In the Wizard's Tower, renowned as a symbol of a wizard's status and wealth, it's no wonder Theresa was previously obsessed with having her own Wizard's Tower. To this day, the female sorceress still shares a Wizard's Tower with her mother.
"Theresa is still fixated on having her own Wizard's Tower. I remember how she always used having her own tower as a measure of her independence," Ryan said, holding Veronica's hand amidst the snowy landscape. They had just finished visiting the vineyard. The wine expert from Winfort Court had indeed lived up to his reputation, managing the vineyard so well that high-quality wine was expected next year.
So, they returned to the vicinity of the castle. Veronica was choosing a location for her Wizard's Tower, having several requirements: it must be near Ryan's castle, in a secluded area not easily disturbed, and conveniently accessible.
Regarding the magical winds, it wasn't much of an issue since in the main material world, the Great Maelstrom binds the magic winds. Thus, there aren't places like the "spiritual qi convergence" found in cultivation stories. The magic winds are unpredictable and chaotic, so a wizard's cultivation relies more on themselves.
"…I don't understand why you always remember the good about Theresa. What about the unpleasant memories she brought you?" Veronica said irritably while holding Ryan's hand. Carstenberg and Gaspard, along with their people, went to handle their affairs, so they didn't need to follow their lord back near the castle.
Now only Ryan and Veronica were left. The witch enjoyed this leisurely time, holding hands, but Ryan's topic made her uncomfortable: "Don't you remember the unpleasant memories Theresa brought you?"
"Veronica~ I'm a Grail Knight, I can't just hold onto Theresa's flaws. For her first adventure, she did quite well. By your logic, haven't you also left me with many bad memories? Like three years ago, when you kicked me off…" Ryan was cut off as Veronica twisted his arm: "Don't mention that! Didn't I apologize later? Now that I'm all yours, what more do you want?"
"Alright, alright, my point is, Theresa also talked to me about building a Wizard's Tower." Ryan had to change the topic: "I find it strange. Is it common for witches of Garon to talk about this? After we partnered for two years, you kept mentioning it."
"??!!" Veronica's face darkened immediately, and she asked sharply, "Did you agree?"
"No, she mentioned wanting to build a new Wizard's Tower and told me to work harder. I asked her what it had to do with me?" Ryan casually recounted the conversation, not thinking much of it.
"That's right, she can build her Wizard's Tower herself. It's none of your business!" Veronica's eyes flashed triumphantly. She leaned on Ryan's arm and cooed, "You did the right thing!"
In her heart, though, the witch was pleased with her early precautions.
In fact, in the Garon Council, there's an unspoken understanding: when a witch talks to a man about building a Wizard's Tower, it's a subtle expression of affection. Veronica was sure Theresa meant that.
But the sorceress didn't realize that Veronica had already inoculated Ryan against this. After their relationship was confirmed, she often emphasized to him that when a witch talks about Wizard's Towers, they're likely using his financial and physical strength. He needed to be cautious and vigilant, thinking everyone but her was bad!
So, Ryan never noticed the implied meaning in Theresa's words.
After considering several locations, Veronica chose a spot about five minutes away from Ryan's castle, backed by mountains. The site, near Baron Gine's Oracle Mountains and trails, had a forest nearby and a path leading directly to Ryan's castle. A section of the wall would connect it to Ryan's castle.
Having decided the location for the Wizard's Tower, as the snowstorm grew stronger, Ryan and Veronica returned to his castle. Enjoying the warmth and snow, they snuggled together, feeling cozy.
"Knock, knock~ Master, the gifts you ordered have been sent out." The door to the main bedroom was knocked, and the dark elf Olica entered with tea. Olica placed the tea on the table, and Ryan simply pulled her hand: "Olica, join us."
"Okay." The dark elf blushed and sat down, taking off her black boots. Her long legs in white stockings were striking, contrasting with the witch's black silky legs.
Veronica glanced at the dark elf with interest, not saying much, but her eyes showed some hostility. Similarly, the dark elf also harbored some animosity towards the witch, though it was unexpressed.
"Have the gifts been delivered?" Ryan asked softly, holding Olica's hand.
"Yes, all delivered. Ranger Knight Hex personally delivered them to Winfort, to Lord Francois." Olica answered calmly.
