The son of the God-Emperor in Warhammer Fantasy

Ryan pondered for a moment before saying, "Alfred, have you noticed any signs of Chaos cults or vampire activity in the town lately?"

"Not for the time being." When it came to serious matters, Alfred grew solemn. The Templar Knight took out several documents. "Since arriving in your territory, I've spent several months investigating, traveling around the neighboring duchies. I did find some undead lurking among the Bretonnian populace, but I haven't found any traces of Chaos cults."

The Empire's Chaos cults could be described as diverse and widespread, from the Plaguebearer Cult (followers of Nurgle), which established and corrupted many doctors during the Black Plague War, to the Scarlet Skull Cult (followers of Khorne) spread among the Imperial army. From the pervasive Black Hand (followers of Tzeentch) among high-ranking politicians to the Hedonist's Guild (followers of Slaanesh) within the noble circles, it could be said that wherever there were people, there was the spread of Chaos cults.

Besides these major Chaos cults, other groups such as the Aesthetic Society (Marienburg, now destroyed), the Broken Wheel (a cult of Tzeentchian wizards), the Dark Magic Secret Society (founded by the fallen Light Mage Egrem van Horstmann, who calls himself the Dark Lord), and the Yellow Fang (worshippers of the Great Horned Rat) also spread across many parts of the Empire. The Church of Justice's witch hunters, Templar Knights, warrior priests, and Paladins have paid a heavy price in their endless battles against these cultists.

Before the Great Holy War, Chaos cults in the Old World had become so rampant that they openly operated in the declining Empire. When the second Eternal Chosen, "The Anointed" Asavar Kul, marched south, Chaos cultists took the opportunity to incite rebellion in Nuln, aiming to destroy the Empire's morale.

However, a rural noble who was also a devout priest led the church army and the remnants of the Imperial army to suppress the rebellion. He was the Savior, Ludwig. The rest is history.

During the Great Holy War, Chaos cults lurking in the Old World suffered devastating blows due to their full participation in the war. For fifty years under Emperor Ludwig's reign, Chaos cults seemed to vanish. But in reality, these cults spent decades reviving, corrupting nobles, merchants, various professionals, and even clergy of the human gods.

The Church of Justice's widespread presence throughout the Empire was mainly because the Empire needed them to combat Chaos cults. The true danger of Chaos lay in its corruption and internal infiltration.

In Bretonnia, however, Alfred found few signs of Chaos cult activity. The country was more troubled by vampires.

"Bretonnia doesn't have the soil for Chaos cults to take root. The knights believe in the Lady, and the serfs are busy with their daily lives," Ryan said with a wry smile. "Unlike the Empire, where there are opportunities for advancement, many in the Empire have jobs and can read. With knowledge comes ideas, which is the breeding ground for Chaos cults."

Sulia and Emilia nodded repeatedly. Different national conditions made a difference. More advanced technology and higher population quality paradoxically made people more susceptible to Chaos corruption. The only true defenses against Chaos were devout faith and unwavering will... or ignorance.

"The situation is this: I plan to attack an undead stronghold in the Grey Mountains—Blackstone Keep." Ryan told Alfred, "I will need your help then, Alfred."

"No problem." Alfred stared at Ryan for a while, then shook his golden short hair. "Anything else? My friend, I know you. You must have something personal to discuss."

Ryan exchanged a glance with Sulia.

I knew Alfred would see through it.

"Go ahead, my friend," Alfred said, drinking a cup of water to soothe his dry throat after the sermon. "What can't we discuss?"

"In two weeks, Bordeleaux will host a grand banquet. Sulia, Emilia, and I are invited..." Ryan told Alfred about Julius's situation.

"I see. In two weeks... no problem. I'll go with you, Lady Sulia, and Miss Emilia." Alfred agreed. "After six years, this place can run itself. And with Chaos cults and vampires nearly eradicated from your territory, my workload has decreased significantly."

Having Alfred, a Templar Knight, accompany him would be a significant advantage in Julius's matter, which was good news.

At noon, Ryan, Sulia, and Emilia enjoyed a simple lunch at the Temple of Justice: smoked fish, smoked meat, barley bread, ham, and some seasonal vegetables. This meal was neither extravagant nor poor, just a normal standard for a Templar Knight. Despite different beliefs, Sulia showed Alfred great respect and courtesy, recognizing him as Ryan's childhood friend.

Alfred felt Ryan and Sulia's marriage was a perfect match and naturally offered his blessings. His kind words pleased Sulia.

Ryan and Emilia couldn't help but chuckle. This was an indirect show of authority and acknowledgment of Sulia's established dominance on Ryan's estate.

After lunch and a brief rest, Ryan planned to leave with his wife and maid. However, as they prepared to depart the Temple of Justice, a fierce storm broke out. Torrential rain fell like a waterfall from the sky, shrouding the city in a rain curtain. The mountain foot near the temple was a dense forest, and the rain brought fog, turning the distant mountains a deep blue.

The rain and fog soaked the early spring landscape. The lush trees and newly sprouted grass were hidden under the rain and mist. Jean Town, close to the Oracle Mountains, descended into Sharon Forest. From the temple's entrance, the Oracle Mountains loomed in the fog, like a divine kingdom beyond the horizon.

Given the heavy rain, Ryan and his companions couldn't leave immediately. With nothing urgent, Alfred led them back into the temple. The temple's main entrance was modestly sized, as Justice temples often doubled as fortresses.

