The son of the God-Emperor in Warhammer Fantasy

Richard's abdication was not unexpected. This Knight King was already old. When John II was deposed, the dukes chose Richard as king as a transitional figure. Richard's character leaned towards stability, and after John II was deposed, he effectively reunited the kingdom. This contribution of his must be acknowledged.

However, Richard's subsequent handling of affairs drew much criticism. His methods of muddying the waters and maintaining stability without taking clear stances caused dissatisfaction among many great nobles within the kingdom. His failure to suppress Ryan further jeopardized Richard's position.

More importantly, the king lost the support of the Lady of the Lake, which was fatal for a Bretonnian king. From the first Knight King Arthur onwards, every Knight King who lost the Lady of the Lake's support ended up deposed. The Grail Knights under Morgiana's command could storm the palace at any time and drag the king from the throne.

After Jules died in battle due to Richard's orders, Richard had effectively lost the prestige a king should have. He indeed started to hand over military and political powers to Duke Raun-Leo Cornwall, preparing for his abdication.

Ryan felt a sudden sympathy for the king. Jules's death was not Richard's intention, and Jules's expedition was even under the Lady of the Lake's oracle. It could only be said that Egil was too strong.

Yet the king still had to take responsibility. He issued the order, so he must bear the consequences. According to François, Richard hesitated for a long time before signing the royal order. He did not shirk the king's responsibility.

The most difficult thing in this world is to take responsibility. The king's responsibility is so heavy. People only see the king's noble status and glorious identity but never think about what those on the throne need to give.

"It's not surprising to pass it to Duke Raun. I heard that Richard's favored successor was Raun, followed by his grandson, Count William. Anyway... it wouldn't be his son, Charles." Ryan thought for a moment, feeling a bit conflicted. Outwardly calm, he laughed, "How could there be a seventy-year-old crown prince?"

"Marquis Charles?" François scoffed. "He doesn't meet the conditions. First, he's not a Grail Knight or a Paladin. Secondly, I think Lady Morgiana wouldn't allow it. Even if it were to be passed on, it would skip a generation to Count William."

Everyone nodded in agreement.

Bretonnia differed from the Empire. In the Empire, the Emperor was elected by fifteen Elector Counts, choosing among a few candidates (in reality, only Boris Todbringer and Karl Franz participated).

The electoral system meant that the Emperor could only be chosen from those few candidates.

The Knight Kingdom was different. In its history, the position of Knight King never remained fixed to one family or duchy. It flowed among the kingdom's dukes. This fluidity among the upper nobility due to the Grail system was unique to Bretonnia, and it was something Ryan valued.

Specifically, becoming a Knight King required four conditions.

First, the knight must be a Grail Knight or a Paladin (the latter being an honorary title granted to knights of outstanding virtue and strength. Paladins didn't have to be Grail Knights; Grail Knights embodied the eight virtues, while Paladins emphasized valor and command. Richard held the Paladin title, being a formidable knight in his youth).

Second, the knight must hold a ducal title.

Third, the knight must be a descendant of the founding twelve original Grail Knight families or their vassal families.

Fourth, the coronation of the Knight King must be recognized by the Lady of the Lake's representative, the Fay Enchantress.

Except for the second condition, Ryan knew he met the other three. What he lacked was the ducal title.

François saw through Ryan's thoughts and smiled. "Ryan, what's on your mind? My ducal title is not for you. You know what to do if you want a ducal title."

Ryan nodded in understanding. François didn't oppose Ryan becoming king, but he couldn't give up his own ducal title.

For this matter, Ryan knew the person he needed to discuss with wasn't François or Sulia but the Fay Enchantress in the high tower and the goddess observing everything from behind the scenes.

He grew increasingly eager to return.

...

After several days of rapid marching, Ryan and his group finally returned to the Earldom of Glamorgan.

He temporarily bid farewell to François, Julius, and Gerard. When he arrived in Jean Town, it was mid to late January.

It was a rare sunny winter day. The sky was clear and blue, with the sun's rays shining down from above. The roads covered with thick stone slabs were piled with snow, and many villagers were clearing the snow. Despite the winter, the prosperous territory still bustled with carriages and people. Everyone wore thick fur cloaks and linen clothes. A thin layer of snow covered the forests and farmlands within the earldom.

