Riding a pure-blooded elven warhorse and holding a golden sea monster model cross helmet, Duke Boldero, the determined and brave ruler of Boldero, adorned with a yellow iris pattern and a blue and yellow Sea God trident family crest on his armor, welcomed Ryan with a group of Sea Knights.
"By the Sea God, may our spirits soar!"
Duke Boldero offered Ryan the highest level of ceremonial greeting, with military music and fluttering flags. This grand gesture not only showed respect for a Grail Knight and Chosen Champion but also affirmed Ryan's stature.
"Welcome, Champion of the Lady, Knight Captain of the Grail Knights, Guardian of Marlinburg, Destroyer of the Rock of Thousands Demons, White Wolf Knight, son of Norman, Duke of Griffon and Grand Commander of the Griffon Knight Order, Godson of Ivan, Baron of Gine 'The Devout', Sir Ryan Macado," Boldero greeted, smiling with his thick mustache curling up.
"Greetings, Chosen of Manann, Grand Commander of the Sea Knight Order, Guardian of Boldero Port, Nemesis of Dark Elf Pirates, Opposer of Undead Knights, Bringer of Terror to Rascals, General of the Boldero Fleet, General of the Hinnon River Patrol, Guardian of the Manann Temple, Great Baron of Bodrioux, Prince of Manann, Duke Boldero," Ryan replied, bowing slightly in respect to the Duke.
Both men had a long list of formal titles, and as their conquests and fame grew, more titles would inevitably follow.
Ryan suddenly understood why his father's Imperial Guard's name was so lengthy.
"Welcome, Marquise Surya, to my city," Boldero said after greeting Ryan, now turning to the Marquise. "It's been a long journey for you. My steward has arranged accommodations in the castle for all of you. Please rest well, and feel free to explore the city. Boldero has many specialties, and goods from High Elves and Lustria are also common here. I hope you return loaded with goods."
"We will, Duke Boldero," Surya replied, shaking hands with the Duke. She conversed effortlessly, belonging naturally to the circle of high nobility. Ryan thought that given her status, she was well-matched even with a king, making his own baronial title seem somewhat inferior.
However, his dual identity as the Lady's Chosen Champion and a Grail Knight leveled the playing field with Marquise Surya.
In the strict feudal system of the medieval world, it was exceedingly hard to rise in rank. Fortunately, in Britannia, there was the parallel system of Grail Knights. In the Empire, climbing the social ladder was even harder, often relying on being born into the right family.
This world lacked basic education and an imperial examination system. Learning was difficult, and commoners could only hope for advancement through war and valor.
Under the guidance of servants, Ryan and his party were led to the castle's tower, where they were given two luxurious suites. The three ladies stayed in one, while Ryan had another to himself.
"Ryan, do you have plans this afternoon?" Surya asked, not willing to let Ryan out of her sight. "You can't just bring us here and leave us behind!"
"This afternoon, I plan to visit this place in Boldero." Ryan took out a parchment given by his brother Anglon. "There's a dwarf runesmith I want to see if he's willing to be employed by me. Would you like to join me, Surya?"
"I'm also interested in seeing the craftsmanship of a dwarf runesmith," Surya replied.
"Of course, Mr. Ryan, you promised to take me out, how can you run away now?" Amelia added.
"If my lady is going, then I will definitely join," said Sylvia.
"Great, let's meet in an hour and a half, ladies. See you in the afternoon!" Ryan smiled and promised to accompany them after meeting the runesmith.
"I'm looking forward to it," Surya nodded.
After a brief rest at noon, at 3 p.m., a well-rested Ryan and the three ladies walked the streets of Bodrioux.
The weather was getting colder. The ladies wore winter coats, with Amelia and Sylvia choosing coats, tight pants, and boots. Surya, however, still insisted on wearing a skirt. Today, she wore a white fox fur coat and a gray knitted sweater with a pink hip-hugging short skirt and gray thick stockings accentuating her long, shapely legs, and gray high heels with golden chains. She gently hooked Ryan's arm, looking like a perfectly matched couple with the handsome and steady Grail Knight.
"Should we send someone to follow them, Duke?" On the castle's high tower, Duke Boldero and Ismael watched Ryan and his group leave.
"No, let it be," sighed Boldero. "Damn, François is keeping a tight watch on this young man!"