"Good." Ryan sent gifts to several influential nobles like Duke Baldric of Boldro, Duke Berchmond of Bastone, Duke Francois of Winfort, Marquis Connolly of Ascot, and Marchioness Sulia. The gifts included exquisite deer jerky, elf jewels, silks, and fruit wine. While not priceless, they were rare.
As Ryan expected, on this snowy day, Winfort Duchy welcomed two distinguished guests.
In the majestic castle of Duke Helenshield, a grand white pegasus statue seemed ready to take flight. The dark sky was laden with heavy snow, covering Helenshield. On a high tower, three noble Bretonnians in silk were enjoying wine amidst the snow. Besides them, the tower was empty.
Duke Francois of Winfort held a glass of wine, saying, "The elf fruit wine Ryan sent is rare, though not as fine as our top Winfort wines. It's been almost ten years since I've had such a drink."
Duke Berchmond of Bastone also savored the wine. Unlike Francois, he said, "I rarely get to enjoy such drinks in my territory, only occasionally in Corona. Ryan sent me ten bottles, which I plan to treasure."
"Ha, Berchmond, you're in luck. I've just produced a batch of 'Luscius' wine. Take a barrel when you leave," Francois chuckled, turning to the third person: "You too, former Duke Louis?"
The third person, wearing red and blue silk, had a coat of arms with a lion holding a golden grail, different from the standard Connacht family emblem.
All three dukes were Grail Knights, indicated by the grails in their emblems.
"Indeed rare, but I'm no longer a duke. Please don't address me that way," said the former Duke "Righteous" Louis casually, appearing relaxed and unburdened: "I've handed over my duties to Laun and am en route to guard the Lady's Great Cathedral. I just stopped by to see Francois and didn't expect to find Berchmond here."
"Yes, 'Righteous' Louis is no longer the Connacht Duke. After his son Laun completed the Grail Quest, he handed over all secular duties and prepared to journey to the Lady of the Lake's Cathedral in Cacassonne, to serve there for life.
"Helenshield will soon be snowbound, so I came to visit," Berchmond spoke. Turning to Louis, he asked, "Are you really okay leaving Laun in charge? He's a fine knight but not necessarily a great duke."
"It doesn't matter. I've left everything to him. The rest is his decision." Louis spoke of his son without the joy of his Grail accomplishment, just relief.
Francois and Berchmond knew of the strife between Louis and Laun.
Laun, Louis' legitimate son, was a profligate youth who fathered a low-born bastard. Louis viewed this as a disgrace and abandoned the child, straining their relationship.
Fortunately, Laun learned from his mistake, maturing from a reckless ranger into a respected kingdom knight. After feeling the Lady's call, he embarked on the Grail Quest.
Five years later, a failed Laun returned to Connacht. At a grand banquet, he, dirty and ragged, begged his father and knights to help combat a necromancer threatening the kingdom.
Amidst the guests' scrutiny, Duke Louis was mortified but helped Laun, adhering to his Grail Knight virtues. Laun left Connacht with new gear and sixteen loyal knights, disappearing until recently announcing his Grail completion.
Grail Knights have preferences too. Despite the Lady's approval of Laun, Louis quickly transferred duties to him and left.
These were secrets among kingdom nobles. Only Dukes Berchmond and Francois knew of the conflict. Unable to reconcile and both Grail Knights, Louis left early to avoid further strife.
"Let's change the topic," said Francois, shifting focus: "What's our king up to?"
"Richard? He's struggling with Marinburg's debts. With gods as witnesses to the contract, he can't deny it. He's considering using le-Angoulême's tariffs as collateral to borrow from Morgiana to pay some short-term debts," Berchmond replied, pleased.
Francois and Berchmond owed Ryan for their success against Marinburg.
"Speaking of which, Casfanon recently made a blunder. Seeing Ryan's success trading with elves, he sent people into Aisolorun Forest for trade. Duke Paralon thought his better terms would win the elves over. Guess the outcome?" Francois laughed: "His trade team and knights were turned into sieves by elf arrows, leaving one survivor to relay the elves' response. Guess what they said?"
"What?" Louis and Berchmond asked eagerly.
"That message was…"
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