Chapter 116

Chapter 116

Lorant and Lancelot exchanged a glance, about to turn away, when they were suddenly blocked by a small knight emerging from the crowd.

"Shopkeeper, my lord Earl, Teacher Paul has asked you to come in and sit down." The one who spoke was Jamie, Paul's young apprentice. Lorant had met him several times before, and he was now responsible for the Windbreaker horses' breeding work at the Knights of the Thorns.

Seeing this, Lorant and Lancelot exchanged another glance, turned their horses around, and followed the troops inside.

Jaina and Paul, who had already returned to the base, hosted the welcoming ceremony.

Knights clad in full armor lined the roads, gripping their lances. As their victorious comrades entered the base, they struck the ground with their lances in unison, creating a deafening sound.

A thunderous cheer erupted, shaking the entire base as if it were trembling.

This was the treatment due to warriors.

Without participating further in the Knights of the Thorns' unrestrained celebration after the ceremony, Lorant and Lancelot followed Jaina and Jane into the Knight Regiment's meeting hall.

Though called a hall, it was actually just a conference room.

Thick carpets covered the floor, and portraits of past commanders hung on the walls. Judging from the seating arrangement, no more than five people regularly used the room.

"Jane!" Jaina closed the door and immediately rushed over to hug her commander's shoulder. "Tell us the details!"

Jane removed her mask, revealing a face with strong, heroic features and iron-gray eyes that rarely showed warmth.

"Jaina, calm down. Let me change out of my armor first."

Paul coughed lightly and cheerfully brought a pot of steaming fragrant leaf tea for everyone. "That's right, Jaina. Let Jane catch her breath. Shopkeeper, Lord Cavendish, please sit down and have some tea."

Lorant and Lancelot picked up their cups and thanked him. If Paul hadn't seen the two conspicuous Windbreaker horses in the crowd, they would have already left.

But facing Paul's invitation, Lorant and Lancelot couldn't resist the urge to see what was happening. Fortunately, the welcoming ceremony at the base was equally impressive, making the trip worthwhile.

Once everyone was settled, Jane emerged from a small room, having changed into civilian clothes. Paul sipped his tea and spoke first: "Jane, the headquarters came here this afternoon. They want you to visit them once you return."

"They must have sensed something unusual and want to confirm it."

Jane, now in comfortable clothing, lounged in the sofa. Even in this relaxed pose, her eyes still gleamed sharply. "Those old guys aren't fools; they can smell something fishy."

Or rather, anyone with a brain wouldn't believe that a single regiment and five hundred Windbreaker horses could produce such a terrifying effect.

"Should we hide it?" Jaina frowned, looking worriedly at Jane. She knew her commander often clashed with headquarters and feared she might act rashly.

Jane shook her head decisively. "No way. There's no need to hide it, and we can't hide it anyway. Others may not understand it now, but once other Knight Regiments also have enough Windbreaker horses, everyone will know."

"Exactly. I'm glad you're being rational about this," Paul said with a teasing smile, earning a glare from Jane. "I think we should spread the news widely before headquarters intervenes."

"The old guys at headquarters are too old to think clearly. Their actions are unpredictable, so we need to steer things onto a reasonable path before they get involved." Paul continued, "We've prepared the messengers to go to other Knight Regiments and can start city-wide propaganda anytime. Jane, it's time to make a decision."

After a moment's hesitation, Jane smiled. She glanced at the thoughtful Lancelot and the seemingly innocent Lorant holding his cup. She quickly made up her mind. "Alright, Paul. You're right. Go ahead and do it. I want everyone to know this news by sunrise!"

Jaina got up to arrange the necessary affairs, leaving the four in the meeting hall. Jane looked at the innocent-looking Lorant for a while before saying, "Shopkeeper Lorant, if possible, I hope to get the support of the Animal Pet Shop. Can we expedite the supply of Windbreaker horses?"

"Can the next batch of Windbreaker horses reserved for the Knight Regiment be allocated to us?"

