Just trying to see the figure before him made the Grand Alchemist's eyes and soul tremble. Unable to risk blinding himself, Gelt could only identify the newcomer through the reflection on his golden robe.
The visitor wore a gigantic suit of golden full-body armor, every pattern and engraving on it deeply offending Gelt. These golden designs and the double-headed eagle symbol were exclusive to Electors and the Emperor. A statue of a falcon looked down upon the world from the right shoulder of the golden armor, and a red cloak with white fur trim highlighted the visitor's extraordinary nobility. The man's black hair was as smooth as silk, and his face exuded supreme majesty and endless coldness.
Gelt knew he had encountered an unbeatable opponent, but the figure didn't resemble a Chaos creature—no Chaos creature could be so holy and dignified. Thus, he attempted to communicate: "I did not mean to disturb your rest, sir. I am a wizard from the Imperial Royal Wizard Academy, here to investigate traces of Chaos. We have a common enemy..."
"Human?" The man gave him a glance, and Gelt was submerged in infinite power. All his secrets were laid bare under the man's scrutiny, from his birth until his entry into this underground chamber. All of Gelt's ideals and life goals were evident to the man.
"A knowledge-seeking alchemist wizard, with a magical affinity for the world's essence... and loyal to humanity." The man finally released his pressure, and the Grand Alchemist collapsed to the ground.
"Loyalty is the foundation of everything. I perceive your ultimate goal is for humanity's future. That's commendable..." The man's face remained endlessly cold and serious, but his voice continued in Gelt's mind: "I can restore your destroyed appearance and teach you more magical knowledge."
"Then... what price will I pay?" Gelt sensed the man's power but, as the Emperor's wizard, still held firmly to his loyalty to humanity.
"Continue your loyalty to humanity and the Empire!"
Thus, before Gelt, a door to a new world opened...
————On the Turbulent Sea————
The salty smell of the sea and the sound of waves filled the cabin of the passenger ship. When Ryan woke up, he found himself lying on a soft bed. This cabin was the best room on the passenger ship, with carpets and full furnishings, everything nailed down by the captain.
Opening the small window, Ryan saw the bright daylight outside. He found himself dressed in clean white pajamas, with flickering lights, a soft mattress, and a thick quilt with a faint fragrance.
Ryan sat up, vaguely remembering the celebration banquet last night where Count Albert opened his wine cellar. Even Ryan had drunk until he was tipsy. He remembered his mission to pursue the fallen hunters and refused the Count's arrangements, boarding the passenger ship at night. Before leaving, the Count had given him three divine coins and his family heirloom.
The pinnacle of Dwarven craftsmanship—the Anti-Demon Gold Flame Rune Shotgun.
The Count himself wasn't strong enough to handle the shotgun's powerful recoil, so the family heirloom was left gathering dust. Ryan had no such issue; he was strong enough.
"The Rune Shotgun, paired with mercury bullets, its power might exceed my expectations." Ryan examined the shotgun, carefully looking at the runes and feeling its power.
"Looking at weapons first thing upon waking?" A cold female voice came from the other side of the room. "Is there nothing else? You have plenty of time to rest."
Theresa wore a silk dress with a lily bouquet waist cincher. Her black hair cascaded over her shoulders, adorned with no decorations. A diamond necklace and sapphire earrings highlighted her stunning beauty. Seeing Ryan awake, the sorceress stood up and sat by his bedside, holding his large hand with her small one. "Feeling better?"
The strands of her hair brushing against Ryan's hand made him feel ticklish, but he held her small hand. "I'm fine. I recover quickly."
"...When you went up to duel that barbarian, you really scared me. You shouldn't have done that. There was no need to fight so hard for a city's safety." Theresa placed Ryan's hand on her long leg. Only then did Ryan notice her short skirt and the long black stockings covering her legs.
"At that time, there was no other choice. I couldn't leave a mess and escape alone. First, my reputation would suffer greatly. Second, it was the only way to turn the tide." Ryan gently shook his head.
"Maybe." Theresa didn't directly answer the question, feeling the warmth from his large hand. Her face flushed, and when Ryan turned to look at her, she instinctively avoided his gaze, standing up and sitting on a nearby chair. "Anyway, it will take us five days to reach Marienburg."
"Sounds about right." Ryan didn't want to continue the topic, so he focused on Theresa's beautiful long legs.
Theresa wore a pair of purple high heels. Seeing Ryan's gaze on her, she felt pleased. "Do you like it?"
"I rarely see you dress like this." Ryan joked, feeling happy after winning the championship duel, advancing in battle, and receiving the Lake Fairy's eternal blessing.
"This skirt is short and easily exposes me. I only wear it because you like it. I actually don't enjoy wearing stockings." The sorceress lightly tugged on her black stockings with her slender fingers. "Wearing stockings easily attracts men's attention, which I hate. Besides, wearing pants is more convenient in battle; skirts tear easily."
"You're right." Ryan noticed Theresa seemed troubled and asked, "What's wrong? You seem a bit unhappy."
"Ryan... we might have to act separately. I've received a council notice that there's new progress in the excavation of the Wizard Empire's ruins..." Theresa unhappily shared the news with Ryan.
"So you have to return to the Garland Council?" Ryan seemed a bit disappointed but secretly felt relieved. With his current reputation, he could seek the Wizarding Union or the Imperial Royal Wizard Academy. If that failed, he could even go to the Holy Maiden Convent under the Lake Fairy. He doubted the holy maidens and prophetesses wouldn't help him.
