The Lion's Ring racetrack was the largest racetrack in the Old World. It was a magnificent prehistoric elven building that had existed even before Charlemagne founded the Empire.
It was a huge, oval-shaped building made of stone. Rows of stairs led up to the ceiling, which was dozens of meters high. The racetrack was filled with ribbons and banners made up of the coat of arms of the twelve duchies. The racetrack looked even more majestic than the palace of the Culona Kingdom.
The racetrack was originally not open to ordinary people, but this was naturally not a problem for Ryan, Sulia, and the others. They easily got the guards to let them enter the racetrack.
It was autumn, and there weren't many people in the racetrack. Laing, Suria, and Sylvia slowly walked into the racetrack. Laing closed his eyes as he stepped on the firm dirt.
He could feel the passion and glory of the knights' tournament, and the passionate roars of the audience.
The neighing of the warhorses, the panting of the knights, and the raised lances, stirring up clouds of dust. The moment they passed each other, the outcome was decided.
Endless glory would be given to the final victor. Under the watchful eyes of the Lake Goddess Witch Morgiana and King Richard, who would be able to become the champion of the knighthood tournament through their own skills and virtues?
Anyway, it has nothing to do with me, Laing thought. He was already over 24 years old, and the tournament didn't welcome Grail Knights or Knights of Duty. It was bullying for them to enter the tournament.
"Laing, do you like to compete as well?" Suria walked to Laing's side, her silver heels clicking. She crossed her arms in front of her chest, her expression as gentle as water. "Next year, the tournament that's held once every four years will be held again."
"And you'll be participating, right, Miss Suria and Miss Sylvia? Both of you will be participating? " Laing's expression was also very gentle. He said regretfully, "Unfortunately, I can't participate anymore …"
"I will participate next year. I will follow in my brother's footsteps and fight for victory. This is the family's mission." The female knight's expression was very serious. Laing even felt that she was a little too serious.
The Grail Knight suddenly said, "We've been walking around for so long. Let's find a place to sit for a while."
"Yes!" The female knight was a little surprised that Laing did not want to look around anymore, but she did not object to Laing's suggestion. This trip depended on Laing's interest anyway. "There's a great bar nearby. Sylvia likes it too. Let's go and have a look!"
"Suria!" Sylvia blushed as if she was blaming the female knight for acting on her own accord.
About twenty minutes later, the three of them arrived at the "Blue Moon" bar. Of course, Laing received the warmest welcome. The bar owner personally received him.
"No matter where you go, Laing, you are very popular!" The female knight sat opposite him. She looked at the Grail Knight's badge on Laing's chest and looked very envious. "One day, I will also embark on the path of pursuing the Grail until I get the lady's approval."
"Definitely. Miss Suria and Miss Sylvia are both excellent female knights. I believe that one day, you will all become glorious Grail Knights. If … I mean, if you are willing, I can give you some advice." No matter from which angle, Laing had a good impression of the female knight in front of him, so he took the initiative to talk to her.
"I'm very honored. I believe that you, Laing, will definitely be an excellent knight mentor." Suria tidied up her short skirt a little. A pair of long legs in black stockings stretched out straight under the table. Laing could not help but steal a few glances.
Laing's favorite was undoubtedly the pair of slender and smooth legs in silk stockings (because he had hugged them before). However, the female knight in front of him had long legs that were not inferior at all. In fact, they were even better. And compared to the mutual probing and verbal deliberation when interacting with witches (or sorceresses), where every tone and every action had to be interpreted by Laing, he preferred the harmonious atmosphere of being on equal footing with female knights.
Although it was also a pleasure to compete with witches or sorceresses all day long.
Laing suddenly lowered his head and smiled. He thought of the things that happened on the way to Nord with Teresa, and the investigation with Veronica in Marlin Castle. At that time, he was still a White Wolf Knight. He did not expect that his situation had changed so much just a year later …
"Laing?" Just when the Grail knight was deep in thought, Suria suddenly interrupted his thoughts. "What's wrong? You seem to be a little distracted. "
"It's not gentlemanly to be distracted in front of the lady, Mr. Laing." The maid with a serious personality also reminded him softly.
