End of March, Old World, Brittany, Bordero, Mannan Dry Dock.
Merchant and passenger ships from all over the Old World docked and unloaded in this high-quality deep-water port. In recent years, due to the small-scale opening of Brittany, the number of adventurers who came to sightsee and adventure in search of opportunities had gradually increased.
Giant ocean-going ships of the High Elves appeared at the dock.
"Welcome to Bordero, Bordero Mannan Dry Dock No. 3. I'm here to remind you that there are thousands of routes, but safety is the first. If you don't follow the rules, your loved ones will cry."
The wharf collector, appointed by Bodrick, Duke of Bordeaux, was leading the taxmen in a loud voice, embellished by the courtiers of the court.
Recently, the Duke of Bordero, Bodrick, was in a very good mood. Because the trade agreement between Ryan and Tegris had to be done through Bordero's port, the Duke had made a lot of profits from this trade agreement.
Then came the return of Fedmond. Bodrick's eldest son, who had spent 18 years to complete the Holy Grail Expedition. Bodrick was in a very good mood recently. He asked his court officials to come up with a port slogan that was kind enough and warm enough, without any threatening or warning words.
The court officials racked their brains to come up with this barely satisfactory slogan. Although Bodrick felt that it was different from what he had imagined, the duke who was in a good mood did not care about it.
Under the spring sun, Bodrick was walking with his son on the walls of Bordero Castle. He was wearing a yellow and blue full-body mithril plate armor with a huge trident cape behind him. He walked to the battlements of the city wall and looked at his prosperous and rich territory. He said to Fedmond who was standing behind him, "In the future, this place will belong to you, my son."
"Father … Why are you holding such a grand banquet?" Fedmond looked at the giant ocean-going ship of the High Elves. This Holy Grail Knight was also wearing a yellow and blue full-body mithril plate armor, but his cape had a golden Holy Grail pattern printed on it. On top of his cross helmet, a golden sea monster held the Holy Grail in its hand and stood proudly in front of everyone.
"What's wrong with that? I want the whole kingdom to know that my son has completed the Holy Grail Expedition and become a glorious Holy Grail Knight. " Bodrick turned his head to look at his son, and then at Fedmond's face meaningfully. "Of course, the most important thing is to introduce you to the great nobles of the kingdom. You have been on an expedition for eighteen years, and the situation in the kingdom is different now. Richard is about to abdicate, and in the unpredictable palace of the kingdom, our Bordero Principality has to make our own choice."
"I thought I wouldn't have to think about this after I drank the liquid from the Lady's Holy Grail. Now it seems that this is not the case." Fedmond looked like he was in his twenties, but in fact, he was almost fifty years old. "I've heard a lot about the happenings in the kingdom during my travels, and I've spent a lot of time learning about them after I came back. The War of the Knights, the Battle of the Plains in Colona, the invasion of the barbarians in the north, and so on. It's a pity that Head Commander Ulles died, and King Richard's governance is too old-fashioned. As for Count Ryan Macado, father, I can't really comment on him. He's a man of ambition and strength, and from what he's done, it's not unreasonable for the Lady to choose him as the champion of the Chosen of God.
"Laing Macado is a human hero that is difficult to describe with words." Duke Bodrick nodded. The crow's feet at the corner of his eyes were already very deep. "How you want to see him is your business. You will soon meet him and his wife, Marquess Suria. Laing is the Lady's Chosen Champion, and Marquess Suria is also a knight who is doted on by the Lady. And his brother … In short, you will know when the time comes."
"As usual, Berchemund and François, those two old bastards, are still sitting on the Duke's throne. Berchemund is almost a hundred years old, but with his strength at the pinnacle of the Sanctuary-level, he can probably live for another three hundred years." Duke Bodrick walked slowly, the armor on his body making the sound of metal colliding with each other. "François's strength is not inferior to Berchemund's at all. Now that he has chosen a good son-in-law, he and his family will not have to worry for the next few hundred years. These two old bastards were originally qualified to compete for the throne in the last King's Selection Convention, but they both have their own concerns. François's lack of interest in the throne is one of the reasons. His existence suppresses the kingdom's borders. With him around, the Necromancer Heinrich Kaimler can only hide in the Grey Mountains and not dare to make a move. Berchemund, on the other hand, has no interest in being the king. His ability in internal affairs is probably the worst of all the Dukes in the kingdom. He obviously prefers to fight as a Holy Grail Knight and not spend his energy in the whirlpool of the palace."
