Along the wide avenue, the knights advanced toward the capital Helunhilde of the Duchy of Winford.
This is a gigantic city like a garden, built in the middle of a valley, with the clear waters of the Xinong River flowing through the adows beside the city. The high city gates are adorned with the Antre Family's emblem of the "Pure White Pegasus," with the golden ducal crown resting above the shield badge, telling tales of ancient history.
The houses in the city are built of brick and stone, with white walls and red roofs. The streets are bustling, crowded with people, where nurous trees have been planted amidst vibrant flowers and shady foliage.
The duke's castle is situated deep within the city, against the mountains. Its towering walls and pointed towers compose the massive castle of the Duke of Winford. This enormous castle has three layers overall, ascending conically, with a circumference surpassing a thousand ters. Constructed with towering granite stones, it symbolizes His Grace the Duke's wealth and power.
The castle is near the Xinong River, with a square main fort at its center and six massive conical bastions flanking the sides, encircling all around. In front of the main fort stands a 30-ter-high statue of the Pure White Pegasus, delivering a strong visual impact, as if the original Duke of Winford, who once battled alongside Arthur, has returned to the world.
On the road, in flower beds, in squares, minstrels and acrobats are performing various programs. The knights pass through the main gate of the castle, with a profusion of blossoms greeting their sight. Yet, Laine and his companions do not linger here; instead, they follow the duke's daughter directly to the inner court, where he will et the Holy Sanctuary Grand Knight, the Holy Grail Knight, Duke of Winford, "Long Legs" Francois-André de Winford.
Today's luck isn't great; His Grace the Duke is not within his castle's inner court. A loyal maid informs the duke's daughter that the duke is sipping wine in an outside pavilion.
"Mr. Laine, please et with Father first. I will join you once I've changed my attire," the duke's daughter gently expresses her need to stay behind initially. Laine nods understandingly: "Alright."
Afterward, guided by Bull Knight Baptiste and Stag Knight Gaston, Laine proceeds through the marble courtyard, arriving at the pavilion within the castle.
The pavilion is built atop a hill within the castle. Standing in the pavilion provides a sweeping view of the whole of Helunhilde and even the surrounding adows.
Before the pavilion, people stand in a long line. Countless petitioners wait in queue for an audience with His Grace the Duke. Among them are heads of various guilds, businessn from afar, manor lords from the Duke's Domain, and even so wandering knights from beyond Brittania. They all yearn to et the duke in person, whether to promote themselves or to convey their hardships.
They are destined for disappointnt today. As soon as Baron Gene, dressed in the full Brittania baron's uniform with a Holy Grail Knight badge on his chest, requests an audience with the duke, the guards and knights patrolling the castle receive the duke's notification: Today's eting is concluded. The two Holy Grail Knights shall discuss an important matter.
Thus, unwillingly and regretfully, the waiters disperse on their own.
Inside the pavilion, several Ranger Knights clad in shiny silver full plate armor stand guard. Within the pavilion, a tall and towering figure stands with his back to the approaching individuals, slightly taller than Laine, standing about 1.9 ters.
Upon seeing this lofty figure, Bull Knight Baptiste and Stag Knight Gaston never conceal the zeal and admiration in their eyes, standing respectfully with hands lowered, indicating to Laine that he may step forward.
"Years have passed unseen, esteed Guardian of Winford, owner of the Oracle Mountains, deeply adored Francois-André de Winford, Holy Grail Knight Laine Macado extends wishes for your health." Laine bends down, placing his hand on his left chest, paying respectful homage to this towering figure.
Just like his godfather, Winford "Long Legs" Francois is a truly respectable figure. His Grace the Duke beca a ranger knight after reaching adulthood at 18, involved in nurous wars, winning the crown in the tournant held in Brittania's capital Crona at the age of 23, and subsequently knighted as a Kingdom Knight. At 35, he embarked on the Path of the Holy Grail, successfully completing the Holy Grail Trial at 39 by individually slaying a Two-legged Flying Dragon and a Doomsday Bull, returning to his domain to inherit his father's title as Duke of Winford.
Unlike other dukes, this grand duke is exceptionally skilled in internal affairs. Years of war never clouded his wisdom. Under his governance, the already prosperous Duchy of Winford further blossod, resembling an earthly paradise.
His military skills never dwindled either. Eleven years ago, the necromancer Heinrich Kemler commanded an Undead Army to invade Brittania. It was Grand Duke Francois who led the knights to repel this incursion, completely expelling the undead from Brittania's borders.
"Welco to Winford, Lady's Champion, Guardian of Marinburg, Victor of the Champion Duel, Laine Macado~" The grand duke turned around.
Similar to Julius and Surya, the duke possesses bright golden hair and ocean-blue eyes, with dense short hair making him appear exceedingly spirited. His eyebrows are finger-width, his nose tall, and a neat short handlebar mustache impeccably grood. It's hard to imagine this grand duke is past seventy; his handso appearance resembles a man in his thirties.
Yet, when Laine shifts his gaze into his eyes, the impression of the duke's visage fades away. These are deep, ocean-like eyes that truly reflect the human soul. Wisdom rolls, brews like turbulent waves in this vast sea, waiting for the next tide to rise.
A Brittania Grand Duke silk attire adorns his towering figure. Perhaps due to a lack of formal events today, the duke's attire is more relaxed: "I've waited several days for your visit, but you haven't co, so I had to invite you over myself, my baron?"
The duke's voice is deep and magnetic, resonating with a heavy sense of aged sedint.
Only after confirming the duke is full of smiles does Laine cautiously respond: "It's my oversight. Just arrived at the domain, there's quite a lot to handle. I planned to visit you once everything is sorted."
"Wise choice! That's the virtue of a proficient lord." The duke first affirms Laine's approach and then chuckles: "You are outstanding. Even knowing you're Ivan's godson, I didn't expect you to surpass expectations."
"Reality often outstrips imagination, my duke." Who would've thought Laine would awkwardly smile: "I didn't foresee such a day. When I faced despair during the Champion Duel, it was the Lady who lent
the strength to continue fighting."
"And your triumphs along the journey have honored the title of Lady's Champion. This is the reason for my welco. Sit. In this beautiful spring, nothing is more delightful than sharing a cup of fine wine." The duke gestured to the attendant serving him, who instantly presented two ivory cups. A bottle of aged grape wine was uncorked, pouring the dark red liquid into the pristine ivory cups: "This is the vintage 1462 Yangger wine, to the Lady!"
"To the Lady!" Laine accepted the cup. The flavor of the wine was rich, enduring, with profound notes of smokiness and roasted aroma.
"Emmm~ Truffle mushrooms, mint, leather, black cherry, with a hint of the Dwarf Miners' scent, harmoniously balanced, layered exquisitely." Laine comnted with closed eyes.
The Duke of Winford hadn't yet replied when a voice tinged with surprise sounded from behind the baron: "I never expected Lord Laine to also be a connoisseur of wine?"
The baron instinctively opened his eyes, turned around, and looked back.
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