Aurora and her daughter Teresa stood atop the gates of the duke's castle, looking down at the bustling scene below. The crowd surged, with throngs of people eagerly gathered to witness the grand event at the castle gates.
"Sigh, that little rascal—he's grown his wings now." Over the past few days, Aurora had carefully observed Ryan's ducal castle, his elite army, the well-stocked treasury, and his unparalleled prestige in the kingdom. The Sanctuary Witch let out a light sigh. "It's becoming impossible to control him now."
"Mother, you shouldn't always think about controlling Ryan. I actually think this situation is pretty good," Teresa knew her mother's thoughts and tried to persuade her. "If we need something, we can just ask. As long as Ryan can help us, he won't just stand by and do nothing."
"It's not the same, my daughter," Aurora shook her head, rubbing her slender black eyebrows. "There's a difference between taking the initiative and being compelled. We need an ally, not a superior."
"Does it matter that much whether he's a superior or not?" Teresa teased. "Mother, haven't you been a subordinate to our Speaker for decades?"
"That's exactly why I don't want to be a subordinate anymore," Aurora sighed again. "But it is what it is now. We need to prepare for both possibilities. If we can stay in the Garland Council, we'll ask Ryan to help us once. If we can't, I'll have to bring my apprentices here to you. Ryan has promised to take us in."
"Is the situation that dire?" Teresa frowned.
"You should have a child with him soon. It will significantly improve your position," Aurora subtly shifted the topic. "If he's willing, it would be best if the child could carry the Trovik name—our family name."
"I understand, Mother."
Below the castle, François and Berrymond were also engaged in conversation.
"Hmph~ Ryan, that rascal, sure knows how to play his tricks," François commented as he listened to Ryan's speech. A flash of insight crossed his intelligent sea-blue eyes. "Always slipping in personal favors—this isn't a good habit."
"Personal favors?" Both Dukes Berrymond and Bodrick were intrigued.
"Ryan is setting a poor example," François said quietly. "He's challenging the order of our kingdom again."
"Again?" Berrymond stroked his beard. "Explain it clearly, François."
"Ryan is encouraging the serfs to actively seek out the rights they deserve from us, the knightly nobles," François's expression turned serious. "This is not a good sign."
"That can't be allowed! Status and honor are things we grant to the serfs—they can't just take them!" Duke Berrymond of Bastogne nearly jumped at the thought. "No, this won't do!"
"Calm down, Berrymond," François said, placing a hand on his forehead and speaking calmly. "Ryan's encouragement comes with significant restrictions."
The father-in-law explained Ryan's approach to Berrymond and Bodrick.
Ryan was indeed encouraging the serfs to fight for their rights from the nobles. By adding three extra Ranger Knight titles, he was secretly slipping in some "personal favors." His goal was to awaken the serfs' awareness and prompt them to actively seek out their rights.
However, Ryan had also imposed extremely strict conditions: the prerequisite for claiming one's rights was to have military achievements sufficient to convince everyone. Without military merits, no one would pay attention.
This standard, which aligned with the norms of the human realms, effectively silenced any objections from the knightly nobles.
Only then did Berrymond reluctantly accept the idea, returning his gaze to where Ryan stood.
"State your name," Ryan said, smiling encouragingly as he saw someone finally step forward. "Then step onto the platform and tell everyone about your military achievements."
"I'm Little Hugo!" The Old Guard who stepped forward wasn't very tall, but he exuded a fierce aura, with numerous scars on his face. Summoning all his courage, he jumped onto the platform, but when faced with the crowd, he became nervous, his face turning red, unable to speak. "I... I... I."
Both Ryan and Sulia appreciated the courage of this Old Guard. The couple exchanged a glance, and Sulia stepped forward kindly. "Very well, Mr. Hugo. Please tell us about your military achievements. Why do you believe you deserve a knight's title?"
Seeing the encouraging and approving looks from Ryan and Sulia, Hugo took several deep breaths to calm himself. He bowed to them and then spoke loudly. "My Duke, Lady Sulia, I was one of the bandits who surrendered to you along with Sir Bertrand. Since becoming your soldier, I have always fought bravely, repaying your kindness with my life!"
"During our first expedition in the Forest of Châlons, I killed fifteen Night Goblins by myself. In the Battle of the Lyonnais Plains, I killed two Chaos Warriors and eight Barbarian Raiders. During the Second Battle of La-Maisonelle Monastery, I slew two Ghouls and one Black Knight. In the raid on the Chaos Dwarfs, I shot dead three Chaos Dwarfs and captured two of their rifles. In the Battle of Nuln, I killed two Kurgan cavalrymen and shot dead five more. My Duke, Lady Sulia, I swear by the Lady of the Lake that everything I said is true. With these merits, can I not earn a knight's title?"
The crowd erupted in murmurs, and a gleam of excitement flashed in Ryan's eyes. He nodded repeatedly, shouting, "I hadn't realized, Mr. Hugo, that you had accomplished so much. With such military achievements, why shouldn't you earn a knight's title? Armand!"
