Chapter 60: Chapter 59: Ridder Main

Ronin opened the First Top-Up screen, and with a thought, a purple glow suddenly materialized over his palm.

The light enveloped the six Magic Crystal Stones in his palm, looking as if it would melt them.

Soon, cracks appeared on the Magic Crystal Stones. They then shattered, turning into fine dust, which merged with the purple light before slowly vanishing.

Macken and Elron, standing to the side, watched Ronin’s actions with shock and uncertainty. They couldn’t understand what their master had just done to those six expensive items to make them vanish in an instant.

In Ronin’s vision, the reward on the First Top-Up screen was now ready to be claimed.

Although this extravagant act pained him, the reward ultimately outweighed the cost, making it completely worth it.

As Ronin mentally claimed the first top-up reward, he silently prayed that the deluxe gift pack within would bring him an extra surprise.

It couldn’t be helped. The Knight from the reward was predetermined, with little room for variation, so the only thing he could look forward to were the items in the deluxe gift pack.

Instantly, the first top-up reward was claimed, and the screen slowly faded from Ronin’s vision.

From then on, of the Golden Finger’s five screens, only Monthly Check-in, Attribute Panel, and Achievement Master remained.

As the screen faded, two lines of text simultaneously appeared in Ronin’s vision:

[Attribute Points +200]

[Energy Essence +400]

Ronin quickly scanned the two lines of numbers, a relieved smile spreading across his face.

’This gift pack really lives up to the word “deluxe”! Compared to the heartwarming gift pack from check-ins and the exquisite gift pack from the seven-day login, the rewards in this deluxe gift pack are extremely generous!’

’With 400 Energy Essence, I have enough to raise Macken’s Level progress to the Peak of Advanced Level Knight. That way, Mountain Forest Town will finally have two capable fighters.’

’If I run into Knight Philton from Sain Territory again, I won’t have to be on edge all the time, racking my brain to put on an act for him.’

As Ronin was grinning foolishly, a Magic Array Map, identical to the one that had summoned Macken and Elron, appeared on the empty floor before him.

The only difference this time was that the light shooting from the Magic Array Map was purple tinged with gold. It was not only more resplendent than before, but also possessed a touch of nobility.

Seeing this, Macken and Elron finally understood that the Lord’s series of actions had all been to summon a new subordinate.

They too were eager to see what kind of person would emerge this time.

A figure quietly appeared within the purple-gold light.

The man on the Magic Array Map had short, orange-red hair, which seemed to dance like flames under the sunlight streaming through the window, illuminating his face.

His face was chiseled and sharply defined, and his deep, sapphire-blue eyes shone with confidence.

He was powerfully built and well-muscled. Clad in a dark blue leather battle robe with a sharp Great Sword on his back, he exuded an aura of immense power.

Ronin was a little stunned. Compared to Macken and Elron, this newly summoned person had an indescribable presence.

But what surprised him most was that when he brought up the man’s panel, he discovered that his starting Level was not Basic Level (0/100) or (0/150) like Macken and Elron’s, but—

[Ridder Main]: Advanced Knight of Fire (300/300)

Ronin: “!!!”

’This Knight is actually at the Advanced Level Peak! This is completely beyond my expectations.’

’Just a moment ago, I was planning to use all 400 of the Energy Essence I got on Macken. Even if the newcomer, Ridder, has Proud Sun Talent, allocating points to him would have to wait.’

’Who would have thought the first top-up would bring such an extra surprise? Ridder is already at the Advanced Level Peak!’

And as he stared at the man’s Level progress, wondering why he couldn’t break through directly, a notification appeared:

[Due to the Master-Servant Contract, a subordinate’s maximum strength cannot exceed the master’s by one Great Tier.]

The Knight Cultivation process divides Levels into three Great Tiers:

The first stage strengthens Fighting Qi, divided into Basic Level, Intermediate, and Advanced Level.

The second stage forges and strengthens the body, divided into Bronze, Silver, and Gold.

The third stage is Breaking the Limit of Chonglun, divided into Meteor, Silver Moon, and Proud Sun.

