PS: This chapter is 4800 words. If the update is delayed, the update will be increased. The Emperor is so kind!
Richard's abdication was not unexpected. The Knight King was already old. When John II was dethroned, the Dukes chose Richard to be the King. Richard's personality was inclined to maintain stability. After John II was dethroned, he forcefully reunited the kingdom. This was his contribution that must be recognized.
But after that, Richard's series of ways of dealing with things were criticized. He blindly tried to smooth things over and maintain stability. His method of governance that did not easily express his position caused the dissatisfaction of many great nobles in the kingdom. The failure to suppress Laing made Richard's position even more precarious.
More importantly, the King lost the support of the Lady of the Lake because of this, which was fatal for the King of Brittany. Since the founding of the Knight King Kingdom, Knight King Arthur, every Knight King lost the support of the Lady of the Lake and was dethroned. The Knights of the Holy Grail under Morgiana could rush into the palace at any time and pull the King down from the throne.
After Ulles died in battle because of Richard's order, Richard had actually lost the prestige he should have as a King. Since Ulles's death, Richard had handed over more military and political power to Duke Roan Leo Cornwall, while he began to prepare for abdication.
Thinking of this, Laing suddenly felt some sympathy for the King. Ulles' death in battle was not Richard's wish. Even Ulles's battle was an oracle from the Lady of the Lake. It could only be said that Egil was indeed too strong.
However, the King still had to be responsible. He was the one who gave the order, so he had to be responsible. According to François, Richard hesitated for a long time before signing the King's Order. He did not shirk his responsibility as a King.
The most difficult thing in the world was to be responsible. The King's responsibility was so heavy. People only saw the King's noble status and glorious identity, but never thought about what the person on the throne had to pay.
"It's not that surprising that it will be passed to Duke Lauren. I heard that Richard's favorite successor is Lauren, followed by his grandson, Earl William. Anyway … it won't be his son, Charles." Laing pondered for a moment and felt a little conflicted. He pretended to be calm on the surface and said with a smile, "How can there be a seventy-year-old Crown Prince in this world?"
"Marquis Charles?" François sneered, "He doesn't meet the requirements. First of all, he's not a Holy Grail Knight or a Holy Knight. Moreover, I think Her Highness Morgiana wouldn't allow it. Even if she wanted to pass it down, she would pass it down to Count William directly."
Everyone nodded.
Brittany was different from the Empire. In the Empire, the Emperor of the Empire was decided by a vote of fifteen electors, who chose the Emperor of the Empire from among several candidates for the throne (in fact, only Boris Todbringer and Karl-franz were on the ballot).
The elector system made it so that the Emperor was destined to be chosen by only a few candidates for the throne.
The Knight King Kingdom was different. In the history of the Knight King Kingdom, the Knight King was never fixed in a family or a duchy. It always moved among the dukes of the kingdom. From this point alone, the upper nobility of Brittany had great mobility due to the Holy Grail system, which the Empire didn't have, and this was what Laing was interested in.
To be specific, there were four conditions to be met to become the Knight King.
First, the knight must be a Holy Grail Knight or a Holy Knight (Holy Knight was an honorary title given to those powerful knights with outstanding moral character and strength. A Holy Knight didn't have to be a Holy Grail Knight. A Holy Grail Knight was a living saint with the eight virtues of a knight, while a Holy Knight valued bravery and leadership more. Richard had the title of Holy Knight. This old king was also a powerful knight when he was young.)
Second, the knight must have the title of Duke.
Third, the knight must be a descendant of the family of the twelve founding Holy Grail Knights or a vassal family.
Fourth, the Knight King's coronation must be approved by the Lake Goddess Witch (who represented the will of the Lake Goddess).
Other than the second condition, Laing knew that he already met the other three conditions. What he lacked now was the title of Duke.
François saw through Laing's thoughts. Duke Winford smiled and said, "Laing, what's wrong? I can't give you the title of Duke. If you want it, you know what to do. "
Laing nodded to show that he understood. François knew that Laing wanted to be the king. His father-in-law didn't object to Laing being the king, but he couldn't give up his title of Duke. That was the bottom line.
Laing knew that the person he could discuss this matter with wasn't François or Suria. It was the Lake Goddess Witch who held the highest power in the kingdom in the tower at the other end of the castle, as well as the Goddess who was secretly hiding behind and observing everything.
He was more and more eager to return home.
… …
After a few days of rapid marching, Laing and the others finally returned to Earl Glamorgan's territory.
They temporarily bid farewell to François, Julius, Jerrold and the others. Of course, when Laing arrived at Jean Town, it was already the middle of January.
