The coast of the Claw Sea, about six kilometers away from Clermont.
Port Genet.
A recently disbanded army of Le-Angoulan was following a powerful royal knight back to his hometown. Along the wide road, looking at the barley, wheat, and other crops that were about to be harvested, and looking at the fishing boats, passenger ships, and cargo ships on the coastline, the soldiers laughed and joked. Everyone was in high spirits, because everyone's bags were filled with food, spoils of war, and all kinds of money. Everyone was exuding a feeling called happiness.
At the front of the team were a few royal knights, a dozen rangers, and dozens of squires. Their expressions were much more serious. These knights were led by Sir Baldwin of Clermont. Firstly, he had a relatively high status in this group of knights. He was the fourth son of Count Clermont. Secondly, and most importantly, Baldwin was the strongest. As a mid-legendary royal knight, he had contributed the most in this great expedition and was awarded the second-class Lion Medal. The knights and soldiers all admired him.
Compared to the soldiers who did not need to think too much, most of the knights were frowning. Even a large amount of spoils of war, merit, and glory could not make this group of knights happy.
They had just received news that Duke Taubert of Le-Angoulan had made a public statement, strongly opposing the Knight King Laing's decree. Duke Taubert emphasized that if the Knight King did not retract the decree, then he would consider taking more drastic measures to refuse to implement the restrictions on the privileges of nobles and the regional governor system.
This made this group of Le-Angoulan knights, who had just returned from the great expedition, very conflicted. They did not know which side to stand on.
As nobles and knights of Le-Angoulan, Baldwin and the others should naturally stand on Duke Taubert's side. However, as knights who had been convinced by the countless miraculous victories of the Knight King Laing and received a lot of benefits and glory in the great expedition and deeply surrounded by victory, they really felt that it was not a good idea to go against the will of the Knight King. Moreover, the spirit of chivalry made them feel pained.
Baldwin's deputy, Sir Reynold, said to the hero of the duchy, "What should we do next? Sir, please say something. We will listen to you."
"Listen to me? I don't think so. " Baldwin shook his head. He frowned as he looked at the ocean in the distance. "This problem is very troublesome. Everyone, please keep quiet."
"Keep quiet?" Sir Reynold and the other knights were confused. Reynold couldn't help but laugh, "Sir, you know how the duke can fight against His Majesty's army? What was he relying on? The castle of Les Angoulens? Or his Chiller-Angoulan Marine Corps? "
"Of course, the duke can't stop His Majesty's army, but His Majesty's army is like us, it has just been disbanded." Baldwin continued to shake his head. "Moreover, if His Majesty mobilizes the army, then His Majesty will lose. Don't forget that His Excellency the Duke is openly opposing the twelve first-generation Holy Grail Knights through an alliance. This is legal and in line with the procedures."
At this point, everyone couldn't help but nod. This was indeed the case.
Duke Taubert had openly objected, and he had reason. He had used legal and reasonable channels to object under the administrative framework of the entire Knight King's Kingdom. If Laing mobilized the army to suppress him, then he would have broken the original knight's alliance. After all, Duke Taubert had been loyal to Laing ever since he took office, and he had never been involved with Chaos, the undead, treason, or blasphemy. His request was reasonable, and the Knight King shouldn't and couldn't break the unspoken rules.
Everyone chatted for a while, but there really wasn't a better solution, so they continued on their way home.
Soon, the originally large group dispersed in twos and threes. Small groups of soldiers and knights carried the spoils of war and glory back to their hometowns. At the entrance of the villages and towns stood to welcome their loved ones. These people could now proudly puff out their chests and announce that they were the victors, bragging about their glorious expeditions and the spoils of war, enjoying the worship and envy of everyone.
In the end, only Baldwin and Reynold were left with a small group of people.
What appeared in front of them was the Clermont Castle. It wasn't very big, but it was a medium-sized castle with all the essentials. It was also the castle of Baldwin's family. The Clermont Family had lived here for thousands of years. Seeing the white walls, domes, and rising smoke, Baldwin knew he was home.
However, at this time, a group of serfs stood at the entrance of the castle. They were angry and desperate and were negotiating with the guards.
At this time, Sir Baldwin's appearance attracted the attention of the guards. The crossbowmen, sword and shield soldiers, and pikemen immediately saluted Baldwin. The castle gate with a yellow background, white cross, and blue sea monster family coat of arms shone brightly. "Welcome back, Sir!"
"What happened?" Baldwin asked the guards. After going through several great expeditions (Araby, Obien, and Motekin's invasion), the majesty of the Knight of the Kingdom made the guards not dare to look directly at him.