"I'm sorry, Miss Suria. I just thought of something. Erm … Mr. François, if you take me out for a stroll in the city like this, won't it be bad?" Laing saw that the two female knights' eyes were a little dangerous, so he hurriedly explained.
"It's okay. I've told my father, and he agreed. If nothing goes wrong, my father's meeting will last for a long time. Please be mentally prepared, Laing." Suria tucked her dazzling blonde hair behind her ear and smiled.
"Okay."
… …
The next seven or eight days were the most special time that Laing had spent since he came to Brittany. He was always a little concerned about the battle between knights, but with the company of the Duke's daughter and the maid, he felt that time passed very quickly. The three of them visited many scenic spots in the city, big and small. Under the beautiful autumn sun, they had a lot of fun.
At the same time, in the throne room of the Kurona Palace.
In the gloomy atmosphere, only a small amount of light shone through the glass ceiling. Many magic lamps were flickering.
The old Knight King of Brittany, Dinoa Jean-Richard Le Angouland, was sitting behind a tall wooden table. The table was filled with books and artworks. A large map was hanging beside him. It was the map of the twelve duchies of Brittany.
The family coat of arms of the Duchy of Connaught was covered with props. As much as they didn't want to admit it, Brittany had lost the duchy. In the last battle between knights, the Knight King Richard gathered the forces of the five northern duchies and fought a fierce battle with the Blood Duke in Muxilon, the capital of the Duchy of Connaught. Both sides suffered heavy losses, and the Blood Duke was defeated. He could only put away his ambitions and hide in Muxilon. The knights who suffered heavy casualties could only return empty-handed.
After several days of meetings, Richard was very upset. Even the best ambergris in the room could not calm him down. Sometimes, he would ask himself if he was the king of this country. Why couldn't he give his grandnephew a grand state funeral?
The statue of Arthur made of jade was placed at the back of the throne room. Beside him was Jules, the great Knight King who led Brittany to its heyday and sacrificed his life for his country.
Richard didn't expect the opposition he would encounter would be so fierce. This made the Knight King's idea more difficult than ever.
First, François, Duke of Winford, and Berchemund, Duke of Bastogne, were against it. This was expected.
Then, Louis, Duke of Connet was against it. This was expected.
Then, Bodrick, Duke of Bordero was against it. This was not expected.
Finally, even Hagan, Duke of Gisoleiox, was against his proposal to give Anson a state funeral. This was something Richard didn't expect.
"My most trusted and respected partner, Hagan, why did you choose to support François and Berchemund?" Richard found an opportunity to ask Hagan in private.
"It's because of Marlin Castle." Hagan shook his head in distress. "You know, that boy is the guardian of Marlin Castle, and I owe Mr. Schultz a lot of money, a lot of money."
The king's position became more and more unfavorable. In the throne room, although all the dukes agreed that the war should be won, they still couldn't agree on the reward for Marquise Anson and Baron Laing.
François was still confident. The blessing of the Holy Grail made the duke not tired at all after several days of meetings. He continued, "Your Majesty, I hope you can understand the fact that Anson did not make this plan. Laing's attack on the Demon Rock was his own decision. Please don't continue to discuss this matter under the premise that this was already part of Anson's plan. We all know what happened."
At this time, another duke opened his mouth.
"That's right. In fact, it was his stupidity that led to the complete annihilation of his army. After failing to take down Jursen, he should have sought to join forces with Leon's right army, or withdraw from the forest and seek help from the nearest Bastogne Duchy or Gisole Duchy of Oxus. He shouldn't have charged towards Jursen Castle and ultimately led to such a miserable defeat."
