This imnse forest is hidden with many forbidden and ancient beasts, but none possess the noble and majestic control over this domain like the Griffin. Only a few knights can manage to capture and ta the mighty Griffin and unsurprisingly, many knights end up as bloody remnants as a result. However, those who succeed in taming are highly praised, as they have gained not only a powerful and loyal companion but also greater prestige. Yet, these knights bear the terrifying scars and wounds from their mounts' attacks as a badge of honor, proving their bravery and martial skills to their peers. In return, these creatures remain forever loyal to their masters, with countless stories of Griffins tirelessly hunting down enemies to avenge their deceased knightly masters.
The luckiest of them all is the current Emperor of the Empire, Carl Franz, who, before ascending the throne, happened to find a Griffin egg during a hunt in the Gray Mountain Range. Since then, the great Griffin nad Death's Claw has fought by his side to this day.
But what about Laine? The orderly creature like a Griffin actively approaching him?
The Griffin knights thought they truly had their eyes opened today.
"Hey~ There there~ Little one, are you hungry?" Laine picked up the puppy-like Griffin cub, then brought over so snowflake beef from the table to feed it. The little creature voraciously gobbled up the delicious grilled beef, almost choking.
"So cute! Laine, let hold it too!" Surya peered around Laine's side. As a female knight, she was also particularly fond of powerful mounts. The fluffy little Griffin made her reach out to pet it, but the little creature imdiately lifted its head alertly, using its sharp beak and claws to attack Surya.
The female knight had to withdraw her hand. Despite this, Surya remained deeply interested in the puppy-like Griffin cub: "So cute~"
Laine thought, where exactly is this fierce little guy cute?
"Why don't you give it a na, Laine?" Anton was secretly amazed at how effortlessly Laine subdued the little Griffin, but he kept a calm face and said with a smile.
"A na?" Laine lifted the Griffin cub. His pure spiritual energy made the little Griffin especially willing to be close to him. Count Glamorgan said to his fiancée, "Surya, you co up with a na!"
The little Griffin's fur was silver on the top and gold on the bottom. Surya's beautiful face studied the little creature for a while before offering a suggestion: "How about Impres (Courage)?"
"Great na! Little guy, you'll be called Impres from now on." Laine pinched the little Griffin's face, causing it to let out a displeased screech.
A grand banquet concluded in the castle hall.
......
Ten days later, in the Old World, the Imperial Capital, the Imperial Palace of Brunswick.
Duke Casvan of Paragon declared war on the Empire.
Carl Franz held a letter delivered by the court wizard, and the sender of the letter was Count Anton Ferdinand, who reported his diplomatic results to His Majesty the Emperor.
Francois, Bohemond, and Laine all agreed to remain neutral in this war, citing valid reasons that it was Casvan's war, not theirs. Since the Lake Fairy did not issue an oracle, they would not participate in the war.
The gigantic palace gates rose dozens of ters, with the towering complex showcasing the ceaseless glory of the Empire from its founding to the present. The Rick Guards and elite Imperial troops patrolled the palace walls, while powerful wizards monitored every move within the palace.
The permanent residents of Brunswick numbered around 250,000, but the actual population exceeded one million. The Rick Territory, directly governed by the Emperor, was the most prosperous, had the best climate, the largest population of over five million people, and possessed the best weaponry and most elite army in the entire Empire.
Present at the eting were Vicma Bekman, the Archbishop of the Justice Church known as "The Resolute", Wolrich Prince-Elector and Grand Duke of Midland "One-eyed" Boris Todbringer, Toscan Prince-Elector and Grand Duke of Avey "Fierce Sun Lion" Umberto Corleone, Imperial Grand Alchemist Biersaze Gaert, the Emperor's Standard Bearer Ludwig-Schwarzhamr, Imperial General Kurt Heilberg, and the Emperor himself, Carl Franz.
"What good news, so our only enemy is Casvan and his Pegasus Knights." Boris Todbringer glared with his single eye: "I must say, Yurik's believers would never fear any enemy, but Laine is different, you know. He was once a White Wolf Knight and is soone especially valued by my Lord. He even killed a Great Demon in the Battle of Kulona Plains. I don't want to fight him unless absolutely necessary."
"We will only eliminate those against the Empire," Carl Franz said with a hint of humor in his voice: "Whether it's Laine, Francois, or Bohemond, they all understand the bigger picture."