"This group of serfs, they said that their village was attacked by two water monsters and a group of water ghosts. They asked the Count for help, but the Count refused to meet them or provide any help. This group of people refused to leave," the guard said.
"Help us, Sir!" A villager trembled as he pleaded. "Our village is threatened by monsters. There are many enemies, and they are very strong. We have already sacrificed seventeen young men. If this continues, we will be finished."
A nameless fire surged out of Baldwin's chest. Sir Baldwin shouted at the guards, "Open the gate, I want to go in and see my father!"
"Yes, Sir!" The guards opened the city gate, and the loudspeaker was turned on. The drawbridge was lowered, the gate was pulled up, and the heavy city gate opened. Baldwin and Leonard rode their horses across the drawbridge, leaving behind the group of serfs who were still blocked outside.
The attendants and servants in the castle did not welcome Baldwin's return as expected, but Baldwin could not care less. He was anxious to find out where his father, the old Count Clement, was. After hearing from the servants that the old count was in the reception room, the Knight of the Kingdom hurriedly dismounted. He did not even take off his dusty and scarred robe and rushed directly to the reception room.
His father, the old Count Clement, was talking to a messenger. Baldwin recognized him. It was Duke Taubert's messenger. The topic of discussion was definitely related to the recent political situation. Duke Taubert was obviously here to seek his father's support, and both sides were having a good conversation.
The old Count Clement was wearing a gorgeous robe embroidered with gold threads and a crown made of gemstones, gold, and silver. He also had a sea blue cloak made of wood elves' velvet. He had several gemstones and diamond rings on his hands and a cherry wood cane inlaid with amber. When he saw Baldwin enter, the old Count was surprised and delighted. "Baldwin, you're back from the expedition? Lady bless you, how much did you get from this expedition? "
"Father, what's the matter with the serfs outside the castle?" Baldwin went straight to the point. "Their village is in trouble. As the lord, we have the duty to send troops to help them!"
"Hey, come on." The old Count could not help but be a little sarcastic and angry when he heard this. "Is a group of water ghosts worth the trouble? What's the threat? "
"It's a knight's duty to protect the people."
"If the knights in the castle have to be mobilized for every little thing, we'll die of exhaustion, Baldwin, my son." The old Count Clement waved his hand impatiently. "The knights will be exhausted, and the horses will lose a lot of weight due to fatigue. Those lowly bastards will become dependent on those of noble blood like us. In the future, if they see a stray dog outside the village, they'll come to bother us."
"That's not a stray dog. It's a group of water ghosts and two water monsters!" Baldwin emphasized. "The village has been attacked. Seventeen young men have already died. If this continues, the village will be razed to the ground."
"A group of water ghosts and two water monsters?" The old Count Clement became even more impatient. "Have you seen it with your own eyes? Which eye of yours saw it? How many water ghosts are there? How big are the water monsters? You believe the words of a group of lowly serfs? How do you know they're not using you? Deceiving you? How can you be sure they're a threat to the village and not just passing by? "
For a moment, Baldwin was speechless.
"Hey, son, sit down and rest for a while. Let's have a taste of the premium wine from Vanford that I managed to get my hands on." The old Count's attention quickly shifted to other matters. "How is it? How was the expedition this time? Do you like the decorations of the reception room? But I think it's still missing a lot of things, including fine tapestries and more art. Your brothers and sisters still need robes like mine. There's a lot of money that needs to be spent. Let's see how much you brought back. "
"Your people are being threatened by monsters, and you, father, are only thinking about the decorations of the reception room and your robes? Is this the inheritance of the chivalric virtues of Corduin, the first Knight of the Holy Grail of Le-Angoulan? "
"Baldwin!" The old Count waved his hand impatiently. "Don't question my chivalry. I go on a pilgrimage to Culona every year! As I said, the serfs have to learn to solve their own problems! We knights can't save them every time. "
"Your pilgrimage?" Baldwin was finally angry. He mercilessly revealed the truth of his father's pilgrimage. "Oh, I know what role you're playing. You go to Culona in the morning and pray to the Lady at the Grail Cathedral to experience the glorious deeds of the Grail Knights. Then, at noon, you hurry to the palace's royal dining hall and arrange for a feast of snails and foie gras."
"In the afternoon, you go to the Ring of Lions racetrack to watch equestrian competitions and spear duels, enjoy and discuss the traditional skills of the knights. Then, in the evening, you go to a masquerade ball and order blondes from Kislöw or other places to accompany you. You even order two at a time and play until you're so tired that you fall asleep on the blanket at the banquet. The next day, you sleep until noon and prepare the carriage to go home. Is this your chivalry? When I'm on an expedition to Araby for my family, you can live your 'chivalry' with a clear conscience? "
The atmosphere suddenly changed. The old earl's face alternated between red and white. He roared, "Enough! In the name of the Lady, you greedy and stingy bastard! I know you don't want to share your spoils, so get out of here and go back to your fief!"
