In the Tower of the Lady of the Lake, during the autumn season, golden leaves danced in the air. Birth, old age, sickness, and death, the changing seasons—all were natural laws. Yet within the small valley inside the tower, life flourished, with the herbs and flowers planted by the Lady of the Lake still in full bloom.
In the courtyard of the tower, on the large marble balcony, the Lady of the Lake, the Enchantress, and Ryan sat together chatting. Ryan's wife, Sulia, lay asleep on a lounge chair beside him.
Today, the Lady of the Lake was unusually not dressed in her usual long gown. Instead, she wore a white snowy fox fur-knit sweater and a gray layered skirt adorned with pompoms. Her golden hair, as smooth as satin, hung down to her ankles. Seeing Ryan's slightly discontented expression, the Lady of the Lake smiled freely, "Ryan, my champion, my temporary possession of Sulia does not harm her. On the contrary, it benefits her greatly. She is already my chosen one."
"Being possessed by the Lady is Sulia's honor," Morgiana also nodded. "The Lady's divine power will help her grow further and keep her away from corruption and curses."
"Who wouldn't feel uncomfortable discovering their wife suddenly possessed one day?" Ryan glanced at the Lady of the Lake, sighing. "Well, since Sulia is willing, I won't oppose it. My Lady, you have finally returned?"
"Call me Lilith," the Lady of the Lake said, poking Ryan's face with a finger, a hint of dissatisfaction in her voice. "Don't like me coming back? I thought my presence would make you happy, you unkind and ungrateful man."
"So, did you come to criticize me?" Ryan looked at his sleeping wife, knowing the Lady of the Lake had something she didn't want Sulia to hear. Until their private meeting ended, Sulia wouldn't wake up. "What's the matter, Lilith? I also have something to discuss with you."
"Yes, Morgiana, go bring the pastries and tea from the third floor," the Lady of the Lake instructed.
"Yes." Morgiana replied to the Lady of the Lake, gave a peculiar glance at the sleeping Sulia, and then left.
"From what I see, everything in the kingdom has been fine during my absence," the Lady of the Lake said as the Enchantress left. She relaxed beside Ryan, taking off her brooch and sighing. "The country has gone through many wars in recent years and needs a break. But things don't always go as I expect. Forget it, I won't deal with the high elves' nonsense! Let Asuryan do whatever he wants! He'll ruin all of Asur eventually!"
After speaking, the Lady of the Lake unceremoniously leaned on Ryan. He gently supported her, smiling as he said, "The plague is over?"
"Yes, it's over." The Lady of the Lake sat back properly on her chair, a deep resentment on her face. "I painstakingly developed the plague cure, but Asuryan ordered his Phoenix Guard captain, his 'anointed one' Kadroin, to burn my formula. Fortunately, my mother, Isha, revealed the cure in a dream to Alarielle before it was destroyed. So, it was burned, but the plague was cured. For this, Asuryan publicly reprimanded me in the Pantheon. I have done my duty."
"You did the right thing." Ryan admired the Lady of the Lake for her efforts in creating the cure, nodding repeatedly while expressing concern. "So... what punishment did Asuryan give you?"
"What could he do? Since the time of the brutish king Morvael, my divine power as the Moon Goddess of the high elves, Lilith, has been slowly waning. My power no longer threatens him," the Lady of the Lake, always fragrant, gazed at the foggy valley. "But I will avoid him for now and stay with you."
"Lady, Ryan," Morgiana returned with pastries and tea.
Elven politics were always a mess, and Ryan had no interest in delving into the complex affairs of the high elves. He nodded, remaining silent.
"I know about your and François's plan to form an allied force to attack the Blackstone stronghold. Morgiana has informed me," the Lady of the Lake changed the topic, seeing Ryan's lack of interest. Ulthuan was far from the Old World, and even the high elves' great ships took two months to sail there. Ryan, with no reach to influence high elf matters, didn't care. "How are the preparations?"
"More than halfway done. Right now, it's harvest season. I've temporarily disbanded the soldiers to let them farm. Once the harvest is over, I'll regroup them for training," Ryan replied.
In his territory, except for the peasant levies, the military was becoming semi-professional. The longbowmen, the forest rangers of Chalons, and the halberd regiment were already semi-professional, but there was still a long way to go before a fully professional army.
The cost of maintaining a peasant levy, a semi-professional army, and a professional army differed significantly.
Why do knights love peasant levies?
They're cheap! Peasant levies bring their own weapons and food, only receiving some saltier rations before battles. Knights didn't bear much cost, only providing food if the campaign exceeded the time limit. Half of the war loot went to the peasants, who kept their weapons and exchanged armor for money, receiving rewards based on their merits.
A professional army is entirely different, with expenses for food, pay, and maintenance. The cost of maintaining a professional army is unimaginable. Ryan had read many boastful comments in his previous life, advocating for a volunteer military system over conscription. But where would the money come from? From the sky? The ground? The water? United Nations aid?
None of these. Ryan, as the lord, had neither money nor food. In the end, the burden would fall on the people, leading to increased taxes and the destruction of his hard-earned credibility.
Even the Empire across the mountains relied heavily on semi-professional armies and mercenaries, summoning troops for war but ensuring enough labor for farming during peacetime. Without farming, stability was impossible. Without food, soldiers wouldn't fight.
