The first stage of points collection was mainly to test the [strength] of the individual knights and their squads.
Knights who could complete high-intensity tasks in a short period of time, or knights who could perform outstandingly in various professions, would pass the assessment of the basic requirements of the expeditionary army and enter the next stage of the assessment.
The second stage — [Will and Courage]
Compared to the previous stage of the assessment, the second stage was much more important.
It was an important assessment that determined whether an individual could face the great expedition head-on.
The Great Expedition could last for years, or even decades.
It was the first time for the knights and the first time in human history to travel in the "eternal night" for such a long time.
Every breath,
Every step forward,
Every meal,
Would increase the risk of individual depravity.
Those who did not have a strong will would be excluded from the ranks of the expeditionary army, no matter how powerful they were.
Therefore, the corresponding test in the second stage would be a super-intense "stress test" … The higher-ups of the Holy City had been discussing how to implement it.
Dozens of plans were rejected because of insufficient intensity, high risk, and time problems.
Three days ago, the final test plan was finalized.
The test site for [Will and Courage] was set below the Stairs of Hades. It was a prison directly managed by the Hell Knights and the Death Knights, called "Tartarus," hereinafter referred to as the Tartarus Prison.
It was a dangerous place in the Holy City that was forbidden to be disclosed to the public.
In the National Royal Knight Academy, all records of the Tartarus Prison had been erased. Only the name of the prison was mentioned in some ancient books.
The Tartarus Prison was not a place that ordinary people could enter as they wished. Even if an ordinary person committed a felony in the civilian area, there were only three paths waiting for him in the end — exile outside the city, lifelong labor, or immediate death.
Only individuals who had reached the level of knights had the right to be imprisoned in the Tartarus Prison.
It was a complete betrayal of the spirit of chivalry.
Knights who abandoned, betrayed, killed their companions, and degenerated themselves would be imprisoned.
At the same time, some knights who had been irreversibly polluted, whose minds had completely degenerated, and even their physical bodies had "lost their human form." However, fallen knights who did not exceed the limit would also be imprisoned.
The purpose of setting up the Tartarus Prison was no longer to show mercy, and it was no longer to let these knights regain the spirit of chivalry and return to the Order of Knights one day.
They were permanently removed from the moment they entered the prison and no longer enjoyed all the rights of the citizens of the Holy City.
However, this group of people could still become a special combat force of the Holy City under special circumstances or at a certain time.
For example, the upcoming great expedition.
A few months ago, the Supreme Prison Management Headquarters ([Hell Knights – Demon Creation] Department and [Ultimate Knights – Styx Dead] Department are working together) decided by the Parliament's Judicial Department to create a special unit called "Reincarnated Brain Death Soldiers".
The basic members of this special force were the fallen knights from Tarr Prison.
Because of this, there were many empty seats in Tarr Prison, which allowed the test of [Will and Courage] to be carried out.
…
The first day of the test.
Knights with more than 60 points are required to gather at the "Daffodil Square" of the underground city.
Even without Han Dong's support, the entire team would still be able to reach the standard within two months … The five of them met up and came together to this super-large plaza surrounded by magma.
Han Dong couldn't help but recall the first Destiny Realm he had participated in when he had first arrived in the Holy City.
"Wow, there should be thousands of knights, right?"
Apart from the Knight Assembly, Wen Li had never seen such a grand occasion.
Abel, who had been with the knights all year round, immediately explained to the team, "The ones gathered here are just ordinary knights.
Like Knight Wino, who carried out the investigation mission with us last time, because she belongs to the [Combat Nuns] department, she doesn't need to participate in this test and can directly participate in the great expedition.
Special departments, elite knights, and knights above the rank of captain and commander don't need to participate.
They have rich experience in expeditions, and their ability to withstand pressure is far from what ordinary knights can compare to.
It's just that … I didn't expect you to participate, Nicholas. "
When Abel looked at Han Dong, his furry little ears shook slightly.
After all, Han Dong had been certified as having a "pollution-free physique" similar to Captain Hugo.
Han Dong whispered, "Maybe it's because I'm still a new knight, or maybe this test isn't just a test of pollution and pressure. I'm afraid there are some more special circumstances."
The time for the test was up.
Rumble … A giant demon head rose in the center of the plaza, and its fully opened mouth corresponded to the only passage to Tarr Prison.
Ti-ta~Ti-ta~
At the same time, the sound of horse hooves was heard.
Scorching black iron armor with demon patterns.
The special forces of the Hell Knights, the demon creation team, surrounded the plaza.
They took off their helmets, revealing their terrifying faces with "demon horns", and lowered their heads, waiting for the arrival of a certain important person.
The king came in person.
The plaza area where the Knights were standing immediately turned into a scorching hot, hellish scorched earth … Among those gathered, the members of the Hell's Knights immediately knelt down, including Wen Li's little sister.
Han Dong also knelt down on one knee at the first moment, insisting on the highest respect to Captain Malone.
"Captain Malone … seems to be stronger? This pressure is making my head hurt a little. "
The Ash Crown was ten centimeters above his head, rotating by itself.
Captain Malone came in person and read the rules of the [Will and Courage] test.
It wasn't an inspiring speech, and Malone didn't have the eloquence of Captain Roland, so he opened with a sigh.
"Sigh … it's really troublesome.
Since you knights can stand here, it shows that you have enough ability. I'm too lazy to say more nonsense.
The intensity of the following test is about the same as the pressure of staying in the territory of the old king, and it can't guarantee the safety of the individual.
Let's put it bluntly, you may completely fall in the test and directly become a 'permanent resident' of Tarr Prison without a trial.
Although you all want to give your life for the Holy City, you must know your own limits.
I will give you five minutes to consider.
After five minutes, the knights who continue to stay in the plaza will be assigned to a 'prison.' "
The pressure of the Hell King brought by Captain Malone, coupled with this almost threatening notice, made some of the knights' determination waver.
Wen Li and Mia, who were in the "Raven Whisper" team, also had a hint of fear in their eyes.
After all … if they really fell in the test and were imprisoned, the path of knights they pursued would completely collapse, and everything would be over.
At this moment.
A laugh sounded in their heads, and at the same time, a palm was placed on each of their shoulders.
"It's okay, Captain Malone is like this … If the two of you can't withstand it, I'm afraid some of the knights here can't.
Even if something happens, I will take care of you. "
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