Author's Note: A 5,300-word chapter!
Late at night, September 2515 of the Empire's Calendar, Brittany Knight King's Kingdom, Le-Angouland, Count Clement's Castle, a luxurious bedroom in the Palace of Rouen.
"I have to say that Baldwin's father really knows how to enjoy life."
Laing, who had just finished his bath, was sitting on the old Count Clement's luxurious chair. The Knight King was holding his wife, Suria, in his arms. He could not help but take a deep breath of her long, curly hair. "Count Clement's family is an old noble family with a thousand years of history. It's not surprising that they have this kind of accumulation."
"My father told me that true power comes from the heart and the strength of one's strength, not from these external things." Suria, who had just taken a bath with Laing, was now weak. She leaned in Laing's arms and said softly, "But knights who have the strength and virtue of my father are very few. As time goes by, knights and nobles will inevitably become corrupt."
Ryan nodded silently and hugged his wife tightly in his arms. After taking a shower, Sulia changed into a pure white dress embroidered with golden iris flowers. Her fair and tender skin looked even more translucent under the reflection of the water. Her two large and full breasts were very relaxed. The slit of the dress was quite high, and under the dress, her long and gorgeous legs were wrapped in a pair of black stockings. The high-waisted design allowed the stockings to perfectly wrap around Sulia's beautiful long legs while outlining the devilish curves of her willowy waist.
What was even more exciting was that the surface of the stockings was gently shining under the reflection of the oil lamp. This was a pair of bright silk stockings. After adding the elasticity of the Black Pit Spider Silk and Olica's enchantment, the stockings were a perfect combination of translucent silk and ultra-thin glossy. It made the graceful and elegant queen reveal her amazing charm.
This was the latest product of Laing's palace, the "Astral Aurora Series" stockings. Only Olica's Pale Courtyard could make them. The dark elves made a few pairs, and this time, they gave them to Suria.
Of course, it was not very convenient for Suria to wear them after her bath. It was only because Laing liked it.
Sitting on the Count's throne, Laing and Suria chatted casually. The Knight King said casually, "At most, it will be five generations. Generally speaking, by the third generation, the entire noble family will begin to gradually break away from the people and their roots. They will begin to decay and become rigid. The only thing that can save this family is the Holy Grail System."
"The Holy Grail Expedition …" Suria couldn't help but nod quickly. "The Holy Grail Expedition can let the knights and nobles who have completely broken away from the people and don't know the specific living conditions of the people at the bottom see and hear the life and difficulties of the serfs with their own eyes and ears. It will also let the knights and nobles understand that everything they have is not out of thin air. The expedition of years or even decades will let many knights find the forgotten chivalry virtues. This is the foundation that the knights and nobles have persisted for a thousand years without completely collapsing."
Laing nodded. In the Empire, the nobles had changed too many times in the past thousand years. Even the Kurfürst families were the same. After the position of Kurfürst was passed down to this day, there was no Kurfürst family that was the direct bloodline of the twelve Kurfürst families when Charlemagne was founded. Most of the Kurfürst families were not even collateral relatives, because once the nobles as Kurfürst failed, it would immediately be a disaster in this world with enormous external pressure.
As the saying goes, a gentleman's honor will be cut off after five generations. No matter how abundant the wealth and strength left by the ancestors were, it would generally come to an end after the fifth generation. From this point alone, it was very unbelievable that many knights and nobles could persist for a thousand years.
For example, in the Jia family, gods like Jia She and Jia Baoyu had been born in the third or fourth generation. Even in the early days of the story, when the Jia family was still prosperous, many people had already realized that the family was gradually declining. For example, Sister Lin once advised Brother Bao.
A god was a god after all. The god said to Sister Lin, "If anyone is missing, it won't be us."
This completely explained the problem, which was that the current generation no longer realized that the luxurious life, wealth, and status came from the support of the lower class. Instead, they took it for granted that it was something that they were born with, just because of their bloodline.
