PS: Some say that Sulia, as the female protagonist, had a bit too little screentime. I've thought it over and agree, so I will significantly increase the knightess's role in future chapters.
Old World, Bretonnia, County of Glamorgan, Gien Town, Ryan's Count's Castle, Second Floor Reception Room.
"This is the stuff of Esley, it seems you also understand the tastes of elves." The table was laid with wood elf fruit wine and delicate pastries, and as soon as Tigris entered, he naturally took the seat of honor, while Ryan didn't mind and took a guest seat.
It wasn't that Ryan was meek; it was that Tigris deserved such respect. His great deeds spoke for themselves. As one of the greatest heroes of the order, Tigris deserved such hospitality. Moreover, Ryan was only a count. If Tigris were to visit the Empire, Emperor Karl Franz would surely open the capital's gates and lead the great nobles out to receive him personally.
Without Tigris, perhaps the Empire would no longer exist.
Angulon didn't come up; he said he needed to go back to tend to his cattle, so he didn't follow. Whatever Ryan and Tigris would discuss didn't interest him.
The air conditioning in the reception room was on, and Ryan's butler, Carstenberg, was absent, so he immediately asked Morgiana to accompany them, as her status as the Lake God Witch was sufficient.
Tigris was proficient in all known spells, including the eight winds of magic and advanced combined magic of the high winds. In terms of casting abilities in this world, aside from the ancient servant, the Slann Mage-Priest, Tigris's magical prowess was unparalleled.
"Pleased to meet you, Lord Tigris," the Lake God Witch, dressed in a white fringed Viola dress, sat next to Ryan. She adjusted her skirt, revealing her slender, straight, fair legs and white peep-toe heels.
"You are Morgiana, the Lake God Witch? I heard you were injured... Yes, indeed, the winds of magic around you are unstable; you still need time to recover." Tigris nodded, "Your mana is slowly recovering. I have a bottle of Horus White Tower's life essence mana potion here, it will speed up your recovery."
The Supreme Archmage took out a potion and handed it to Morgiana.
"Much appreciated." Morgiana's beautiful face showed gratitude as she accepted the potion and tucked it away. The Lake God Witch had always been eager to recover quickly so she could resume her duties and not be confined like a useless person in the Tower of the Lake Fairy for her recovery.
As for leaving this place, it had become an impossible task for Morgiana. She had ordered the Holy Maiden Convent to move all her belongings from the Duchy of Carcassonne to here. From now on, she would reside here, going out for duties and returning to research in the Tower of the Lake Fairy, which the Lake Fairy herself had agreed to.
"Ryan Mercado, I came because of you, and you must have noticed the increasing disturbances from the north," Tigris got straight to the point, not mincing his words. Seeing Ryan could speak Elvish, he directly used it: "The longships from the northern wastelands keep raiding southward, and the barbarians devoted to Chaos must be receiving instructions from the dark gods. Even the Chaos demons, who usually stay hidden, have been seen deeper inland. First, we had Prince Sigvald the 'Beauty,' and then 'Red Eye' Eigel-Stilbjorn. I'm sure you understand what this means."
"I understand, the beings of this world will soon face another calamity," Ryan nodded.
"Many know of the End Times, but they treat these as warnings and proverbs, yet the End Times do exist," Tigris spoke with a hint of disappointment. "Mortals always vie for power, always wait until the barrier of reality is broken by the dark gods, and blood spills before heroes arise to face the threat of Chaos, driving these armies back to their realms. But Chaos is eternal, and the mortals' resolve is so fleeting. Even if we repel Chaos, the wars and corruption they leave behind delight the dark gods, and the wounds of the mortal world never truly heal."
"Over a hundred years ago, I advocated for a grand alliance (the Great Crusade) that defeated the Everchosen of Chaos, 'The Anointed' Asavar Kul, and his army. But as the enemy vanished, the fragile alliance among mortals was again broken, and the elven nobles of Osuan resumed their endless scheming and palace coups," Tigris discussed the internal situation of the high elves with Ryan.
In this world, nearly all powers share
a feature: they rarely form a unified government. Due to limitations in productivity, transportation, and communication abilities, each force consists of many independent kingdoms. This is true for dwarves, elves, the Empire, and Bretonnia. If external pressure is minimal, as in the southern kingdoms, there will never be a unified government.
This system is effective, otherwise when external enemies invade, perhaps Chaos or Greenskins might have destroyed an entire province before the capital's armies even prepare to depart.
(As when Emperor Zhu Di of the Ming dynasty launched five campaigns against the Mongols, the vanguard was already clashing with the Tatars on the great plains, while many Ming troops were still assembling in Tongzhou waiting to depart.)
Only under great external threats do these forces consolidate, as did Charlemagne, the original Knight King Arthur, or the savior Ludwig. If not for the Chaos demons invading Osuan, Alarielle, originally a navigator, could never have become the Phoenix King.
