The son of the God-Emperor in Warhammer Fantasy

Before the dark elf could turn to go and invite Morgiana in, her voice came from the doorway: "Ryan, are you busy?"

There were only three people who dared to enter Ryan's room without knocking, and Morgiana was one of them.

Today, the Lake Witch wore a pure white knee-length dress with embroidered patterns, cinched at the waist with a purple ribbon. Morgiana's cool and beautiful face appeared at the door, her slender and enchanting figure fully displayed. Since it was midsummer, Morgiana rarely wore her usual ankle-length dresses; instead, the knee-length dress revealed her smooth, jade-like calves. She wore no stockings, only a simple pair of ankle-strap high-heeled sandals.

"Click-click~" Morgiana's voice came closer: "Am I interrupting?"

"I'm just thinking about some things." Ryan looked up from the documents on his desk and smiled. "Nothing major. Welcome back, Morgiana. How did things go in Kurona?"

Seeing Ryan smile at her, Morgiana's slightly furrowed brow relaxed. In private, she always felt at ease and joyful with Ryan. The Lake Witch felt her recent irritability disappear, and she pulled up a chair next to Ryan, smoothing her skirt. "Overall, it's okay. Lawn has recovered his health and resumed his regency duties. Since you didn't pursue accountability, the northern knight nobility is relieved."

"And, Richard has stepped down from the Duke of Le-Angoulang. His nephew, Talbot, has succeeded him." Morgiana continued, her golden hair falling over her shoulder, exuding a faint scent of iris.

"Good." Ryan didn't comment further, indicating that the traditional northern knightly nobility had also capitulated. Richard's decision to pass the ducal title to his nephew Talbot rather than his grandson William also signaled his stance.

"The Duke of Borlain, Theodoric, has completed his sentence. He contacted me to convey his apology. He admits his mistake regarding Fiona and is willing to continue his confinement. He also expressed unconditional support for your reforms but hopes you can help with his current difficulties in Borlain." Morgiana shared the second piece of news.

"Hmph, 'unconditional,' huh?" Ryan shook his head. This old man was cunning, playing both sides at this crucial time. It wasn't the best moment to argue with Theodoric, especially with Ryan's imminent succession. Since he was willing to comply, Ryan decided not to haggle further, letting him remain in confinement.

Taking advantage of Morgiana's return, Ryan sat with her and discussed various matters in detail.

"We have received the accusations against the late Duke Alderald for selling military grain to raise funds." Morgiana paused before continuing. "But as you know, the founding families of the twelve original Holy Grail Knights do not accept any charges other than treason or blasphemy. Moreover, Duke Alderald is already deceased, and the new Duke, Adelhart, claims no knowledge of these matters... Lyonase faces many issues, including excessive rainfall and potential crop failures. I think it's best not to pursue this matter."

Ryan crossed his arms, smiling wryly.

Historically, the end of a regime often coincided with natural disasters, leading many to mistakenly believe that such disasters caused the collapse. However, disasters have always occurred throughout a regime's lifespan. The real issue lies in the collapse of fiscal capabilities and the weakening of governance, with natural disasters being the final straw.

When a disaster strikes and the response is inadequate, it quickly leads to famine, plague, and rebellion. However, a government with the capability to respond effectively can mitigate these threats.

In contrast, Lyonase was helpless against the rebellious serfs, while Ryan, with his wealth and manpower, quickly quelled the rebellion in southern Lyonase shortly after taking control.

"At least they should return part of it!" Ryan said discontentedly. "Write to Duke Adelhart immediately. I'm not asking the nobles of Lyonase to return all the grain they took, but they should give back at least a quarter, which will be distributed to the serfs by the church! If they refuse, they shouldn't expect any support from us in the future!"

Morgiana nodded and immediately ordered the dark elf, "Did you hear that? Write it down quickly!"

Damn it! This woman! Is she acting like the lady of the house? The dark elf, Olica, dressed in a black and white maid outfit with white thigh-high stockings, felt quite disgruntled, which was also reflected on her face. She smiled and said, "Lady Morgiana, don't you have hands yourself? Or can't you read?"

This comment made Morgiana raise her delicate golden eyebrows, her green eyes fixed on the smiling dark elf. She clenched the Potion Chalice, and a powerful magical aura began to surround her. "Dark elf, don't think that just because you're Ryan's personal maid, I won't deal with you!"

She remembered what happened during the Winter's Eve.

"Oh? You want to try?" The dark elf smiled even sweeter, her irritation evident. "You think just because you have that cup, you can beat me?"

One moment, the room was filled with serious discussion about internal affairs; the next, a duel seemed imminent.

"Olica!" Ryan had no choice but to intervene, "We're discussing important matters!"

"…Hmph~" The dark elf reluctantly nodded, thinking to herself how this woman always used 'discussing important matters' as an excuse to see Ryan, only for the conversation to end up in a different place.

With Theresa and Veronica in seclusion and Sulia pregnant, the dark elf had Ryan all to herself for a while. Now that Morgiana was back, the dark elf was naturally displeased.

After calming Olica down, Ryan immediately took Morgiana's hand, signaling her to stay calm.

Feeling the warmth from Ryan's hand, Morgiana's face turned red, her body softening as her anger dissipated. She used her delicate fingers to draw a number in Ryan's palm.

