In early April, along the mountainous path behind Baron Jean's territory, a group of knights were advancing on horseback.
Sulia did not come alone; two kingdom knights, leading several ranger knights, were protecting the duke's daughter. The internal security, especially near the Duchy of Winfort in Brittany, was not very good. Despite being elite high-ranking, a female knight could not come alone.
The kingdom knights sent to protect the duke's daughter were naturally skilled, both possessing elite pinnacle strength and their own titles. One was called the Bull Knight Baptiste, and the other was called the Stag Knight Gaston. They were both over thirty years old, wearing fine knight plate armor, with long swords hanging at their waist and shields attached to the rear legs of their horses, carefully watching the surroundings.
Only the Grail Knight, riding his horse with a calm face, was chatting with the duke's daughter, "So, the security in Winfort is not as good as I imagined?"
"Yes, Lord Ryan, we spend a lot of effort every year clearing out bandits," the female knight explained seriously while riding her purebred Elven warhorse, "Many robbers have built their strongholds on the borders of the duchy or hidden deep in the forests. To eliminate them, we've also lost many knights."
"No way?" Ryan remarked, "Can't the knights of the duchy deal with this threat?"
This comment made many young ranger knights in the group uncomfortable, but since the person in front of them was a Grail Knight, they couldn't say much, only muttering under their breath, "It's not that we're not trying, but the bandits are too cunning."
Bull Knight Baptiste, with a handsome handlebar mustache and a cleanly shaven head, said somewhat awkwardly upon hearing Ryan's comment, "Please understand, Lord Ryan, the bandits are very cunning. They often attack villages and once they hear of knights gathering, they would hide deep in the mountains or forests, or barricade themselves in their strongholds."
"So you don't siege?" Ryan continued, not intending to spare the knights' feelings.
The virtue of a Grail Knight was unquestionable, and the knights present felt somewhat ashamed. Sulia took over the conversation, "That's right, Lord Ryan. Siege equipment is cumbersome and difficult to transport into deep forests or mountainous regions. The cunning bandits never confront us directly. When they barricade themselves in their castles, it's difficult for us to conquer those strongholds."
"Hmm," Ryan stroked his chin, really starting to ponder the problem.
Brittany, the kingdom of knights, the land of knights, boasts the strongest heavy cavalry in the Old World.
The knights' group charge was indeed powerful in open battles, but this advantage comes with disadvantages. With the kingdom's resources dedicated to maintaining knights, the lack of powerful siege weapons and strong ranged forces is one of its weaknesses. The country doesn't have cannons. When robbers build their castles deep in forests or rugged mountains, cumbersome trebuchets, unlike cannons, cannot be brought in, forcing knights to dismount and fight.
Thus, the knights felt somewhat helpless against these bandits, only able to defend passively. The cost of mobilizing a large army was too expensive, not an option for the duke.
Realizing this, Ryan understood why the female knight had sought him out.
"Miss Sulia, are you hoping I would help Lord Duke solve this problem?" Ryan smiled, appearing very calm.
"Yes, we would like to ask Mr. Ryan for help. Otherwise, the bandits' raids every year cause significant losses to the duchy, with people displaced, caravans robbed and killed, and farmland destroyed," the female knight earnestly and sincerely said, tucking a strand of golden hair behind her ear, her figure like a blooming iris: "We hope Lord Ryan could lend us a hand, this is my personal request."
With that, Ryan did not hesitate and immediately agreed, "No problem, I accept. Miss Sulia and Ulric are my friends, the Antre family are friends of Ryan Macado. They have helped me a lot along the way, I have no reason to refuse."
"Thank you very much," Sulia's exquisite face bloomed with a smile.
Ryan smiled back warmly, responding to her kindness.
This young lady was gentle and articulate, repeatedly showing goodwill, leaving Ryan no reason to refuse. The Antre family had provided him with much assistance from Marlinburg to Brittany.
The knightly virtue did not allow him to ignore this, accepting benefits without willing to give back would be disgraceful.
Entering the interior of the Duchy of Winfort, the air was filled with a sweet fragrance. The duchy was surrounded by the Scriptural Mountains, with the Hinnon River originating deep within. The land was fertile for miles, with a climate cold in winter and cool in summer, boasting the Old World's best vineyards and olive oil workshops.
Looking up, the clear blue sky with the sun warming the earth, diligent serfs were farming, and the stone-paved roads were bustling with travelers, merchant caravans, and villagers.
"What a lively and vibrant land!" Ryan exclaimed, "This is practically paradise on earth."
Hearing the Grail Knight's praise, the ranger knights and the two kingdom knights felt honored, and Stag Knight Gaston immediately responded loudly, "Exactly, Lord Ryan. Whenever I see this scenery, I'm willing to dedicate my life to this land. When I'm out in battle, the Lady and Winfort are my most steadfast beliefs."
Following the broad main road, the knights headed towards the capital of the Duchy of Winfort, Helenshield.
This was a city like a giant garden, situated in the middle of a valley, with the clear waters of the Hinnon River flowing beside from the wilderness. High above the city gates hung the Antre family's "Pure White Pegasus" coat of arms, with a golden ducal crown above the shield, telling of ancient history.
The city's houses were built of brick and stone, with white walls and red roofs, bustling streets filled with people, and many trees and flowers everywhere.
The duke's castle, backed by mountains and towering walls with spired towers, comprised a massive fortress for the Duke of Winfort. This huge castle, with three layers and a conical rise, constructed from granite, symbolized the duke's wealth and power.
