In August, the peak of summer, the scorching winds traversed the plains, tormenting the army advancing through the wilderness.
The soldiers quickly soaked their clothes with sweat, and the knights and their attendants' armor became hot to the touch, forcing the army to stop for rests after each stretch of progress.
Ryan also halted, his psychic abilities shielding him from the heat.
Looking up at the blazing sun overhead, the ranger knight Olivier wiped away sweat, "My baron, isn't it exceptionally hot?"
"Aren't you accustomed to fighting in such weather, Olivier?" Ryan gestured that he didn't need his knight attendants to come over to assist him. Leading his horse, he walked effortlessly across the plains in his heavy psychic power armor. In comparison, Hex and Olivier, whether mounted or on foot, required the aid of their attendants, as their armor, even with help, took much effort to manage.
"It's fine. As knights, we must overcome all sorts of weather; such minor issues won't defeat me." The young knight, sporting a beard and a determined gaze, smiled optimistically, "What's this difficulty to us?"
Olivier's inherently optimistic and competitive spirit was something Ryan appreciated, so he patted the ranger knight on the shoulder, "Keep it up, I look forward to your performance!"
"Of course, my baron." Olivier took out his water flask, drinking deeply. Nearby rivers meant the soldiers did not worry about water.
The soldiers also took a break, heading to the nearby river to fetch water, creating a somewhat chaotic scene. However, Hex immediately ordered them to fetch water in turns and arranged guards.
The new soldiers lacked quality, but they weren't as difficult to command as many veterans, especially with Ryan, a Holy Grail Knight, standing before them, boosting their morale significantly.
As Ryan's army rested, a large army approached from the distance, raising clouds of dust along the road.
The high-flying banner bore a pure white Pegasus, signaling the arrival of Duke Winfort's forces.
Marquis Connally-Ascot, riding a pure-blood elven warhorse and clad in full plate armor with a beautiful kite helm, held the reins alongside Suriya-Kumani-Antley, the legitimate daughter of Duke Winfort. The impressive female knight wore an enchanted set of exquisite silver plate armor adorned with beautiful patterns, both decorative and functional.
Behind them were dozens of knights, followed by hundreds of knight attendants, sergeants, and cavalry, with a mass of infantry trailing.
Duke Winfort's forces numbered nearly two thousand men.
"Good afternoon, Lord Ascot, Miss Suriya." Ryan stood before his horse, greeting the two.
"Good afternoon! Lord Ryan." The female knight lit up seeing Ryan and the family crest of the Holy Grail on his books. She waved at Ryan, and Marquis Connally, stroking his goatee, said, "Lord Ryan, you're quite early."
"Better early than to keep everyone waiting," Ryan replied earnestly.
The two armies merged, heading towards the Varemi camp together.
The Varemi camp was hundreds of kilometers from their starting point. The group would bypass the Charlon Forest, travel north through the Duchy of Boldro, and reach the camp in the Duchy of Bastonne, located at the edge of the Adenson Forest. This camp was the last line of defense against the beastmen war.
The knightly army would assemble here before heading to Yulsen Castle within the Adenson Forest, Britannia's first line of defense in the forest and its largest stronghold.
Suriya took out a shield crest given by the Grand Duke, signifying his command over the army headed to the Varemi camp.
Winfort's knights, mostly familiar with Ryan, welcomed him warmly. Many had joined him in bandit extermination before, allowing Ryan to take command without much effort. The entire army regrouped and set off for the Varemi camp, a journey taking about six to seven days.
That evening, they camped in a village within the Duchy of Boldro.
After dinner, as the temperature dropped, the climate of Britannia, located in the Old World's center, remained comfortable. Even in the hottest summer, only the daytime was warm, with cooler nights.
After dinner, Ryan and his two knights took a walk outside.
Normally, the wilderness was dangerous, but for Ryan, it was merely a place for strolls.
"Hex?"
"My baron?"
"What do you think of Winfort's army?" Ryan asked Hex, skilled in training, as the sky darkened.
"They're well-trained and fierce. I saw a burning will to fight in their eyes, uncommon among infantry," Hex replied, following Ryan, his hand on his sword.
"Is it because of the baron's presence?" Olivier added, "The appearance of a Holy Grail Knight always inspires the soldiers."
"Perhaps, but it's not just that," Hex countered, wearing a black cross helm and chainmail, shaking his head, "Indeed, the baron's presence boosts morale, but these infantry wouldn't be so fierce... Have you heard of the Winfort Deserter Band?"
"The Winfort Deserter Band?" Olivier, introduced by Duke Schulz of Marlinburg, was unfamiliar, "Interesting, to use 'deserter' as a unit name."
"The Winfort Deserter Band is renowned in the south of the country, originating from a story," Ryan began, sharing a tale from the past.
About a decade ago, during an epic confrontation between the necromancer Heinrich Kemmler and Duke Winfort, Francois turned the tide against overwhelming undead forces with swift cavalry maneuvers and charges, driving them out of Britannia.
However, some knights fled from the undead's fierce assault, causing a frontline collapse and nearly losing the war.
