At the end of the 11th month, Teresa and Aurora finally managed to extricate themselves from the complicated matters of the Marvel Council. They packed up their things and brought a few official witches and a dozen or so apprentices to Laing's territory. On one hand, they wanted to find some peace and quiet. On the other hand, she wanted to see if she could benefit enough from Laing's rise.
The relationship between the magi and the nobles was rather strange. Normally speaking, the nobles needed the magi to answer their questions about magic. They needed the magi to provide them with supernatural powers and help in war and daily life. They also needed the magi to act as a deterrent. On the other hand, the magi needed the nobles to provide them with sufficient financial resources and legal status, as well as the authority to mobilize the army.
The two sides complemented each other and needed each other.
Aurora had originally planned to have her daughter rope in Laing. That way, he would become their external aid in the Marvel Council. As Laing's status rose, Teresa would occupy an important position in Laing's court. That way, not only would Aurora and Teresa obtain powerful external aid, they would also be able to solve the problem of their daughter's marriage. It was the best of both worlds.
However, their plans couldn't keep up with the changes. Laing's rise was simply too fast. Teresa simply couldn't keep up with his footsteps. It took him only twenty years to rise from a knight-errant to a duke of Brittany! That speed of advancement was simply unimaginable. A normal knight would need at least three hundred years of accumulation to become a duke, and they would also need to have enough luck.
Then came the appearance of Veronica. This Gallan Witch had practically abandoned all the hard work she had put into the Gallan Council. She had gone directly to Leon's territory to build a Wizard Tower. Aurora had thought about it for a long time, but she still couldn't figure out where Veronica had gotten so many gold coins. It was said that she invested more than ten thousand crowns to build her own magus tower. Where did that money come from?
Laing was willing to spend money on Veronica?
It was at this time that Aurora began to be dissatisfied with Laing. If she wanted Teresa to get closer to Laing, then when Aurora heard that Laing had become a Count, she didn't want Teresa to look for Laing.
It was a pity that Teresa's temper was exactly the same as Aurora's. Back then, Aurora, as the daughter of a noble of the Empire, had disregarded all costs to elope for love. When Teresa also expressed to her mother that she was determined to find Laing, Aurora couldn't object. Her daughter was an adult, and she had the right to make a choice. She also had the awareness to be responsible for her own choices.
Now, Laing was not only a duke, but also the crown prince.
When Aurora saw the standard aristocratic smile on his face as he led his wife, Suria, and a group of subordinates to welcome her, the anger in her heart kept surging to her face. This damned person! She had already given her daughter to him, yet he still had such a business-like attitude.
But what could she do? Their positions had already been reversed. More importantly, would Laing seek help from Aurora and Teresa because he needed answers about magic?
No. Laing no longer needed to ask for help. As long as he needed it, there were plenty of people who would take the initiative to answer it.
For example, the number one Chosen One of the Lake Fairies in front of her, the Witch of the Lake Goddess, Morgiana. Today, Morgiana was wearing a lotus pleated skirt that fluttered in the wind. She didn't even have a smile on her face, and her expression was very cold. Moreover, there was a deep hostility that made Aurora feel uncomfortable.
In terms of level, Morgiana and Aurora's strength weren't too different, but when it came to real strength, Aurora was definitely not as good as Morgiana. Morgiana was not only a Sky and Life Great Sacred Wizard, but also the number one Chosen One of the Lake Fairies. She had her own unique divine arts system, so Morgiana's strength was firmly above Aurora's by a level.
"Welcome, Teresa, and Lady Aurora. Welcome to my territory." Laing took the initiative to greet Aurora, while Suria and the others just watched from afar.
"Laing, you took a long time to go to the Empire this time." Teresa took the initiative to walk up, and the female Warlock said to Laing, "Sorry, I was studying a great spell and couldn't split myself."
"It's fine." Laing shook his head. "Let's talk while we eat."
A grand banquet was held in the duke's castle. Apart from Veronica who was in seclusion trying to break through to the Saint-rank, everyone was present. Everyone gave a routine welcome to Aurora's arrival. Laing and Teresa were discussing the movements of the Jialan Council throughout the banquet.
"You're saying that the situation in Kislöw is starting to get worse?" Laing asked Teresa as he drank red wine. "Can you describe the situation in detail?"