Near the Hinnon River, the central keep was flanked by six giant conical towers, surrounding it. A thirty-meter-tall statue of a Pure White Pegasus in front of the main keep was a visual shock, as if the first Duke of Winfort, who fought alongside Arthur, had returned to the mortal world.
On the roads, among the flowers, and in the squares, minstrels and acrobats performed various shows. The knights passed through the castle's main gate, greeted by a lush sea of flowers, but Ryan and his companions did not stop there. Instead, they followed the duke's daughter directly to the inner court, where they would meet the Grail Knight, the Holy Knight, Duke of Winfort "Long Legs" François-Antre.
Today's luck was not very good. The duke was not in his castle's inner court but was informed by a loyal maid that he was tasting wine in an outdoor pavilion.
"Mr. Ryan, please go meet my father first. I'll join you after changing my clothes," the duke's daughter politely said she would stay behind, and Ryan nodded friendly, "Alright."
Then, led by Bull Knight Baptiste and Stag Knight Gaston along the marble courtyard, Ryan arrived at the castle's pavilion.
The pavilion, located on a hill, offered a panoramic view of Helenshield and the surrounding countryside.
Before the pavilion, a long line of petitioners awaited the duke's audience, including various guild leaders, foreign merchants, estate owners from within the duchy, and even some wandering knights from outside Brittany, all hoping to meet the duke personally, to promote themselves or share their troubles.
They were bound to be disappointed today, as Baron Jean, dressed in full Brittany baron attire with a Grail Knight badge, requested an audience with the duke, prompting the castle's guards and knights to receive a notice from the duke: today's meeting was over, as two Grail Knights would discuss an important matter.
With regret, the waiting petitioners had to disperse.
Inside the pavilion, several ranger knights in shining silver full plate armor stood guard. In the pavilion, a tall and imposing figure stood with his back to the visitors, slightly taller than Ryan, around 1.9 meters tall.
Seeing this imposing figure, Bull Knight Baptiste and Stag Knight Gaston could not hide their fervent admiration and respect, standing respectfully aside, signaling Ryan to approach.
"After years of absence, respected guardian of Winfort, owner of the Scriptural Mountains, beloved François-Antre-de-Winfort, Grail Knight Ryan Macado wishes you good health," Ryan bowed, placing his hand on his left chest, showing respect to the towering figure.
Like his godfather, Duke "Long Legs" François was truly a person worthy of respect. After turning 18 and becoming a ranger knight, participating in numerous wars, at 23, he won the crown at the tournament in the capital of Brittany, Couronne, and was knighted. At 35, he embarked on the path of the Grail, and at 39, he single-handedly killed a two-footed dragon and a doomsday bull, completing the Grail trial, then returned to his domain to inherit his father's title of Duke of Winfort.
François stood out among the dukes for his exceptional internal governance skills. His years of military experience never dimmed his wisdom, enriching the already prosperous Winfort duchy further, turning it into an almost heavenly place.
His military prowess was also undiminished. Eleven years ago, when necromancer Heinrich Kemmler led an undead army to invade Brittany, it was Duke François who led the knights to stop this invasion and completely expel the undead from Brittany's borders.
"Welcome to Winfort, champion of the Lady, guardian of Marlinburg, victor of the champions' duel, Ryan Macado~" The duke turned around.
Like Julius and Sulia, the duke had bright golden hair and sea-blue eyes, a thick short hair making him look spirited, broad eyebrows, a high nose bridge, and a neatly trimmed short mustache, making it hard to believe he was over seventy, appearing as if in his thirties.
But when Ryan's gaze met the duke's eyes, the impression of his appearance faded away. These were deep eyes like the sea, capable of peering into one's heart, with wisdom rolling in these tumultuous waves, brewing, waiting for the next wave to arrive.
Dressed in silk garments befitting a Duke of Brittany, his tall frame was casually attired, as there were no formal events today: "I waited several days for your visit, so I had to invite you over, my baron?"
The duke's voice was deep and magnetic, with a sense of years.
After confirming the duke's face was smiling, Ryan carefully replied, "It was my oversight. I've been busy since arriving in the domain, planning to visit you after handling everything."
"Wise decision! That's what a competent lord does." The duke first affirmed Ryan's approach, then laughed, "You're impressive, even knowing you're Ivan's godson, I didn't expect you to be this outstanding."
"Reality is always more incredible than imagination, my duke." Ryan smiled somewhat unnaturally, "I never imagined there would be such a day. When I felt despair in the champions' duel, it was the Lady who gave me the strength to continue fighting."
"And your achievements along the way are worthy of the Lady's champion's name. That's why I welcome you. Sit, in this beautiful spring, nothing is more pleasant than sharing a glass of fine wine." The duke signaled to a servant behind him, who immediately brought two ivory cups and opened a bottle of aged wine, pouring the dark red liquid into the white ivory cups: "This is 1462 Jung grape wine, to the Lady!"
"To the Lady!" Ryan took the wine cup, tasting the rich, deep flavor with strong smoky and roasted notes.
"Emmm~ Truffle, mint, leather, black cherry, and a bit of dwarven miner's scent, balanced and layered." Ryan savored with his eyes closed.
Before the Duke of Winfort could respond, a surprised voice came from behind the baron, "I never expected Lord Ryan to be a connoisseur of wine?"
Ryan instinctively opened his eyes and turned to look behind him.
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