PS: I have something to do tomorrow, so I'm taking a day off.
PS2: I'm going to tighten up the book review section. You can't just come here and pretend to be neutral when you're criticizing me in other book review sections, can you? I've always ignored you and never fought you. I'll just delete posts and ban you forever depending on the situation.
February, in the center of the armory, in Laing's Golden Crown Red and Blue Iris Flower Tent.
Laing was sitting on the main seat, dealing with all kinds of documents. The Knight King, like the Knight King thousands of miles away, had countless internal affairs to deal with. Compared to Suria, who had Morgiana's consultation and the help of the court, Laing had to deal with many problems alone.
A few days ago, a major incident happened in the armory. A royal knight who had made a lot of contributions in the expedition raped and killed the daughter of a pistol-wielding knight under Reppu. The girl, who was only in her teens, had repeatedly rejected the royal knight's advances and offended the nobles. As a result, the royal knight became angry and committed such a violent act. After the incident, he didn't think much of it and said that she was just a commoner's daughter, so it was fine to kill her. It was indeed his fault, so he apologized and even compensated the royal knight with a sum of money, okay?
The pistol-wielding cavalryman could not believe that his daughter would leave him just like that. He went around begging for help, crying to Reppu about the situation and asking for help. Reppu hesitated for a long time before finally gritting his teeth and deciding to tell Ryan about it.
Reppu knew that he would offend the nobles by doing this, but the mercenary leader knew very well that if he didn't do anything about it, he would never be able to command his independent regiment again.
After Ryan learned of this matter, the situation in the armory changed.
The enraged Knight King immediately ordered the Holy Grail Knights to bring the Royal Knight to justice and arrest him for a public trial. The Royal Knight was brought to trial in front of a jury of Holy Grail Knights in front of tens of thousands of troops. The Royal Knight admitted to his crimes and said that he was willing to bear the responsibility and compensate for the losses. If worse came to worst, he was willing to go on an expedition to atone for his crimes.
By then, the Royal Knight would feel that he had only made a small mistake. In his opinion, he had killed countless enemies in the previous expedition, and he was also a noble knight. Leon would probably not do anything to him. At most, his merits would offset his faults, or perhaps he would atone for his crimes with his merits.
Most of the Brittany courts of the Kingdom and of the Duchy decided in this way.
But he thought too much. Ryan coldly made a decision after carefully listening to the events that had transpired.
Hanging! Carry it out immediately! He was stripped of his status as a knight, confiscated of all his territories, confiscated of all his assets, and compensated to the parties involved!
"What's the meaning of the existence of knights? How were knights born? Knights are glorious, devout, and great existences to protect the kingdom and its people. Since Arthur founded the kingdom, the spirit of knights has supported the kingdom for thousands of years! A knight can't and shouldn't do such a cruel thing. He doesn't deserve to be a knight, because no knight would kill a helpless lady and the person he is protecting, especially a girl who is helping to transport the army's supplies, and a daughter who is helping us to fight against the evil Green Pike Cavalrymen! "
"Despicable, cruel, selfish, and morally corrupt. On behalf of the whole kingdom and the will of the Lady of the Lake, I sentence you to be hanged and stripped of your status as a knight! All your territories and assets will be confiscated and compensated to the parties involved! "
The jury of Holy Grail Knights unanimously approved the King's decision.
"Kalad!" Laing shouted coldly. "Carry it out immediately!"
"Yes!" Kalad stood up angrily. He did not expect that there would be such a scum in the army.
"I'll leave it to you!"
"Yes!" Kalad was followed by two Old Guard who were also angry. They grabbed the Royal Knight and dragged him to the gallows.
"No! No! You can't do this! My king, I know I was wrong. I'm willing to atone for my sins! You can't do this to me! I've contributed to the kingdom, I've shed blood for the kingdom! I want to see the Lady! I want to see the Lady! " The Royal Knight finally realized that things were not going well. He screamed and struggled, but Kalad's arms were like iron pincers.
The rope on the gallows was pulled, and the Royal Knight was hung up. The dwarves below removed the wooden planks. Two minutes later, the Royal Knight was dead, leaving only his masked body swaying slowly in the air.
"I hope that my brothers, freedmen and serf soldiers, as well as my dwarven and elven friends, will take this as a lesson." The King gave instructions after the execution. After this incident, the knights and nobles were much more restrained. They did not even dare to be too arrogant in front of the serf soldiers.
In the inner room of the large tent, Laing sat behind his desk and dealt with government affairs. A Dark Elf maid in a black and white maid uniform with a silk scarf on her head was feeding Laing nuts and pouring tea. Seeing Olica's smiling face, it was obvious that the Dark Elf was enjoying herself.
