"Rember, Mr. Laine, Baron Gene's Domain is a territory that Duke Theodoric of Borelion has always wanted to acquire. Being granted this place will definitely cause his displeasure. Also, the Duke of Paragon in the northeast of Winford Duchy has deep conflicts with my father, and I don't know if it will affect you." Surya put down her tea and sighed, "The Duke of Paragon keeps imposing taxes on our caravans, and there have long been many bandits on the trade routes."
"I understand." The presence of nurous bandits wasn't a coincidence; Laine imdiately grasped the knight's implication that these bandits were likely wolves in sheep's clothing.
After the Dor Tower incident, the noble's once steadfast knightly spirit gradually faded, with the pursuit of justice and virtue now only used to extract greater benefits from the peasants.
"Mr. Laine, you're a Holy Grail Knight, His Majesty the King has no authority to command you, so be ntally prepared that he and Duke Dalheid of Leonais, who cos to observe the ceremony, may not welco you warmly," the female knight continued.
"Okay, I understand. May I ask about Duke Hubert of Kakasong? What kind of knight is he?" Laine followed up.
"His Grace Duke Hubert is cold yet respected, but recently there has been news that he's preparing to embark on the Path of the Holy Grail..." Surya's many statents were half-spoken, and Laine quickly understood that at this level, much only needed to be ntioned briefly.
"I understand." Laine continued nodding, knowing he needed to gauge the temperants of the dukes near his domain.
An hour later.
"Thank you very much, Miss Surya." Laine put his hand to his chest, offering sincere thanks to the female knight.
"You're welco." The female knight returned a perfect courtesy, her flawless and beautiful appearance forming a charming curve at the corner of her mouth: "Mr. Laine's demonstrated morality and strength are surprising; the Antre Family is willing to beco friends with Mr. Laine."
"And I'm also eager to have honest and enthusiastic friends like Julius and Miss Surya." Moonlight fell on Laine's face, sealing this simple verbal agreent.
"Anyway, my brother and I will be with you during this ti, so let us know if you need anything." The female knight elegantly and solemnly smiled.
"Alright, I wish you good health."
On the way back, Laine remarked to Alia, "She really is a beautiful lady."
Rarely, Alia replied in a lancholic tone to Laine, "Indeed, Mr. Laine, Miss Surya truly is excellent, noble-born and so beautiful."
"That's right." Laine thought to himself, it seems we were talking about slightly different topics?
Oh well, he had many things to consider.
Three days later, a grand ceremony of enfeoffnt was held at Kulona Palace.
The kaleidoscope of colors from glass reflected srizing light and shadows, the twelve Holy Grail Knights' figures and stories watched over the figures in the Central Hall, decorated with stained glass and six murals embodying religious allegory, knightly style, and legal significance, with seats filled by observing knights, and the front row occupied by the great nobles of Brittania.
Laine was dressed in a complete Brittania noble attire, kneeling on one knee before the Knight King.
Knights shouted enthusiastically, welcoming this Legendary Tier Holy Grail Knight warmly; his na recently resounded across the Continent, his glory spread through every castle and tavern in Brittania, achieving every knight's lifelong dream at such a young age.
For a long ti, this knight will beco a focal point in daily conversations, his glorious deeds perpetually retold by the Minstrels.
At sixteen, he went to war against the Barbarians, at twenty-two, he killed Beastman Beast King "Sharp Fang" Gor, at twenty-four, he erged victorious in the champion duel with Chaos Champion "Crushing Bear" Bireg, officially becoming the Lake Fairy's Divine Chosen Champion.
After arriving at Marinburg, he uncovered the conspiracy of the Aesthetic Society and slew the Fallen Hunter, and in the Battle of Kolesen Plain, wiped out countless Greenskins, gaining worldwide fa.
His every achievent had knights in a trance.
An idol!
Thus, Laine received the loudest cheers.
However, compared to the knights' cheers, the great nobles of Brittania seated in the front were much quieter, most of them only symbolically applauding a few tis, with only a few nobles offering enthusiastic applause, all of whom were Holy Grail Knights.
Watching Laine kneeling, Duke Dalheid of Leonais had a peculiar expression, not because Laine was an outsider - nobility between the Empire and Brittania often intermarried, exchanged frequently, their worldviews quite close. Alliances between the countries and mutual invitations were normal and common; even Imperial people had served as Knight King.
He just wasn't fond of Laine's strength and status. His Grace the Duke wondered if this young man coming here as a baron was good or bad, he was too excellent and as a Holy Grail Knight. If this outstanding young man ca to protect the Lady's Holy Land, he would warmly embrace him.
But he was here now as a Lord.
Unable to determine whose side he was on for now, His Grace could only symbolically applaud; the young man might bring blessings or challenges, observation was needed.
If the great nobles present were sowhat curious, then Knight King Richard's attitude was even more intriguing; the graying Knight King made efforts to stand straight, rely maintaining a neutral posture throughout, not showing much expression nor speaking much. While holding the historically symbolic Brittania's royal power Holy Sword, the Lady of the Lake's Sword, he walked down from the throne.
Laine maintained his posture in silent stillness.
An attendant brought in a set of brand new Baron's Uniform from the side. It comprised a deep red velvet coat and trousers edged with white fur, hat adorned with two strips of mink, a coronet having a pale silver band, decorated with six silver balls.
"Laine Macado."
"You have proven your worth through your courage, your honor, your faith to the Lady and the King."
"Hereby, on behalf of previous kings and in the na of the Lady of the Lake, I enfeoff Holy Grail Knight Laine Macado as Baron Gene, hoping you will prove your value with loyalty and life."
Once said, the sword's blade lightly tapped on Laine's head, then each shoulder.
"I, Laine Macado, pledge loyalty to the Lady, to protect the people with life, to lead soldiers with honor, living up to Your Majesty's charge," Laine recited the oath.
The Lake God's Sword of Kings vibrated slightly, the aged Knight King looked at Laine for a mont and then unemotionally stated, "May the Lady's radiance illuminate your path forward."
Afterwards, the Knight King turned away, no longer looking at Laine, then waved his hand, indicating the ceremony's conclusion. A parchnt marked with gold inscription, bearing a stamp along with the ring and sash symbolizing a baron's status was presented to Laine, which he calmly accepted.
Thus the ceremony concluded, lacking royal encouragent and warm exhortation, as well as a genuine oath from the new baron, everything felt like re formality, Knight King Richard indifferently completed the ceremony and watched as the crowd quickly dispersed.
Knights eagerly congratulated Laine, to which he responded earnestly.
Both he and Richard knew well this enfeoffnt ceremony did not rely on the King's personal goodwill.
Their previous oaths addressed the core of the issue.
Laine's oath of allegiance did not ntion the King.
That which did appear, however, was the new Baron of Gene from the palace, Holy Grail Knight Laine Macado.
Next, he would travel south to Kakasong Duchy to have an audience with the Lake Fairy and the Lake Fairy Chosen Witch, Mogiana, whose na he heard often but never saw.
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