Ryan's land was among the wealthiest in Bretonnia, with last year's taxes nearing eight thousand gold crowns. Yet, he cautiously pursued military semi-professionalism, with soldiers training three days a week, working three days, and resting on Sundays. He provided half pay and partial benefits during peacetime, only offering full pay during wartime.
"My prophecy has changed, Ryan. Do you remember I foretold no major wars in Bretonnia in the coming years?" The Lady of the Lake sipped her tea, her golden eyebrows furrowing. "But now, I see the presence of Chaos gods. I see you and François fighting a powerful Chaos champion."
"A powerful Chaos champion? Are you saying there will be a major war in Bretonnia?" Ryan was intrigued. "Strange, we're planning to attack the Blackstone stronghold. Our enemies should be Mousilon's undead or the ancient tomb army at Blackstone. Chaos can't invade from the north right now. Vampires are the main threat to Bretonnia. How could a Chaos champion appear?"
"I don't understand what the appearance of the Chaos champion in the prophecy means either, my dear Ryan, my champion. You must be careful in your attack on the Blackstone stronghold... If necessary, Morgiana can assist you," the Lady of the Lake said, gently stroking Ryan's face, her voice full of concern.
Morgiana also looked at Ryan, eager to help.
"Princess Morgiana should wait until she fully recovers and retrieves the Grail of Potions," Ryan shook his head. While the Enchantress's help would be a great asset, she hadn't fully recovered from her previous injuries. Her current strength was equivalent to a legendary peak sky and life mage, providing some assistance but at the risk of being captured by vampires again.
"François and I will handle it ourselves, my Lady. You needn't worry. We may have to advance our plans," Ryan said, pacing the balcony. "The supplies and provisions are mostly in place. François and I are ready for war. The only concern is the lack of coordination between knights and infantry with the dwarves. But the battlefield is the best training ground."
The Enchantress felt a bit down hearing Ryan's reluctance to involve her. She had often imagined fighting alongside Ryan, casting spells and divine arts, sweeping through armies while Ryan led the charge. But with the Lady of the Lake present, she couldn't object.
"Do you intend to advance the attack on the Blackstone stronghold?" Morgiana asked.
The Lady of the Lake's long sleeves were adorned with golden iris-shaped jewelry and gemstone necklaces, hanging to the ground. She held a golden Grail, filled with a clear, holy liquid glowing with divine light, waiting for Ryan's response.
"After the harvest. Once the harvest is over, François and I will march on the Blackstone stronghold," Ryan decided after some thought. The soldiers were not in the mood for war during the harvest, and the abundant grain and taxes could fund the war.
"Very well, Ryan. I will have Morgiana issue an oracle, ordering a group of Grail Knights to join you! For the kingdom!" the Lady of the Lake declared, putting down the Grail and embracing Ryan from behind, whispering in his ear, "My champion, isn't this generous enough?"
"Generous indeed," Ryan felt the soft pressure on his back, the shapes shifting. He awkwardly turned to gently push the Lady of the Lake away. Though he
knew Sulia approved of his involvement with the Lady, he still felt a strange discomfort.
"With this matter settled, Ryan, there's another issue. Everyone knows King Richard plans to abdicate. He has designated Duke Lauen Leoncoeur as his successor. Lauen is one of my chosen champions and is fit to inherit the throne in terms of ability. But... you still want to be king, don't you?" The Lady of the Lake resumed her seat, frowning. "I would love for you to be king, my champion, but as the protector of this country and the enforcer of order, I can't break the rules, especially those set with Arthur."
"I know," Ryan admitted.
The Lady of the Lake, as a deity of order, was bound to uphold and expand the rules. Despite her introduction, Ryan had earned his fame and status through his efforts.
As Sulia's uncle, Count Anselm, said, Ryan had reached his current position through his strength, so many Grail Knights and nobles respected his achievements. Though some dukes resented this outsider, they refrained from undermining him openly.
If Ryan abused the Lady's favor to seize titles and bully others, the nobles would never accept him, nor would he have married Sulia.
In his previous life, Ryan had read many stories about protagonists relying on powerful backers to bully others while preaching against it. Ultimately, it was all about bloodline.
Everyone wanted to be the second generation with power, disliking others doing the same. The phrase "Don't underestimate a young man" was said by others, not the youth themselves.
"But you still want to seize the throne, even though you're not a duke," the Lady of the Lake said, troubled. "I know you're preparing for the End Times."
"Duke Lauen, as a Grail Knight, can sit on the throne for at least a century," Ryan suggested. "I don't mean to belittle his capabilities, but I think I can do better."
"Then there's only one way left," the Lady of the Lake said, contemplating. "A competition."
"A fair, just, and open competition, so everyone will be convinced."
"You will become the King of Bretonnia!"
…
When Ryan and the newly awakened Sulia emerged from the Lady of the Lake's tower, Sir Gérard, François's cousin, was waiting outside. Seeing Ryan, Gérard anxiously said, "Ryan, something big has happened!"
"A large undead army has attacked the Duchy of Montfort! Thousands have perished in the attack!"
"Duke Fulcard of Montfort has requested our aid!"
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