Hearing this, Lorant grimaced. "Commander Raymond, it's not that I don't want to give the Knights of the Thorns more animals. It's just that the Animal Pet Shop's breeding capacity is still limited. The Knights of the Thorns have helped us a lot, and I've always prioritized your needs. But we can't be too greedy. If we allocate all the Windbreaker horses to the Knights of the Thorns, it would make them a target and make it hard for the Animal Pet Shop to justify it."

Jane frowned, thinking that valuable strategic assets like Windbreaker horses should be bred more widely and distributed to all knights. That way, knights could become the strongest profession in the alliance and perhaps even restore the glory of ancient times!

Before she could speak, Paul interrupted: "The shopkeeper is right, Jane. We can't rush this. The crisis in the Lopulo Mountains is over, but the Knight Tournament is coming soon. In the meantime, we hope the shopkeeper can continue prioritizing our needs."

Paul narrowed his eyes like a fox. "Of course, we'll support the Animal Pet Shop. Our spies spreading the news will emphasize the importance of Windbreaker horses. Soon, everyone will know about the Blue Star Pet Shop."

"And rest assured, shopkeeper, with us around, no one will dare harm the Animal Pet Shop."

He kept his gaze on Lorant, conveying a clear message: "We're helping promote the Animal Pet Shop! Don't you want to increase its reputation? Help us gain an advantage in the tournament."

Lorant and Paul exchanged a long look, sighing in resignation. He put down his cup, regretting his curiosity. "Alright, Paul, but cutting off supplies to other Knight Regiments is unrealistic. The agreed quotas cannot be changed; it's a matter of the Animal Pet Shop's credibility." He spoke firmly, then added, "However, personally, as a friend of the Knights of the Thorns, I'd be happy to help. When the tournament starts, I can lend the Windbreaker horses intended for sale to the Knights of the Thorns temporarily. That much I can manage."

The two cunning foxes shared a knowing smile, both inwardly cursing each other's shrewdness.

Regardless, the atmosphere in the meeting hall improved. Jane knew she wasn't good at negotiations; she preferred charging into battle. Lorant didn't push further and started chatting with Lancelot and Paul about various topics.

When Jaina returned, they were discussing governance issues in the Camgro region.

"Paul, everything is arranged. Sara just brought in the families of the seven. We should go comfort them," she said solemnly. Mentioning "the seven" made everyone's faces somber.

This was an undeniable victory, but every victory hides deep pain.

There are no absolute victors in war. Behind this inspiring triumph lay the sacrifice of seven lives.

Tonight, all of Mauplan could celebrate, but seven families would mourn their lost loved ones.

In the Knight Regiment's hall, the sound of sobbing moved everyone deeply.

Families, upon receiving the news, first refused to believe it, then broke down in tears.

They had come joyfully to welcome their children, spouses, or partners back home, only to find familiar faces missing. They told themselves it was just a mix-up until the notification from the Knight Regiment shattered their world.

"Please accept our condolences. These are Gil's belongings from the Knight Regiment. I think you'll want to take them back," Jaina said solemnly, handing a neatly folded pile of clothes to a sobbing elderly woman.

The old man, who was walking with the old woman, patted his wife's back to comfort her and, after a moment of silence, asked as if he had just remembered something: "Gill, did he die in the charge?"

Although this elderly man had aged and his once-tall frame had become hunched, his face marked by deep wrinkles, it was evident from his attire and the Knight Regiment badge pinned to his chest that he had once been a knight.

Jaina understood what he was asking and looked at him earnestly. "Gill was a brave warrior. He fell while charging towards a Level 9 beast. Even in his last moments, he did not retreat a single step."

"Your son was a hero."

......

As Lorant and Lancelot were leaving, they passed through the reception hall and saw the three women inside silently weeping.

The two young children could not fully grasp what had happened; they just stared blankly at their mother, who was crying uncontrollably. Though they didn't understand why their father hadn't come out to embrace them as usual, the somber atmosphere made even the little ones shed tears.

Lorant averted his gaze, unable to look further. War is cruel, but resistance is necessary.

They risk their lives on the battlefield so that their children might one day live without constantly facing the brink of death.

Suddenly, as if struck by a thought, Lorant turned to Paul's apprentice. "Jamie, how are the Windbreaker horses faring?"

