At the end of November, Teresa and Aurora finally managed to break away from the numerous complex matters of the Garland Council. They packed up their belongings and, accompanied by a few official witches and a dozen or so witch apprentices, arrived at Ryan's domain. They sought both a place to retreat from the political storm and a bit of tranquility, while Aurora also aimed to see if she could benefit from Ryan's rising power.
The relationship between wizards and nobles is rather peculiar. Generally, nobles need wizards to help them understand magical matters, provide supernatural assistance in wars and daily life, and serve as a deterrent force. Wizards, on the other hand, require nobles to supply them with sufficient financial resources, legal status, and the authority to mobilize armies.
These two groups complement and rely on each other.
Aurora's original plan was to have her daughter, Teresa, win over Ryan, making him an ally in the Garland Council. As Ryan's status rose, Teresa would secure a significant position in Ryan's court, thereby giving Aurora and Teresa both a powerful external ally and solving the issue of Teresa's marriage. It seemed like a perfect plan.
However, plans often can't keep up with changes. First, Ryan's rise was so rapid that Teresa couldn't keep pace with him. It took Ryan only twenty years to go from a wandering knight to a duke of Bretonnia! Such a meteoric rise was almost unimaginable. Typically, it would take a knight at least three hundred years to accumulate enough to become a duke, and even that would require a good deal of luck.
Then came the appearance of Veronica, a Garland witch who almost abandoned all the progress she had made in the Garland Council, sacrificing everything to build a wizard tower in Ryan's territory. Aurora couldn't understand where Veronica got so much gold from. It's said that she invested more than ten thousand gold crowns into building her wizard tower. Where did that money come from?
Was Ryan really willing to spend that much on Veronica?
From that moment, Aurora began to feel some resentment toward Ryan. Initially, she wanted Teresa to get closer to him, but when she learned that Ryan had become a count, she instead hoped Teresa would stay away from him.
Unfortunately, Teresa inherited her mother's stubbornness. Just as Aurora had once eloped for love, disregarding all costs as a daughter of an Imperial noble, Teresa, too, expressed her determination to go to Ryan, leaving Aurora with little choice but to accept it. Her daughter was an adult now, with the right to make her own decisions and the awareness that she had to bear the consequences of those choices.
Now, Ryan was not only a duke but also the heir to the throne.
When Aurora saw Ryan's standard noble smile as he led his wife, Sulia, and his entourage to formally welcome them, her anger simmered just beneath the surface. This heartless man! After all, she had given her daughter to him, yet he was treating the situation with such bureaucratic formality.
But what could she do? The balance of power had shifted. More importantly, would Ryan still need Aurora and Teresa's help with magical matters?
No, Ryan no longer needed to seek help; many would willingly assist him now.
Take, for example, Morgiana, the first chosen of the Lady of the Lake. Today, Morgiana wore a moonlit, fragrant pleated dress, but there was no smile on her face—only a cold expression and a deep hostility that made Aurora uneasy.
In terms of rank, both Aurora and Morgiana were high-level Sanctuary witches, and their strengths weren't vastly different. However, in terms of actual power, Aurora was certainly not Morgiana's equal. Morgiana was not only a high-level Sanctuary mage in both the Sky and Life schools, but she was also the first chosen of the Lady of the Lake, possessing a unique divine magic system. Morgiana's power firmly placed her a level above Aurora.
"Welcome, Teresa, and Lady Aurora. Welcome to my domain," Ryan greeted them warmly, while Sulia and the others watched from a distance.
"Ryan, you spent a long time in the Empire this time," Teresa approached him, saying apologetically, "I'm sorry, I was caught up in studying advanced magic and couldn't come sooner."
"It's alright," Ryan shook his head. "Let's talk over a meal."
A grand banquet was held inside the ducal castle. Aside from Veronica, who was in seclusion attempting to break into the Sanctuary, everyone attended, offering a formal welcome to Aurora. Throughout the event, Ryan and Teresa discussed the latest developments within the Garland Council.
"You mean the situation in Kislev is starting to deteriorate?" Ryan asked, sipping his wine. "Can you describe the situation in detail?"
