The son of the God-Emperor in Warhammer Fantasy

The Old World, Bretonnia, on the border between the Duchies of Montfort and Bastogne.

A finely crafted carriage moved slowly through the wilderness.

Inside the carriage, a stove was burning, and thick blankets and quilts covered the interior. The carriage body swayed slightly with the movement. It was dark outside, indicating another snowy day.

The sorceress Teresa Trovik of the Garland Council awoke from her slumber: "Mm~"

Upon waking, Teresa found herself lying in soft bedding. As she tried to move instinctively, the pain in her shoulder and right arm made her groan softly.

The sorceress immediately recalled the series of events she had experienced, her face turning bright red. She hurriedly covered herself with the blanket, her cold and beautiful face showing deep embarrassment and joy, as if savoring some memory.

However, there was someone else in the carriage.

"You're awake?" Veronica, leaning against the other side of the carriage, wore a Garland flame bustier dress and a white fox fur coat over her shoulders. Her black-brown hair cascaded down, and she too was covered with a blanket. The Garland witch's face was still somewhat pale, but she put down her book and teased, "Dream come true, our little princess of Garland! So, how does it feel?"

Teresa thought to herself how unlucky she was that this person was also here.

She decided to say nothing and covered her head with the blanket.

"Still don't want to talk?" Veronica continued to tease, "Are you still savoring the aftertaste? It's been several days, you know!"

"What do you think?" Teresa finally decided to speak. She first tried to throw off the blanket to retort but then realized that her shoulder injury was still severe. Sighing in resignation, she lay back down. "I imagined many scenarios, but I never thought my first time with Ryan would be like this."

"The process? Don't change the subject; I asked how it felt, not about that." Veronica's sweet face showed a hint of jealousy. "Was it very enjoyable?"

"It was... okay," the sorceress said softly. "But because of my injuries, he was very gentle..."

"I see. Just find another time for Ryan to make it up to you." Veronica said nonchalantly. "Now that he's back in his territory, he should have more time, especially since you're injured and have some privileges."

"What about you? How was your first time with Ryan?" Teresa seized the opportunity to change the subject and lay back, asking in return.

"That was many years ago. How else could it be? A poor witch couldn't find a gift to congratulate her partner on becoming a kingdom knight, so she tied a ribbon around herself and gave herself to him." Veronica ran a hand through her black-brown hair, revealing a pink bow.

Teresa suddenly recalled that Veronica always liked to tie a bow in her hair, now understanding its significance.

The sorceress's silver eyes sparkled with envy. Veronica and Ryan had the longest and most enduring relationship.

Spending time with Ryan, Teresa knew that despite his humorous and considerate demeanor, he was difficult to truly get close to. Veronica was his first woman, and from their daily interactions, Teresa could sense Ryan treated Veronica differently from herself.

"I know what you're thinking. As I said, we're both patients sharing the same sickbed. I have no intention of competing with you. What I'm saying is that the two court ladies are enough. Don't you think?" Veronica tucked her long hair behind her ear, revealing her pearl earrings.

Teresa nodded silently, agreeing that two caster court ladies were enough and that no more should join.

A mutual understanding seemed to be reached.

"Where is he?" Teresa asked next.

"He's outside with Lady Sulia, Marquis Julius, and Sir Gerald." Veronica picked up her book again. "The Duke, hearing about Helmgart, sent ten knights and dozens of knight retainers led by Lord Julius and Sir Gerald to meet us. Duke Francois is reportedly waiting at the border."

Sulia's family background and talents... the sorceress could only sigh inwardly.

"I remember Julius is Lady Sulia's brother. Sir Gerald is..."

"He's Duke Francois' cousin, Lady Sulia's uncle." Veronica read from an ancient High Elf book, her tone slightly mocking. "Don't overthink it, Trovik. The Antry family lineage traces back to King Arthur himself. This thousand-year-old family has a significant legacy. Just because your mother is a Garland Council elder doesn't mean you can compare to Lady Sulia."

"I wasn't!" the sorceress retorted, somewhat exasperated.

Veronica laughed softly, sure that Teresa had indeed thought so.

"Did he carve that on you?" Veronica continued to press.

"Carve what?"

"The spirit mark on your lower abdomen."

"He... he did. It hurt a bit, but it also felt comforting and... pleasurable." The sorceress covered her face with the blanket, recalling the scene of Ryan holding her and carving the spirit mark on her lower abdomen, something she would never forget.

"That's good." Veronica also secretly pressed her hand to her own lower abdomen.

Mine is already mature. I could have a child now.

Outside the carriage, the sky was clear after a snowy day. The cold air filled the vast fields of the Duchy of Bastogne. The snow-covered landscape and rolling hills stretched as far as the knights' eyes could see, and the Arden Forest's snowy scenery was magnificent and splendid.

Knights of the Kingdom of Bretonnia, dressed in splendid robes and silver plate armor, were marching across the fields. Their luxurious decorations displayed their noble status and rank. The pegasus banners fluttered in the cold wind. The kingdom knights of Montfort surrounded the dwarven wagon and carriage, marching through the snowy plains.

Ryan's brother-in-law, Julius, and Uncle Gerald were present. Ryan and Sulia, riding their purebred elven warhorses, moved slowly. King Belgar of Karak Eight Peaks sat with his legs stretched out on a dwarven wagon, counting goods, but his eyes kept glancing at the knights chatting.