They walked through dripping corridors, with rainwater pouring down the temple's columns. Emilia almost got splashed and quickly stepped back, hiding behind Ryan and clutching his clothes. Her white sand mermaid dress was her favorite, only worn when out with Ryan.

Ryan let Emilia hold his arm, protecting her. Seeing the heavy rain, he knew it wouldn't stop anytime soon. "Alfred, it seems the Lady wants me to stay longer."

"Good timing. The temple's noble guest rooms are newly built. You can stay here tonight," Alfred suggested. With the serfs busy with spring plowing, there were few worshippers or penitents.

"No, we'll return when the rain stops..." Sulia was reluctant to impose on Alfred. As a devout follower of the Lady of the Lake, she also disliked staying in other gods' temples.

"The temple has hot springs blessed by my Lord's power, promoting blood circulation and rejuvenation. The noble guest rooms have private hot springs you can use at your leisure," Alfred mentioned casually.

"Then we'll trouble you, Mr. Alfred." Sulia's attitude changed instantly upon hearing about the hot springs. She instructed her steward, Henderson, "In that case, we'll stay at the temple tonight."

"Yes, my lady." The steward bowed, and the servants began preparing the guest rooms.

After a simple dinner, darkness fell. Sulia and Emilia eagerly went to the hot springs, leaving Ryan and Alfred drinking black beer in the attic. The torrential rain fell on the weathered rocks of the nearby mountains, with small trees and shrubs braving the downpour. The attic offered a view of the mountain springs and small waterfalls, which fell into the Church of Justice's pond, surrounded by ferns and moss-covered valleys.

"Ah, women." Ryan clinked glasses with his childhood friend, shaking his head. He looked at Alfred sideways, "You did this on purpose."

"Templar Knights never lie. I merely stated facts." Alfred drank his beer, the golden-haired Templar pausing before continuing, "Actually, my bedroom's basement also has a hot spring."

"Hmm?" Ryan looked at Alfred, sensing something. "So?"

"Want to take a dip?"

"I'd be happy to."

Twenty minutes later.

The two men, towels around their waists, immersed their strong bodies in the hot spring. In the five-meter diameter stone and granite bath, the hot water made Ryan feel extremely comfortable. He exclaimed, "Ah! Praise be to the heart of ♂Praise♂!"

"ASS♂WE♂CAN~" Alfred also soaked in the hot spring. The newly promoted Templar Knight leaned against the bath wall in the twenty-square-meter basement. He noticed the scars on Ryan's chest and arms and reached out to touch them, "My friend, are these from that Chaos Daemon?"

"Ah! Damn you, Alfred, what are you touching?" Ryan slapped Alfred's hand away, pointing to the scars on Alfred's body, "These are from Khorne's chosen champion Egil. You have them too."

Alfred's strong chest and abs bore many scars. The golden-haired Templar glanced at them indifferently, "These are from my travels. I fought alongside Grandmaster Hans in the forest against a necromancer. We lost over thirty knights, but we won."

"That must have been brutal." Ryan leaned against the bath's edge, mimicking Alfred.

"My Lord guides me from one battle to the next. I dedicate my life to fighting evil. I believe that when I ascend to heaven, I will return to my Lord's side and continue to fight." Alfred nodded, telling Ryan, "No victory without sacrifice."

"Speaking of which, Alfred, haven't you considered marriage?" Ryan thought Alfred was essentially a zealot.

"No

, unless I find the perfect partner, I don't plan to marry." Alfred shook his wet blond hair. Even in the basement hot spring, they could hear the rain outside.

"No marriage? Without heirs, how will you fight evil?" Ryan dipped his hand into the warm water, indifferent to Alfred's answer.

"Marriage is a luxury." Alfred's gaze grew deep as he looked at the misty room, speaking softly, "Templar Knights aren't forbidden from marrying, but what kind of woman should I marry? If I have a family, can I still fight evil as fearlessly as before?"

"You can. Sometimes, a family is not just a burden but also a source of strength and motivation." Ryan advised, "You're in your thirties. It's time to marry. I'll find some suitable matches for you."

"Forget it. Let it be." Alfred immediately declined, looking at Ryan for a while before laughing, "I once imagined us remaining unmarried, the knight and paladin duo adventuring across the Old World, spreading justice. We'd take missions, amass wealth, settle in cities, play war games, and explore lost ruins. If needed, we'd visit brothels together. That would be a fun life."

Listening to Alfred's vision, Ryan was speechless.

Alfred's argument made sense, leaving Ryan without a retort.

"Ryan, what's so great about women? Is it more fulfilling than prayers and meditation? Marrying early is like shackling yourself. Look at you, now a lord with land, courtiers, a wife, and many knights and soldiers. You're like a warhorse in a harness, no longer as free as before." Alfred continued, "Women are troublesome and fickle. They forget your goodness in three days. Unlike prayers, which provide a deep sense of fulfillment, Ryan, don't be stubborn."

"A wild horse without a saddle and bridle, no matter how strong, is ultimately just a wild horse with no purpose." Ryan shook his head, laughing. "My marriage with Sulia was a careful, serious decision, also the Lady's will. Sulia is good to me, and I'm satisfied with her. She's my wife."

"So, you're already married. I was just saying." Alfred shrugged, his handsome, mature face showing some regret. "Now you're a count and chosen champion, and I'm a Templar Knight. We've found our paths, so let's continue forward."

"Yes, exactly."

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