The cold and beautiful sorceress nodded slightly. She hadn't seen Ryan for a long time, and feeling particularly cheerful to be back in his domain, Teresa allowed her black hair to cascade over her shoulders. Her face was slightly flushed as she spoke quietly, "The Norse and Kurgan tribes have returned in force. As we were leaving the Garland Council, Kislev's Bear Cavalry Marshal Voroshilov and Kislev's Shooting Marshal Alexandrovich were leading more than ten thousand Kislev troops in battle against the Norse tribes north of the Lynsk River. Tsarina Katarin has flatly refused our offer of assistance, stubbornly believing that Kislev can handle the enemies on its own."
"Typical. Most Kislevites never leave their homeland, and many still believe the Tsarina is the world's central ruler," Ryan shook his head. Unlike her father, Boris Bokha, Tsarina Katarin rarely left her Ice Palace in Kislev and seldom visited the frontlines or inspected her territories. She, like most Garland witches, preferred to shut herself away for research.
"Katarin isn't as strong as my mother," Teresa commented, giving Ryan a look. Returning to her domain, the sorceress felt rather content, especially since Sulia, recognizing how long Teresa had been separated from Ryan, had graciously allowed her to sit beside him. "You should know, Ryan, I had to work very hard to convince my mother to come here for the Winter Solstice."
Ryan's expression turned into a faint smile. "Oh, really? So how should I express my gratitude to the Garland Council's esteemed elder and councilor?"
"Just keep it in mind," Teresa replied calmly. "If we run into trouble, you'll help us, or at least voice your support."
"That depends on the situation," Ryan nodded slightly, speaking seriously, "Teresa, I'm not the same as before."
Before Teresa could respond, Aurora interjected, holding her wine glass with a strange tone, "That's why I said, daughter, men become untrustworthy once they have money and power. If he ever comes to your tower again, just kick him out."
"Mother~" Teresa said helplessly. She couldn't understand why her mother was constantly at odds with her man.
"What else? Ryan, tell me, if one day we encounter trouble, would you be willing to stand up for us?" Aurora asked bluntly.
Ryan frowned at her words—this was a blatant attempt to curry favor.
"Lady Aurora, may I ask, Ryan's brother Fuggen has a Kislevite Winged Hussar general, 'Iron Felix,' under his command. You've known for a long time that he was exiled, so why haven't I ever heard of you pleading for him with Tsarina Katarin?" Olica, standing behind Ryan, suddenly spoke up. The dark elf smiled sweetly, "How many dishes did the elder eat today to get this drunk?"
The sharp exchange of words suddenly silenced the banquet.
"Why is an elf allowed here?" Aurora asked, her silver eyes burning with anger as she stared at Ryan's personal maid.
"You think you can claim a favor after providing a few small helps? Did our master not repay you, or did he never offer anything in return?" Olica smiled brightly. Her delicate, petite face was full of life under the candlelight of the banquet hall. The dark elf wore a white wool sweater paired with a black winter coat and a pencil skirt. Her legs, wrapped in white tights, looked tender, and her feet, encased in black pointed-toe ankle boots, seemed exceptionally dainty. "Did our master not pay you? Or did he never reward your precious daughter?"
The dark elf's words filled the banquet with a tense atmosphere.
"Olica, don't speak like that!" Sulia intervened, stopping the dark elf from saying more. She then apologized to Aurora, "Sorry, Lady Aurora."
Before Aurora could respond, Ryan finally spoke up, "Aurora, and my dear Teresa, if you ever run into trouble, you're always welcome here. But the Garland Council is outside my jurisdiction. I'm not the Emperor of the Empire or the Imperial Chief Wizard."
"Then I hope you keep your word," Aurora snorted coldly, then sighed. "Thank you for your hospitality. It's been a long journey, and I'm a bit tired. I'll go rest now."
As Aurora left, the atmosphere of the banquet gradually warmed up again.
"Sorry, Ryan. My mother has been under a lot of pressure lately," Teresa found an opportunity to explain. "The Garland Council has been under pressure both internally and externally, and my mother has become a key target for the council leader."
"I understand," Ryan nodded slightly and sighed. "But I hope Lady Aurora can realize that I no longer speak for myself alone. I now represent a nation and the will of the Lady of the Lake. She's asking me to interfere in the Empire's internal affairs, and I can't do that. I have to be responsible for my citizens."
