Laine immediately went downstairs to open the door.
As the door opened, a dozen Griffin Knights stood at the entrance, with Griffin Duke Ivan Ferdinand in the center. He wore a set of dark golden plate armor, had a handsome face, flowing black hair, and held the Griffin True Silver Holy Sword at his waist. He stood at the doorstep of Laine's house, smiling at him. Official source is novel⦿fire.net
Beside him was a young knight, who appeared to be in his thirties. He was also clad in full Griffin armor and stood by the Griffin Duke's side. Upon seeing Laine come out, he joyfully shouted, "Oh! Laine! It's been so long!"
"Oh! Anton!" Laine happily jogged out and gave the young man a big hug. "It's been so long! Laine!"
Count Anton Ferdinand, the eldest son of the Griffin Duke, is thirty-three years old this year.
After hugging briefly, Laine turned to his godfather: "It's been a while, Ivan!"
"It's been a while, my godson!" The Griffin Duke opened his arms to Laine, the Genetic Primarch and his godfather embraced. "Ivan! I didn't expect the Empire to send you."
"You rascal, you've done many great things recently. Even Your Majesty asked me about you, saying your godson is truly remarkable." The Griffin Duke hugged Laine and then whispered mischievously in his ear, "But you little rascal, becoming the Divine Chosen of the Lady of the Lake is quite shameful for me."
"Uh, uh, uh..." Laine felt a bit guilty and awkward. He knew there were two people he disappointed by joining the Lake Fairy: his adoptive father Norman and his godfather Ivan. His adoptive father Norman was a White Wolf Knight, guiding Laine to walk the path of a White Wolf Knight.
Godfather Ivan had visited Nord during Laine's childhood and, upon witnessing Laine's extraordinary talent and qualities, formally adopted Laine as his godson at the age of eight, personally teaching him military knowledge and cultural literacy.
As a result, now that Laine believed in the Lake Fairy and became her Divine Chosen, it meant he would enter the core of Brittania's future, making Ivan's choice to take him in as godson feel like "assisting the enemy." Hence, Ivan had some opinions, and Laine felt somewhat guilty.
"Anyway, let's talk about it later. Laine, come with me for a stroll in the city!" The Griffin Duke heavily patted Laine on the shoulder.
Ten minutes later, Laine rode a sturdy warhorse, walking on the streets of Marinburg.
In the sky, several Griffins soared through the winter clear sky of Marinburg, gliding freely, roaring fiercely. Every time they approached the ground, they would always cause exclamations and cheers from the crowd.
On the ground, the Griffin Knights marched through the streets in military formation, clad in plate armor with their cavalry lances raised, the Empire's two-headed eagle banner and the Griffin Knight Order's flag held high.
In the first row were several Griffins, legendary creatures that even the great nobles of Marinburg had only seen in the Empire's Royal Zoo. The true Griffin Knights rode on majestic and fierce beasts, each at least of Legendary Tier, emanating powerful auras. Following them, several dozen Half-Griffin Knights closely behind. Half-Griffins were hybrid creations; though not as tall and fierce as the Griffins, their size was still an entire circle larger than ordinary warhorses.
Marinburg was in a frenzy; citizens rushed out to watch. When Laine joined Ivan in the procession, the crowds were already dense on either side of the road. Marinburg's Iris Guard had to fully deploy to maintain order.
The citizens of Marinburg were stupefied by this legendary force; they had never seen such elite troops. In February, the cold air cut across their faces like blades, but the Griffin Knights and their mounts uniformly held their heads high, backs straight, cavalry lances raised sharply to the sky. The knights remained expressionless, a majesty and dominance emanated from their souls, emitting from them. The fierce Griffins and robust Half-Griffins strode forward; every Griffin Knight's face resembled a sculpture.
This was a true elite force; each Griffin Knight required over ten years of training to become competent. Only the Empire could afford to sustain such a formidable beast army.
As they marched, the knight's formation moved like tightly meshed gears, seamlessly rotating. The uniform knights seemed ready to crush every enemy before them, their imposing presence overwhelming the soldiers of the Iris Guard. The guards, who usually bossed around the citizens, now wilted like frost-bitten eggplants, no longer daring to shout.
This is one of the Three Great Knight Orders of the Old World: the Griffin Knight Order!
This is the Empire's ultimate power!
This is our Empire's army!
Marinburg's citizens were stunned, as if enchanted, followed by utter cheers and frenzied cries. From the appearance of the Griffin Knights to their gradual move to the next district, cheers, clamors, and shouts washed over Marinburg like waves, echoing above the city.
What do Greenskins matter? The Griffin Duke is here! The Empire's Griffin Knight Order has come to support Marinburg!
The Empire has not abandoned us!
Compared to the simply joyful and cheering citizens, the nobility and merchants of Marinburg had mixed feelings. Watching the Griffin Knight Order, their expressions bore both expectation and apprehension.