Not far away from the desk, Veronica was leaning against the headboard of the bed. She was wearing an ice flower embroidered dress with a ripple pattern. She had wrapped herself in a blanket and was enjoying a hot drink while flipping through a fire-elemental magic book. Magus Garland noticed Leon's frown and asked, "What's wrong? My dear, are you still worried about the Blackhearted Reppu? "
"Yes." Laing sighed softly. "The Blackhearted Reppu's influence is too great. I have to think about how to protect him now."
Veronica nodded. Wizard Garland tidied up the blanket, revealing her delicate feet wrapped in flesh-colored crystal stockings and painted with red nail polish. There was also a golden anklet with a golden double-headed eagle engraved on it. It radiated a warm light, making Wizard Garland's feet even more alluring. Wizard Garland stood up and put on the red bow-tied high heels she had placed under the bed. She slowly walked to Laing's side. "That mercenary leader really brought you a lot of trouble. My dear, don't worry about it anymore. Let us analyze it together."
The expeditionary army did not have any objections to Laing's ruling. The Knight King supported and respected King Laing's decision. It was fair and just. It was in accordance with the rules of the Knight King. As the king, Laing had the right to do so. Not only did the Knight King have the right to sentence people to death by hanging and deprive them of their noble status, but he also had the right to create new laws. The Knight King was both a lawmaker and an enforcer of the law.
For example, Laing did not need a privateer's license to seize any ship that entered Brittany's waters. Laing did not need to pay taxes. He had administrative immunity and could not be hunted down or asked to testify in court. Other than the Lake Goddess, Morgiana, no one could restrict his actions.
In theory, Laing even owned all the irises, swans, and roosters in the kingdom. He was also the only person in the kingdom who could celebrate two birthdays. In addition, as the Knight King, Laing could buy anything from the market for free. As long as he signed the contract, he could get any product he wanted.
Of course, it was one thing to have power, but it was another to use it. There were very few Knight Kings who were stupid enough to use their power. The last Knight King who did was called John the Second.
Therefore, Laing's judgment was not a problem and would not be questioned.
However, this did not mean that the knights and nobles would not take action. The ranger knights and the kingdom's knights, and even some barons and counts, had secretly joined forces and were prepared to teach Reppu and his independent regiment an unforgettable lesson. The knights knew that if Reppu had not exposed this matter, then this matter would have been settled privately. They would have made a public apology and paid a large sum of money. At most, they would have let the kingdom's knight be whipped a few times and then go on an expedition to atone for his sins. They would not have fallen to the point of losing their lives, lands, and titles.
Reppu had offended the entire group of knights and nobles.
This had nothing to do with right or wrong. It was decided by the stance of the knights and nobles.
Therefore, this problem was now thrown to Laing to deal with. Laing knew that he had to protect Reppu because he did not do anything wrong. Laing also had to use this as an example to rectify military discipline.
On the other hand, the knights and nobles also had to be appropriately appeased. After all, this group of people was the main force and core of the expedition.
Reppu also knew that he had offended the entire group of knights and nobles. He immediately went to Laing in private and pleaded for protection. Laing thought for a long time and could only temporarily send Reppu and his Brittany independent regiment under Bellegar's command. This way, the knights and nobles would not be able to find trouble with him.
"My suggestion is that Reppu, the black-hearted bastard, should never set foot in Brittania again." Veronica analyzed the situation for a moment before continuing, "Otherwise, he won't even know how he died."
Laing nodded with a wry smile. In fact, no matter which Brittany duchy's court sentenced this matter, it would not be as severe as Laing's. Even the strictest Bodrick and François, who was the best at coordinating the relationship between knights and serfs, would at most be sentenced to whipping, fines, confiscation of lands, and atonement expeditions. In Brittany, only the king and the Lake Goddess Witches could be stripped of their noble titles.
As for the Empire? It was actually easier. The amount of ransom they paid would reduce their crime. As long as they did not have anything to do with Chaos or the undead, the nobles would be fine as long as they paid the ransom. No matter which human country's law was, such a heavy sentence was too severe.
"So what do you plan to do now?" Veronica sat beside Laing. Garland was also thinking of ways to help. "After such a big thing happened, you should take care of the knights."
"I've already sentenced them to hanging and confiscation of lands and noble titles. What else can I do?" Laing complained. "This is already the heaviest punishment! Once this punishment is out, the knights have already restrained themselves. After all, no one wants to humiliate their family and lose their lives and their noble titles. "
"Then what should we do? You can't let Reppu hide under Bellegar forever, right? " Veronica thought for a moment and suddenly clapped her hands. "I have an idea. What do you think?"
"Speak." Ryan signaled to Veronica that she could say whatever she wanted. He and Veronica could talk freely without the slightest grudge or distance between them.