The cold female Warlock nodded. She had indeed not seen Laing for a long time. Teresa let her long black hair fall over her shoulders. Her face was slightly flushed. When she heard Laing's question, she said in a low voice, "The Noska and Kurgan tribes are making a comeback. When we left the Jialan Council, Marshal Voroshilov of the Kislöw Bear Cavalry and Marshal Alexandrovich of the Kislöw Marksmen were leading more than ten thousand soldiers to the north of the Linsk River to fight against the Noska tribe. Her Majesty Katarina explicitly refused our help. She stubbornly believes that Kislöw alone can deal with the enemy."
"That's normal. Most Mrs. Kiesler will never leave their land. Most of them believe that the female Tsar is the center of the world." Laing shook his head. The female Tsar Katarina was different from her father, Boris Borkaha. Katarina rarely left her ice palace in Kislöw Castle. She did not go to the frontlines often, nor did she like to patrol her territory. Like most of the Jialan witches, she preferred to do her own research behind closed doors.
"Katarina is not as strong as mother." Teresa gave Laing a look. The sorceress felt quite happy after returning to her territory. Considering that she had indeed been separated from Laing for a long time, Suria took the initiative to let her sit beside him while she went to greet the guests. "I have to let you know, Laing. I spent a lot of effort to get mother to agree to come here for the Winter Veil Festival."
"Hahaha." Laing had a half-smile on his face. "Oh, is that so? Then how can I express my sincerity when the female elders and councilors of the Jialan Parliament are willing to come? "
"Just keep it in mind." Teresa said without batting an eyelid. "If we run into any trouble, you have to help us. At the very least, you have to show your support."
"That depends on the situation." Laing nodded slightly and said seriously, "Teresa, I'm not the same as before."
Before Teresa could reply, Laing finished speaking. The Saint witch held a glass of wine and said in a strange tone, "That's why I said, daughter. Men become bad when they have money and power. They are not worthy of your trust. If he comes to your wizard tower again, you can tell him to get out on the spot."
"Mother," Teresa said helplessly. The sorceress didn't know what was going on. Why was her mother constantly at odds with her man?
"What else? Laing, let me ask you. If we run into trouble one day, will you be willing to speak for us? "Aurora asked bluntly to Laing.
Laing frowned when he heard this. This was asking for a favor.
"Lady Aurora, I want to ask you something. Laing's brother, Forgen, has a general of Kislöw's winged cavalry, 'Steel Felix'. You know that he has been exiled more than once. How come I've never heard of you taking the initiative to speak for him to Her Majesty Tsar Katarina?" Olica, who was standing behind Laing, suddenly spoke. The dark elf smiled sweetly. "How many dishes did the female elder eat today? Why are you so drunk?"
The tit-for-tat words caused the banquet to suddenly fall silent.
"How can an elf appear here?" Aurora held a glass of wine, her silver eyes burning with anger as she stared at Laing's personal maid.
"You've helped the master a few times, and you know how to ask for favors? Has the master never repaid you, or has he never repaid you for your help? " Olica had a sunny smile on her face. Her delicate face was full of vitality under the candlelight of the banquet. The dark elf was wearing a white woolen sweater and a black winter coat. She also had a straight skirt, and her beautiful legs were wrapped in white stockings. Her feet were wearing a pair of black pointed high heels. "Has the master not paid you? Or hasn't he repaid your precious daughter? "
The dark elf's words caused the banquet to erupt with the smell of gunpowder.
"Olica, don't talk like that!" Suria took the initiative to speak. She first stopped the dark elf from speaking, then took the initiative to apologize to Aurora. "I'm sorry, Lady Aurora."
Before Aurora could reply, Laing finally spoke. "Aurora, and my dear Teresa, if you run into trouble, you are always welcome to stay here. However, the Garland Council is not under my jurisdiction, and I am not the emperor of the Empire or the chief wizard of the Empire."
"Then I hope you will keep your promise." Aurora coldly snorted and then sighed. "Thank you for your hospitality. I'm a bit tired after coming from afar. I'll go rest first."
After Aurora left, the banquet returned to its original lively atmosphere.
"I'm sorry, Laing. Mother has been under a lot of pressure recently." Teresa found an opportunity to explain to Laing. "The Garland Council has been under a lot of pressure recently. The entire council has been suppressed, and Mother is the main target of the chairman's attacks."
"I understand." Laing nodded and sighed. "But I hope Lady Aurora can understand that before, my words only represented myself. Now, not only do I represent myself, but I also represent the country and the will of the Lady of the Lake. Her request is for me to interfere with the internal affairs of the Empire. I can't do that. I have to be responsible for my people."
