PS: I want to emphasize here that novels are not games. In games, players can freely dominate with knights of the Holy Grail or griffon knights to sweep all forces. However, in novels, I definitely can't write like that. There are only so many Holy Grail knights, and once they're gone, they're truly gone.
The witch trusts Ryan not to harm her, but she still feels some unease.
"My physique is unique, Veronica. As you know, I am immune to any corruption," Ryan pondered for a moment, deciding to reveal more: "But because of this, I need some means to prevent those around me from being corrupted, especially you, dear. Sometimes you're too eager for gain, willing to do anything to achieve your goals."
"So this is..." Veronica seemed thoughtful.
"Yes, as you imagine. As for the benefits... you'll know once the wings are fully spread," Ryan smiled mysteriously: "It won't be long before it appears on Olica as well."
"I think I understand what this is now, an identity proof? A protection against corruption?" Veronica surmised.
Ryan just smiled in response: "Anyway, I won't harm you, dear."
Veronica rolled her eyes at him, finding a comfortable position in his embrace: "Hold me tight, Ryan, and rest."
"Alright."
During the winter after the Winter Festival, due to frozen land, cold climate, and rivers sealed with ice, Ryan and the others had little to do, mostly resting and practicing in their territory. Ryan often sparred with Anglaron, mostly getting beaten up, as Anglaron was still strong despite his weakened state, but Ryan wasn't entirely powerless anymore.
By early March, the weather started warming up.
Ryan received an invitation letter.
The once-every-four-years Knight Tournament was to continue in Kurona, hosted this year by King Dinoah-Jean-Richard-de-L'Anglaron and the Lake Witch Morgiana, inviting the Lady of the Lake's chosen champion to Kurona to watch the games.
Ryan was aware of this and would have gone to Kurona anyway, as he had promised Sulia.
Veronica declined to go to Kurona together. The witch Garon didn't have a good impression of the Lake Witch's prophets and was busy gathering manpower to build her own wizard tower. She wasn't too interested in the Knight Tournament.
Olica also didn't want to travel far, and Olivier needed to stay to oversee their territory. Finally, Ryan decided to take Lops and Hex with him. He also brought five soldiers, regretfully without any knights in his territory qualified for the tournament. Hex was approaching his thirties, while Lops had just turned twenty-five.
Emilia was also taken along by Ryan. Seeing no other women joining Ryan, she immediately expressed her desire to accompany him to the tournament.
About ten kilometers from their territory, the procession of Duke "Longlegs" Francois of Winfort appeared before them. The family crest of the pure white Pegasus fluttered in the air, with a duke's golden crown representing the duke's status, and the golden iris border signifying his descent from the founding Knight King Arthur. The golden Holy Grail at the Pegasus' feet signified his status as a glorious Holy Grail Knight.
This time, Duke Winfort brought over twenty family knights, most of them very young and inexperienced, obviously participants in the Knight Tournament.
The duke's daughter, Sulia, seeing Ryan after a long time, brightened up with ocean-blue eyes and waved excitedly: "Ryan? You really came. I knew you would keep our promise."
Thus, both parties joined forces, with Ryan riding a pure-blooded Elven warhorse Grape at the forefront, alongside Duke Francois. The duke himself rode a tall Pegasus, his dignified demeanor captivating: "My Duke, I didn't expect you to personally attend this time."
"Every Knight Tournament, if I'm not occupied, I always attend," Francois replied with a genteel smile, stroking his beard: "The duels of young knights always make my blood boil, just like in my days."
"Haha~ Indeed, even a Holy Grail Knight needs hobbies, especially you, Duke, as a former tournament champion," Ryan nodded continuously: "I've heard from Sir Eules, decades ago, it was you who defeated both him and Theodoric to claim the tournament crown."
"That was decades ago. Back then, the Lake Witch wasn't Morgiana," Francois spoke of his youth with a mix of nostalgia and pride: "I've always cherished that victory. When pursuing the Holy Grail, I encountered countless hardships, fell off cliffs, and was swept into rapids, but the Lady always inspired me to go forward. Eventually, after slaying several giant evil creatures, I saw a beautiful figure at dawn as I crossed a stream from melting highland snow."
"I knew then, she was my Lady, the Holy Grail."
The young knights in the procession stopped their chatter, listening intently to Francois, not wanting to miss any detail. Holy Grail knights usually keep their quests close to the chest, revealing only bits and pieces among fellow Holy Grail knights.
How sacred, the Holy Grail! The lifelong aspiration of all young people, praise the Lady!
"Father, you rarely speak of your past," Sulia followed up on her Pegasus, speaking gently to Francois: "Even to me and my brother, you seldom share."
"That's not a particularly glorious matter, my daughter. After his defeat, Theodoric harbored deep hatred for me, believing I stole his rightful championship through dishonorable means," Francois's expression was as calm as an undisturbed well: "But the Lady can prove everything."
Theodoric never completed his Holy Grail quest, later becoming preoccupied with the war against Estalia. Meanwhile, Francois achieved his quest and returned in glory. At this point, Duke Winfort no longer needed to argue with Theodoric. As he said, the Lady proves everything.
Duke Winfort didn't want to start a war with Duke Berleon over this matter. Theodoric was temperamental and belligerent, making a war over a mere verbal dispute unnecessary.