The serfs scattered, many wanting to return home but fearing the duke's judgment. Most decided to seek the duke's mercy at his castle.
Luckily, Francois decided to generously pardon these serfs, dubbing them the "Deserter Band" to signify their shame, then allowing them to continue serving.
Because of this, the infantry, eager to repay the duke's mercy, fought fiercely, becoming a formidable force.
This time, perhaps to ensure his daughter's safety, Duke Winfort dispatched this unit.
"Joining them in battle should benefit our own troop training," Hex nodded, his expression dry, bearing much weight.
"Our soldiers lack training," Ryan and his knights continued walking as night fell and monsters appeared, with water spirits retreating at the sight of the Holy Grail Knight.
"These creatures are more cowardly than humans themselves."
"By the way, Hex, you were originally a knight of Le-Angeron, you must know Marquis Anxi well?" Ryan asked.
"Of course," Hex nodded, breathing the night air, "Marquis Anxi is a relative of the current Knight King Richard, twenty-seven years old, his great-nephew, to be precise, making him the son of Richard's niece. With his support, Anxi received his marquis title."
"And the title of Marquis Anxi is?" Ryan continued.
"Marquis of Glasgow, a title newly created by the king for his great-nephew. Ironically, the marquis has only twenty knights and three hundred soldiers to defend his land and rarely stays in Glasgow Castle, preferring life in Kurona," Hex continued, "Anxi has participated in several knightly wars but commanding such a large army as a commander is a first."
A young, distant ruler of his lands? Ryan frowned, asking, "Any other news about the marquis?"
"Rumors say the marquis is overconfident, believing himself an excellent general and commander rather than a charging knight. He reportedly excelled in tactical simulations at the Kurona Knight Academy," Hex added, "Anxi enjoys attending various banquets, and reportedly, he has been a persistent suitor of Marquise Suriya, though he's said to pursue many women simultaneously."
"Did that pursuit lead to anything?" Ryan wondered.
"I'm not sure, perhaps you should ask Marquise Suriya herself," Hex looked up.
In the dim light, two female knights, surrounded by ranger knights, strolled through the wilderness.
Besides the elegant and tall Marquise Suriya, another spirited knight stood by her side, with beautiful purple eyes and full knight armor, slightly shorter than Suriya, her blonde hair tied up, and a sword at her waist.
Ryan recognized her as Sylvia, Suriya's personal maid, born into a knight family and an excellent knight herself, determined to serve Marquise Suriya for life.
The two female knights became a beautiful sight in the night, with ranger knights eagerly trying to converse. Marquise Suriya responded to each, but seemed uninterested in their clichéd approaches and boastful stories.
"What a coincidence, Marquise Suriya is also out for a walk?" Olivier laughed, "My baron, see how the marquise's stroll has sparked a frenzy among the ranger knights, everyone wants to be a protector of beauty."
"Yet if I approach, I'll become the center of attention, with all ranger knights wanting to duel me," Ryan rolled his eyes, quickly turning to leave.
Too late, a young ranger knight blocked Ryan's path: "Holy Grail Knight Ryan-Marcato, I, Cretean of Winfort, challenge you!"
"I don't have time right now..." Ryan said impatiently.
"No! Lord Ryan, you do have time! You have time to stroll but not to accept my challenge? I believe I have earned the right to challenge!" The ranger knight thought this was a rare opportunity he couldn't miss.
Losing wouldn't be shameful; it's normal to lose to Lord Ryan, the champion of the ladies.
And what if he matched or even won?
"Olivier." Ryan calmly called his ranger knight over, "Defeat my knight first, then I'll consider your challenge."
"Humph, Cretean? I'll be your opponent!" Olivier stepped in front of Ryan, addressing Cretean.
"Alright... fine." This wasn't what the young ranger knight wanted, but knightly virtue indeed allowed a lord's knight to accept challenges on their superior's behalf.
So, under the crowd's watchful eyes, a duel began. Both men mounted their horses, raising wooden lances, a common dueling weapon among knights that shattered upon impact.
The summer night grew lively, with knights and serfs joining the spectators.
Ryan, curious about his knight's combat level, stood with crossed arms in the night, silently observing the duel, pondering many things.
A fresh jasmine scent wafted by, signaling to Ryan the identity of the newcomer: "Miss Suriya?"
"Good evening, Lord Ryan." The female knight approached, smiling in the night breeze.
"Good evening, Miss Suriya, Miss Sylvia." Ryan nodded, shrugging, "Too many challenge me, so I decided to let Olivier accept the challenge."
"I've witnessed Lord Ryan's strength firsthand; indeed, there's no need to waste time on such matters. They're just after your glory and reputation," Suriya gently smiled, "Everyone wants to be the champion of the ladies."
Ryan thought the duke's daughter was quite aware of such matters.
Now was the chance, Ryan directly asked, "I heard Marquis Anxi once pursued Miss Suriya in this knightly war?"
"Lord Ryan knows even this?" The female knight was surprised but soon nodded, "Yes, Marquis Anxi not only pursued me passionately but also proposed engagement to my father."
"And the outcome?"
The new knightly war is about to start, hoping for the audience's support.
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