"I'll try to persuade Mother." Teresa said in a low voice. "Mother … she's used to her previous attitude. She's still a bit confused."
"It's fine. She's my mother-in-law after all." Laing joked in a low voice. "She gave me her most precious thing. Naturally, she's unhappy with me."
"Alright, you bastard. You took advantage of me and now you're complaining!" Teresa's cold face blushed. She seemed to have thought of something and said, "Laing, I bought something good. Let's go to my wizard tower later!"
"Something good?" Laing's interest was piqued. "What is it?"
"It's a unicorn plushie. It's fluffy and has four legs." Teresa gestured to her new toy. "I bought it from an auction in Auster."
"No need to wait. Let's go now." Laing seemed to have thought of something.
"Aren't we going to continue the banquet?" Teresa rolled her eyes at Laing.
"The award ceremony is in a few days. There will be a banquet then." Laing stood up. "Now, let's go take a look at your plushie!"
"Okay ~"
… I'm the section line of the unicorn plushie …
A few days later, the knight award ceremony before the Winter Veil Festival officially opened outside Laing's duke castle in Gene City.
Under the warm winter sun, there were about eight hundred old guards lined up in a few rows. They were all wearing the standard old guard uniform, half-body plate armor, shirt, jacket, and trousers made by dwarves. They also had tall bearskin hats with colorful feathers, red and blue epaulettes, golden braided belts, and new colored hats. Together with the dazzling embroidery and shining feathers, it was a beautiful sight to behold.
The serfs gathered from all directions. Almost all the citizens of the city had come. They gathered together to watch the Old Guard. At this time, whether it was the serfs or the freedmen, all of them had red eyes and were excited. They kept crowding, wanting to see the glory of the Old Guard.
Today, there must be an important announcement!
Even the Old Guard couldn't calm down.
They were all serfs who joined the army with dreams. Following Laing's rise, these serf-born soldiers had also experienced many battles. They had become true elites through blood and fire.
This time, they went to support Nur. During the battle of Nur, the Old Guard had also made great contributions. The Nur City Council had prepared generous gifts for the Old Guard. Not only did everyone receive a full military salary, but they also received a large reward. Now that the duke had gathered them together, it was obvious that he was going to reward them based on their contributions!
Everyone was full of anticipation.
While everyone was talking, someone in the crowd suddenly shouted, "The Duke and Duchess are here!"
The chatter in the duke's castle suddenly disappeared. All the Old Guard straightened their backs and raised their heads. Duke Laing and Duchess Suria appeared in front of the castle gate together. They walked out with steady steps and full of dignity.
Today, Laing was wearing a standard Brittany Duke's uniform. The family coat of arms on his shoulder shone brightly under the sun. Right behind him, Tax Officer Gasparton, Clerk Vincent, Chief Butler Katzenberg, Baron Devon Hex, Baron Merovyn Armand, Baron Richard Olivier, Baron Vaz Lopes, Baron Juan Biokari, Baron Lucien of the Steeple Palace, and Freya Ancient Church District's head Alfred Frey came out one after another.
In addition, Morgiana the Witch of the Lake, François, Duke Winford, Berchemund, Duke Bastogne, and Bodrick, Duke Bordero, were all present. They all came to watch the ceremony.
Laing coughed twice. His Excellency the Duke had been invincible in recent years. His majesty and powerful strength made everyone feel suffocated. No one in the open space in front of the huge castle dared to make any noise. Thousands of people were all holding their breaths, waiting for Laing's announcement.
"I hereby announce that the Old Guard Award Ceremony has officially begun!" Laing looked around at the Old Guard with his blue eyes. He said loudly, "Bring that up!"
Several Grail Knights carried a few large and exquisite iron boxes and placed them beside Laing.
"My soldiers, today, there will be thirty old guards who will be officially bestowed the title of Knight!"
As soon as Laing's words came out, the whole scene was like boiling water. It directly exploded! The people were like a batch of gunpowder that was thrown into a pile of hay. In an instant, it was like a violent storm hitting the sea. Suddenly, it was surging and rolling up monstrous waves.
His Excellency the Duke, are you really going to award us lowly serfs the title of Knight?!
The whole scene was noisy like the sea, wave after wave. Even the Old Guard was so shocked that their mouths were wide open.
The title of Knight! A genuine title of Knight!
Then … then wouldn't he become a real noble?!
"Now, the Old Guard whose name is called, please come up to the stage." Laing didn't pause at all. He took the name list from Suria's hand.
"The first to receive the title of Knight is from the Chalon Forest …"
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