Peaceful and tranquil, everyone awaited the end of winter and the arrival of spring. Many serfs eagerly anticipated harvesting winter wheat and planting the seeds of hope. Having gradually escaped hunger and ensured basic sustenance, the serfs yearned for more.

In the distance, Jean Town was undergoing yet another expansion. Many serfs, idle during the winter, worked under the supervision of soldiers, earning wages. The serfs were motivated, knowing that the harder and faster they worked, the more they earned, and the best performers even got meat soup.

This year's Winter Veil Festival saw many serfs enjoying a meal with meat.

In the distance, the earl's castle stood proudly, with Ryan's family crest hanging high on the gate, displaying the earl's power, determination, and unyielding resolve to all evil beings and corrupt entities.

Ryan's return was met with enthusiastic cheers. Whether serfs or nobles, news spread like wildfire throughout the town, and everyone gathered to see the earl. As Ryan walked through the streets, he was greeted with loud cheers. He waved to the crowd but did not stop, heading straight for his castle.

"King Belegar, I have urgent matters to attend to. The long journey must have been tiring, and I'll arrange for you and your people to rest well," Ryan said to Belegar behind him.

"Go tend to your business. Don't worry about your dwarf friends. My people and I have places to go," Belegar waved nonchalantly. "But once you're done, we need to talk."

"Alright." Ryan nodded, knowing he should discuss the next plans with Belegar. To attack the Blackstone Stronghold, knights and catapults wouldn't suffice; he needed the dwarves' help. Bretonnia needed their help.

"The earl and the countess are back! Open the gates!" Ryan's steward, Carstenberger, saw Ryan and Sulia's return from the castle walls and immediately ordered the gates opened.

"Open the gate!" The soldiers turned the axles, opening the castle gate.

"Sulia, I think we should expand the earl's castle," Ryan said as he rode into his castle. "The place was spacious before, but with all the servants moving in, it's getting crowded."

"Well... we could let them live in the outer castle. I'll definitely stay with you," the knightess said, her beautiful face watching him. "You decide, my husband."

"Let's expand it." Ryan sensed Sulia's thoughts. She also wanted the expansion, as the castle had indeed become too small.

Entering the luxurious hall, the once stone walls and floors had been transformed into wood. A grand staircase led to the second floor, and the castle walls were adorned with expensive tapestries and paintings. Crystal magical chandeliers hung from the ceiling, and red carpets lined the floors. As Ryan entered the inner castle, two maids, leading a dozen others, lifted their skirts and greeted, "Welcome back, master!"

The leading maids were Amelia, the appointed head maid, and Olica, the personal maid. Both wore standard black and white lace maid outfits and long maid skirts. The dark elf stepped forward to help Ryan remove his cloak and outerwear. "Master, you're back? The hot water is ready."

"Lord Ryan, your room is cleaned... what's wrong?" The graceful Amelia also hurried up to Ryan, but the young maid noticed he was looking at her strangely.

Amelia's face flushed red, and she lowered her head. Her golden hair tied with a white scarf, she whispered, "Why are you looking at me like that?"

"..." Ryan stared at his little maid, saying nothing. During this trip to the Empire, he had basically figured out who this maid, who had followed him for years, really was.

"Ryan, don't you like me anymore?" The sensitive maid immediately sensed the change in Ryan. She put on a sad face, her beautiful eyes glistening with tears. "Are you going to send me away?"

"No, no, I just remembered something," Ryan quickly assured her.

"Ryan, you're being rude to Amelia!" Sulia spoke up, scolding Ryan for his rudeness. The knightess hurriedly hugged the somewhat panicked maid, comforting her in a low voice before calling her husband over. "Ryan, come apologize!"

"It's okay, Amelia. I just remembered something," Ryan apologized, and Amelia's expression improved.

On this matter, Sulia and Ryan had fundamentally different views.

