Old World, Brittany, Duke of Muxylon, Jean City, Laing's Duke Castle, Winter Veil Festival.
After the battle of Nur, Laing wanted to rest for a while and focus on rebuilding Muxylon. After all, development was the most important thing.
But life was never how Laing imagined it to be. Just as he was about to celebrate the new year, a huge commotion broke out in Muxylon.
The rebellion first appeared at the canal in Muxilon. The workers who were digging the canal openly went on strike after they heard the news of the Old Guard Award Ceremony. They shouted for change, for more benefits, for more holidays, for more pay, and even for the formation of a union.
Therefore, Laing's original plan to build the canal from the Sannes River in Culona to the Grismori River was ruined because of the strike. They stopped about 50 kilometers away from the Grismori River.
Laing had no choice but to send someone to negotiate with the workers. He was shocked by the conditions that the workers proposed. Equal pay and minimum working hours for equal work? How could these workers come up with something like that? What era did they think they were in? That everyone had meat to eat? That they didn't have to fight against Chaos? It was already very kind of them to give the workers a meal and some pay.
Why would they want a bicycle?
Laing could feel that something was wrong. He immediately sent someone to investigate. He mixed in with the workers and began to investigate.
As expected, there were Chaos cultists among the workers. They had formed a rather secretive organization led by a secret leader of the Dark Purple Hand.
The Dark Purple Hand was one of Tzeentch's Chaos Sects. It was also one of the largest Chaos Sects in the old world. After receiving Tzeentch's oracle, this Chaos Sect followed the Empire's immigrants to Mu Xilon and secretly developed believers. They carefully protected and concealed their existence. If it wasn't for Tzeentch's oracle, they might have been able to hide for a few decades.
By the time Leon discovered the shadow of the Cult of Chaos, there were already thousands of Chaos believers. They had even set up branches in the barons of the Muxilon Duchy. When Lucian, the Baron of the Steeple Palace, led an army to wipe them out, the cultists actually summoned a Tzeentech demon, which repelled Lucian's attack. It was only when reinforcements arrived that the cultists were completely wiped out.
By this time, things had gotten out of hand. The industrial belt along the river that Laing had painstakingly built was showing signs of instability. He had no choice but to gather a standing army of three thousand men and head to Muxylon with the Old Guard. Teresa also went with the army.
No matter how strong the Chaos cultists were, they were no match for Laing. After spending two weeks, Laing easily eradicated all the Dark Purple Hand cultists' new strongholds in Muxylon. At least on the surface, the Chaos cultists had been completely wiped out.
Surprisingly, the Tzeentch cultists had supported the Dark Purple Hand's actions. They had even used their divine powers to give their believers divine spells and even sent out Tzeentch demons. However, when Laing appeared, the evil god quickly abandoned his believers and pretended that nothing had happened. He did not give Laing any chance to retaliate.
What was more disgusting was yet to come.
First of all, the Dark Purple Hand was spread among the immigrants from the Empire. The natives of Muxylon had suffered greatly because of it. Laing's efforts to get the natives of Muxylon and the immigrants from the Empire to live in harmony had been cut in half. In the areas that were most corrupted by Chaos and destroyed by the Chaos cultists, there were many conflicts between the natives of Muxylon and the immigrants from the Empire after Laing's army left. It was only because of Laing's prestige that the natives of Muxylon were able to suppress the conflicts. It would take a long time for them to return to the state where they understood and helped each other.
Laing was disgusted. It was still acceptable that the construction of the canal had been delayed. However, it was difficult to restore trust between people. Moreover, the reconstruction of Muxylon urgently required the help of the immigrants from the Empire. It was as if Laing was trying his best to build blocks. When he was halfway done, Tzeentch would come out of nowhere and push the blocks down before sneaking away with a sinister smile.
This was not the most disgusting thing. Following closely behind Laing were the voices of opposition from the nobles of the kingdom.
The conservative nobles of Brittany had finally found the opportunity to voice their opposition to Laing's series of reforms within the royal court. This was especially true for the promotion of knights from the serfs, the ongoing discussion on the redemption system for the serfs, and the promotion of the industrial belt along the Grismori River. The conservative nobles believed that Laing's actions would not change the current situation of Brittany. Instead, they would attract the attention of the Evil Gods of Chaos. Serfs were serfs, and nobles were nobles. This was the rule of Brittany since ancient times. Furthermore, if the serfs did not work in the fields one day, who would work in the fields?