Jamie glanced at Paul, seeing his master nod in approval, then led Lorant and Lancelot to the rear of the camp.

"The seven knights' Windbreaker horses, like their masters, have disappeared into the beast tide," Jamie said as he walked. "Beyond the Lopulo Mountains lies an eternal Level 1-2 beast tide, which grows denser the deeper you go. In such conditions, once someone falls, all that remains is a memorial tomb to remember them."

In other words, these knights who died beyond the Lopulo Mountains likely had their bodies consumed by the beast tide.

Lorant had seen the beast tide and understood the implications well.

Once caught in such a tide, the outcome is unimaginable.

"The twenty-six severely injured knights remain outside the Lopulo Mountains for treatment. Only a few of their Windbreaker horses survived; the rest perished in the beast tide," Jamie continued, pausing briefly. All the Windbreaker horses of The Knights of the Thorns were under his care.

If anyone besides their owners had a deep bond with the Windbreaker horses, it was Jamie.

The significant losses this time made it hard for him to feel elated despite the remarkable victory.

"Several returning knights also lost their Windbreaker horses," Jamie said, lowering his head. Then, realizing his mood was off, he shook his head and rallied himself. "Still, they fought until the end. I'm proud of those kids."

"Just now, several returning knights mentioned that they owe their survival to their Windbreaker horses, who repeatedly saved them from danger," Jamie said as he opened the stable doors of The Knights of the Thorns.

Nearly six hundred Windbreaker horses gathered quietly in their stalls, some eating canned food or resting in their straw nests.

Upon seeing the trio enter, some horses raised their heads, recognized familiar faces, and returned to their nests to sleep.

Three days of continuous running had exhausted these creatures. Some still bore healing wounds, each mark a testament to their bravery.

"Tomorrow morning, The Knights of the Thorns will hold a memorial service at the cemetery outside town. These thirty-one Windbreaker horses will be honored alongside the fallen warriors, and we will give them a final farewell," Jamie said, opening his leaf-paper book to record information about the Windbreaker horses.

"Besides the thirty-one deceased Windbreaker horses, around fifty more were injured, but most have recovered thanks to the priests' treatments," he noted. "However... nine horses were severely injured. Although their lives were saved, they can no longer return to battle."

He led Lorant to one of the injured horses. "This horse's hind leg was badly broken, but it still carried its knight through a pack of Level 7 beasts. Unfortunately, by the time it received treatment, it was too late. Its right hind leg bone had been overworked in its injured state, and the priests couldn't save it."

A black-and-white horse lay on its straw bed, looking listless. Seeing Lorant's concern, it struggled to stand beside him. Lorant gently stroked its nose, making its gentle blue eyes close in comfort.

Through the bars, he could clearly see the misaligned bones in the horse's right hind leg. Though it could still stand, it was clearly unsuitable for running.

"What about the other Windbreaker horses?" Lorant took a piece of jerky meant for his own horse and gave it to the black-and-white horse, patting its head to let it rest.

"The others are similar. Seven of the nine horses that can't return to battle have leg injuries. One had its eye pecked out by a 'Ghost Hummingbird,' and another had its throat torn open, though it has healed, it struggles to breathe during runs."

"But don't worry, shopkeeper. We, The Knights of the Thorns, will take good care of them. There won't be any problems," Jamie assured, patting his chest.

Lorant, however, remained silent for a moment. "Retirement? Do you have any good plans for these disabled horses?"

Jamie hesitated. Paul had only told him to reassure the owners of the injured horses that they would be taken care of, but he hadn't specified how.

"Well, sorry, shopkeeper, I don't know. But I believe our regiment can cover the expenses of these little guys."

Lorant shook his head. "No, that's not sustainable."

"There are only nine injured horses now, and you can manage their expenses. But what about when Windbreaker horses become widespread? Today, you can handle nine, but what about ninety or nine hundred in the future?"

"These horses have decades of life ahead. Are you going to keep them in stables, consuming resources?"

Jamie clenched his teeth. "No matter how many injured horses there are, they are part of The Knights of the Thorns. I believe our leaders won't abandon them!"

He trusted his teacher and leader.