It was a rare sunny day in winter. The blue sky was clear and there were no clouds for thousands of miles. The bright sun shone down from the sky. The thick stone roads of Earl Glamorgan's territory were covered with snow. Many villagers were cleaning the snow. Although it was winter, there were still many carriages and people moving around in the prosperous territory. Everyone was wearing thick fur cloaks and linen clothes. A thin layer of snow covered the Chalon Forest and the farmland in the Earl's territory.
It was quiet and peaceful. Everyone was waiting for the end of winter and the arrival of spring. Many serfs were eager to harvest the winter wheat and sow the seeds of hope. They were gradually getting rid of hunger. The serfs who had enough food and clothing were hungry for more.
In the distance, Jean Town was being expanded for the umpteenth time. Many idle serfs were working under the command of the soldiers in exchange for wages. The serfs were in high spirits because the more they worked, the more they got. Those who worked the fastest and the best would even have meat soup to drink.
In this year's Winter Veil Festival, many serfs enjoyed a meal of meat.
In the distance, the Earl's castle stood proudly. Earl Laing's family coat of arms was hung high above the castle gate, showing all the evil creatures and fallen beings the Earl's powerful strength and firm will, as well as his unyielding determination.
Laing's return caused a warm cheer. Whether it was the serfs or the nobles, the news spread like wildfire in the town. Everyone gathered together just to see the Earl. Laing waved to the crowd, but his footsteps did not stop. He directly walked towards his castle.
"Your Majesty Belega, I have an urgent matter to deal with. The long journey must have been very tiring. I will send someone to arrange for you and your people to have a good rest," Laing said to Belega behind him.
"Go do your thing. Don't worry about your dwarf friend. My people and I have a place to go," Belega waved his hand carelessly, "But when you are done, I think we need to talk."
"Okay." Laing nodded. He felt that it was time to talk to Belega about the next plan. It was impossible to attack the Blackstone Stronghold with only knights and catapults. He needed the help of the dwarves, and so did Brittany.
"The Earl and Countess are back! Open the gate! " Laing's butler, Katzenberg, saw Laing and Suria's return from the castle. The butler immediately ordered to open the gate.
"Open the gay!" The soldiers turned the bearing and opened the gate of the Earl's castle.
"Suria, I think we should expand the Earl's castle." Laing rode his horse into his castle and smiled at his wife, "The place was very spacious before, but if all the servants move in, it will be a bit crowded."
"Well … Actually, let them live in the outer castle. I will definitely live with you." The female knight's beautiful face stared at him, "You decide, my husband."
"Let's expand." Laing could feel Suria's thoughts. The female knight also wanted to expand, because the Earl's castle was indeed small now.
He entered the luxurious hall of the castle. The stone walls and floors of the past had been changed into wood. There were huge stairs leading to the second floor. Expensive tapestries and murals decorated the walls of the castle. There were crystal magic chandeliers hanging from the ceiling and red carpets. As Leon entered the castle, two maids and a dozen other maids lifted their skirts and said, "Master, welcome back!"
The two maids at the front were the head maid appointed by Laing, Emilia, and the personal maid Olica. They were both wearing standard black and white lace maid outfits and maid dresses. The dark elf stepped forward and helped Laing take off his cloak and coat, "Master, you are back? The hot water is ready for you. "
"Lord Laing! I have cleaned your room for you … What's wrong? " The beautiful Emilia also rushed forward to talk to Laing, but the little maid immediately found that Laing was looking at her strangely.
Emilia's little face suddenly turned red. She lowered her little head, her golden hair tied up with a white headscarf, and whispered, "Why … Why are you looking at me like that?"
"…" Laing stared at his little maid without saying a word. After this trip to the Empire, he basically knew who this little maid who had followed him for many years was.
"Oh, Laing, don't you like me anymore?" The little maid, who was delicate and sensitive, immediately felt the change in Laing. She immediately put on a sad face, her beautiful big eyes flashing with tears, "Are you chasing me away?"
"No, no, I just remembered something." Laing quickly indicated that he did not mean anything else.
"Laing, why are you looking at Emilia like that? It's so rude!" Suria said. The countess blamed Laing for being rude. The female knight hurriedly hugged Emilia and comforted the little maid who was panicking. She then asked her husband to come over, "Laing, come and apologize!"
"It's okay, Emilia. I just remembered something." Laing hurriedly apologized, and Emilia's expression became much better.
Suria and Laing had different views on this point.
