed by patches of emerald light flying out from the quiet forest around them, decorating the scene of the ancient ritual like fireflies.

 

Amid the mountain folk’s exclamations, various animals from the forest also poked their heads out.

 

Particularly, a stag with massive and magnificently majestic sword-shaped antlers walked gracefully through the woods. Perhaps it really was just taking a walk and heard some strange noises up ahead, so it came to look, but these superstitious folks took it as an auspicious sign, shouting and dancing around the sword stag, leaving the handsome deer looking helpless.

 

However, more changes occurred in Valand.

 

The Osprey Knight’s already tall body swelled up as if inflated, causing his height to break through the frightening 3 meters in just over 10 seconds, becoming a true “giant” in every sense.

 

But this wasn’t something incomprehensible to the mountain folk. Their forest was near the Ice Bay, and they occasionally traded with the Caesar barbarian tribes there. While 3 meters tall was undoubtedly a miracle among humans, it wasn’t anything special among the barbarian tribes living in the harsh cold lands.

 

There, as long as barbarian warriors could successfully survive to adulthood, they all had such height and physique.

 

It was for this reason that the Caesar barbarian bandit gangs who roamed in groups robbing and looting in the northern borders of the Nordtov Kingdom became the most troublesome problem for the northerners.

 

But the Osprey Knight’s physical transformation was just the most insignificant aspect of the strange occurrences happening to him. In the eyes of Old Eugene and Grandma Marianne, who were very sensitive to nature spirit energy, Knight Valand had almost completely become a humanoid “spirit energy container” in this instant.

 

Countless pure spirit energy continuously merged into his body, making his vitality more profound, pushing his strength beyond limits, healing his wounds, and armoring his soul with divine faith.

 

“Although Holy Grail Knights differ vastly in power usage due to different Holy Grails, there are some characteristics we share.”

 

Another Holy Grail Knight present, Kudel, acted like a classic “live commentator,” watching Valand Knight grow stronger with each breath, and quietly explained to those around:

 

“Holy Grail Knights live by their oaths. As long as we don’t break them, our resistance to swords and blunt weapons will be enhanced to the extreme. Ordinary weapons can no longer harm us, and the corruption of evil and filthy powers on our spirits will also be completely nullified.

 

As I could maintain basic sanity after directly facing the call of subspace.

 

Besides this, Holy Grail Knights are also granted certain wonderful talents, such as how I can sense all life that needs help. Knight Valand will also be granted similar powers by the Forest Mother after taking his oath.

 

That is the extension of our oaths.

 

This enhancement doesn’t change the absolute strength of a Holy Grail Knight, but every Holy Grail Knight will be the hardest warrior to kill in the material world. When we appear on the battlefield, it means the enemy’s nightmare has arrived.

 

They should indeed cheer.

 

The fearless guardian of this forest has been born, and no evil can cross the Osprey Knight to corrupt his people anymore.”

 

“What a foolish choice. If Natalie had become the Holy Grail Knight, it would have benefited all of us.”

 

Murphy wasn’t very satisfied with this change, but he could only accept what was happening before him.

 

He said quietly:

 

“Natalie could have transcended into sainthood with this opportunity. She could have become a true leader taking up old Finoch’s banner, but she gave it up herself. I must think that her rate of growth still falls far short of what old Finoch desired to see.

 

Her pursuit of ideals and justice has made her pedantic. Avalon wouldn’t care about these small matters. No matter which path she chose, she would still be Avalon’s good child.”

 

“I actually think little Natalie’s choice was correct.”

 

Grandma Marianne argued:

 

“Although we and the mountain folk worship the same deity, our paths are not the same. If Natalie abandoned her faith just for power, she would only disappoint our god. This might also be a trial from Avalon, and I’m very glad to see Natalie passed it.

 

Look!

 

The Oak Sacred Blade is also celebrating for Natalie.”

 

Following Grandma Marianne’s pointing finger, Natalie was pulling the Watcher from the ground. The connection between that sacred blade and her hand was indeed much more active than before, the flowing light from the runes on the blade indeed seemed to be cheering for its wielder.

 

“But are you sure that sword is celebrating?”

 

Murphy quipped:

 

“I heard that sword has quite a foul mouth. I suspect it’s also cursing Natalie as an idiot and fool. I think the probability isn’t low.”

 

“Well, there is indeed such a possibility. Lord Watcher always expresses his extreme views of the world without restraint and speaks his mind directly.”

 

Old Eugene shamelessly defended their sacred object with a sentence, then grinned. This sincere one’s eyes were red and his emotions surging from witnessing Avalon’s divine miracle. He looked at the surrounding forest and said:

 

“It seems we should build an Avalon Cathedral here.”