He was eavesdropping on their conversation.

"Ryan, your carriage seems lively," Sulia, dressed in military attire, looked valiant in her marquise dress with a fur coat over it. She smiled at Ryan.

"Them? Two patients. What else can they do but argue? I've gotten used to it. I'd be surprised if they didn't argue." Ryan sighed and turned to Julius and Gerald. "I was really surprised to see you at Axebite Pass."

Julius and Gerald, now family with Ryan, didn't need to use polite terms. Julius, with a stern face, looked at his sister's happy expression, nodded slightly, and then said seriously, "Father was very worried when he heard about Helmgart. Not only did he send us to meet you, but he also led two hundred knights to the duchy's border to personally welcome you and Sulia."

"Indeed, when we reached Montfort Castle, we realized the severity. Helmgart was destroyed, and Duke Fulcard is still leading knights against the Skaven. Axebite Pass is in chaos. Who knows how much of the trade route will recover after this." Gerald stroked his goatee, his serious face showing a bit of regret. "Fulcard is as stubborn as ever, insisting on handling his territory's issues alone."

"Axebite Pass is Fulcard's lifeline. He won't let anyone interfere." Ryan shook his head.

Duke Fulcard was notoriously stubborn, even within the kingdom. He despised all non-humans, including elves and dwarves. Because of this, he was very displeased with Ryan for allowing wood elves and dwarves to openly trade and operate in his territory. Fulcard had repeatedly protested to the king, demanding action against Ryan.

King Richard, having previously suffered losses when ordering Ryan, knew that Ryan had the support of the Lady of the Lake. The king's response was to maintain the status quo. After a few protests, Fulcard realized that dealing with Ryan, the Lady's chosen champion, was difficult, especially after seeing Ryan's brothers at the wedding. He chose to ignore Ryan, citing military duties as an excuse not to meet when Ryan passed through Axebite Pass.

Ryan found this unsurprising. In this world, the divine and the mortal were often separate. Duke Bohemond of Bordeleaux claimed to be the Sea God's prince and descendant. Despite domestic nobles disliking his dual faith, they still did not like him. Similarly, despite Ryan having semi-divine brothers and a deity father, some great nobles still disliked him.

As long as he could unite the majority, not everyone needed to like him.

From another perspective, Duke Fulcard of Montfort treated his serfs better than perhaps any other in the kingdom. He had established a relief system and cooperated with the Mercy Goddess Church for charity. His territory hosted the largest Just Church in Bretonnia.

He despised non-humans but was very welcoming to humans, resulting in the highest number of Imperial residents in Montfort.

"Duke Fulcard has poor relations with both Duke Berchemond and Father." Julius, wearing his mithril rune knight's plate armor and holding a unicorn-gilded cross helmet, said to Ryan. "Territorial disputes between Bastogne and Montfort have been ongoing since the founding of the kingdom."

"Bastogne people are always arrogant. The knights here are probably the most arrogant in the kingdom," Sir Gerald added. "After all, this is where King Arthur, the founder, was born."

"Indeed." Ryan nodded. King Arthur was not from Couronne but Bastogne. He was the leader of the Bastogne tribe and had slain a true dragon before meeting the Lady of the Lake. His family earned the title of the "Red Dragon

 Family," and the Duke of Bastogne's family became known as the "Red Dragon Family."

Duke Berchemond was Arthur's direct descendant, and Arthur's red dragon armor, made from the dragon he slew, was still kept in Bastogne Castle.

Thus, Bastogne knights looked down on knights from other duchies, always boasting about the founder's will and glory. They loved to brag about their glorious history.

But they had reason to boast. The great noble lords of Bastogne were almost all Holy Grail Knights. Their virtue and strength were unquestionable, and their long lifespans ensured stable governance.

"Recently, seeing the results of your reforms, Duke Berchemond also plans to change the tithe to a fixed tax." Gerald continued, "Since most great nobles are Holy Grail Knights, facing less resistance compared to Brother Francois' gradual approach. The Holy Grail Knights care little about tithes versus fixed taxes, preferring to spend long hours in the Grail Chapel praying."

"We can't expect all the kingdom's nobles to be Holy Grail Knights," Ryan quipped. "That's too unrealistic."

Julius and Gerald felt envious of Ryan becoming a Holy Grail Knight at such a young age. Julius was planning his Grail Quest, while Gerald, much older, was still familiarizing himself with managing his territory and far from embarking on a Grail Quest.

"By the way, Duke Hubald finally completed his Grail Trial and returned to the Duchy of Carcassonne, ending the joint rule of the Lake God Prophet and Regent Count. The duchy is now back under Duke Hubald's control." Julius frowned. "It's unclear what Duke Hubald's stance on the kingdom's current situation will be. However, he is very interested in trading with you, Ryan, repeatedly sending people to propose importing dwarven equipment and wood elf medicines from your territory."

"Everything will wait until I return." Ryan nodded. Duke Hubald's stern and cold nature made his proactive approach to trade a clear indication of his attitude.

After several days of marching, the group neared the Chalons Forest.

"Up ahead is the Cuilleaux Tombs."

"That's the burial site of the Cuilleaux tribe, one of the fourteen Breton tribes before the kingdom's founding. Father is waiting there with the army."

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