This was especially true for the current Duke of Le-Angoulin, Duke Taubert of Montfort, Duke Forcade of Montfort, and Duke Casfern of Pallavon. These three Dukes had always been against Laing's reforms, and they voiced their opposition within the royal court. They believed that Laing's actions were not feasible and hoped that they would be abolished.
Laing, who was in charge of the affairs of the Prime Minister of Culona, was having a headache facing the impeachment of the three Dukes. At this time, the old King Richard, who was about to step down, decided to help Laing this time. Richard asked Laing to fight back against these objections. The reason was that Laing was only doing this in his own duchy and the duchy of his father-in-law, François. He did not force the other duchies to carry out similar reforms, so it was naturally their own business. As the regent of the kingdom, Laing could not make a decision.
Richard's method was a stupid but effective one. Laing was initially surprised that the old King was willing to speak up for him, but he soon understood that the old man was betting on both sides. His nephew was against it, so he helped Laing a little. If Duke Taubert supported Laing, he would definitely oppose it.
Bodrick, Duke of Bordero, François, Duke of Winford, and Hubert, Duke of Kakason, naturally supported Laing. The regent of the kingdom, Laing, Duke of Connet, and Adehard, Duke of Lyonnesse, secretly expressed their support, but made it clear that they would not directly support Laing.
As for the other dukes, they were still observing. They saw the turmoil in Laing's territory, but they also saw the vitality brought by the reforms. Among them, the most conflicted one was Berchemund, Duke of Bastogne. As the most legitimate descendant of Arthur, Berchemund was naturally dissatisfied with Laing's changes. However, he also saw the changes that Laing brought to his territory, especially when Kalad was the Godfather of Devenhill. After thinking for a long time, he decided to wait and see. However, he had already sent people to start forming his own elite infantry regiment, the Red Dragon Guards.
The fierce opposition and the counterattack of the conservative nobles upset Laing. The opposition could not affect the overall situation, but they could choose not to cooperate.
They only needed to object, but Ryan had to solve countless problems. Moreover, there were countless pairs of eyes staring at him at all times, waiting for him. As long as he made the slightest mistake, it would be infinitely magnified and become an excuse for his political enemies to attack him.
Was Laing powerful?
He was very powerful, and he had many identities. He was the gray knight gene prototype that was not afraid of corruption. He was the noble son of the emperor. He was the Brittany's Guardian Goddess of the Lake Goddess Chosen Champion. He was also the Duke of Musillon, the perfect knight of the eight virtues of knighthood, the rightful heir of the victor, the great knight of the holy grail, and even a traveler. He had already taken control of the country in a real sense, and his multiple identities and great prestige had already given him the conditions to set his sights on his ideals.
Even so, he still had a lot of headaches because of the recent series of events.
Obviously, Tzeentch had played his own conspiracy in the series of events. The evil god did not actually hope to do anything to Laing. He just wanted to annoy Laing, and this annoyed Laing enough.
As a result, when Laing was about to withdraw his troops and return to Gene City, his face was still gloomy and unhappy.
"What's wrong? Laing, I rarely see you like this. "Just beside Laing, the sorceress Teresa looked at Laing and felt that it was very interesting.
This time, going to Musillon to suppress the Chaos Cult, Laing needed a magic helper. Suria and Sylvia had to take Devonshire with them. Olica was busy with an important magic experiment, and Veronica was still in seclusion trying to break through to Sacred. In the end, Teresa had to go with him.
"There are too many things to worry about." Laing shook his head painfully. Snowflakes fell from the sky and landed on his head. Duke Musillon was wearing a full set of duke's attire. His expression was very unpleasant. "I think I have to admit that Tzeentch really disgusted me this time. Just thinking about the things that are going to happen next gives me a headache. Next autumn, on the Day of the Lady of the Lake, I will be enthroned in Colona and become the next Knight King. But when I think about the countless things that are going to happen …"
Teresa could feel Laing's annoyance, but obviously the sorceress did not know how to comfort people. She thought for a moment and simply teased him. "What's the matter? Our great hero, the famous Duke Laing of the old world, is also troubled by the mortal world's business? "
"I'm also a normal man." Laing squinted at Teresa. Being teased by the sorceress, he temporarily put down the depression and unhappiness in his heart. "Otherwise, I should find a Holy Grail Church and stay inside. I'll pray when I have nothing to do and come out to fight when I have something to do."