Fedmond did not say a word. He followed behind Duke Bodrick and silently listened to his father's analysis.
"Other than that, the other candidates who are currently qualified to compete for the throne are Duke Lauen Leo Cornwall of Connet and Duke Huebald of Kakason," Bodrick continued. Bodrick continued, "Among them, Richard's preferred successor is Lauren Leo Cornwall. Although Lauren Leo Cornwall is only in his forties, he's already a Legendary Knight of the Holy Grail. Not only is he good at commanding, but he's also very good at internal affairs. He's also one of the champions chosen by the Lady."
"What about Duke Huebald?" Fedmond frowned. He did not expect the political situation in the Knight King's Kingdom to be so complicated. The Holy Grail Knight instinctively did not want to think about this, but the blood that flowed in his body was the blood of the Sea God Champion, Duke Bordero!
"Huebald is the least likely Duke to become king." Bodrick suddenly shook his head. "Kakason is too far away from Cullona. Furthermore, Huebald is extremely cold and ruthless. No Duke would want him to be king. If he is not controlled well, it is very likely that he will be another John II."
Cullona was located in the north of the kingdom, while Kakason was located in the southernmost part of the kingdom. The two sides were too far apart. The north of the kingdom mainly faced the harassment of the northern barbarians, the plundering of the Dark Elf pirates, and the border friction with the Empire. Kakason mainly faced the invasion of the Green Tribe and the infiltration of the Skaven Rat Men. The south and the north were too far apart.
"Understood." Fedmond's determined face wavered a little. He thought for a while and said, "But I still think that a Holy Grail Knight in his early thirties is really amazing."
"Actually, I also wanted François's daughter, Suria. But first, I don't know when you will come back. Second, it is the Lady's oracle." Duke Bodrick sneered. "Fedmond, even if you come back at that time, you will not be able to compete with Laing. This adopted son of a country bumpkin from Nordland is really something. Do not underestimate him."
"I never thought of getting married so early." Fedmond said to Duke Bodrick with some annoyance. "Why are you in such a hurry to get me engaged to Countess Eva?"
"You're almost fifty years old, my son. It's time for you to get married. There aren't many unmarried female nobles left in the kingdom who are suitable for marriage. You and Countess Eva have to settle the matter as soon as possible so that I can go on the Holy Grail Expedition without worry." Duke Bodrick frowned. His eyes were like torches as he stared at his son. "Why do you have such thoughts?"
"It is so rushed that I don't even know what Eva looks like."
"You will see. What I mean is that this matter should be settled as soon as possible. Historically, Bordero has a good relationship with Bastogne. Your marriage with Eva will help stabilize the kingdom and gain the support of the nobles." Duke Bodrick could understand his son's thoughts. "I understand your thoughts. After all, the one getting married is you, not me. Father cannot guarantee your happiness in marriage. So, at this banquet, I will arrange for you to meet Countess Eva."
"…" Just as Bodrick understood Fedmond, Fedmond also understood his father. He knew that Bodrick had made up his mind and would not change it easily. The Knight of the Holy Grail shook his head and did not continue to try to argue with his father on this issue.
However, Bodrick said a few more words. As a parent, he was always full of interest in his child's marriage. "Now, the noble ladies of the kingdom have raised their standards because of Suria. Which unmarried lady of the Duke's family doesn't want to marry as well as Suria? Her husband is a Knight of the Holy Grail with outstanding strength. At such a young age, he is the Lady's Chosen Champion and a Sanctum Grand Knight. Moreover, Laing is an orphan. Isn't Suria the one who has the final say in the entire court? Hey, if you ask me, what does Julius have to compete with you for Eva? Just based on his title as a Royal Knight? Isn't my son a hundred times better than François's son? "
"Father, please don't say that. We all fight for the Lady, fight against evil, protect the country, and don't distinguish between nobility and lowly." Fedmond said softly, "Justice and humility are the teachings of the Lady."