"Fierce Sun Lion" Umberto nodded: "I have faced Bohemond, and his Fire Dragon Riding Spear left a deep impression on . Francois's Unicorn Sword is a bane to the undead. These powers should be used against evil, not in a human civil war."
"Human civil wars are always sorrowful," comnted "The Resolute" Archbishop Vicma, raising his golden two-headed eagle scepter: "But those who oppose the Empire must be severely punished, whether they are Knights of Brittania or rcenaries of the Southern Realm! Regardless."
The gathered great nobles nodded repeatedly; the authority of the Empire must not be violated.
"What about Knight King Richard, Heilberg?" The diplomatic victory slightly eased the Emperor's pressure. He then turned his attention to Imperial General Heilberg, who had recently been promoted and was currently confronting the Brittania Knights led by Marshal Roland on the "Kulona Road".
"I have received news that Richard and Duke Lorne have held several etings with Duke Dalheid. For the sake of stability, Richard has expressed a desire not to go to war with the Empire, emphasizing that this is a conflict between Casvan and the Empire."
"I received similar reports," the Emperor responded. Based on Richard's character, the Emperor's courtiers and professors at Brunswick University had t several tis, and after repeated considerations, everyone concluded that Richard, being cautious and stability-oriented, would not participate in this war.
Lorne, the Divine Chosen Champion like Laine, is truly unpredictable, incomprehensible to re mortals.
"Let the Church and the Paladins not participate in this war, Your Excellency Vicma. This is our war with Casvan, not a war between Charlemagne and the Lake Fairy," the Emperor first negotiated with the Archbishop of the Justice Church.
"The Resolute" Vicma nodded silently, recognizing that the Church could not interfere in a civil war among humans. Neither Brittania's knights nor the Southern Realm's rcenaries dared to offend the Empire.
"What about Knight King Richard? Heilberg?" The Emperor's diplomatic victory slightly eased his pressure, and he imdiately turned his attention to Imperial General Heilberg, who he had recently promoted. Heilberg was leading the Imperial Legion on the "Kulona Road", standing off against the Brittania Knight force led by Marshal Roland.
"I have received news that Richard, the Knight King, recently t with Duke Lorne and Duke of Dalheid several tis," reported Heilberg.
"Richard put emphasis on maintaining stability and does not wish to go to war with the Empire," Heilberg continued. "This is Castavan's war, not his war. He emphasizes that without an oracle from the Lake Fairy, he won't intervene."
"Real humans will always find civil war distressing," noted "The Resolute" Vicma, as he raised his hand holding the golden double-headed eagle scepter. "However, those who dare to offend the Empire must be severely punished, regardless if they are Brittania's knights or Southern Realm's rcenaries!"
The great nobles repeatedly nodded, affirming that the Empire's authority must be inviolable.
"As for Knight King Richard? Heilberg?" The Emperor's diplomatic victory slightly eased his pressure, and he imdiately turned his attention to Imperial General Heilberg, whom he had recently promoted. Heilberg was then engaged in a standoff with the Brittania Knight led by Marshal Roland on the Kulona Road.
"I received news that Richard and Duke Lorne have t with Duke Dalheid several tis. Considering stability, Richard does not want to go to war with the Empire," Heilberg continued. "He emphasized that this is between Casvan and the Empire, not between Charlemagne and the Lake Fairy."
In response to Richard's temperant, the Emperor's courtiers and professors at Brunswick University had already held several etings. After thorough deliberation, they concluded that Richard, being a cautious man with a focus on stability, would not engage in this war.
"We should not involve the Church in this civil war. Vicma, this is a war between us and Casvan, not between Charlemagne and the God of Justice." The Emperor first discussed with the Archbishop of the Church of Justice.
"The Resolute" Vicma nodded in agreent: "Between humans, civil wars only lead to sorrow. The Church should not interfere."
"Midland will also refrain from fighting in this matter," decreed Boris in a gruff voice. "Casvan has not declared war on us, and we White Wolf Knights will not participate."
"The Avey Territory will take part in this war! Since I ssed up the negotiation, I will send a strong contingent of my troops to destroy the knights on the other side of the mountains!" shouted Umberto with resolve.
"At your command, Your Majesty!" Heilberg stood up.
"Summon the Rick Guard and my army," commanded the Emperor with nothing but fervor and determination on his face. "Prepare for war!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
"My Standard Bearer," the Emperor called out.
"We shall now unleash those Great Griffins kept in the castle."
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
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