The female sorcerer never expressed her feelings with words, but her actions had already conveyed everything she wanted to say to Laine.
"Your lover? A powerful wizard." Francois watched as Laine undid the female sorcerer's leather coat, helped her remove her boots and cotton socks, and carried her to the bed originally arranged for Laine to rest on, so he said with a smile.
The Duke himself had several female courtiers, including a Lake God Prophet who had just treated everyone's wounds, who was also his lover. Francois didn't find anything amiss, but he was a bit puzzled as to why, as the Divine Chosen Champion of the Lake Fairy, Laine didn't choose to have the Lake God Prophet serve him.
However, since the Lake Fairy had no objections, Francois refrained from inquiring further.
"Not yet," Laine gently shook his head. Teresa's body was severely exhausted, and the female sorcerer might need several months to recuperate.
Outside the city, the vampire army still lood. Laine and his companions were injured and temporarily unable to leave the castle, so they could only settle down for the ti being, washing their wounds with the blessed water of the Lake God Prophet to prevent the vampire blades from being poisonous or corruptive.
After Laine bathed and changed his clothes, Francois was already waiting for him in his bedroom: "So, Laine, all good? I wanted to take this opportunity to have a chat with you."
"I'm fine, not seriously injured." Laine shook his head. He had so minor wounds, but nothing serious.
The room in Turis Castle was very simple, only equipped with the most basic household necessities and furniture. The attendants brought in plenty of white bread, vegetables, and a substantial amount of at. Francois elegantly stroked his beard, clad in a blue-and-white-patterned Secret Silver Full Plate Armor, covered with a shining surcoat, his face barely concealing his praise and affection for Laine. In the eyes of his future son-in-law, he saw nothing but approval: "Laine, you keep surprising ti and again. This ti, your position as Count is secured."
Laine devoured the food ravenously, the intense battle making him feel hungry, but upon hearing Francois's words, Laine paused, a bit puzzled. He took out a napkin to wipe his mouth: "Killing the Blood Red Duke is indeed a major achievent, but... will Richard be willing to grant a promotion? Last ti, after saving Her Highness Mogiana from Manfred, His Majesty Richard made no response at all."
"Why? Feeling unbalanced?" Francois laughed: "You've beco the Divine Chosen Champion of the Lady and own the Lady's Tower, isn't that enough?"
"Victory speaks for itself; defeat needs no excuses." Laine lightly recited a famous Emperor's Saying.
This ans that fighting against darkness and eradicating evil is not sothing to boast about because it is the very foundation upon which we survive in this world. Similarly, failure is not sothing that warrants an explanation, as you must bear the consequences of defeat yourself.
"I'm just puzzled as to why our His Majesty the King had no reaction to the previous credit, but you can now be certain that I will definitely be promoted to Count?" Laine voiced his question.
"It's surprising you understand it to this extent, Laine. Once again, you've impressed ." Francois nodded, continuing: "However, you seem to have misunderstood sothing. The matter of saving Mogiana, our Majesty can choose not to reward it, but since you killed the Blood Red Duke and burned the vampire siege engines to ashes, our Majesty must reward it and generously so."
"Please enlighten , my Duke." Laine's face turned serious, respectfully asking Francois for guidance.
Laine was already very seasoned and mature in dealing with people, but when it ca to the gas between nobility and court intrigues, he was clearly outmatched by Francois.
"Saving Mogiana can certainly be rewarded, but what next? How will our Majesty balance his power? The power between the Lake God Witch and the King has always been obscure. On ordinary days, the boundaries of power between the King and the Lake God Witch are extrely vague, both seemingly non-interfering, the King being primary and the Lake God Witch secondary. But never forget, the Lake God Witch has dethroned a King more than once and appointed a new one herself." Francois's ocean-blue eyes were filled with wisdom.
Laine realized: "Indeed, each has their duties and should conform to their roles. I only saw that I saved Mogiana but did not notice the balance of power between the King and the Lake God Witch."
"Exactly, from one perspective, Richard might even feel grateful to you because Her Highness Mogiana's severe injury allows him more freedom. But if he rewards you, how should the royal court balance it? If you were in my position for twenty years, you wouldn't have these questions." Francois never withheld advice from Laine: "Conversely, by slaying the Blood Red Duke, our His Majesty the King must show gratitude, Laine, let ask you, from whom does the King's power originate?"
"Traditionally, the King's power is given by the Lady." Laine chose the standard answer.
Francois's mouth curved: "Laine, your words aren't entirely accurate. Yes, the King is ordained by the Lady, but the actual authority of the King cos from all the nobility of the Kingdom. If Richard cannot gain the support and endorsent of the nobles, he might hold the title of King but would be unable to command a single band of knights. What good is being a king then?"
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