Then, why could the knights and nobles persist for so long?
There were two reasons.
First, the external pressure in this world was immense. The longevity of the strong would force the knights and nobles to filter and eliminate themselves. Perhaps an ordinary person would be considered a generation when they were 20 years old, but a knight would be considered a generation when they were 30 to 50 years old.
Second, the decision to become the Holy Grail was never monopolized by the nobles. It was always in the hands of the Fairy of the Lake, which made it impossible for the Holy Grail to be chosen through the internal "gilding", "under-the-table manipulation", and "mutual praise" of the nobles. Every knight had to pass the Holy Grail expedition, pass the Lady's test, and truly understand the true meaning of the knight's path before they could complete the transformation.
But even so, the decay and decline of the knights and nobles as a whole was unavoidable.
This was the "slightly risky idea" that Suria gave Laing. As the most traditional and conservative noble, Duke Taubert found it difficult to realize where the problem was. Suria judged that Duke Taubert's ability was not bad. After Laing appeared, he would definitely understand the "public opinion" and whose side the "public opinion" of the Duchy of Le-Angoulan stood on.
However, this "public opinion" did not refer to the real public opinion. The public opinion that Duke Taubert would understand referred to the opinions of the nobles directly under him. As long as the nobles below him were dissatisfied with Laing's way of doing things and shared a common enemy, they would feel that he was righteous.
"This is the fundamental problem of perception." Suria leaned into Laing's arms, letting her husband take advantage of her shiny black thighs. The female knight's face gradually reddened. "This is also the root of my confidence in you. You may only have a small portion of the support among the nobles and knights, but … among the serfs and freedmen, you are a god in their hearts, my dear."
"I'm not a god," Laing said helplessly. "I'm just standing on the shoulders of the great."
Nobles were naturally prone to break away from the grassroots. The so-called decay was not a matter of one generation, but deepened with each generation. The gap between classes did not appear at the beginning, but became more and more serious with each generation.
So sometimes, Laing really admired the unnamed librarian in his previous life. In the face of the complicated situation at that time, only he truly went to the grassroots and went to the villages to understand the situation. He truly understood the root of the conflict at that time and truly came up with a solution.
"The next problem is very simple." Suria whispered. "Based on my understanding of Duke Taubert, he will definitely send his elites to stop you. The number of knights in Le-Angoulan is not particularly large, and it will take time to gather all of them. So, the main force that he will send to stop you will undoubtedly be …"
"The Blue Kraken Marine Corps of Le-Angoulan!" Laing finally smiled with satisfaction. "This army is basically made up of veterans who have gone on expeditions with me. When the day comes, in front of the two armies, this old man will only need to say a few words to make the Blue Kraken Marine Corps surrender, and the Le-Angoulan army will be defeated without a fight!"
"Old man? Are you that old? My dear? " Suria could not help but laugh, but she quickly reached out her small hand to stop Laing's mischievous big hand. She said angrily, "You rascal, don't be naughty. You like … like to make me embarrassed, and those strange expressions!"
"What's wrong, my lady? Are you not feeling well?" Laing's hand gradually reached in. Knight King said mischievously, "I see that you like it very much."
"Yes … It's very comfortable." Sulia was so angry that she lightly punched Leon's chest. Her face was extremely red. "But I always feel that you especially like to make me reveal my shameful and ugly side in private. It's fine if I show it to you, but I can't let outsiders see me like this. Otherwise, how can I continue to be your queen in the future?"
"You are my queen, my only queen." Laing gently lifted Suria up by the waist and walked into the room.
Outside the door, Sylvia, who was secretly eavesdropping at the door, heaved a sigh of relief. Clearly, Laing was pampering Suria again today. She could go and rest.
Sylvia did not know whether she was happy or disappointed. She knew that she was only the lady's maid and Laing's courtier. Even if she was a courtier, her position was very low. She was not favored like Lady Veronica and Lady Teresa. She could only say that it was fortunate that Laing did not have many courtiers, which was why she occasionally had a turn.
