PS. After consulting with the experts, it's agreed that "Questing Knight" is a more fitting title, as it embodies the spirit of embarking on a quest for the Holy Grail. Therefore, it will be the term used henceforth.
In the grand hall of the baron's castle, a handsome and dashing knight was singing with great emotion. He had long, wavy brown hair and was dressed in heavy armor, a shield on his back, with his spear and longsword left at the entrance. In front of everyone, the knight sang out, his beautiful voice and touching stories leaving a lasting impression.
Not far from the knight, a jester dressed in a jester's outfit was performing to the knight's song. He was dressed in a comical outfit of red and yellow stars, holding a horse puppet in one hand and a spear puppet in the other, entertaining the audience with his amusing antics.
Despite the light rain outside, the warmth and excitement within the hall remained unaffected.
The guest was the famous knight and minstrel, Tristan, from the Duchy of Boldoro. Ryan had met him on a previous visit to Boldoro.
Tristan, a renowned knight from Brittany, was blessed by the Lady of the Lake for his singing. His fame was known throughout the kingdom, having been invited to perform in every duke's court. After traveling the kingdom, Tristan decided to lay aside all his secular titles to pursue the Holy Grail as a Questing Knight.
Typically, Questing Knights embark on their quests alone, dedicating their lives to the pursuit of the Holy Grail. However, Tristan and his jester, Jules, were as close as brothers, so he brought his servant along on his quest.
Today, Tristan sang the Song of the Grail, a ballad of the Grail's legend and glory, beginning with the first Knight King, Arthur. Many knights fought valiantly in the name of their ladies, and only those who proved their valor and virtue on the battlefield could hope to see the Grail.
Everyone, including Tristan himself, looked on with envy, except for Ryan.
After the song ended, the baron and his attendants gave a standing ovation. Tristan, with one hand on his chest, bowed to everyone in a knightly gesture.
"Please, take a seat, Mr. Tristan!" Ryan gestured for Tristan to sit.
The Questing Knight and his jester did not refuse. A lavish feast of beef, goose, fish, and vegetables was prepared. The food was cooked in a large iron pot suspended over a fire, the temperature regulated by raising or lowering the pot. The cooked meat was retrieved with a meat hook, and a long-handled, grooved spoon was used for stirring the soup.
After a long expedition, Tristan and his jester were famished, devouring the meal like starving wolves, eating four times the amount of an average person. Large chunks of delicious pepper beef disappeared into their stomachs, and a bottle of wine was quickly emptied.
Ryan couldn't help but smile.
In his previous life in the Heavenly Dynasty, eating like this would be considered rude.
But in this world, a knight's ability to eat was seen as a sign of strength and prowess.
"Thank you very much, Lord Ryan. You are truly an honorable Grail Knight!" After eating, Tristan, having wiped his mouth with a napkin, expressed his gratitude: "Thank you for your hospitality, I will remember this kindness."
Ryan nodded. Hosting passing Questing Knights was something all lords in Brittany enjoyed, as it could forge strong bonds, especially if a Questing Knight later became a Grail Knight.
"My lord baron, I bring two pieces of news," Tristan began, parting his brown hair to the sides, his handsome face turning serious. "I've already mentioned the rebellion in the Duchy of Berleon, but I must emphasize, this rebellion is unusual. The rebels have gathered in Gaius, numbering over two thousand, and have allied with Count Tobal of Estalia to oppose Duke Theodorick and his army."
"The rebel leader, named Sterling, became rich overnight by resisting taxes and killing Theodorick's tax collector. Soon after, many destitute serfs joined his rebellion, which has grown significantly. Lord Ryan, your lands border the Duchy of Berleon, and while the rebels may not dare to attack your lands due to your reputation, you should still be cautious. Lord Bodrick has asked me to inform you that Duke Theodorick may seek to borrow money and grain from you."
Hearing this, Ryan's stewards, Gaspar and Carsonberg, frowned, but Ryan remained calm, asking, "And the second piece of news?"
"The second piece of news is that Lord Bodrick has learned from Mr. Ismael that the king is very displeased with your sheltering of dwarves and elves. He hopes you will open up trade with the wood elves and share the dwarves' technology. Also, Duke Dalheid of Leonase proposed that your talents lie not in governing your lands but in leading armies. The king plans to organize an expedition to explore the southern Nicojar Desert, and Duke Dalheid believes you are the ideal candidate to lead this expeditionary force."
"I see. Anything else?" Ryan asked, unphased.
"Uh... Lord Ryan, I have a small request," Tristan hesitated before awkwardly asking, "I wish... to visit the Lady's Tower."
Ryan's land hosting a Lady's Tower was no secret, attracting many Questing Knights recently.
"That's possible, but whether the Lady wishes to see you is not up to me," Ryan agreed.
Ten minutes later, Ryan stood atop the baron's tower, observing Tristan praying in the mist. Behind him, Veronica, dressed in a white wolf fur coat and a patchwork dress, took his hand from behind. "Ryan, you must not accept the expedition's command. Your domain's current stature is due to your personal prestige and abilities."
Ryan nodded, understanding that being sent on a desert expedition was a demotion in disguise. He didn't fear the king's command, backed by the Lady of the Lake. In this country, the king's power was not greater than the Lake Witch's, and Ryan could refuse the order with Morgiana's support.
Ryan was contemplating his opposition to the conservative faction, led by Richard and others. His policies, such as employing nobles in commerce, encouraging serfs to work, and welcoming dwarves and elves, were intolerable to conservative nobles. The ideological conflict was nearly insurmountable, and Ryan needed money, development, a strong army, and advanced equipment. The kingdom was declining, and while Richard was not a tyrant, he was merely a stopgap, unable to achieve greatness.
Looking at the night sky, Ryan saw Tristan receive his answer. The mist did not part for him, but he left devoutly, continuing his quest for the Grail.
"What about your goal, Ryan?" Veronica asked, kissing him.
"To become the greatest witch in history and have a child with you," Veronica replied, blushing at the thought of combining their strengths.
Witches rarely conceived due to the wild magic within them, but Ryan was no ordinary man. This was why many Grail Knights became lovers of Lake Prophets, as ordinary knights could not impregnate them.
"Then you must work hard,"
Ryan encouraged, smiling. In that moment, Veronica noticed a change in Ryan's expression, as if he had gained a new resolve while losing some previous burden. "What's wrong, dear? Is something amiss?"
"I've found a new goal," Ryan declared, looking up at the winter sky of Brittany. "Since I have been chosen, I shall seize control!"
...
The next day, Ryan received good news.
The cannons he had ordered the dwarves to build were completed. Dugan Ironhand, the dwarf engineer, came to the castle to report: "Lord Ryan, the cannons you commissioned us to build are finished. I assure you, this is the finest work I've done in twenty years!"
"Excellent! Let's put them to the test, Mr. Dugan."
"Of course, dwarven craftsmanship is the best!"
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