"If everything goes well, and we reclaim Eight Peaks Mountain, I still think that King Bellegar and his dwarven clan will have a hard time defending this huge fortress. Why don't we …" Veronica whispered her plan in Laing's ear.
"Hmm? That might be a solution! "Laing's eyes lit up. He understood what Veronica meant.
The two carefully discussed the possibilities and came to a conclusion. The matter was considered to have come to an end. Veronica's sweet and bright almond-shaped eyes immediately noticed the opened letter on the table. She reached out her hand and naturally grabbed it. "This is a letter from Sister Suria and Her Highness Morgiana?"
"Yes." Laing nodded. The king smiled and said, "Suria told me that the Empire's payment has been completed. The second issue of Eight Peaks Mountain's debt is selling well. The Empire also hopes to hire a Grail Knight to clear out the Bloody Pine Forest. Then there's news from Morgiana. Morgiana said that she can reduce the service fee to boost morale. She also asked if I need her to come to the frontlines."
"Serve?" Veronica sneered. "She's not serving. She's lusting after your body. She …"
"After tasting master, no one can refuse master!" At this time, Olica, who was lying on Laing's back, spoke. There was an inexplicable tone in her dark elf voice. "If you don't want to, then give me your time."
"Okay, okay." Laing hurriedly shook his head. "Morgiana also said in the letter that Aurora's MI7 has not been of much use after it was established. She also did not do anything practical. Instead, she has been asking for all kinds of resources and support. Veronica, what do you think of this matter?"
"I can't say anything about this, my dear. I have to avoid suspicion." Veronica's almond-shaped eyes turned, and she quickly pretended that she did not care about this matter. "You're the king, and I'm only your first female court official. But Her Highness Morgiana has always been more considerate, right?"
"Ha …" Laing smiled meaningfully. "Aurora still hasn't understood her position. She still thinks that she and I are in a cooperative relationship. As for Teresa, she doesn't feel any sense of crisis. I know Teresa. She actually enjoys this kind of life of being worshipped and has no intention of fighting for anything."
"Our little Princess Garan is like this. She didn't suffer too much when she was young. She has a proud personality and is easily satisfied." Veronica laughed. "As for Lady Aurora, on one hand, she wants to maintain her independent status. On the other hand, she doesn't want Teresa to always be so uninvolved in your affairs. She doesn't want the mother and daughter to be marginalized in your court."
"Suria will take care of the problem." Laing's blue eyes flashed with psionic sparks. He reached behind the table and took out a small box with a wax seal. "This was sent by Lady Aurora. They are not completely useless."
"What is this?" Veronica and Olica stared at the small box curiously. Garan stretched out her hand to signal that she wanted to see it.
"This is a magic scroll for an ice spell — the Realm of Extreme Frost." Laing opened the small box. A threatening cold air spread out from the small box sealed with runes. Knight King smiled and reached out to take the blue scroll. "Compared to Aurora who has been fighting with Margarita for decades, my dear, you are still a little immature!"
Veronica pouted. Garan's face was uncertain. She suddenly realized that she might still have a lot to learn.
The Realm of Holy was not the end, but the beginning of everything.
… I'm the slightly immature section divider …
In March, the expedition army rested in the armory for a month. Four thousand men were left to guard the armory. The rest were ready to attack the important Green Skin stronghold at the foot of the Roof of the World, Iron Cliff.
The army moved along the Poisoned River.
The environment of the Wasteland was extremely harsh. The boundless desert and the sharp, cold wind ravaged the expeditionary army. Many knights had no choice but to wrap their robes tightly around themselves and curse the damned weather. On the contrary, the dwarves seemed to be enjoying themselves quite a bit.
The desert was endless. After a few days of marching, the army came to the ruins of a strange camp. At first, they thought it was left behind by a human caravan or an adventurer team. But then they found that whether it was the writing, the style of the buildings and the layout, it did not look like the style of the Empire or the Brittany culture. It also had nothing to do with the elves or dwarves.
"Ah, it's the ruins of the Strigneans' camp. They must have been attacked here." Bellegar Ironhammer carefully identified the camp. The King of Eight Peaks stroked his white beard. "It's not easy for these damned leftovers to live for thousands of years."
"The Strigneans?" Laing was interested. "Can you tell me more? Brother Bellegar? "
"Oh, Brother Laing, since you asked so sincerely, I can only be merciful and tell you." Bellegar proudly stuck out his belly. He stretched out a finger and pointed to the south. "There, about two thousand kilometers away, is the ruins of a huge city. That city is called Moore 'Cain. It was once the capital of the Strignean Undead Empire."
"The story of the Strigneans, the Strignean Empire, and Moore 'Cain started thousands of years ago."
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