The moment she turned around, the head maid found that Olica had appeared in front of her. The dark elf in the black and white maid uniform looked at Sylvia maliciously. She subconsciously took a step back. "When … When did you appear?"
"Master is with the lady tonight." Olica could not help but lick her lips. The dark elf stepped forward. "Then I can only reluctantly accept you."
"What do you want? I'm warning you, don't come over! " Sylvia subconsciously reached for the sword at her waist, but the head maid collapsed to the ground before she could even touch the hilt. She was quickly subdued by Olica, who blindfolded her.
"Let's get along!"
… I'm the cut-off line for getting along …
Two days later, late at night in the Coldouin Palace of Le-Angoulan Castle.
Hurried footsteps approached from afar. Edward, the courtier, strode into the duke's bedroom. "Get out of my way! Get out of my way! I want to see the duke, now! "
"No, Sir Edward, you can't go in." A servant stopped him. "The duke has just fallen asleep!"
"Get out of my way! I have something important to report to the duke! "Edward pushed the servant away and opened the door." Your Grace! Something bad has happened! "
Duke Taubert was lying on the bed in a half-awake state. He was startled by Edward's roar and immediately felt a splitting headache. "Oh! Edward, you better have something important to report to me! Otherwise, don't even think about barging in like this again! "
"My Duke!" Edward said anxiously. "His Majesty and Queen Suria are less than ten kilometers away from the castle! They will arrive at the castle gates tomorrow. "
"No, that's impossible!" Duke Taubert's body turned cold when he heard the news. He threw the blanket away and motioned for the servant to come up and put on his clothes. The duke shook his head. "Didn't I ask Robert to lead all the troops to intercept him?"
"Robert surrendered, Your Majesty." Edward told him everything in a low voice. "Most of the troops, including the Blue Kraken and all the freedmen and serfs, defected the moment they saw Laing appear. Even most of the squires and nearly half of the knights joined the defection. Robert was surrounded and knew he had no chance. He was forced to give the order to lay down his weapons and raise the white flag to surrender. No one was hurt during the whole process."
"Why?!" Duke Taubert grabbed the exquisite Aurora porcelain on the bedside table and threw it to the ground. "Why?" he roared. Edward, why? These soldiers are clearly eating my food and taking my pay. Shouldn't they pledge their loyalty to me? I've raised them for so long. Why did they all betray me at the crucial moment? "
"Now is not the time to think about this, Duke." Edward shook his head helplessly. "What should we do? Should we escape, or …"
"It's over just like that?" Duke Taubert leaned back in his chair dejectedly. He had never been so depressed before. "With his strength alone? Without shedding a drop of blood or shooting an arrow, he came directly to the gates of my ancestor's castle? This … Who would've thought this? "
"If you need it, I've already arranged it, my Duke." Edward hurriedly said, "There are passenger ships docked at the dock. We can immediately go out to sea and seek refuge in Marlin Castle."
"Seek your mother's disaster!" Duke Taubert slapped Edward's face and yelled, "This is my territory, this is my family's castle, this is everything my ancestor Corduin left for me. Take refuge? What disaster?! Let me tell you, Edward, I'm not going anywhere. I can surrender, I can be exiled, I can even be executed. But no one can expect me to give up my territory. I am Duke Taubert of Le-Angoulin! The first Duke of Le-Angoulin, the descendant of the first Knight of the Holy Grail, Corduin! "
"Bring a chair over! I'll sit here and wait for the king and queen to arrive! "
The night was long until dawn streaked across the night sky, bringing light to the world.
In the morning, the Knight King and his snowballed army of more than ten thousand had already arrived outside the city. Ten Old Guard held up the golden tent and stood under the city, raising the tricolor flag at the same time.
Laing stood under the golden tent. The Knight King put his hands behind his back and waited quietly.