But Lorant had to consider more. While The Knights of the Thorns might cover the costs for these disabled horses, could he expect all knight regiments to do the same?

Clearly, this wasn't realistic.

As Lorant frowned in thought, Lancelot, who had been silent, coughed softly. "In Earl's Castle, severely injured professionals who can't fully recover are assigned secondary roles."

"Allowing them to continue working seems more acceptable than having them wait for stipends. It also gives them peace of mind."

Though he spoke about people, his gaze lingered on the Windbreaker horses. Lorant understood and brightened.

"Jamie, I have an idea. Paul and Jaina are probably busy, so tell them I'll attend tomorrow's funeral. Afterward, we can discuss the arrangements for the injured horses."

The next morning, before the sun had fully risen, the members of The Knights of the Thorns arrived at the knight cemetery carrying numerous coffins.

This cemetery was shared by all knight regiments, dedicated to honoring the fallen heroes.

......

The cemetery was vast, filled mostly with small memorial tombs.

Professionals rarely leave intact bodies when facing beasts.

The souls of the knights seemed to hover above the cemetery, tearing through the dark clouds to allow bright sunlight to shine upon the new gravestones.

The seven knights and their Wind-Cleaving Horses were buried together, with a single rein gently placed on each set of knight's armor. Perhaps in another world, they could ride the wind together once more.

To give the families of the seven knights some space for farewells, the knights personally placed the reins representing their Wind-Cleaving Horses into small boxes made of Restwood, burying them underground.

The twenty-six severely injured knights, except for the two still unconscious, struggled to come to the cemetery today.

They personally buried their companions underground.

Lorant and Lancelot stood far away, not disturbing the knights who leaned against the tombstones, speaking to their Wind-Cleaving Horses. Lancelot thoughtfully stroked Little Qing's reins in his hand.

He suddenly wondered if one day, when he had to place these reins in a Restwood box, would he also silently shed tears like these men?

After the ceremony ended, Paul and the others approached.

"Shopkeeper, Jamie said you have some ideas about the injured Wind-Cleaving Horses?" Paul knew that simply keeping the injured horses was only a temporary solution, but he hadn't figured out how to handle the injured beasts properly.

Lorant nodded: "Yes, it's necessary to find a way to settle these injured Wind-Cleaving Horses. My suggestion is that the Animal Pet Shop can take care of these horses that can no longer fight."

Before he finished, Jaina immediately refused: "How can that be? Our Wind-Cleaving Horses were severely injured protecting our knights. Are we supposed to just hand over these heroes to you? The Knights of the Thorns wouldn't do such a shameful thing."

She had truly experienced the battle firsthand. Thinking about how the Wind-Cleaving Horses protected their masters from beasts even in dire situations, she couldn't accept abandoning these beasts in any form.

Lorant glanced at Jaina and smiled: "Don't rush. How about letting me finish before making a decision?"

Paul also nodded: "That's right. Go ahead and share your thoughts, Lorant. I believe you've thought about this more deeply than we have."

Lorant glanced at Lancelot beside him, and they exchanged a look: "Exactly. I'm not suggesting that the Animal Pet Shop should unilaterally take care of these horses. In fact, the number of such horses will increase over time, and only by finding a proper solution can we truly resolve this issue."

"When Wind-Cleaving Horses were first bred, I had an idea: with their help, ordinary people's daily lives could become much more convenient."

As he observed the expressions of the three Knights of the Thorns, he continued to elaborate: "Firstly, Wind-Cleaving Horses can serve as excellent transport beasts, which everyone saw during the beast tide in the Black Forest."

"Although the injured Wind-Cleaving Horses are no longer suitable for combat, they can still walk. They might not be as fast as before, but that's only an issue when running."

"If they're just walking, the impact on the horses is minimal."

Jaina suddenly understood, hitting her palm: "Right! Just like during the beast tide, they don't need to be on the front lines; they can still contribute significantly!"

Wind-Cleaving Horses retain their speed advantage even if they don't run on the battlefield.

Paul nodded in agreement: "We were indeed blinded by the battle. The Wind-Cleaving Horses were originally seen in logistics roles, so why did we forget that once they went to the front lines?"

