The son of the God-Emperor in Warhammer Fantasy

The birth of a child is a significant event. Upon receiving the news, the first to react was the current Mousilon steward, Carstenberg. He suggested that Ryan hold a grand banquet to celebrate the recapture of Mousilon and the birth of his firstborn son.

"Hosting a banquet is not the goal. The aim is to showcase your connections, your status, your control over the kingdom, and most importantly, that you now have an heir," Carstenberg emphasized, strongly urging Ryan to make it a grand affair.

Ryan understood Carstenberg's perspective. As the steward, he wanted to display his capabilities, and from the Winford family's standpoint, the birth of a male heir was a joyous event. After some thought, Ryan agreed that it was indeed time for a grand celebration.

Thus, on Devonshire's one-month anniversary, Ryan hosted an incredibly lavish banquet at his ducal castle, proclaiming his power and the birth of his heir to the entire nation.

Everyone understood the significance of this event. As a result, all the dukes of Bretonnia, including the rarely seen Duke of Carcassonne, Huebald, attended the banquet. The scene was extraordinarily grand.

Even the long-imprisoned former King John II and the current King Richard attended. John II, with his white hair and age spots, wept when he saw the Lady of the Lake. Kneeling and bowing before her, he was then led away by his attendants to a small table in the corner to enjoy the feast alone. Throughout the process, the Lady of the Lake did not look at him or speak a word.

Richard also came forward to toast Ryan. After downing a glass of red wine, their past grievances were settled. Richard, too, looked much older, patting Ryan on the arm and saying, "The future is in your hands. I have nothing more to say about this kingdom."

Ryan silently nodded.

In addition, envoys from the Empire, Estalia, Tilea, the Wood Elves, and Karak-Zorn came to offer their congratulations, showcasing Ryan's immense influence.

Halfway through the banquet, Sulia came out holding Devonshire to meet everyone. The knightess had recovered well about a week after giving birth, regaining her pre-pregnancy figure through exercise.

Facing only congratulations and blessings, the noble ladies surrounded Sulia like stars around the moon, constantly asking questions. Everyone understood what an heir meant.

Little Devonshire rarely cried. He loved to open his eyes wide and observe the world. After a month, he had become a pink, adorable, and chubby baby who was very endearing. Especially since he didn't cry much, could say a few words, and even knew some basic words, occasionally smiling or waving his tiny fists, causing the noble ladies to collectively scream and compete to hold him.

Ryan had already chosen Devonshire's godfather: Count Calad of Bastonne, a Holy Grail knight of great virtue and strength, suitable in age and a close friend of Ryan. Sulia fully supported Ryan's choice. Calad, surprised but honored, accepted Ryan's request with great seriousness.

After the banquet, Fugen led his men away. He had many responsibilities and couldn't stay long with Ryan. His appearance in Bretonnia had caused a stir, with reports of receiving over a hundred love letters.

Fugen left, but Ingrid, the Norse woman, stayed behind.

This brings up a major "incident" that occurred a few days before the banquet.

At the banquet, the Norse woman approached Paladin Alfred, deliberately provoking him.

"The hero who broke through Mousilon doesn't seem that impressive. Look, you're half a head shorter than me!" The 6'1" barbarian woman stood in front of Alfred.

"If the lady doesn't mind, I can even out our height difference immediately," Alfred retorted. Now a renowned hero of the Old World, he naturally had a sense of pride.

They decided to have an honorable duel.

The result was a draw. Alfred and Ingrid fought for half a day without a clear victor. Ingrid enjoyed the fight, and for some reason, Alfred proposed hiring her to guard the church district. Impressed by the offer, Ingrid, with Fugen's approval, decided to stay.

After the banquet, a series of personnel adjustments and arrangements followed. Ryan began establishing workshops and new estates along the lower reaches of the Grismori River. The marshlands of Mousilon had begun to recede, revealing new farmland for cultivation. Waves of peasants seeking opportunities were moved to Mousilon to reclaim the land.

After several months, Ryan had fully established the industrial belt. The Angrand clan dwarves from Karak-Zorn and Blackstone Post could now transport a steady flow of minerals and supplies downstream.

Sulia played a crucial role in this. Her talents in domestic affairs were fully displayed.

By November, Ryan, as the Duke of Mousilon, officially signed the "Mousilon Restoration Agreement" with Duke Adalhard of Lyonesse. Adalhard returned the southern lands to the Duke of Mousilon in exchange for a huge military fund of 10,000 gold crowns and a large amount of grain and military aid. This meant that the territory, ceded for 500 years, was finally back in the hands of the Duchy of Mousilon.

With the return of the lands came rebellion. The nobles of Lyonesse had occupied many of Mousilon's former estates and lands. When faced with the choice of returning to Lyonesse or accepting Ryan's rule, they insisted that the lands were legally theirs and demanded Ryan respect their "independence" and "autonomy."

Ryan's response was simple: surrender and receive "protection," like Count Doolin and Count Lalot, who only needed to swear loyalty and accept Ryan's reforms. Late surrender meant land confiscation, but noble titles and knighthoods would be retained.

Or fight.

In the end, a rebellion ensued. Baron Armand of Meroving led the Old Guard and 3,000 troops to crush the rebels outside Mousilon. More than thirty knights were stripped of their titles and noble status, becoming serfs.

