"Many thanks." Laine expressed his deep gratitude for the Lake Fairy's protection.
"I've already arranged your domain, located north of the Kakasong Duchy, west of the Winford Duchy, and east of the Boldro Duchy. Your current strength already surpasses that of a typical Holy Grail Knight. When spring arrives, the Knight King's invitation will reach Marinburg. Until then, you just need to wait. Laine, patience is a virtue, and I've arranged a prosperous Baron's Domain for you." The Lake Fairy nodded, "As for a larger domain, you'll need to strive for it yourself. Do you know about the Duchy of Connaught?"
"Isn't that place occupied by a large group of vampires and undead?" Laine recalled something, and his expression turned strange. "It seems this King of Knights, 'The Tiger' Dinua Jean Richard, has summoned armies five times without success, resulting in the deaths of three Marquises, yet they still haven't reclaimed it."
Approximately two hundred and seventy years ago, a famous event known as the "Dor Tower Incident" or the "Fake Holy Grail Incident" erupted in the Knight Kingdom.
At that time, the Knight King was Jules de Lionnais. This Knight King died in battle repelling the Northern Barbarians' landing force and had not designated a successor for the Lake Fairy to review. This forced the Knight Kingdom to convene the King Selection Council. The Lake God Witch, the Lake Fairy's spokesperson, and various Dukes traveled to Westminster Palace to convene the council and decide on the next Knight King.
However, the Duke of Connaught, Madred, made a daring decision. With the help of a Black Wizard (later confirmed to be a Chaos Tzeentch Wizard), he schemed to seal and imprison the unprepared Lake God Witch Mogiana in Dor Tower, a black granite tower far from the coastline, continuously battered by waves.
Subsequently, the Black Wizard Marfler created a "Fake Holy Grail" and publicly announced to the entire Knight Kingdom that Madred had received the Lake Fairy's endorsement to become the next Knight King. The various Dukes and Holy Grail Knights were full of doubts, but facing the Holy Grail, they could not question it. Since the Lake God Witch was sealed and cut off the Lake Fairy's connection with the mortal world, the Lake Fairy couldn't directly declare the Holy Grail as a fake. She could only use dreams to instruct the Holy Grail Knight Order to obstruct Madred's ascension. As a result, numerous discontented Ranger Knights and Kingdom Knights, swayed by temptation, joined Madred's faction, plunging the entire nation into civil war.
The civil war continued until a Wandering Knight passed near Dor Tower. If readers still remember, he was the greatest Wandering Knight mentioned earlier, "Rose Knight" Taylor.
As Taylor passed by Dor Tower, the Lake Fairy exhausted her strength to direct his attention to the unusual happenings at the tower. Taylor attempted to approach the tower, and a giant Dragon Ape appeared, attempting to kill Taylor to prevent him from rescuing the Lake God Witch. Taylor spurred his warhorse into a fierce battle with the giant Dragon Ape. After battling for over a hundred rounds, he finally drove his long halberd into the chest of the giant Dragon Ape, rescuing the Lake God Witch. The Lake Fairy descended immediately, and with his own strength and courage, Taylor became a Holy Grail Knight. Together with the Lake God Witch, Taylor traveled to the Holy Grail Knight Order's camp, and under the blessing of the Lake Fairy, Taylor directly married the former King Jules' only daughter, inheriting the title of Duke of Leonais, and immediately crowned as the Knight King. Madred was declared a traitor, his Duke's title revoked, and the rebel Duke's army collapsed. His castle was besieged. The brutal siege warfare persisted for three years, turning the entire Duchy of Connaught into ruins.
The only beneficiary of this war might have been Taylor, as it is generally believed that the Dor Tower Incident marked the beginning of the Knight Kingdom's decline.
(Taylor: You say I, a mere imperial Duke's illegitimate son, became the Knight King?)
