"My lady!" "My lady!"
In the dazzling white light, the exquisitely beautiful face of the Lady of the Lake emerged amidst wisps of mist.
The guardian deity of Britannia was dressed in a sky-blue floral-patterned, wave-trimmed, strapless silk gown. Her peerless beauty was accentuated with a faint smile, forming a stunning arc. Her bright face and azure eyes radiated a reproachful glow. Her bare feet dangled in the air, a vision as captivating as a world-renowned painting.
The small reception room was filled with the aroma of fresh flowers and soil, along with a divine presence.
Her ankle-length golden hair, adorned with a floral crown, fluttered with the goddess's movements. A shining moonstone hung in front of her ample bosom. Her magnificent figure was on full display to her followers. Numerous ribbons hung from her sleeves and hair, each inscribed with sacred runes. The corners of her silk gown were laden with chains and pendants made of gold and silver. The goddess's necklace and earrings were crafted from the so-called "Elves' Beloved," platinum diamonds.
Ryan had a thought: The Lady of the Lake's attire might well be worth several years of Britannia's tax revenue.
More importantly, after several encounters, he noted that the Lady of the Lake never wore the same outfit twice.
This goddess was truly affluent.
"Lady Ryan~ My champion~" The Lady of the Lake's divine voice echoed in the cramped room. In front of her knelt Ryan, Surya, and Sylvia: "And daughters of Francois and Vincent, please rise."
"Yes, my lady!" The three stood up.
Observing Ryan in front of her, the Lady of the Lake's face flickered with slyness. The coveted Grail was held in her hand. Pretending, she said, "My champion, upon seeing me, it seems you are pondering some disrespectful matters?"
"Uh, no, my lady," Ryan replied awkwardly.
In fact, he did have a fleeting thought of "wealthy woman, XX me," but he immediately dismissed it. However, the Lady of the Lake, knowing him well, had already sensed it.
The Lady of the Lake glanced at him with interest, then at the somewhat apprehensive ducal daughters and their maid. She softly said, "Surya?"
"Yes, my lady!" The knight hurriedly tried to kneel again, but the Lady of the Lake stopped her: "No need for such formalities, Surya, Sylvia. You performed well in the recent Knightly War. Stand and speak."
"Yes, my lady!" Surya was still nervous, feeling somewhat bewildered.
The Lady of the Lake, a frequent visitor to the material world among the gods, was someone Surya, a Grail Knight and a duke's daughter, had met before. But in those few memories, the Lady always appeared serious and cold, serene yet merciless. The weak had no place under her rule; only sacrifice and dedication earned her fleeting glance.
No being could gaze at the Lady's flawless face for long, as it was a dangerously abnormal act. Those who tried met predictable fates...
Such an emotionally rich Lady of the Lake was something Surya had never seen.
But to Ryan, this seemed normal.
"I have something to say to Ryan. Could you please leave us for a moment?" The Lady of the Lake smiled and imparted her divine will.
"Understood, my lady. I shall leave immediately," Surya instinctively grabbed her maid's hand to leave, but the Lady beckoned her over: "Before that, Surya, come here. I have a small gift for you."
A silver pendant with a faint glow, pulsating with the Lady's burning divine power, was placed in the ducal daughter's hand. Ryan surmised it was a spontaneous creation of the Lady of the Lake.
"May clear waters accompany your knightly path, dear Surya. Send my regards to your father, Francois." The Lady's slender fingers brushed Surya's golden hair, instilling an unparalleled inspiration. Surya stood taller, feeling a great sense of recognition and encouragement.
"Then, Sylvia, please come forward." The Lady of the Lake beckoned Sylvia next.
The stern maid, blushing, murmured, "My lady, I am not worthy..."
"Then I shall wait for the day you are." The Lady of the Lake did not insist.
Afterward, without further word, the knight and her maid promptly left, leaving Ryan alone with their lady.
Upon their departure, the Lady of the Lake noticed Surya's worried glance at Ryan, affirming something in her heart.
"Ryan, my champion," the Lady of the Lake turned, her green eyes gazing at him. Her voice was as soft as feathers and as sharp as a blade, "Please sit."
Ryan, her chosen champion, was somewhat uneasy. He had indeed prayed to his lady when making his decision, sure that she heard him, yet she did not respond.
What did this mean?
No one knew.
One must heed the Lady's words, so Ryan sat back down, the soft leather chair slightly yielding under him. He braced himself for her reprimand.
The Lady of the Lake, holding the Grail, sat beside Ryan. Her bright eyes looked at him, her crystal lips uttering the world's most moving words.
"I support you."
The champion, bewildered, looked up, unable to believe such a firm response: "My... lady?"
"I support you, my champion," the Lady of the Lake turned towards him. Her voice pierced the champion's heart, a powerful tonic: "No matter how one views it, your choice is correct."
"Thank you very much, my lady." For the first time, Ryan sincerely thanked her. He had always seen their relationship as transactional, each benefiting from the other. The Lady needed his strength and spirit; he needed her protection and status.
But unknowingly, Ryan realized their relationship had evolved beyond mere transactions.