The entire kingdom remained silent on Ryan's mass confiscation and stripping of knight titles. Firstly, Ryan's achievements were too prominent for anyone to oppose. Secondly, rebellion had occurred, and vassals had no sympathy for traitors. Lastly, there was the support of the Lake Church.

With the rebellion fully quashed, winter had arrived.

The second Ryan's Backyard Turkey Banquet was held in the Lady's Courtyard of his ducal castle.

During the banquet, resolutions were passed on more reasonable allocation of Ryan's personal time, ensuring internal unity and external consistency, and the inclusion of maid Sylvia in the household.

At the banquet's closing ceremony, Sulia, as the Duchess, gave a speech.

After Winterfest and taking care of various matters, Ryan officially departed from Mousilon in his capacity as Duke, Lady's Champion, and Crown Prince of the Knight Kingdom, accompanied by his family, to visit the Empire upon invitation.

Emperor Karl Franz warmly welcomed Ryan and his family.

Emperor Karl Franz invited Ryan to sail on the Reik River, welcoming him once more to his hometown and introducing the customs and architecture of the Reikland.

Duke Ryan expressed his delight at visiting the Empire again, particularly Karl Franz's hometown of Altdorf. He praised the beautiful scenery, rich cultural and artistic atmosphere, and the historical significance of the land, which had nurtured many heroes and made significant sacrifices and contributions in the battles against Chaos, greenskins, and vampires. It was a source of pride for the Empire and its people.

Aboard a grand ship of the Reik Navy, Ryan and Emperor Karl Franz admired the riverside views and discussed historical and cultural exchanges and the united front against external threats. Ryan sincerely stated that the mutual trust and collaboration between the Empire and Bretonnia were unbreakable. In the current rare period of peace, both nations should deepen strategic cooperation to continue safeguarding the Old World and maintain peace, stability, and security.

Emperor Karl Franz agreed with Duke Ryan's views, emphasizing that the Old World had undergone significant changes, with the Chaos God's chosen one emerging in the north, increasing external risks and common challenges for both the Empire and Bretonnia. He stressed that the Empire and Bretonnia were inseparable neighbors and true partners, needing to support each other more closely and stand united.

Emperor Karl Franz emphasized that cooperation and mutual trust were the cornerstones of their relationship, urging increased support on core interests, promoting cultural exchanges, and fostering generations of friendship between the Empire and Bretonnia. He encouraged all sectors and localities of both nations to strengthen exchanges, jointly passing on the baton of their enduring friendship.

Both parties agreed to deepen political trust, enhance strategic communication, and increase mutual support. They issued a statement on jointly addressing challenges in strategic security and regional hotspots, with Duke Ryan affirming that the Empire, having withstood external threats for 2,000 years, would not be left to face difficulties alone. As human compatriots, the knights would support the Empire in resisting the Chaos invasion.

Under the discussions between Duke Ryan and Emperor Karl Franz, the relationship between the two nations reached an unprecedented new height.

The Empire invited Duke Ryan to stay temporarily in Altdorf to witness the upcoming Imperial College of Wizards election for the next Royal Archmage in January.

By December's end, Altdorf was as bustling and crowded as ever. Snow fell like cotton, covering every corner of the Empire's capital.

Ryan and his entourage received the highest level of hospitality. Emperor Karl Franz arranged for them to stay at the Altdorf Royal Hotel, reserving an entire floor.

Ryan brought only a small entourage: 200 Old Guards, some attendant knights, his wife Sulia, maid Sylvia, personal maid Olica, and Paladin Alfred. For some reason, Ingrid the Norse woman also accompanied them.

"Daddy

! Daddy, play with me!" Devonshire, now only five months old, was crawling on the floor. Remarkably, he could already stand and speak, holding a fluffy lance toy. He half-crawled, half-walked to Ryan, saying, "Daddy, look, a lance!"

"Hehe~" Ryan, in high spirits, lifted his son and twirled him around, letting him poke his little lance at his beard. "Good boy, give daddy a kiss!"

"No, no kiss daddy, kiss mommy!" Devonshire pushed Ryan's face away with his chubby hands, turning to find his mother. "Mommy~"

"Hey! Mommy's here!" Sulia, laughing, took her son from Ryan. The knightess, having regained her stunning beauty, now had a maternal glow. She held Devonshire, who giggled upon seeing his mother, brightening the entire room.

"Master!" Olica leaned against Ryan's back, clearly fond of Devonshire. "He's so adorable."

Recently, Olica had taken to resting on Ryan's back. The dark elf maid, usually shy about appearing in public, complied with Ryan's command to join them, often wearing a mask on the streets.

"Hehe~" Ryan smiled. "Of course, he's my child."

Just then, there was a knock at the door.

"I'll get it!" Maid Sylvia stood up to answer.

As the door opened, a young boy, about two or three years old, dressed in a black and gold silk outfit typical of the Empire's nobility, burst in. With golden hair and handsome features, he looked at Ryan and exclaimed, "Daddy! It's my daddy! I can feel it, he's my daddy!"

He ran over and hugged Ryan's leg. "Daddy!"

What was going on? An unexpected fatherhood? Ryan was puzzled when a sound of high heels clicking on the carpet came from the doorway.

"It's been a long time, Duke Ryan~. You have another child?"

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