"Veronica said she'd take my place. She'll meet us in Marienburg, and then I'll hand over to her." Theresa was clearly displeased, knowing the excavation work was more important. "So these days on the passenger ship will be our last days together for now."
"Veronica will come? That's fine... What do you mean 'last days together'? It's not like we won't see each other again." Ryan retorted, feeling awkward. "Uh, I need to get up and change. Can you return to your room for a bit?"
"What do you mean my room? My room is your room. We share this room. You can change behind the screen." Theresa pointed to a screen in the room.
"Share a room??" Ryan looked pained. "Can you explain this? Didn't you book two rooms?"
"Your friend Alfred convinced his archbishop and wants to join you on your adventure. Additionally, that wandering knight named Lopus seems to know you. So, I gave them your room." The sorceress didn't mind. "Anyway, this room has two beds."
"Alright." Ryan awkwardly went behind the screen to change.
Removing his pajamas, Ryan noticed a Holy Grail emblem on his chest. The Lake Fairy had used her divine power to imprint the eternal blessing on his chest, the highest-level gift she could bestow.
The Holy Grail emblem, the lifelong pursuit of many Bretonnian knights.
Super magic resistance, immunity to spells of the fourth circle and below.
Super ranged resistance, immunity to common bows and crossbows.
The sacred Holy Grail emblem proved the Lake Fairy's favor towards Ryan. Additionally, her blessing significantly reduced the chances of enemies predicting or cursing him, as she held the domain of prophecy. The emblem also accelerated Ryan's physical recovery.
After advancing to mid-legendary rank, Ryan's physique and arm strength increased exponentially by over half. Coupled with the Lake Fairy's eternal blessing, he could now easily hold his own against legendary beings. Even if he couldn't win, he wouldn't lose.
In a way, I guess I'm another kind of Holy Grail Knight... just without drinking the Lady's Holy Grail water (foot bath water), Ryan thought.
With the Holy Grail Knight's traits—super magic resistance, super ranged resistance, and never tiring—Ryan had them all.
After changing, Ryan got up around noon. He and Theresa had lunch together, then sat on the bed, discussing their next steps.
"Currently, we may have lost the trail, but deducing the fallen hunters' whereabouts shouldn't be difficult. The headquarters of the Beautiful Order is in Marienburg. Although you can't continue, I will, and... I expect an invitation soon." Ryan sat on his bed, with Theresa leaning on his shoulder. She didn't seem to be listening to his analysis. "Uh, are you listening to me?"
"What's the point of discussing this now? You can tell Veronica yourself." Theresa whispered in his ear, "Let's change the topic."
"Change the topic?" Before Ryan could react, Theresa's lace gloves were off, and her small hand intertwined with his, her face flushed. "Ryan, about what I told you last time..."
"Knock, knock, knock." Intense knocking came from the door. It was Alfred's voice. "Ryan! Ryan! Come out, there's big news!"
"What is it?" Ryan patted Theresa's hand and got up to open the door, leaving behind a blushing sorceress glaring at the door.
Coming out of the cabin, Alfred grabbed Ryan. "Ryan, you're famous! Emperor Karl Franz announced your deeds nationwide! The Lake Fairy also spread your story through the Holy Maiden Convent across Bretonnia. Your name is known
everywhere!"
On the ship, his childhood friend wore a white church ceremonial robe instead of armor, looking like a handsome blond man. But under his robe, he still wore scale armor. Seeing Ryan's dazed expression, Alfred slapped his chest. "Good friend! Do you know what's happening outside?"
"What is it?" Ryan followed Alfred to the deck, where he saw the vast blue sea and sky.
The sea breeze lifted Ryan's black hair.
"The Lake God Witch publicly announced at the Holy Maiden Convent that you defeated the barbarian chief Beirag due to the Lake Fairy's blessing. The Grandmaster of the White Wolf Church, Malas, claimed it was the White Wolf Lord's inspiration that led you to victory." Alfred excitedly continued, "I heard it from my lord during my morning prayer."
"So, what do you think?" Ryan smiled without stating his view.
"I just want to know! What do you think? Who helped you? This is crucial!" Alfred grabbed Ryan, desperate to know which story was true.
Ryan didn't answer. Instead, he pulled down his shirt collar, revealing the Holy Grail emblem on his chest.
In Alfred's green eyes, the Holy Grail emblem shone brightly.
......
In the void, a dispute erupted.
"You b*tch, you're shamelessly stealing my glory!" Ulric angrily shouted at the figure before him. "I need an explanation!"
"You can't stop him from worshipping me. The gods agreed not to forcibly take believers. Ryan is now my chosen champion." The Lake Fairy mocked the White Wolf God's belated realization. "By agreement, he's just your knight, but he's my chosen champion. From now on, this foreigner's ownership is mine!"
"Ulric, you can announce his expulsion from the White Wolf Knights or declare him a traitor. But if you do, what will others think? What will your followers think? Go ahead, try." The Lake Fairy floated away, leaving Ulric in rage.
Even the most furious and easily angered gods need followers. Except for the Chaos gods, all deities rely on believers, as their faith sustains their existence.
Ulric could have his Grandmaster announce Ryan's expulsion from the White Wolf Knights and strip his title. But the consequences were unbearable. Ryan had never betrayed him, and the White Wolf Church had been declining for a long time. If Ulric dared to declare a hero who repelled a barbarian invasion as a traitor, he could imagine the ensuing collapse and rebellion of faith.
This world wasn't his alone!
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