Suria believed that no matter what Emilia's original intention was, this little maid had always treated Laing as her safe haven. She had always been his maid and was willing to do anything. She even completed the courtier course in Winford Academy by herself and never caused trouble. The female knight felt that Laing's requirements were a bit too strict.
Laing, on the other hand, felt that Emilia did not have to hide it from him for so long. He was not sure what the little maid was thinking. However, after being criticized by Suria, the count realized that his attitude was indeed wrong. He hurriedly apologized.
"Don't worry, Emilia. As long as you are willing to stay here, you will always be my maid." Laing gently stroked Emilia's petite shoulder and said in a low voice.
The little maid's expression became better. In that instant, hundreds of thoughts flashed through Emilia's mind. She knew that Laing and Suria definitely knew something about this trip to the Empire.
After settling Emilia, Laing turned to Suria and said, "Suria, I'll have to trouble you to settle Teresa and Veronica. I'll go take a bath first, and then I'll immediately go see Her Highness Morgiana."
"Okay." The female knight knew that Laing had something to discuss with Morgiana.
"Master, come with me." The dark elf maid led Laing to the bathroom. Olica's amber eyes carried a hint of strangeness and desire. "Please let me serve you in the bath."
"Okay." Walking into the steaming bathroom, a large tub of hot water was already prepared. Laing took off his clothes with Olica's help and immersed himself in the water. "You've worked hard, Olica. How has the territory been recently?"
"Everything is fine, Master. Since the Winter Festival, everyone has been resting. Nothing major has happened." The dark elf also took off her clothes and gently rubbed Laing's back. Under Laing's naughty movements, her long black hair quickly became wet. The dark elf maid's face slowly turned red. She hugged Laing from behind. "Master … I don't have enough mana … I need mana."
"Of course! I want all of it! "Laing laughed evilly. He held Olica by the waist and immersed her in the water.
… … The bath section … …
An hour later, Earl Glamorgan's territory, the Earl's castle, the Fairy's Tower in the Lake.
The bath was refreshing in every sense of the word. The Earl, whose hair was still a little wet, came to the entrance of the Fairy's Tower in the Lake. The tower that belonged to the goddess was emitting a holy glow. The burning divine power of the Fairy of the Lake was enveloping the tower. The cold outside did not affect the thick fog in the valley at all. The thick fog from the goddess was still swirling around the tower. This thick fog would disperse any unwelcome outsiders.
Laing was obviously not an unwelcome outsider. The Earl walked all the way to the tower. Before he got close, the Lake Goddess Witch Morgiana was already waiting for him in front of the tower.
Today, the Lake Goddess Witch was wearing a silver-plated silk dress with moonlight and snow. Her slender waist was exposed in front of everyone. She wore a golden flower crown on her head. Under the dress, a pair of pink feet wrapped in white velvet stockings and a pair of milky-white pointed stilettos could be seen. When she saw Laing appear, Morgiana's beautiful face was a little happy but also a little sad. "You're early. I thought you'd be a few days late."
"I have something urgent to discuss with you, Your Highness." Laing quickly approached.
"Just in time. I also have something to discuss with you, Lady's Champion." Morgiana gently greeted him. She took the initiative to take Laing's hand and led him inside. "It's quite urgent. Richard couldn't make a decision, so he immediately sent a message to me."
Laing's heart skipped a beat. He asked tentatively, "Is it about the Knight King's abdication?"
"No, Richard has the intention to abdicate, but it's not so fast. It's another matter." Morgiana only felt her whole body heat up when Laing's big hand held her. Her legs were a little weak. She simply held his arm and leaned on him. "It's about Duke Theodoric of Bereon."
"Duke Theodoric?" Laing was puzzled. He quickly asked, "What happened? Was he corrupted by the undead? "
"No." Morgiana held Laing's arm and went to the table on the first floor. She took out a special lawsuit that was jointly stamped by more than a dozen nobles, knights, and merchants of Bereon. Morgiana's face looked very conflicted. She introduced it to Laing.
"Duke Theodoric was found to have an affair with the wives of the counts under him. Because of this, it involved a big case in the kingdom! After a series of discoveries and accusations, Duke Theodoric of Bereon was found to have an affair with the wives of two counts, three barons, five knights of the kingdom … A total of nineteen nobles! "
"These nineteen nobles jointly issued a special lawsuit against King Richard! They wanted to punish Sir Theodoric. King Richard couldn't make a decision, so this special lawsuit was sent to me. "
"???" Laing couldn't close his mouth. He thought to himself, Duke Theodoric is really something!
"I don't know what to do right now. Laing, you are the Lady's Champion. What do you think?"
Morgiana raised her head and looked at Laing.
"Um, I think …"
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