After the war ended, a Black Knight emerged within the ruins, proclaiming himself as the Blood Red Duke. The undead, who had died in the brutal siege, listened to the call of this Vampire Knight, causing Connaught to become a land of curses inhabited by undead from that point on. Regardless of how hard the subsequent Knight Kings tried, they were unable to reclaim the Duchy of Connaught, leaving such a cursed land to exist within Brittania.
"Indeed, due to the excessive casualties, I ordered Richard to stop the offensive. However, you've given me confidence. I believe you can reclaim Connaught; a territory should be taken by oneself, proving to all the knights what you can achieve, my Champion." The Lake Fairy's lips curved. "I trust you can do it."
"I will not disappoint you."
After finishing the official matters, the Lake Fairy, noticing she didn't need to rush, as Laine still had plenty of Spiritual Energy, asked a peculiar question, "So, the witch has left?"
"Yes, Veronica was urgently recalled by Jialan." Laine nodded. The Lake Fairy could see some discomfort on his face, so she said, "This isn't necessarily a bad thing. Jialan's witches do not recognize the Eight Virtues of Chivalry. I won't interfere with your private affairs, but a wizard isn't suitable as your partner. If you need magical assistance, Mogiana and her Saintesses can help you."
Indeed! What Veronica said about the Lake Fairy disdaining her was not unfounded, Laine thought silently.
Just as a sovereign chooses his ministers, ministers choose their sovereign, Laine had showcased his formidable strength and potential in front of the Lake Fairy, especially given his young age. His potential was immense. Under such circumstances, the Lake Fairy naturally disliked Veronica, who mingled with him, because the witch might attempt to influence Laine's worldview and sway his loyalty to the Lake Fairy.
So, essentially, this was interfering with Laine's private matters, albeit expressed diplomatically by the Lake Fairy.
There is an unspoken agreement between gods and mortals: the affairs of the gods are for the gods, and the affairs of mortals are for mortals.
However, the Lake Fairy is different. She might be one of the few deities deeply involved in mortal affairs, much like how she easily arranged Laine's domain, she also straightforwardly addressed Veronica's matter.
"I have discretion, my Lady." Laine's response was nuanced. It seemed as though he heeded the Lake Fairy's advice, yet his reply did not satisfy the Lake Fairy.
At the age of twenty-five, he was already at the Middle Tier of legendary, capable of slaying a legendary High-Tier Champion of Khorne under the Goddess of Revenge's blessing without pressure. Given time, he is certain to become another Holy Sanctuary Grand Knight. Several thoughts flashed through the Lake Fairy's mind, and she began to take this matter seriously. Original content can be found at novel~fire~net
After a brief conversation, the Lake Fairy noticed that she didn't have to worry so much since Laine still had plenty of Spiritual Energy. So, she changed the subject with a curious question, "What's with the Elf Pantheon?"
"Just like humans, elves also have their own pantheon," the Lady replied with a hint of curiosity, "and there are three types of elves, far more disputes abound among them than among humans."
"Exactly as you know, there are three kinds of Elves, and among them, the conflicts... are far more significant than among humans." There was some helplessness in the Lake Fairy's voice, "Just think, you know, the Elves are divided into three types, and among those three types of Elves...
It's much, much more than among humans."
"Ah, I see," Laine said, a hint of curiosity in his voice.
"Yes. But you're different." The Lake Fairy continued with a hint of mischief in her voice, curling her lips: "You're my champion, and you can do it."
"I trust that you can do it, my Champion," added the Lake Fairy, a smile curling her lips.
"I will not fail your expectations."
With business concluded, there was suddenly no rush, as the Lake Fairy had plenty of spiritual energy left. She asked a peculiar question, "What about the Elf Pantheon?"
"Elf Pantheon?" Laine seemed intrigued.
"Right, just like that." The Lake Fairy replied with a mischievous smile. "The Elves are divided into three types, and among them..."
"How do you know that there are three kinds of Elves?" Laine asked curiously. But the Lake Fairy simply smiled, refusing to answer his question.