"I'll try to talk to her more," Teresa whispered. "My mother… she's just used to the old ways, and it's hard for her to adjust."
"It's alright. She's my mother-in-law, after all
," Ryan joked quietly. "She gave me her most precious possession, so of course, she has her grievances."
"Oh, you!" Teresa's cold, beautiful face turned red. Remembering something, she said, "Ryan, I bought something good. Come to my wizard tower later."
"Something good?" Ryan's interest was piqued. "What is it?"
"It's a life-sized unicorn plushie, all fluffy with four legs," Teresa gestured, describing her new toy. "I bought it at an auction in Ostland."
"Let's not wait, let's go now," Ryan said, suddenly eager.
"What about the banquet?" Teresa rolled her eyes at him.
"The knighting ceremony is in a few days, and there will be another banquet then," Ryan stood up. "For now, let's go see your plush toy!"
"Alright~"
…
A few days later, just before the Winter Solstice, the knightly knighting ceremony officially began outside Ryan's ducal castle in Gene.
Under the warm winter sun, around eight hundred Old Guard soldiers stood in rows. They wore standard Old Guard uniforms—dwarf-crafted half-plate armor, shirts, jackets, and trousers. High bearskin hats adorned with colorful plumes, red and blue epaulets, gold tassels, all their uniforms were new, with dazzling embroidery and shining crests, making for a magnificent sight.
Peasants gathered from all directions. Almost every citizen of the city was there, crowding together to witness the Old Guard's grandeur. At that moment, whether peasants or freemen, everyone had red eyes and was excited. They jostled for a chance to see the Old Guard up close.
Today, something big was about to be announced!
Even the Old Guard soldiers themselves were restless.
They were once peasants, joining the army with dreams, following Ryan's rise. These soldiers, born of the peasantry, had fought in many battles and had long since become elite warriors through blood and fire.
When they were sent to support Nuln and fought in the Battle of Nuln, the Old Guard earned honors. The Nuln City Council gave them generous gifts, not only full military pay but also large bonuses. Now, the duke had gathered them again, clearly intending to reward them for their merits!
Everyone was filled with anticipation.
As the crowd murmured, someone suddenly shouted, "The Duke and Duchess are here!"
All the chatter in front of the ducal castle ceased instantly. Every Old Guard soldier straightened up, standing at attention. The crowd saw Duke Ryan and Duchess Sulia appear at the castle gate, walking out with steady, dignified steps.
Today, Ryan wore the standard ducal attire of Bretonnia, with his family crest gleaming in the sunlight on his shoulder. Behind him were Tax Officer Gasparton, Secretary Vincent, Steward Carstenberg, Baron Devon Hex, Baron Mero-Win Armund, Baron Richard Olivier, Baron Vaz Lops, Baron Biocari Juan, Baron Spire Hall Lucien, and the head of the Freya Old Cathedral District, Alfred.
In addition, the Lake Witch Morgiana, Duke Francois of Winford, Duke Bastian of Bastonne, and Duke Boderick of Bordeleaux were all present to witness the event.
Ryan coughed twice. The duke, who had been invincible in recent years, exuded an aura that made everyone feel suffocated. No one dared to make a sound in the vast open space before the castle. Thousands of his subjects held their breath, waiting for Ryan to speak.
"I declare the Old Guard knighting ceremony officially open!" Ryan said loudly, his blue eyes sweeping over the Old Guard soldiers before him. "Bring it up!"
A few Grail Knights carried several large, exquisite iron chests and placed them beside Ryan.
"My soldiers, today, thirty of you will be officially knighted!"
As soon as Ryan said this, the entire scene erupted like boiling water! People were like a batch of gunpowder thrown onto a pile of hay, instantly sparking a raging fire; or like a storm sweeping across the sea, causing massive waves to surge.
The Duke was really going to knight these lowly peasants?!
The noise was like ocean waves, one louder than the last, even the Old Guard soldiers were stunned, their mouths agape.
A knight's title! A genuine knight's title!
Wouldn't that make them real nobles?!
"Now, those whose names are called, step forward," Ryan said, without pausing, as he took the list from Sulia.
"The first to be knighted is from the Chalons Forest..."
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