Sulia believed that regardless of Amelia's initial intentions, the maid had always treated Ryan's place as her refuge, quietly serving as his maid. She was willing to do any work and had completed the entire courtier course at Winford Academy. She never caused trouble. Sulia thought Ryan's standards were too strict.

Ryan felt that Amelia didn't need to hide things from him for so

 long. He was unsure of the maid's thoughts, but after Sulia's criticism, he realized his attitude was wrong and quickly apologized.

"Rest assured, Amelia, as long as you wish to stay with me, you will always be my maid," Ryan said, gently patting Amelia's small shoulder.

The maid's face looked much better. In that instant, Amelia's mind had raced through hundreds of thoughts. She knew Ryan and Sulia had learned something during their trip to the Empire.

After settling Amelia, Ryan said to Sulia, "Sulia, please take care of Theresa and Veronica. I'll go bathe first, then I need to see Lady Morgiana immediately."

"Okay." The knightess knew Ryan had matters to discuss with Morgiana.

"Master, follow me." The dark elf maid led Ryan to the bathroom, her amber eyes filled with a mix of intrigue and desire. "Let me serve you in your bath."

"Alright." Entering the steamy bathroom, a large tub of hot water was ready. With Olica's help, Ryan undressed and immersed himself in the water. "Thanks, Olica. How are things in the territory?"

"Everything is well, master. Since Winter Veil, everyone has been resting, and nothing major has happened." The dark elf also undressed, gently scrubbing Ryan's back. As he made mischievous moves, her long black hair became wet. Her face turned red as she hugged him from behind. "Master... I need your magic power."

"Of course! I want it all!" Ryan grinned mischievously, lifting Olica and diving into the water together.

... Bath time cut ...

An hour later, in the Glamorgan Earldom, at the Earl's Castle, the Tower of the Lady of the Lake.

Feeling refreshed in every sense, with slightly damp hair, Ryan arrived at the tower's entrance. The holy glow from the Lady of the Lake's power enveloped the tower, keeping the valley's mist swirling despite the cold. The mist would ward off unwelcome intruders.

Ryan was obviously not an unwelcome intruder. He made his way to the tower unhindered. Before he even got close, the Fay Enchantress Morgiana was already waiting for him outside.

Today, Morgiana wore a moonlight white silk gown with a silver waist cincher, her slender waist visible. She donned a golden flower crown, and her gown revealed a pair of pink feet wrapped in white velvet stockings, wearing ivory pointed heels. Seeing Ryan, her beautiful face lit up with a mix of joy and sorrow. "You're early. I thought you'd be a few days late."

"I have urgent matters to discuss, my lady." Ryan hurried forward.

"Perfect, I have something urgent to discuss with you too, Champion of the Lady." Morgiana gently took his hand, leading him inside. "It's quite urgent. Richard couldn't decide, so he sent word to me immediately."

Ryan's heart skipped a beat, and he asked tentatively, "Is it about the Knight King's abdication?"

"No, Richard intends to abdicate, but that matter isn't urgent. It's about Duke Theodoric of Brionne." Morgiana felt her body heat up and her legs weaken as Ryan's hand grasped hers. She leaned on his arm and continued, "It's a significant matter. Duke Theodoric of Brionne."

"Duke Theodoric? What happened? Was he corrupted by the undead?" Ryan asked, puzzled.

"No," Morgiana replied, leading Ryan to a table on the first floor. She took out a special lawsuit covered with seals from ten Brionne nobles, knights, and merchants. Her expression was conflicted as she explained.

"Duke Theodoric of Brionne was found having an affair with a subordinate count's wife, which led to a major scandal in the kingdom. After a series of discoveries and accusations, it was revealed that Duke Theodoric had affairs with the wives of two counts, three barons, and five kingdom knights... a total of nineteen noblewomen!"

"These nineteen nobles jointly filed a special lawsuit with King Richard, demanding Duke Theodoric be dealt with. Richard couldn't decide, so the lawsuit was sent to me."

"???" Ryan's jaw dropped. He thought, Duke Theodoric, what a character!

"I don't know how to decide either. Ryan, you're the Lady's Champion. What do you think?"

Morgiana looked up at Ryan.

"Well, I think..."

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