Bodrick de Bordero, the Grand Commander of the Sea God Knights, Duke of Bordero, and the Chosen Champion of Mannen, the God of the Sea. His opposition was like a lump in Richard's throat. This duke commanded more than 80% of the kingdom's naval fleet, and the king had to consider his opinion on many matters.
Apart from that, Berchemund, who rarely spoke, made Richard even more wary. The Red Dragon Duke's special status in the kingdom made the king wary.
"So, we think that it's fine to not hold a victory. First, the kingdom must award Baron Laing Macado a first-class Grand Cross medal, no less than two thousand crowns, and a full set of new equipment for no less than fifty soldiers. At the same time, the kingdom must announce to the whole kingdom the reward for Baron Laing. At the same time, due to the heavy losses suffered by the various duchies in this war, the kingdom must not launch a new knight's war for at least three years, and the military tax will be exempted for at least eighteen months. This is our condition." François's elegant face was very calm. "If Your Majesty can agree to this condition, I think we can discuss the matter of Desmond again."
Before Richard could say anything, Dalhead, Duke of Lyonasser, couldn't stand it anymore. He was also very tired. He tapped the long table in front of him lightly and said in a muffled voice, "We have finally reached an agreement on something, François. But I want to remind you that it was Marquis Desmond's sacrifice that allowed Baron Laing to win the knight's war. He never betrayed his faith in the Lady of the Sea and fought to the last soldier. I think he played a more important role in this war, so I think Desmond deserves a state funeral and a first-class Grand Cross medal.
At the same time, I think we can still discuss Laing's reward. "
"I think so too. I know Laing Macado is the Lady of the Sea's champion, but I also think a first-class Grand Cross medal is too much. A third-class Iron Knight medal might be a better reward. As for two thousand crowns … Gosh, Baron Zeon's annual income shouldn't exceed eight hundred crowns, right? Not to mention, the baron is said to have quite a lot of spoils. How about eight hundred crowns? "Duke Montfort was the one who spoke. He was on the king's side.
"I think so too. How about this? A third-class iron knight medal, 800 crowns, and 50 new sets of armour. That's already an amazing reward," Richard added, "As for the rest, I promise that I won't start a new chivalric war for the next two years and that I won't collect military taxes for the next year."
"As for the state funeral and the first-class Grand Cross medal, I think we can still discuss it further." François knew that after a few days of tough negotiations, both sides had pretty much laid out their bargaining chips. Richard was relieved that Laing was willing to take a step back, but the price had to be paid.
"Then we're back to square one. A state funeral and a first-class Grand Cross medal are the bottom line. He gave his life for the cause of the knights! François, I don't understand why Laing is fighting with a knight who died for the Lady of the Sea. " Richard continued, the wrinkles on his face becoming more and more obvious. The century-old king looked even older after this incident.
François didn't know how to respond to that. As he analyzed, Laing didn't want to fight with the dead. So, the duke changed his tone. "Then I don't understand why you insist on a state funeral and a first-class Grand Cross medal either. Do you intend to give every general who dies in a knight's war the same honour? Then a state funeral and a first-class Grand Cross medal are too cheap. "
After a long and tedious negotiation, the meeting was about to come to an end.
At this moment, the door of the throne room was gently pushed open by some kind of powerful force. An attendant ran in from outside and whispered into Richard's ear.
"What? Her Highness Morgiana is here! "The king was very surprised." She's already in the palace? "
"Yes, Your Majesty," the servant said with a little fear. "Her Highness Morgiana is on her way to the throne room!"
Hearing this, all the dukes stood up subconsciously, waiting for the arrival of the Lake Fairy's representative in the mortal world, the Lake Goddess Witch Morgiana.
Twenty-five years ago, the Lake Goddess Witch's status in this country was completely reflected in that incident. She led the Grail Knights into the palace of Culona and announced the abolition of John II's title as the Knight King. During the whole process, the tyrant couldn't even say a word of protest. He could only kneel and listen to orders.
François, Duke of Winford, smiled. He knew who Morgiana was here for.
The result was set.
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