Duke Bodrick paused. Yes, he could teach his son from the perspective of a father, and also teach Fedmond from the perspective of a duke to his heir. However, Bodrick was in no position to reprimand Fedmond on the Eight Virtues of a Knight.
"…" Bodrick looked at his son, and a trace of sadness appeared in his usually serious eyes. He was silent for a long time before he said bitterly, "Fedmond, your mother wanted to see you again before she died. She loved you very much."
The Duke of the Sea God took out his shell pendant and handed it to Fedmond. The Duke's fatherly love was like a mountain.
Fedmond took the pendant and opened the shell. Inside was an oil painting of the Duke of Bodrick's family. The Duchess was smiling, and the Knight of the Holy Grail's eyes were red. "I loved my mother too. My life was on the line several times, and it was her love that encouraged me to overcome all difficulties … I, I am very sad."
Bodrick nodded, and the Duke motioned for Fedmond to accept the pendant. "Take it. Your mother will light your way forward. The duty of a knight is to protect. Honor and sacrifice have been the backbone of the kingdom since the founding of the country for thousands of years."
The father and son still wanted to say something, but a knight squire came forward. "My Duke, my Marquis, the Lady's Chosen Champion, Count Laing, and Marquess Suria are about to arrive at Bodrick. The Sea God Knights are leading them to the castle."
"Is Marquis Julius here?" The affection in Bodrick's eyes immediately disappeared, and the Duke returned to his original serious expression.
"No, only Count Laing, Marquess Suria, a few servants, and a Paladin are coming."
"In that case, Fedmond, you go and welcome them." Bodrick patted Fedmond on the shoulder. "Young people should communicate more. It will be helpful for the future."
"Me?" Fedmond, who was nearly fifty years old, pointed at himself with a conflicted expression.
"I am a young man?"
… …
On the prosperous streets of Bodrick, the capital of Bodrick, a black carriage moved slowly. The carriage was airtight and covered in black cloth, giving off an uncomfortable aura. However, the carriage moved freely on the streets of Bodrick, as if it was covered by some kind of power. Be it pedestrians or patrolling soldiers, they all ignored the carriage.
Occasionally, when a knight came to investigate, the merchant and a handsome young knight in the carriage would politely say that they were Connet merchants and knights who had received an invitation to a banquet in Bodrick.
The guards quickly let them pass.
The curtain of the black carriage was lowered, and Marcelon, Marcelon, let out a mocking laugh. Marcelon was well-versed in heraldry and Brittany etiquette. It was all too easy for Marcelon to sneak into a Brittany castle.
Even though Marcelon had attracted the attention of the whole kingdom as a traitor, he was the runner-up of the knighthood assembly. There was no concrete evidence to prove his treason, so the Brittany court could only send out a small number of knights to arrest the young knight-errant without making it public.
However, there was a problem. Marcelon always wore a helmet when he attended the knighthood assembly. He was extremely handsome and had the most typical blonde hair and blue eyes of a Brittany. Even though all the knights in the kingdom knew that he was a traitor, not many actually recognized him!
Inside the carriage, a shriveled and skinny necromancer sat opposite Matheubard. Duke Musillon said in a low voice, "Baldro's banquet this time is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to capture the upper echelons of the kingdom in one fell swoop. Fattah, you are one of the most powerful necromancers under Godfather. I hope you can give me some advice."
"At the banquet, I will create a huge chaos, causing the entire castle to fall into extreme tension. At that time, the guards will be transferred away. My Duke, the Knights of the Black Holy Grail, will rush into the banquet and slaughter all the nobles."
"When that happens, most of the nobles of the kingdom will die in the banquet. The remaining nobles will also lose trust in each other due to suspicion and hatred. As long as we use some tricks and reveal the truth about the b * tch in the lake, the throne of the Knight King will be yours!"
"Then let's do it!"
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