"I listened to your Round Table meeting with Francois and Bertrand. I am pleased with your decision," the Lady of the Lake sighed softly, placing the Grail gently on the table. "Ryan, my champion, you are aware that war and politics are inseparable. You possess ample wisdom, but not everyone does."
"When Anshi-Desmond sidelined the forces of Wintfort and Bastonne for various reasons, I foresaw the outcome of this Knightly War. If old grievances can't be set aside to unite against the cunning beastmen, knights can't prevail. Yet Anshi did so, his arrogance and pride sealing his defeat."
"Too many wars and conflicts in the mortal world, even I can't save the knights every time." The Lady of the Lake shook her head in pain: "Severe corruption in the forest limits my power, the presence of Warpstone blocks my detection, the dark forest is fair to all, yet unfair."
Indeed, Ryan narrowed his eyes. Compared to the powerful Chaos Gods, the gods of order in this world were much weaker. The Lady of the Lake, willing to fight Chaos to the end and possessing the faith of an entire kingdom, was still unable to avert this disaster.
Gods have their realm, mortals theirs. Much is beyond the gods, left to mortals alone.
"But you, Ryan, my champion, knowing your actions would stir controversy in the Knightly Kingdom, attract the king's suspicion and hostility, trivialize your victories, and see your glory stolen, yet you resolutely made this decision. For me, for the forests of Athel Loren, the surrounding villages, and this nation, you destroyed the Warpstone." The Lady's soft voice carried a delicate beauty, like reeds swaying with clear flowing water: "I am delighted."
"And I am honored, my lady," Ryan smiled too.
"To be honest, I am disappointed in Richard... truly disappointed. I had hoped he would maintain unity and harmony in this nation... at least superficially. Richard did achieve this, but not in the way I hoped." The Lady of the Lake sighed: "But I must admit your step back was the right choice. The fragile trust among the dukes dissipated after the D'Orta Tower incident. Arrogance and fear form the foundation of this nation's rule, yet we rely on this old and rotten order to combat the terrible Chaos."
"Everything will improve, my lady. Since Richard's coronation, he's been restoring order, rebuilding production. The Knightly Code and virtues once destroyed are being re-established. My efforts are merely modest contributions. And frankly, even if Richard doesn't reward me, what I gained from the Warpstone far exceeds expectations... We seized over three hundred kilograms of gold and silver, my lady. I almost thought I robbed the treasury." Ryan feigned nonchalance, laughing.
"Ha ha~ My champion, you always bring such joy." The Lady of the Lake's face involuntarily lit up with a heartfelt smile, contagious and eclipsing even the sun.
The flowers in the room bloomed further under the Lady's influence.
Her bare feet gently stepped on the soft carpet. The Lady of the Lake gestured for Ryan to sit closer, shoulder to shoulder with her: "Ryan, my champion, I can't change the decisions of the king and dukes, as that's not my place. But I can do what I should."
"Morgiana has received my divine decree. She's en route to Couronne, bringing my challenge and my appointment."
"From today, Ryan Macado is promoted to Grand Master of the Grail Knight Order."
"This is your due, my champion."
"Thank you very much, my lady." Ryan's eyes sparkled, warmed by the Lady's staunch support. With her stance, many things would become much easier.
Having said her piece, the Lady of the Lake wished to say more to Ryan, but neither time nor place was appropriate, especially since she wanted to keep their special relationship confidential. So she extended her delicate hand to Ryan: "I must go, my champion. It's not good to keep Francois' daughter waiting."
Ryan gently kissed the back of the Lady's soft hand: "My lady, words cannot express my gratitude, but my sword and hammer can."
"When the high tower in your castle is complete, I would be delighted to have a long talk with you, my champion." The Lady of the Lake's smile bloomed, taking up the Grail and gently tapping Ryan's face: "Patience is a virtue."
With that, the Lady of the Lake vanished in dazzling white light, leaving only a fragrant floral scent.
The reception room door opened, and Ryan emerged smiling: "Miss Surya? Miss Sylvia? It's about time. Let's go for the Eucharist."
"Ryan?" Surya had been waiting not far outside the room, eager to know what the Lady and Ryan discussed: "Did our lady have any instructions?"
"She supports me." Ryan nodded, speaking softly: "She supports my decision."
"That's... wonderful! Our lady never disappoints us." Indeed, upon hearing this, Surya couldn't help but admire, her heart rejoicing for Ryan: "With our lady's support, things will be much easier for father and the others."
"Hopefully so," Ryan replied, relieved.
After enjoying a sumptuous Eucharist, the trio left the Cathedral of the Grail. Their next destination was the Lionheart Hippodrome, the largest and finest racetrack in the Old World. Ryan hadn't had a chance to thoroughly explore it on his last visit, so he intended to do so this time.
Before that, Ryan, accompanied by Surya and Sylvia, visited the Church of the Merciful Goddess. He handed over two letters to the priest: "Please deliver these to the Skyvault, Council of Gyran."
"The recipients are Teresa-Trovik and Veronica-Bernadotte. I need special express delivery."
"Alright, that will be twenty gold crowns."
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