The rule about not exceeding a Great Tier meant that Ridder would only break through once Ronin himself broke through the first stage. Only then could Ronin allocate points to him.

’This mechanism is just like the card game I made before I transmigrated, where a card character’s level couldn’t exceed the account level.’

’Even with the restriction, an Advanced Peak Knight is an incredibly rare combat asset for any Baron’s Domain!’

While Ronin was still in shock over Ridder’s strength, the Magic Array Map slowly dissipated, and the room returned to its normal colors.

The tall figure knelt on one knee, offering a sincere greeting to his master. “I, Ridder Main, Commander-in-Chief of the Flame Expedition Army, greet you, my master!”

’Flame Expedition Army?’

Ronin looked completely baffled. ’What army is that?’

’And Ridder called himself Commander-in-Chief… that sounds like a very impressive title. Could it be that this Knight with Proud Sun Talent has an unknown backstory waiting for me to uncover?’

The thought flashed through his mind, and Ronin quickly helped the man up. “Welcome, Knight Ridder Main. With you here, Mountain Forest Town will grow even stronger!”

To the side, Macken and Elron also nodded in greeting toward Ridder. They had a vague feeling that they had met him before, but when they tried to recall it, nothing came to mind.

“You just said you are the Commander-in-Chief of the Flame Expedition Army. Can you tell me what kind of army that is?”

Ronin directly voiced the question on his mind.

He was actually very curious about the historical backgrounds of these three Transcendants he had summoned.

Ridder smiled slightly. He seemed quite relaxed, which was different from how Macken and Elron had been when they were first summoned.

Those two had been relatively reserved, especially Macken, who had worn a rather stern expression at the time.

But Knight Ridder was different. He was more relaxed in Ronin’s presence.

This wasn’t to say that Ridder was disloyal to Ronin or disrespectful to his master.

Rather, this Knight was like a high-ranking subordinate who, while loyal and respectful to his master, could also maintain his own personal style.

“My lord, I’m actually not sure either,”

Ridder said, shaking his head and frowning in thought. “I only know fragmentary information about my identity, and that’s all.”

’Oh well, it’s the same as with Macken and Elron. And here I was hoping to dig up some more information.’

’But none of that is important. Even if Ridder and the others have unknown histories, that’s all in the past. Now, they are just my subordinates, the Knights and Mage of Mountain Forest Town.’

“The three of you can get to know each other well from now on.”

Ronin gestured for the three of them to sit around the round table. “Ridder possesses the strength of the Advanced Level Peak. He is our greatest combat asset for now.”

Macken couldn’t help but look at the new Knight. Indeed, the man’s aura faintly revealed how extraordinary he was.

“Macken, don’t be anxious. I will help you improve.”

Since he couldn’t allocate any more points to Ridder, Ronin could only use the 400 Energy Essence on either Macken or Elron.

Although having Elron break through to the Advanced Level would allow him to gain new Magic, considering Mountain Forest Town’s urgent need for combat power, Ronin still chose to maximize Macken’s strength first.

Without further delay, he brought up Macken’s Level panel and began to invest the Energy Essence.

In that instant, Macken felt the Power within his body surge like a tidal wave!

[Macken Saliton]: Advanced Knight of Earth (280/300)

’Once again, Ronin felt the power of his Golden Finger. With this ability, breaking through was as easy as drinking water. It was so damn satisfying.’

’He left 20 points of room in Macken’s Level progress, mainly so Macken could improve a bit through his own Cultivation.’

’This way, he could ensure Macken’s combat power wasn’t low, while also allowing Elron to improve more.’

“Thank you for your gift, my lord!”

Macken stood up and bowed solemnly to Ronin in thanks. At the same time, a hint of eagerness appeared in his eyes as he looked at Ridder.

“My lord, I’ve remembered something as well,” Macken said suddenly.

Hm?

Ronin paused. “What memory?”

“My lord, in this memory, I am the Leader of the Seventh Knight Order of the Flame Expedition Army.”

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