The Duke had his own plans for inviting Ryan. Without a doubt, Boldero knew Ryan was the most dazzling new star in Britannia, not only a Grail Knight but also the Lady's Chosen. He had superb military leadership and undeniable personal valor.
Boldero had marriageable young women in his family and hoped to betroth one to Ryan to strengthen their alliance. But seeing Ryan arrive with François's daughter Surya as his companion, he knew his plan was no longer feasible. Surya's high status left him no matching brides to offer, and forcibly arranging a match would mean declaring war against the powerful François. With Boldero already facing three fronts of hostility, it was unwise to provoke Winterfort.
It seemed he needed another way to gain Ryan's military support.
"In Boldero, you can find anything you want, dwarf rune weapons, high elf spices, Winterfort wine – everything, as long as you have enough crowns!"
— Brittania Grand Merchant, Sivin-Panta
Bodrioux's permanent population was just over twenty thousand, swelling to about thirty-five thousand with merchants, travelers, and mercenaries. Warehouses, mills, slaughterhouses, sawmills, and shoemaking factories were built along the Hinnon River on the outskirts, and the city was full of mints, banks, and pawnshops. However, under the Duke's strict laws, only three churches were allowed to build temples: the Church of the Sea, the Lady of the Lake Chapel, and the Temple of the Merciful Goddess Shallya.
Following Anglon's address, Ryan found the conspicuous dwarf smithy.
"Clang! Clang!" The heavy sound of forging echoed in the smithy. In rhythm with the bellows, flames leaped with each gust of wind.
A dwarf, about 1.4 meters tall, was hammering a red-hot sword with a runic hammer. An apprentice helped him turn the sword.
Noticing Ryan's group, no one in the smithy paid them any mind. Ryan signaled the ladies to wait and they stood back patiently.
"It's ready, Master Fainsen!" called an apprentice. The dwarf, Fainsen, nodded, quickly added runes to the sword, then quenched and tempered it. The beautifully crafted silver enchanted sword glowed with runes in Fainsen's hands.
The dwarf, with his long beard tied up and covering his body, glanced at Ryan and the ladies. "This isn't a place for dating, young Grail Knight," he said in Dwarfish.
"Are you Dron-Fainsen, sir? I am Ryan Macado," Ryan replied in Dwarfish.
"You speak Khazalid? Alright, you get a 10% discount, but no haggling," Fainsen gruffly replied. "Prices are on the wall, and I hope your Lady hasn't taught you deceit."
Surya frowned at the dwarf's seemingly unapproachable attitude, and Sylvia was visibly irritated. Only Amelia, recalling her father's words about trusting dwarves more than humans, stayed calm.
"I'm here to seek your services, Mr. Dron-Fainsen," Ryan said, showing the parchment.
"Ah..." Fainsen recognized the Grail Knight insignia and knew of their status. Reluctantly, he took the parchment: "Let me see."
"Ryan?" Surya whispered, resting her arm on Ryan's.
"Just a moment, Surya," Ryan reassured as they waited for Fainsen to struggle through the poorly written text.
After about five minutes, Fainsen, taking off his glasses, asked in Low Gothic, "Are you the younger brother?"
"???" Ryan's face darkened at the somewhat offensive comment.
"Cough, I mean, are you Anglon's younger brother? You don't look alike," Fainsen clarified.
"I am indeed Anglon's brother. He's been here before, I presume?" Ryan replied, trying to maintain composure.
"Yes, he has. What about your horse?" Fainsen awkwardly asked in Low Gothic before switching back to Dwarfish. "Let's speak Dwarfish."
"That's better," Ryan thought, growing impatient with Fainsen's rough communication.
"Aren't Grail Knights supposed to ride horses?" Fainsen continued.
"My horse, Grape, is tied outside. He dislikes fire and the noise of forging," Ryan explained, pointing outside to his elven warhorse.
"Forging sounds are the most wonderful in the world; your horse just doesn't appreciate them," Fainsen nodded. "So, you want me to oversee the construction of a smithy in your territory?"
"Exactly. I have some... special techniques that might interest you," Ryan replied, before being interrupted by Fainsen.
"First, lift that big iron block from one end of the street to the other. No one is to help," Fainsen demanded. "Then we'll talk!"
Surya gasped at the iron block, easily hundreds of kilograms. She looked at Ryan, who calmly motioned for her to let go of his arm.
"As you wish," Ryan agreed.
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