Duke Taubert's face was pale. His army, his people, and even many of his nobles had betrayed him, but he still gave the order to leave the city.
The Duke walked to the king alone. He first knelt on one knee and bowed. Then he stood up and lowered his head, not saying a word.
"Taubert?" Laing couldn't help but laugh. He first sneered, then sneered, "Not bad. You still have guts. You didn't abandon your territory and people to escape. But on this point, you're good."
"I'm a descendant of Corduin." Taubert clenched his fists and only replied, "I'm responsible for my stupidity. I'm willing to die to thank my ancestors. I only ask that you let my family and the people in the castle go. They were involved because of me. This matter has nothing to do with them!"
"Brittany don't kill Brittany." Laing nodded slowly. Under the eyes of thousands of people, the Knight King said casually, "Surrender, Taubert. I'll make sure that no one in Le-Angoulin will die because of you. I'll let everyone go, including the old, the weak, the women, the children, the serfs, the freemen, the knights, including your family, your wife, and yourself. I swear to the Lady that you'll still be the Duke and Duchess of Le-Angoulin. Even if it's the most cruel and heartless of rotten people, I'll still give them another chance. "
"The gods belong to the gods, and the mortals belong to the mortals. Even the Lady can't interfere in the affairs of the mortal world. Why should I believe that you'll really let us go completely and not take revenge?" Duke Taubert was still hesitating. "Similar things have happened countless times in history."
"I'm different from them," Laing said calmly. "I'm Laing Macado!"
"Ryan Macado!" The two words were as heavy as a thousand catties.
Duke Taubert looked at the more than ten thousand people behind Laing. These were all his troops. He then looked at the blue sea monster emblem fluttering on the castle. The thousand-year-old emblem stood on the ruins of the ancient elven castle and the giant lighthouse dozens of meters tall. The scene was still as beautiful as an oil painting.
"In that case, I agree to surrender and faithfully support your reform." Duke Taubert finally nodded painfully. "I hope you'll do as you say."
"By the Lady." Laing nodded with a smile. His wish had been fulfilled.
When the Knight King was about to turn and leave, Duke Taubert suddenly called out to Laing. "Your Majesty, can you give me an answer?"
"Speak."
"What's the value of doing this? You let me go, and you let everyone go, "Taubert asked." Then what's the value of your operation this time? "
"No value." Laing shook his head with a smile.
Duke Taubert was stunned. He looked at Laing's back and didn't know what to say.
"Unparalleled value!" Laing turned around again and waved his fist.
The duke suddenly understood. He understood everything. Taubert's legs went weak. He knelt on the ground and cried bitterly.
"Your Majesty! I was wrong. I was really wrong. "
Knight King laughed loudly and then raised his fist at the army outside the city. Cheers like a tsunami enveloped the Elven Empire's first colony in the Old World, and also covered every corner of the castle!
The city gates of Le-Angoulang opened wide, and the army filed into the city!
Laing had completed a miracle. Not a single drop of blood was shed during the entire process of quelling the rebellion, and not a single person died.
The news quickly spread throughout Brittany. Seeing Laing's magnanimity, his prestige among the commoners, and his unparalleled power, coupled with the fact that he let bygones be bygones and let Duke Taubert keep his position as duke, the Knight King's Kingdom no longer opposed Laing's reforms. Duke Ford, Duke Casfern, Duke Adehard, and the other conservative dukes all changed their minds and expressed their loyalty to the Knight King's reforms. The viceroy system was quickly arranged. All the nobles obediently handed over the ruling power of the duchy, sharing it with the five viceroys appointed by Laing.
At this point, in the autumn of Year 2515 of the Empire's calendar, Laing had been in Brittany for more than 20 years. As the king's eighth year on the throne, Laing had finally completed the centralization of power in the entire Knight King's Kingdom. He had laid the foundation of "one out of three of the Old World" and made preparations for the coming final moment.
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