 

As they talked, the transformation ceremony for the Osprey Knight slowly concluded. After the last wisp of emerald wind enveloping his body dissipated, a “power-enhanced version” of the mountain folk knight appeared before everyone.

 

The winged cavalry armor on the Osprey Knight no longer fit, but the blessing from the Holy Grail gave him a wooden battle armor very similar to old Finoch’s sacred oak armor. Combined with his giant-like physique, he looked imposing even without anger, and he even gained a two-handed warhammer woven from emerald vines.

 

This probably fell into the category of “divine armament.”

 

Murphy quickly cast a detection spell on him, and the feedback information opened his eyes wide:

 

Name: 【Wood Saint】 Valand ‘Osprey’ Ophol

 

Rank: Level 30 – White Silver Body – Leader

 

Class: Level 20 Heavy Winged Cavalry/Master Carpenter

 

Oath-keeper Class: Level 1 Holy Grail Knight【Heart of the Woods】

 

Status: Holy Grail Armament – Wood Healing – Divine Crusade – Purification Power

 

Evaluation: Extremely Dangerous – Friendly

 

“His Holy Grail Knight faction is ‘Heart of the Woods’, but yours is just a ‘Classical Holy Grail Knight’. I think the difference between these two isn’t just in name, right?”

 

Murphy turned his head to look at Kudel. The Civilian Protection Officer explained briefly:

 

“That’s the difference caused by different oath carriers. The orthodox name for my faction should be ‘Guardian of Justice’, but because I was changed from human to vampire, my oath underwent some unspeakable changes.

 

But I can certainly say that I am still an oath-keeper.

 

The power of the Holy Grail still flows within me.

 

However, your detection spell that can directly see through others’ class factions is beyond my expectations. Your warriors seem to have the same ability?”

 

“Mm, you can understand it as a ‘blessing from another realm’.”

 

Murphy blinked his eyes and said mysteriously:

 

“What I can see through isn’t just your classes. These eyes of mine can see many things hidden beneath the surface… ah, little Sharon is coming over, she seems to have something to say to me.”

 

The vampire lord ended his conversation with Kudel and put on a gentle smile as he looked at little Sharon approaching.

 

You have to say, this petite vampire wearing traditional forest clothing made her look just like a “little fairy” from the woods. However, after Countess Sharon presented something with both hands, Murphy’s expression changed slightly.

 

He looked at the booklet being offered before his eyes and asked:

 

“What is this?”

 

“A roster of all mountain folk tribe members in the entire Seicob forest.”

 

Sharon blinked her blood-colored eyes and said to Murphy:

 

“We compiled this temporarily, there might be some oversights, but I think as a ruler, you should understand the meaning of us giving this to you. I put in quite some effort to convince those stubborn elders. This might be thanks to the threat of the Black Plague approaching. They have their own channels to observe the changes throughout Transia. After seeing you and your Crimson Citadel defeat the gnoll warlord, even the most stubborn mountain folk can understand the truth lying before everyone.

 

That is that this land already has a new master!

 

You are more powerful than other vampires.

 

You can lead us to continue existing through the threat of the Black Plague, and even walk towards an unprecedented era of prosperity.

 

Lord Murphy, what I’m giving you isn’t just the loyalty of the Seicob forest, but also a heavy responsibility. But I believe you are different from all the rulers who existed before in this land.

 

Even though I am a faithless vampire, I have begun to believe this is the guidance of fate.”

 

The usually giggling little Sharon’s expression was very serious when saying these words, proving she wasn’t speaking to Murphy in her personal capacity as Sandra Sharon Seicomere, but rather expressing the will of this forest as the Countess of Seicob.

 

Therefore, Murphy’s demeanor also became serious.

 

He accepted the roster handed over by Sharon with both hands and very sincerely promised:

 

“I cannot guarantee we will definitely survive through the Black Plague, but I can swear to you that before the Crimson Citadel is swallowed by disaster, no enemy will set foot on your ancestral forest.

 

Even if we all have to die in this disaster, I can confirm with peace of mind that I will die before you!”

 

“Uh, I thought you would say something like we must be victorious to inspire people.”

 

Little Countess Sharon squinted her eyes.

 

But then she grinned and said:

 

“But such an overly realistic statement actually makes people more convinced. Well then, Governor Murphy, the future of this forest is entrusted to you.”

 

“Whoosh”

 

The instant Sharon’s hand pulled away from the roster, a message that made the vampire governor almost jump up with joy immediately flashed on Murphy’s character interface:

 

【New Territory Stronghold Acquisition Notice! Transia Governorate adds new subordinate administrative unit ‘Ancestral Forest’, incorporating 146 resident settlements!

