Chapter 628 40: Arrival at Marle Castle and the Griffin Knights' Privileges
Countless teams of knights and merchant caravans traverse the extensive roads, with bustling streams of traffic stretching endlessly.
This scene is far more breathtaking than it appears from the middle of the road below.
Fastrick has passed through here not for the first time, yet every time he sees this bustling scene, he can't help but sigh, "If we could take this city, how much could we collect just in tariffs and entry taxes?"
The other Swan Knights were also filled with fantasies; if they could conquer this wealthiest city, even their rural territories could become rich overnight.
Su Li spoke ambitiously, "Be confident, we can replace them! One day, we will lead thirty thousand armored horsemen to the gates. By then, this city will open its gates wide to welcome their master into his loyal Marle Castle!"
Truth be told, both Fastrick and Aeliria dared not believe it.
The current disparity between the two sides is simply too great. Marle Castle, the richest city in the Border Prince's Territory, maintains a full formation of four large armies, with over 40,000 elite knights, more than some Duke's Territories. Their City Guard Army generally possesses the strength of elite knights.
In contrast, the Hesse Territory has only over 800 elite knights, and even counting the armed attendants, there are only just over two thousand infantry and cavalry directly belonging to the territory.
It can be said that a single charge from the other side could drown the Hesse Territory's army.
However, Hilude was full of confidence in Su Li. She clenched her longsword, overlooking the magnificent city below, and said, "Lord, our territory is located in the north, relatively close to Marle Castle. You have far more opportunities than other Pioneer Knights. One day, you will bring this border jewel under your control."
As the group conversed, a team of knights riding griffin horses soared into the sky from within the city. They weaved between towering towers and fluttering banners, soon arriving midair, and shouted aloud to Su Li and his entourage, "Welcome, esteemed Pioneer Lords, to Marle Castle. May I ask which noble family you hail from? Our City Lord has always respected the nobles of the Prince's Territory and sincerely invites you for a gathering."
This surprised everyone immensely, as it was the first time they knew that approaching Marle Castle with many griffins would prompt the city to dispatch noble griffin horse knights to greet them, allowing them to visit the City Lord's Mansion directly!
Hilude patted the griffin, flew forward, raised the flag of the Hesse Territory, and replied, "We are Pioneer Knights from the Bauhinia family, and thank the City Lord for his kind invitation."
A commotion immediately arose among the group opposite, as the knights looked at each other, at a loss.
"What?! They are just Pioneer Knights? What should we do? To meet the City Lord, the minimum requirement is to be a Count."
"Should we invite them?"
"How can we invite them? If we meet with a Pioneer Knight, should we meet a Kingdom Knight? A Baron? If not, wouldn't it offend countless nobles? But if we do, the City Lord wouldn't have time for anything else."
"But those are griffins! The City Lord has always met with lords who lead Griffin Knights. And these Pioneer Knights have so many griffins; if they become nobility in the future, wouldn't their prospects be limitless?"
The other side whispered for a long time, and in the end, the captain gritted his teeth and decided to invite Su Li into the City Lord's Mansion!
Isn't the City Lord meeting these Griffin Lords just for investment and forming relationships? Now this Bauhinia Knight, not yet a noble, just as a Pioneer Knight already brought so many griffins and flying horses. Investing in him wouldn't yield even greater returns?