Baldwin did not expect that his father would not change his mind. He gritted his teeth and turned to leave. It was not until he was close to the door that the old earl spoke.
"You are not welcome here, Baldwin, my son. Without my permission, you are not allowed to enter the castle of my family."
"As you wish." Baldwin squeezed out a few words from between his teeth and left without looking back.
For the first time, the knights of the kingdom were glad that the criteria for selecting the Grail Knights had never been in the hands of these decadent old nobles. Instead, it had always been firmly in the hands of the Lady. Otherwise, the Kingdom of the Knight King would have been rotten to the ground, just like his father.
Coming out of the castle, the serfs immediately gathered together. The villagers looked at the knights expectantly.
"What's the situation?" Leonard asked. "Has the earl agreed to send troops?"
"He only cares about the decoration of his reception room and the silk robes," Baldwin said coldly. "But I won't let the village fall. I won't let the water ghosts wreak havoc in the earl's territory."
"Soldiers! My fellow knights! " Baldwin drew his longsword and shouted at the knights and soldiers who had returned from the expedition, "Who is willing to follow me and help these villagers save their village from the water ghosts and monsters?"
Under the autumn sun, the knights and soldiers who had returned from the expedition once again felt the glory of victory and a strong sense of responsibility. The Knight King, Laing, had taught these soldiers how glorious it was to save their own people from evil, defend their territory, and protect the world.
"We are willing to follow you! My Knight! "
"As you wish, my Knight!"
"Let these bastards and trash see our power!"
With the unity of the people, Baldwin suddenly felt a sense of fulfilment, a higher and more glorious spirit enveloping him. This was the backbone that had supported the Kingdom of the Knight King for thousands of years.
He knew who he should choose.
"Let's go!"
… I am the departure dividing line …
At the same time, in the Empire's calendar, September, the border area of the Duchy of Le Ange, in the waters around Port Genet.
It was almost time for the tide to ebb. The fishermen around Port Genet had already docked their fishing boats in the harbor. The civilians gathered in groups and discussed today's harvest and tomorrow's weather by the shore.
However, a few small boats docked at an inopportune time, without any notice or report.
This instantly alerted everyone. They stood up and picked up their spears and wooden sticks.
As the boats approached, the civilians let down their guard. They could not help but tremble with excitement.
On the boats stood Old Guard wearing bearskin hats, half-body plate armor, and gorgeous military uniforms! The appearance of this legendary troop made the civilians extremely excited.
But what was even more exciting was that on the bow of one of the boats, the Knight King Laing Macado and the Knight King's Queen Suria Kumani Aintree were holding hands and standing shoulder to shoulder. Behind them stood Olica the Dark Elf and Sylvia the Head Maid!
The people in the harbor were excited. They cheered, screamed, and came forward to help the boats dock. People rushed up and crowded around the Old Guard, shouting the name of the Old Guard.
"That's His Majesty the Knight King! That's His Majesty and Her Majesty! " More than a dozen veterans who had participated in the Eight Peaks Expedition or had just retired or returned to their hometowns recognized Laing and Suria. They waved their hands excitedly, and some even cried out, "It's His Majesty! It's His Majesty! Ahhhhh! "
In the cheers and the support of thousands of people, Laing took Suria's hand and jumped onto the shore. The king waved at the crowd, and he and Suria were instantly surrounded by the Old Guard. Even so, dozens of veterans and soldiers who had just returned from the expedition still squeezed forward.
"Long live the king! Long live the king! Long live the king! "
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, do you remember me? I participated in the Eight Peaks Expedition with you! " A middle-aged man in his thirties was extremely excited. "After the expedition, I was granted the status of a freeman. I bought a fishing boat and settled here!"
"Your Majesty, I'm a soldier of the duke. You even decorated me in the Academy of Honor!"
"My lady, I just returned from the expedition! Your Majesty appeared! "
"Your Majesty! Thank you! Without you, we wouldn't have the good life we have now! "
"Your Majesty, I really don't want to retire. You're so cruel. I still want to go on the expedition with you!"
Waves of civilians came to the Genoese harbor after hearing the news, followed by the local serf infantry regiment and soldiers. Most of the serf infantry regiment's officers, villagers, soldiers, and civilians were freedmen who had participated in Laing's various expeditions. When they saw Laing and Suria, they only cheered from the bottom of their hearts. People gathered together to see the Knight King and the Queen.
The waves surged, crashing against the cliff by the sea along with the sound waves.
"Long live the king! Long live the king! Long live the king! "
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