"Luck is also a part of strength, and choosing where to be born is a skill, brother. In this country, where you are born almost determines whether you’ll be a Master Knight or a peasant." Laine said words that others didn’t understand, casually mocking: "Brother, do you think if we were born in father’s empire, which identities would be better?"
Angerong savored the brandy in his cup, thought for a mont, then answered, "Three identities: Nomadic rchant, Titan Knight Family, Imperial Navy Officer. These three are relatively free and have a better life, especially the Nomadic rchant. I rember several families received trade permits personally signed by father during the Great Expedition Era. These permits are more powerful than imperial law. Unfortunately, they are very rare, and every family that possesses such a permit is top-notch and wealthy, accountable only to father and not subject to orders. The nine sets of jewelry Kiliman brought as wedding gifts for you were tributes from these families."
"Then there’s Pri Minister Macado and Kiliman, Saint Gile, Don, Zhuangsen, and Fugen who signed similar trade permits. Their efficacy is inferior but still sufficient for a family to establish an entire Nomadic rchant Dynasty. Later permits won’t do, with low autonomy, oversight, and limits on activity range." Angerong continued: "Moreover, they cannot be inherited."
"It’s the sa in this world — everywhere there’s war. The empire, Brittania, the north faces Chaos and Barbarians, the south faces Green Skin, and within territories, there are Undead and Beastn." Laine said self-mockingly to Angerong: "Growing up in Nord taught a lesson — you can never kill all the Barbarians, nor clean the forests. Even though I killed Red Eye Egil, the Northern Barbarians lost fifty thousand elites, they can recover in just a few years."
"War is an eternal the, my brother." Angerong looked up at the sky: "Since the Great Expedition began, our trajectory has always been from one war to the next. Speaking of which, I know you’re planning to attack Black Stone Stronghold. How are the preparations?"
"Resource allocation is still underway, as for war preparations, we’re far from ready. My territory currently has so soldier vacancies, so I will recruit new soldiers at the Midsumr Night conscription ceremony. I can’t take all the soldiers away to battle; enough must be left to defend the territory." Laine contemplated that a war isn’t initiated just because — it requires thorough preparation.
His father-in-law Francois is also conducting war mobilization and gathering troops.
Laine was waiting for soone here today.
To attack Black Stone Stronghold, Francois plans to assemble a grand army and more importantly, he intends to summon the special knight army.
This knight unit is called the "Quenalis Champion Knight Brotherhood", composed entirely of Expedition Knights and Holy Grail Knights — all elite or greater — forming Brittania’s elite knight legion, one of the few elite legions in the Kingdom.
Chatting in the open-air courtyard for so ti, Surya also woke up, she led servants and maids down from the villa, greeting Angerong with great courtesy: "Good afternoon, Brother Angerong."
"Hello, Surya, good afternoon." Angerong nodded in response, feeling quite satisfied with his sister-in-law, though in this world, sister-in-law isn’t a term used, so he addresses her by na.
"Uncle Antel isn’t here yet?" Surya sat on Laine’s right, the newly awakened Countess asked her husband.
"Not yet." Laine shook his head.
Antel, Count of Kuileu, Francois’ cousin and one of the key nobles in the upcoming attack on Black Stone Stronghold.
As previously ntioned, the now-dissolved Kuileu Duchy won’t be reintroduced, although the Winford Duchy has fully inherited Kuileu Duchy’s lands, Kuileu’s noble titles remain, it’s Antel, Francois’ cousin, who inherited the Count title.
Thus, from so perspective, Winford Duchy’s full na should be "Quenalis and Kuileu United Duchy." As the Quenalis Duke title and Kuileu Duke title have rged into the "Duke of Winford," Francois consistently uses the Duke of Winford title.
If his father-in-law preferred, he could also change his title to "Duke of Quenalis, Tankred II."
Surya remarked that Francois didn’t like staying in Quenalis, that city is too close to Aisloron, near the Wood Elf lands. Since a Duke once disappeared in the forest, the Duchy’s capital moved to Helunhilde, appointing a Castle Lord to lead knights to guard Quenalis, monitoring Undead and Wood Elf movents.
The Castle Lord title differs from Baron, can be appointed and freely replaced by the Duke, and is responsible only to him, similar to a Defense Commander.
After so waiting, Surya’s cousin, Francois’ cousin Antel finally arrived.
The Count appeared to be in his thirties, his face weathered, eyes filled with faith and wisdom, his long eagle hook nose added a curious aspect to his handso features, a ticulously grood slicked-back hair and pointed goatee, exuding elegance.
He too is a powerful Holy Grail Knight, excelling in spear and swordsmanship within the Duchy.
Reflecting, Laine thought, in Brittania, no noble fails to ride a horse, wield a sword or spear.
After thousands of years of reproduction, noble bloodlines intertwine complexly, tracing back they’re all relatives, and the Count is slightly bothered by this, having recently hosted many of Surya’s so-called "distant relatives" seeking to beco his knight vassals — so knights show promise, but most are just empty shells.
"Hello, Lord Laine Macado, I am Astre’s Antel, honored to et you. The Lady’s Divine Chosen Champion." Antel offered his handshake in greeting.
"Hello, Lord Antel." Laine extended his hand too, shaking hands with the Count: "With your support, our attack on Black Stone Stronghold gains more certainty."
"Hello, Uncle Antel." Surya stood and greeted her cousin.
"Congratulations on your wedding! Surya." Antel expressed his pleasure upon seeing his niece, smiling: "Please sit, no need to stand."
After simple pleasantries, the group discussed business in the open-air courtyard, Angerong went hunting, leaving Laine and Antel to sit face to face, Laine inquired quietly: "So, the Quenalis Champion Knight Brotherhood is mobilizing this ti?"
"Exactly, Cousin has sent letters to Champion Knights across various locations, nurous knights have gathered at the Duchy’s capital, including Kaled-Galant in the midst of the Holy Grail Expedition, and my cousin Sir Jerald." Antel spoke softly: "This ti, it will be Heinrich Kemler’s end, we’ve missed an opportunity before and now, the Champion Knights are eager to sever that undead head from his shoulders."
"Excellent." Laine nodded repeatedly: "Our friend, King Belgar Iron Hamr of the Angland Clan, is supervising the crafting of more Dwarf Cannons and Organ Cannons, Black Stone Stronghold’s sturdy walls cannot hinder the knight army now!"
"Therefore, Lord Laine, on behalf of the Quenalis Champion Knight Brotherhood, I formally invite you and Surya to join us as knight partners!" A silver unicorn knight emblem was placed before Laine.
"War is drawing near!"
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