Ryan nodded continuously, feeling the spring sunshine on him. Holding the reins as a Holy Grail Knight, he thought how Francois in his youth must have been a passionate, fierce knight, gradually becoming more cunning and wise over time.
With the Duke himself traveling and accompanied by his daughter and maid, Ryan felt quite delighted.
After a few days, they arrived at Fogler Town in the morning. This town, located within the Duchy of L'Anglaron, governed by Count Fogler, was less than a day's journey from Kurona.
However, Francois signaled a halt, deciding to proceed the next day.
Thus, the knights and soldiers lodged in the town.
After lunch and a short rest, Francois approached Ryan: "Interested in a walk with me, young man? Just the two of us."
Ryan, though puzzled, agreed promptly, respecting his superior and supportive noble.
Fogler Town, near the L'Anglaron Duke's Castle, gave Ryan the impression of prosperity, densely populated with a thriving economy. The streets bustled with merchants, and Ryan even spotted some halflings.
Francois, dressed in blue and white Brittany silk nobility attire with four mink fur trims on his hat and a golden ring on his crown with eight red gold leaves, wore his pure white Pegasus family crest, especially the shining Holy Grail Knight badge on his chest, signaling his noble status.
Serfs dared not approach, keeping their distance, while merchants tried to engage him, quickly averting their gaze upon his dismissive gesture. No one dared pester a Holy Grail Knight.
Ryan followed Francois, the chosen champion also exuding a powerful aura, clad in red Brittany silk nobility attire, sans hat: "My Duke? This place is quite prosperous."
"Fogler has always been very prosperous. It's one of the main sources of revenue for Duke L'Anglaron, or Richard," Francois spoke with a smile: "A town of over eight thousand people is quite thriving, typical for coastal towns."
"Yes, just a bit dirtier," Ryan noticed dung, dirty water, and garbage tucked away in corners.
In general, the larger the settlement, the more sanitation and infrastructure required. Often, the complexity of population settlements can't be simply summed up as 1+1. For example, in Marinburg, apart from maintaining the cleanliness of the Temple University District, the rest of the city is plagued by seawater, garbage, and mud.
"You're smart, Ryan. You know how to control things in your rule, but I still want to show you a story today," Francois led Ryan around a corner.
The street was somewhat dirty, with much garbage piled on either side, waiting for the designated cleaners. But that wasn't the point. Ryan noticed a crowd of townspeople and serfs anxiously waiting outside a store, mostly elderly, cursing loudly.
"Cavendish! You wretch, where's our bread? Why hasn't it arrived?"
"You cursed foreigner, you despicable thief!"
"I curse you!"
Two fully armed soldiers stood guard at the store, preventing the crowd from storming in or attacking the owner. They could only wait and curse outside.
The shop's wooden sign read: Cavendish Store.
"What is this? What are they doing?" Ryan was curious about what made this store need protection from the lord's soldiers and why so many people were furiously waiting outside.
"Be patient, Ryan, patience is a virtue! Let's wait and see," Francois suggested they sit at a nearby stall. The serf woman running it was selling a stew made from frog meat, flour, onions, carrots, celery, potatoes, wild greens, garlic, salt, and other ingredients. It smelled quite appetizing. The woman was shocked to see two Holy Grail knights, bending her round waist to greet them: "Oh, heavens! Oh, my Lady! What's this, what is this? Two Holy Grail knights gracing my humble shop! Most honored knights, what would you like?"
"Two bowls of Valley Frog Meat Stew, madam," Francois handed her two silver coins, and she quickly served two brimming bowls of stew, beaming and bowing: "Yes, please! Holy Grail knights, our frog meat stew is the town's most famous and best, you'll surely love it..."
"Alright, that's enough, go tend to your business," Francois gestured for the woman to leave them be. She hurried away, overjoyed: "Bless the Lady! Two Holy Grail knights dining at my shop!"
The appearance of the knights had an immediate effect. The woman sold her entire pot of stew in minutes, with new batches selling out too. She would have sold everything but thought the knights might want more.
Ryan tasted the stew: "Hmm, not bad!"
"Good, right? I enjoyed it last time I was here," Francois's wise eyes twinkled: "But don't just focus on the food, watch that store."
"Okay." The duke and his baron continued eating, watching Cavendish Store and its waiting crowd.
"Cavendish? Doesn't sound like a name from our kingdom," Ryan said, scooping up frog meat with a wooden spoon.
"Right, he's not from Brittany. He's from Estalia... Here it comes, Ryan, watch," a horse-drawn cart loaded with bread bags arrived at Cavendish Store: "There's the delivery."
"Bread, just ordinary black bread?" Ryan wondered: "These people are buying black bread? But I've seen many bakeries along the way. Why are they fixated on this one? Is the black bread cheaper here?"
"No, not really. The price here is the same as the market rate," Francois shook his head, his eyes showing disdain: "The only difference is that part of this bread is meant to aid the old, unable serfs."
"Cavendish could never have dreamt things would turn out like this."
___________________
(Support with power stones, comments or reviews)
If you guys enjoy this story, In support me on Patreon and get access to +200 advance Chapters
Read Ahead
Patreon.com/INNIT