"That won't do! If you do that, I can only become a nun with you. " Teresa knew that Laing was just joking, but she was still a little unhappy. She was busy with work and had to study magic. She did not spend much time with Laing. It was not easy to find a chance to go out with him. The sorceress did not like to hear Laing say such things.
"Isn't that great, Sister Teresa? Hahahaha!" Laing heard this and suddenly laughed.
Although she did not understand what Laing was laughing about, Teresa still gave Laing a dirty look because she knew that Laing was definitely up to no good. This was her intuition. "You must be thinking about something strange again."
Today, the sorceress was wearing a black swan witch robe. Her long, slender legs were accentuated by tight brown riding pants and a pair of black high-heeled boots. This time, she had trimmed her long black hair, which shone with a faint light, down to her waist and down to her back. However, her black glasses with butterfly patterns hadn't changed. Her small hands, which were covered in white lace gloves, tightened on the reins. She was riding a mixed-blood elven warhorse that Leon had gifted her. Having an elven warhorse was an extremely prestigious thing in the Garland Council. Theresa had named this warhorse "Laurel." Laurel was often borrowed by her fellow witches for breeding purposes. But similarly, the witches who knew nothing about breeding elven warhorses had tried for a long time to no avail. Their clothes were even covered in the stench of the horse stables.
Laing led the three thousand people forward. Before dusk, they hurriedly crossed the Grismori River and entered the Bastogne Duchy. The army of three thousand people came to a village not far away and began to prepare to set up camp. At the same time, they also replenished some supplies from the local serfs.
The villages of the Bastogne Duchy naturally could not accommodate so many troops, but when they heard that the Holy Grail Knights had appeared, everyone rushed out to watch. They were also willing to sell some surplus food to Laing's army. Many serfs took the opportunity to sell their own food and livestock, earning a small bag of silver coins. The village elder gave up the best house in the entire village for Laing and the others to live in.
After a simple settling down, Laing and Teresa entered the big house. The old guards and knight squires had already paved the interior of the big house with carpets. There was still some time before dinner. The two looked at the simple environment and dim light in the big house and suddenly smiled at each other.
Fourteen years ago, after they set off from the capital of Nord, they also came to a village. At night, the two of them had dinner together by candlelight and chatted. Teresa put on her boots, crossed her long legs, and leaned against the chair. "If you ask me, this feeling is not bad."
"Which part of it is not bad? Such a simple environment. " Laing also sat on the bed with a smile. Fourteen years ago, he had nothing except the title of a kingdom knight and a set of equipment. Fourteen years later, he was already a human hero whose name shook the world. It was not possible for him to go on an adventure with Teresa.
"Simple environment?" Teresa looked at the wall of the room with nostalgia. The wall was mainly made of wood and was not very sturdy. There were even occasional air leaks, but she was full of nostalgia for everything. The sorceress reached out to touch the table and the wall, completely ignoring the dust on her gloves. "But I feel very warm. Warmer than my bedroom in the wizard tower."
"Why?" Laing also understood.
"Reason? Do I need a reason? " Teresa stood up from the chair and walked to Laing's side. She sat down and looked at Laing's face that was becoming more and more mature. "Wherever you are, it is warm."
"Teresa …" Laing held the sorceress' hand. He was about to say something, but Teresa had already closed her eyes.
"Okay." Laing also closed his eyes, and the two gradually got closer.
At this moment, footsteps came from outside the room, and the two quickly separated.
"Teresa, Laing?" Aurora's voice came from outside the door.
The Sanctum sorceress was wearing a sandalwood style dress with a slanted slit. Under the dress were beautiful legs wrapped in thin black stockings and nude stilettos. There was a butterfly ribbon tied behind the heels, and the smooth and delicate instep was exposed. Aurora opened the door. The Sanctum sorceress was a little impatient at first, but when she saw her daughter and Laing, she immediately understood something. Aurora's face turned red, and she coughed softly a few times. "Dinner is ready. You … eat first, don't be so anxious …"
"Mother, we were just …" Teresa also blushed. The sorceress quickly stood up. "Laing and I were just chatting!"
"You … chatting?" Aurora glanced at the bed. The Sanctum sorceress did not intend to argue with Teresa. "Well, whether you want to chat or do something else, let's have dinner first."
"… Let's go, Laing." Teresa was too embarrassed to continue. She quickly stood up.
Laing had to follow them to dinner.
Damn it, I forgot that she was also here!
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