The politics of the high elves and Bretonnia are somewhat similar. The Phoenix King, as the divine chosen of Asuryan and the nominal supreme ruler of the high elves, operates much like the Lake God Witch Morgiana, who oversees and influences the direction of the entire kingdom. There is also the Eternal Queen among the high elves. The Eternal Queen is usually born from the previous Phoenix King and Eternal Queen. She and the Phoenix King are the supreme rulers of the high elves. When the Phoenix King faces serious governance issues, she can hold him accountable—for example, the infamous "Brute King" Morvael, who took responsibility for a failed war and walked into the sacred flames of Asuryan, turning to ash.
Thus, the high elves also have a dual political system. The Phoenix Court is located in the inner south of the high elves' leading kingdom of Ithilien, in the capital, Lothren, while the Eternal Queen's court is in the Eden Valley of Avalon in the inner north.
Tigris and Tyrion are both guardians of Osuan, which is both a reward and a bind from Phoenix King Finubar for their great martial and magical prowess and lofty prestige.
As guardians of Osuan, Tyrion and Tigris are constrained by the Phoenix King; they lack the autonomy to declare war. Tyrion is also the consort of the Eternal Queen Alarielle, and Tigris, as the Supreme Archmage, is similarly bound by many restrictions.
From another perspective, the Tyrian brothers' power is not overwhelming enough to dominate the entire high elf race.
"Humans are the same, Lord Tigris. Everyone forgets the pain once the wound heals," Ryan said with a bitter smile. "After the Savior Ludwig ended his more than fifty years of rule, the Electors began their repeated internal strife and machinations, and the original united front has fallen apart."
"But Emperor Karl Franz is different; he is a capable human emperor," Tigris nodded, speaking to Ryan. "Besides seeing you, I also plan to meet him in Brunswick. Would you care to join me?"
"Meet Emperor Karl Franz? But I'm to have my wedding on Lilith's Day..." Ryan was somewhat troubled; he was of course willing to accompany Tigris to the imperial capital. Just being with Tigris, given his immense aura and esteemed status among the empire's nobility, could bring Ryan many advantages. The idea was all beneficial and without harm.
But he was about to get married, and after the wedding, he planned to spend his honeymoon with Sulia in the Tower of the Lake Fairy, as arranged by the Lake Fairy.
"I understand. I will wait until all your affairs here are concluded before we depart. During this time, I will enter the Easoloren Forest to meet with the Forest King Orion and Queen Ariel. It's time to discuss with our kin how to face the threat of Chaos," Tigris said understandingly. "I will respect your time, and hope you will respect mine when it comes. You can bring your people, including your wife."
"Then I have no objections," Ryan now had no complaints. Tigris had considered his situation to this extent, which even made him feel a bit embarrassed.
After talking for a bit more, the sky outside gradually darkened, and Ryan said, "The lady has prepared dinner, I will soon invite Lord Tigris to the feast."
"Hmm." Tigris nodded calmly. As one of the few who knew the true identity of the Lake Fairy as the high elf Moon Goddess Lilith, he also understood the divine favor Ryan received. From what he could see, Ryan, whether in demeanor, confidence, or martial prowess, was indeed worthy of Lilith's favor.
Lilith's first chosen suddenly cracked a joke: "Your brother is stronger, but you are more famous. Why is that? Do you have a conflict with him?"
"Not at all," Ryan laughed and shook his head. "You might
not believe it if I tell you, but my brother has grown weary of killing. In his heart, tending to his cattle is more important than fighting."
"I see... Asuryan is also like this. Many nobles and mages of the inner kingdom prefer to devote their energies to aesthetics, arts, opera, and music. Gardening is also a hobby. I understand," Tigris was no stranger to this attitude; many archmages at the Horus White Tower led such lives. "Still, I hope Mr. Angulon will stand up when necessary. This world needs heroes."
"Pff~" Ryan burst into laughter: "Haha~ he will. My brother never isolates himself from the world. When he feels the need, he will stand up... Lord Tigris, please."
The Supreme Archmage stood up, ready to head to the Tower of the Lake Fairy with Ryan to dine with Lilith. Morgiana also proceeded with them, the Lake God Witch following behind Ryan, as the three made their way toward the Tower of the Lake Fairy.
At that moment, Olica, dressed in a black and white maid's outfit, appeared: "Master? Ah!"
The dark elf saw Tigris, dressed in a blue and white mage's robe and leaning on a staff.
Olica's expression changed repeatedly, and she finally smirked weirdly: "I was wondering where that nauseating perfume smell was coming from. It turns out a high elf has come to the master's castle, Tigris, you actually came to the Old World."
"Is it you?" Tigris looked at Olica, dressed in a black and white lace maid's skirt and white garter stockings, wearing a maid's headdress, and said nonchalantly: "Prince Yelian always considered using you for exchange a great disgrace... and now you've become a human's maid?"
"What about it? Are the high elves here to capture me?"
Updated! Last day of the month, asking for your votes!
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