 

Incorporated resident population: 72,454.

 

Notice!

 

Ancestral Forest is a special administrative unit with a completely different management mode from Transia’s basic administrative units. It is recommended to appoint appropriate managers as soon as possible.

 

Currently available managers are…】

 

Murphy didn’t even look further down.

 

That notification of 72,000 incorporated people was enough to let him understand what an abundant gift little Sharon had just given him.

 

This meant Murphy instantly gained 724 player slots, allowing him not to worry about test quota distribution issues for quite a long period in the future.

 

This made the vampire feel satisfaction and joy from the bottom of his heart. This joy was second only to when he led players to defeat Salrokdar and when he confessed to Tris and wasn’t rejected. It also made Murphy sigh that today was his lucky day, being heavily rewarded by fate in a completely unexpected situation.

 

Murphy let out a long breath. He looked at the smiling little Sharon before him, and then, under her puzzled gaze, handed the roster back to her.

 

The vampire governor said softly:

 

“For many years in the past, this forest has been protected by the Seicomere family, and the mountain folk have long been accustomed to living under your leadership.

 

Although I claim control over all of Transia, I have no intention of disturbing your simple but content way of life.

 

Managing mountain folk is different from managing others, and you are the most suitable manager I can find.

 

Therefore, Countess Sharon of Seicob, I appoint you as ‘Mountain Folk Leader’ in my capacity as Governor of Transia. Please continue to fulfill the Seicomere family’s duties and obligations to the ancestral forest.

 

Whatever you need to improve the lives of your subjects, you can apply to the Crimson Citadel, and we will do our best to satisfy you.”

 

“Wow! When it comes to power distribution, you’re really excessively generous. I’ve heard you say more than once that all you need is victory, everything else is permitted.

 

It seemed somewhat exaggerated at first, but I didn’t expect it to actually be true.”

 

Little Sharon quipped:

 

“If I had known this, I wouldn’t have needed to persuade those elders so painstakingly.”

 

“No, it’s still different.”

 

Murphy smiled, noticing how the mountain folk elders around them obviously breathed sighs of relief when he returned the roster to Sharon.

 

These unique groups indeed don’t fit in with the outside world. Not only do administrators get headaches about how to arrange their new lives, but the mountain folk themselves are also resistant to changes from the outside world.

 

At least for now, Transia’s development still doesn’t have enough appeal to make these tradition-following people leave their homeland.

 

“There are still many mountain folk displaced in the Saxony region now occupied by the Goldflower Kingdom.”

 

Murphy said to little Sharon:

 

“During the Ten-Year War, there were three mountain folk wars. King Louis’s desire for control forced many innocent people to leave their homeland, and since the Seicob forest and Saxony’s forests are connected, if possible, little Sharon, I hope the mountain folk elders under you can invite more homeless people to come live in Transia.

 

I promise you, whether they wish to live within the forest or not, I will give them official status and protection from the Crimson Citadel.”

 

“That’s a bit difficult, especially with the Black Plague about to arrive.”

 

Sharon said somewhat awkwardly:

 

“The mountain folk being stubborn doesn’t mean they’re stupid. No one would come settle in Transia, a place that will definitely become the front line of war, at this time.

 

But if we can really withstand the gnolls’ attack, then your promise would be very attractive to those poor exiles in the Saxony region. I can persuade the elders to send people across the border to recruit more kinsmen.

 

After all, mountain folk still can’t live away from their forests, and over one-third of the forest areas in the Saxony region have already been destroyed. But if they really come over, you’ll instantly have tens of thousands more mouths to feed under your command. Can you really afford to feed so many people?”

 

“That’s a problem I need to worry about.”

 

Murphy put his hand on little Countess Sharon’s shoulder. Looking at the surrounding forest that had brought him surprises, he said:

 

“When it comes to population, at this stage, naturally the more the better.”

 

He wanted to discuss the mountain folk population with Sharon a bit more, but a few seconds later, another new notification disrupted Murphy’s thoughts. This notification came from the small eastern city of Bataxin in Transia:

 

【New Resident Acquisition Notice! Transia Governorate subordinate administrative unit Bataxin City, newly incorporated resident count: 6,519!】

 

“Oh!”

 

Murphy blinked his eyes in surprise:

 

“The armed blood servants repatriated by the Nordtov Kingdom have already entered my territory. Ha, another 65 slots. Today is really a double celebration. Good! Good! After being repeatedly beaten by life until my flesh has become chewy and bouncy, after tormenting me hundreds and thousands of times, fate, that witch, finally knows to pity me.

 

This is how you should reward me!

 

Reward me hard!”