"But you must have other ideas, Shopkeeper, otherwise there's no need to take all the injured Wind-Cleaving Horses to the Animal Pet Shop."

Lorant nodded, impressed by Paul's understanding. He often needed only a hint to complete the whole picture.

"That's right. This is just one aspect. As I said, the number of Wind-Cleaving Horses is still small, so these issues won't be prominent in the short term. But we need to think long-term."

"The Knight Regiment doesn't always have large-scale wars, so the demand for logistics isn't enough to justify maintaining a permanent transport team."

"But if we look further, consider the people in the Commercial Alliance with their vast commercial networks. Every day, countless goods await transportation. If we include these tasks within the transport team's responsibilities, wouldn't it justify the existence of such a team?"

Lorant looked at the thoughtful faces opposite him and continued: "Lancelot and I discussed this yesterday. We plan to purchase the injured Wind-Cleaving Horses at a low price, ensuring they retain value even after being injured."

It wasn't that Lorant was blinded by money, trying to exploit every last bit of value from even disabled horses. Rather, he had to consider the future of his beasts.

The reason Wind-Cleaving Horses are so coveted is their inherent value. Though harsh, if they lose their value, the difference between them and beasts diminishes.

Last night, Lorant and Lancelot discussed this extensively. Both are rational thinkers, considering worst-case scenarios without hesitation.

Their conclusion was that if injured Wind-Cleaving Horses could only be kept without creating value, while the pressure from the Animal Pet Shop and the Knight Regiment would prevent abandonment, it would be hard to guarantee no one would secretly dispose of them.

A harsh but true saying goes: "No filial son stays long by a sickbed." The same applies to beasts. Even if they saved their masters' lives, over time, as affection fades and financial burdens mount, anything could happen.

Lorant didn't want his bred beasts to be killed by their owners when unable to resist.

His goal was to ensure the Wind-Cleaving Horses continue to hold value.

"This matter needs to be standardized. How about starting with these nine Wind-Cleaving Horses?" Lorant looked directly at Jaina: "The Animal Pet Shop will pay one hundred gold per horse, hoping the Captain agrees with our proposal."

This price was determined after discussion with Lancelot. The key point is that it must exceed the value of treating the horses as beasts, thus avoiding anyone ending their lives after injury.

Jaina swallowed hard. Knowing she sometimes acts emotionally, she usually relies on more rational individuals in such situations: "Paul will handle this. But I hope one thing is guaranteed."

"These Wind-Cleaving Horses have their own owners. Although for a short time, I still hope you consider them when making decisions."

Lancelot nodded in agreement: "Captain, we understand. Our goals align, and we'll work quickly to present a reasonable solution."

The funeral of the Knights of the Thorns caused no stir in Mauplan. Everyone was immersed in the joy of victory.

They weren't blind to the casualties, nor indifferent because it didn't affect them. They were simply accustomed to such farewells.

People in this world, especially professionals, have an innate coldness because they constantly face life and death. Every battle is uncertain, and no one dares assume they'll survive.

......

Yet they must fight, which is the cruel reality of this world.

Fortunately, even in a cruel world, there is warmth.

Just after the somber days following the funeral, Lorant received a wedding invitation.

The invitation came from a timber merchant Lorant met through the Commercial Alliance.

"Manager Lorant, I'm here today to invite you to my daughter's wedding in two days." An elegant lady with her hair neatly coiffed into a bun on top of her head sat gracefully on the sofa in the Animal Pet Shop.

Lorant had met her through the business association. Initially, they had no connection, but later, as Lorant and Lancelot planned to open a branch of the Slime House under the Animal Pet Shop to accommodate the Windbreaker Horses that had been transferred there, they gradually became acquainted.

Mai Qi was one of the most prominent merchants in all of Mauplan and also a renowned designer.

She dealt in timber but also owned a furniture manufacturing plant dedicated to producing her designs.

In Holland, Mai Qi's designs were always the most sought-after, from noble households to middle-class families; everyone was willing to reserve a spot for her furniture in their homes.

Due to her current residence in Mauplan, Mai Qi's factory had also moved here, closer to the Black Forest for easier wood transportation. Her factory was just a few kilometers across the Holy Shield River.