Five.

Ryan's facial muscles twitched.

The duke could only nod, indicating he understood.

The topic was disrupted, and it was difficult to pick up where they left off, so Ryan moved on to the next issue. "Morgiana, I need your help. I want to recruit some people from the church."

"No problem, we'll send people to help you." Morgiana nodded, holding Ryan's hand. This matter had been under discussion for a long time.

Ryan was preparing to establish his bureaucratic system.

And to establish a bureaucracy, he needed the church's help.

Even the nobility couldn't do this.

The initiated would understand.

Therefore, Ryan could only seek assistance from the Church of the Lady of the Lake, his staunch supporters. Especially in recent years, with Ryan's successful reforms, the church had seen substantial income from tithes and donations from nobles and merchants. Many freemen were proud to donate food and money to the church, feeling they were contributing to the country.

With increased revenue, the church could train more talents, offering more possibilities for Ryan's reforms.

What's commendable is that the church has maintained relative integrity and efficiency.

Then, why hasn't the Church of the Lady of the Lake become highly bureaucratic like the Empire after a thousand years of development?

You understand.

While Brittany's administrative capabilities lag behind the Empire across the mountains, its church management is much more efficient.

After discussing this, Ryan and Morgiana moved on to the issue of the industrial belt along the Mousilon River.

Brittany's technology for using water power to produce plate armor and weapons was very mature, having fully copied the high elves. The technological level of the Elven Empire at its peak was something humanity had yet to catch up with.

Ryan planned to integrate dwarven and high elven technology, as the Empire did, to create new, better weapons and equipment for the knights.

With Sulia pregnant, Ryan didn't have many people to discuss matters with. So, with Morgiana's return, he and she set many policies and reform directions.

Before they knew it, it was already evening.

"Morgiana, are you staying here tonight, or going to the tower?" Ryan realized they had been talking for a long time.

"I'm staying with you tonight." Morgiana said confidently, a slight smile on her beautiful face. "Or do you have other plans?"

"Uh… no." Ryan also smiled, gently pulling Morgiana close. He whispered in her ear, "I've missed your cooking, Morgiana."

Morgiana's eyes sparkled brightly: "Is that all you're thinking about, my cooking?"

"We can have dinner together, Morgiana, and then we can…" Ryan decided to be more assertive. After all, he was a duke and a future king. How could he not secure Morgiana to fully wield his power?

"Then, let's see how you perform." Morgiana was evidently pleased with Ryan's response. "Just the two of us, no dark elf!"

"Sure, just us two." Ryan nodded with a smile.

...and here we are, just the two of us...

Six hours later, deep into the night, in the castle's master bedroom, with the air conditioning on.

On a soft armchair, Morgiana, wearing a silk nightgown, her face flushed, leaned lazily against Ryan's chest, breathing gently like a fish blowing bubbles. Ryan held her softly, letting her sit on his lap.

They enjoyed the calm after the storm.

"Are you really planning to send 500 children to study in Nuln?" Morgiana gently embraced Ryan's neck, her legs wrapped in white velvet stockings swinging slightly. The Lake Witch was in an excellent mood and asked casually, "Aren't you worried about problems they might face?"

"What problems could there be?" Ryan exhaled, noting how Morgiana had become more clingy after not seeing her

 for over a month.

"For instance… they might not complete their studies or, if they do, they might not want to return?" Morgiana was concerned about Ryan's study abroad plan, worrying that these peasant children might not have the aptitude or might simply decide to stay in the Empire.

"Don't worry so much, Morgiana. Out of 500, it's unlikely they'll all excel, but if even half do, it would be a great achievement." Ryan smiled. "They have their families here, and they feel a strong sense of identity and mission, and they admire me. There might be a few who want to stay in Nuln, but that will be a minority."

"Will they adjust to life there? Nuln is the largest industrial and academic center in the Old World." Morgiana was still a bit conflicted. Ryan had paid 8,000 gold crowns to Emilia for this plan, money that could also be used to train people within the Church of the Lady of the Lake!

"Some adaptation difficulties are inevitable." Ryan retorted, "Do you want me to inform Emilia to arrange three companions for each Breton student and have the professors and officers at Nuln University and Nuln Gunnery School learn some Breton dialect to make these kids feel at home?"

"Pff~ Haha~" Morgiana laughed, unable to contain her amusement. Being with Ryan was always so fun and relaxing; just being with him lifted her spirits.

Seeing Ryan's resolve, Morgiana decided not to press further on the matter. "Alright, if that's what you've decided, then so be it."

"Hmm."

With Morgiana's return and the suppression of the rebellion, Ryan could finally be relieved of some of the heavy internal affairs, as the Lake Witch, as the representative of the Lady of the Lake in the mortal world, could help him manage governance, easing his burden.

However, castle staff and maids sometimes noticed that despite being relieved from heavy internal affairs, Duke Ryan occasionally appeared more fatigued than before, while Lady Morgiana often glowed with a healthy, vibrant complexion and better skin.

This was quite puzzling.

By mid-August, Sulia's due date was approaching.

At this time, Fugan and Angron finally arrived at Ryan's domain after a long journey.

"Brother Fugan, Brother Angron, you're finally here!"

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