After the ceremony, Laine walked with his hands behind his back, following Mogiana. Alia had already returned to Winford with Surya, so Laine instructed his two Ranger Knights, Lops and Hex, to return to the territory and report to Angerong, while he stayed alone in Kulona.
Even though Laine had recovered, Mogiana did not move out of his room, opting instead to sleep in separate beds.
"No news from the Archbishop of the rciful Goddess?" Laine asked Mogiana.
"None." Mogiana shook her head repeatedly, a hint of uncertainty in the voice of the Lake God Witch: "We have searched all of Kulona and the surrounding villages, but it's as if she vanished into thin air. No one has seen her since, and the rciful Goddess Church is already discussing a new candidate for Archbishop."
"Mathew Bade is also missing," Laine frowned.
Following the windmill incident, the day after the Lake God Prophets visited Mathew Bade's residence, they were inford by the property owner that the Knight had a heated argunt with the eldest daughter of the Duke of Borelion and left in anger.
The whole incident seed off, yet at the sa ti, not so. The Lake God Prophets found witnesses who confird that the couple indeed had a big fight, with Fiona yelling for Mathew Bade to leave, saying she never wanted to see him again. Provoked, Mathew Bade left a note and departed from Kulona that very day.
"Your Highness, it appears to be a coincidence, but I'm almost certain that even if Mathew Bade is not the instigator, he is at least a significant figure in all of this," Laine expressed no surprise at this result as he discussed with Mogiana, "If nothing unexpected happens, the next ti we see him will likely be on the battlefield."
"We have your Marchioness Surya to thank, for if she hadn't defeated Mathew Bade, we would be facing the champion of the Knights' Tournant, one I personally crowned as a betrayer!" Mogiana sighed softly and gestured for Laine to co closer: "Don't stand so far, Lady's Champion, co closer."
"I think this is fine." Laine shook his head. The authority and prestige of the Lake God Witch were vast, and she always had a cold deanor. It was fine if they were alone in the suite of the Holy Grail Cathedral, but not outside.
Mogiana frowned, stopped abruptly, and motioned Laine over: "Co here, Lady's Champion, soone familiar to you has arrived today."
"Soone familiar?" Laine moved closer, now walking alongside Mogiana.
"Yes, soone you know." Mogiana smiled slightly: "He was the one leading the Knight army to support your side in Marinburg when the Empire called for help."
"Oh! It's Lord Jules!" Laine grinned, nodding repeatedly: "So, it's him!"
"Indeed, it is. Jules was previously dispatched by to the Gray Mountain Range to clear out so remaining Green Skin. Now he has returned to report," Mogiana's expression softened a bit.
Passing through the corridor of the courtyard to the main hall of the Holy Grail Cathedral, Holy Grail Knight Jules and another Kingdom Knight whom Laine did not recognize were waiting to be greeted by the Lake God Witch. Upon Mogiana's arrival, Jules and the Kingdom Knight paid their respects to her, "Your Highness."
Jules was one of the most notable and powerful Holy Grail Knights in the Kingdom. He single-handedly killed two Chaos Giants and destroyed hordes of Beastman. He had slain dragons in battle and eliminated a lurking Chaos Champion in the Kakasong Duchy, slaying an Undead Mage in the Cone Swamp.
This famous Holy Grail Knight was tall and had eyes that shone bright. He wore a chain armor made of Mithril and a chest armor adorned with various artistic engravings. Draped in a shimring Blue Cloak, he wore the golden badge of the Holy Grail Knight Commander on his chest. He was decked with nurous shields, holy beads, pendants, and portraits of the Lake Fairy symbolizing his devout faith. A golden Giant Dragon statue adorned the top of his helt.
Laine could sense that Jules's power was very close to the Holy Sanctuary. His presence was overwhelming, like the sun, warming allies and scorching enemies.
"Hello, Lord Jules, we've not seen each other since the Battle of Koleson." Laine extended his hand towards Jules warmly.
"Haha, Lord Laine, you're too kind. Lord Laine, the series of great achievents you've accomplished since arriving here makes proud. It's my honor to fight side by side with the Lady's Divine Chosen Champion," Jules spoke with great respect, "Let us together, in the na of the Lady, eradicate evil!"
Mogiana watched as Laine and Jules conversed, her expression much warr. She spoke calmly, "This truly is a glorious mont. Let us bestow honor upon the Kingdom's heroes!"
"Honor!" everyone in the Holy Grail Cathedral shouted in unison.
The Kingdom Knight behind Jules, who appeared to be about thirty years old, stepped forward and greeted Laine: "Hello, Your Highness Mogiana, Lord Laine, I am Kaled, Kaled-Galant, from Bastogne."
"I've heard of your na, Kaled," Mogiana nodded with a smile, "Your feats include killing the Giant Demon and overcoming the Green Skin Tribe's invasion. In the na of the Lady, you are an excellent Knight."
"This is a great honor!" Kaled's face was lean yet full of strength. He had blue eyes and long black hair, wearing a golden headband. He bore the family crest of a white Fire Dragon set against a red and blue background. He respectfully saluted Mogiana and Laine, "May every lake of the Lady be crystal clear."
Jules had been tasked to the Gray Mountain Range to clear out a Green Skin Tribe that frequently harassed Bastogne. Fulfilling expectations, the Holy Grail Knight and Kaled rode their warhorses through the entire Green Skin Tribe, with Jules using his sword, the "Eternal Blade," to decapitate the Green Skin chief before fighting his way out.
A rather violent, straightforward thod, yet effective—as long as one had absolute confidence in their own strength.
Jules and Kaled stayed to enjoy the Holy Communion, where Mogiana hosted them with the honor of the Lake Fairy and bestowed Divine Art blessings upon them.
Laine hadn't attended the banquet; it was an honor belonging to Jules and Kaled alone, and he didn't want to be involved. Besides, there wasn't anything particularly special about dining with Mogiana...
However, when he went out for a walk and returned, he found that Jules had already left, while Kaled remained.
The Kingdom Knight was in the cathedral courtyard conversing with a very beautiful Lake God Prophet. The blonde-haired, blue-eyed Prophet was holding Kaled's hand, gently caressing his face with deep affection on her expression.
"Long-lost lovers?" Laine asked, curious, as he approached Mogiana.
"Long-lost siblings." Mogiana gazed through the cathedral's stained glass windows: "That's Kaled's sister, Anara. She is an outstanding Lake God Prophet under my command and also Jules's lover."
"I see. That's why Sir Kaled can accompany Lord Jules, right?" Laine nodded repeatedly. Most Holy Grail Knights had a wife and several lovers (female courtiers if they had a domain), many of which were Lake God Prophets. While not prohibited from marrying, the Lake God Witch would preside over such matters if necessary, ensuring that the noble blood of Holy Grail Knights was carried on.
"It's Lord Kaled, Laine. He is Count Galant of the Duchy of Bastogne," Mogiana lifted the Potion Chalice, her tone sowhat whimsical, as if reminiscing about sothing: "Interested in hearing Kaled's story, Laine?"
"Of course."
"Kaled is the second child of Count Galant. His sister, due to her exceptional Magic Talent, was taken away by the previous Lake God Witch at a young age. At birth, he was declared dead, but he tenaciously survived and gradually beca an excellent Knight."
"Kaled's mother passed away very early, and shortly after, Count Galant remarried, having another son. Due to the difference in bloodlines, Kaled's childhood was not a happy one, as his stepmother showed him little affection."
"And just when Kaled had grown into a Ranger Knight, an attack by a large Green Skin Tribe changed his destiny forever..."
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