She could be considered a neighbor to the Animal Pet Shop.

Lorant chose to approach her because of this factory.

Mai Qi's furniture needed to be transported to other cities, and due to its size, it was impractical to use teleportation arrays while maintaining profitability.

Thus, she previously hired merchant caravans to transport her goods to various cities.

However, this method took several months or even half a year to complete an order and often led to lost items.

So, Lorant seized this opportunity and approached her to secure the first business deal for the "Windbreaker Horse Home."

That is, helping Mai Qi transport a batch of furniture destined for the small town of Huhu adjacent to Mauplan.

The main transporters were two tall Windbreaker Horses, which, despite their injuries, had fully recovered after treatment by priests and their own healing abilities.

Leading the team were three Level 2 Knights who had taken on the transport mission at the Knights Academy.

Since it was their first inter-city transport, Lorant offered generous credits, and these individuals had managed to stand out among many students.

This order left Mauplan yesterday morning, so Lorant was surprised to see Mai Qi appear in the Animal Pet Shop today.

"Manager Lorant, secondly, I have a request I wonder if it's feasible."

Lorant carefully examined the invitation card made of exquisite exotic beast leather and smiled upon hearing her words: "Feel free to speak, Mai Qi. We are partners, no need to be so formal."

Mai Qi nervously smoothed her hair. "As you know, my husband passed away early, and this daughter is my only family now. She is marrying the son of a viscount, and I worry about whether she will be looked down upon."

Lorant nodded understandingly. "I understand, Mrs. Mai Qi. As a mother, having such concerns is normal."

While there aren't many rigid rules in this world for the common people, the higher up the social ladder one goes, the more pronounced the class distinctions become.

Though Mai Qi was a wealthy merchant, she lacked a title and wasn't a professional, making her feel inferior to the viscount.

Moreover, there was a tradition of "grand dowries," where the richer and more luxurious the dowry, the higher status the bride would have in her new home.

For Lorant, these feudal practices were abhorrent, but others took them very seriously.

Even if both families were ordinary citizens, as long as they weren't destitute, they would still compete to show off their wealth during weddings.

"However, Mrs. Mai Qi, you shouldn't worry about that!" Lorant couldn't help but say, recalling the exquisite and luxurious furniture set he had seen her prepare for her beloved daughter, which would not look out of place in any castle.

Mai Qi shook her head. "I've already prepared the dowry, but the viscount's family mentioned they plan to invite a squad from the Holy Sword Knight Regiment to escort Mary during the wedding."

Lorant was puzzled. "Isn't that a good thing? What do you mean, Mrs. Mai Qi?"

"I'll be direct, Manager," Mai Qi said, knowing from experience that Lorant preferred straightforwardness. "I want to purchase two top-tier Windbreaker Horses as part of my daughter's dowry and ask if the Animal Pet Shop can rent me a batch of top-tier Windbreaker Horses."

She looked at Lorant expectantly. "If possible, I want those top-tier Windbreaker Horses to escort my daughter to the viscount's castle."

Lorant understood. "Purchasing the Windbreaker Horses is no problem; you can choose two right now to take home."

"As for renting them, well..." Lorant pondered for a moment, then, seeing Mai Qi's barely contained anxiety, said, "Normally, it wouldn't be allowed, given the value of each top-tier Windbreaker Horse and the risk of injury. But since you've come to me, Mrs. Mai Qi, I can't refuse. Ten Windbreaker Horses, sign a contract, and you can rent them for your daughter's unforgettable wedding!"

"Really?" Mai Qi covered her mouth in surprise, her diamond ring sparkling brilliantly.

"As you wish, madam."

"Oh, Goddess of Light, Lorant, I am so grateful! I don't even know what to say!" Mai Qi stood up, visibly moved.

She had hoped to borrow five or six horses, but Lorant offered ten!

With twelve Windbreaker Horses, she would give her daughter an unforgettable grand wedding!

Seeing Mai Qi's genuine joy, Lorant's gloomy mood of recent days lifted.

Perhaps there are many disappointments in this world, but there are always beautiful things waiting to happen.