"Yes!" The Holy Grail Knight Armand presented a brand-new set of knightly attire and a knight's emblem. Ryan personally took them and handed them to Hugo.
"Thank you, my Duke, thank you, Lady Sulia!" Hugo's eyes filled with tears. He truly understood the meaning of a blessing in disguise today. As Sylvia helped him fasten the knight's emblem, he knelt on both knees, kowtowed forcefully, then quickly returned to the ranks.
Hugo's unexpected knighthood filled the entire Old Guard with newfound courage. The soldiers began to realize that some things had to be fought for. Before Ryan could even ask, another Old Guard leaped onto the platform. "My Duke, Lady Sulia, I want a knight's title too!"
"Why do you deserve one?" Ryan asked calmly, nodding.
"In the Battle of the Lyonnais Plains, I killed five Barbarian Raiders and severely wounded two Chaos Warriors. During the Second Battle of La-Maisonelle Monastery, I used a grenade to kill a Chaos Troll and destroy two corpse carts. In the raid on the Chaos Dwarfs, I destroyed a Chaos Hellcannon. In the Battle of Nuln, I shot dead three Kurgan riders!" The Old Guard was eager to report his achievements, only realizing afterward that he hadn't stated his name. He quickly added, "I'm Gros from the town of Devon."
Before Gros could finish, another Old Guard jumped up. "I'm Udinot from the Duchy of Carcassonne. I was one of the earliest to join you in the Arden Forest War. I killed two Centigors and severely wounded a Minotaur by myself. In the Battle of the Lyonnais Plains, I killed five Chaos Warhounds, slew a Barbarian Champion, and severely wounded another. In the Battle of Nuln, I took down a Chaos Giant single-handedly. Why can't I earn a knight's title?"
Another Old Guard stepped forward. "My name is Ney, I'm from Winfort, and I want a knight's title too!"
The scene grew chaotic for a moment, with everyone watching eagerly. Before Ryan could speak, a burly Old Guard descended onto the platform from above. "Hey, you lot, move aside. If I can't get a knight's title, how do you think you have a chance? I'm Varlen from Redfish Village. Lord Angron gave me my name. I won't say much, but in the Second Battle of La-Maisonelle, I killed five Wights and two Bloodthirsters by myself. In the Battle of Waldbeck Ambush, I took down three Rot Knights. In the raid on the Chaos Dwarfs, I killed five Chaos Dwarf warriors. In the Battle of Nuln, I slew a Chaos Champion and a Nurgle-chosen warrior!"
The situation was getting out of hand, with the four men on the brink of brawling over the two remaining titles.
"Stop!" Ryan shouted, silencing the commotion. He addressed the Old Guards. "Anyone else who wants a knight's title, step forward!"
Three more Old Guards stepped up.
Ryan nodded lightly and addressed them all. "You are all renowned warriors, heroes with countless merits, but there are only two knight titles left. So, we'll invite a fair judge. Lord Berrymond, if you would."
"Hmph~" The Red Dragon Duke stood up, taking his sword "Excalibur" and shield from his squire. He proudly stood on the platform. "Each of you will come up, and whoever can withstand three of my strikes will earn a knight's title!"
An honor duel?
The crowd cheered, eager for more entertainment.
Gros was the first to step forward, equipped himself, took a deep breath, and charged at Berrymond.
Berrymond sneered. A peasant? How could a knight's title be so easily earned?
The Red Dragon Duke's movements carried a magical aura. As Gros approached, Berrymond easily turned to face his attack
, blocking Gros's curved blade with his shield. He then used the shield to deflect the blade, causing Gros to lose his balance, and lightly tapped Gros's head with the hilt of his sword.
Gros knew he was defeated. His face flushed red, and he wisely retreated from the platform.
Next was Udinot, who wielded a greatsword with both hands, challenging Berrymond. The Red Dragon Duke nodded, leaped forward, and brought his sword down heavily. Udinot initially tried to block with his greatsword but quickly changed his mind, rolling to avoid the strike. As soon as he stood up, Berrymond's next attack came. Udinot barely managed to block, but the sheer force sent him flying, crashing to the ground.
Berrymond showed no mercy. He quickly closed the distance. Udinot drew his curved sword to defend himself, but the Red Dragon Duke sent him flying off the platform again, his hands numb and his mind reeling. Just as despair set in, Berrymond stopped. "Three strikes, soldier. Congratulations."
The crowd erupted into thunderous applause and cheers. With a smile, Ryan awarded the thirty-second knight title to Udinot. The dazed Old Guard was all smiles as two comrades helped him down from the platform.
The next four challengers were all defeated by Berrymond in a single strike.
Finally, it was Varlen's turn. The burly Old Guard retrieved his battle axes, took a deep breath of the cold air, and gripped the axe handles tightly, recalling Lord Angron's guidance. When Berrymond signaled for the duel to begin, Varlen didn't wait for the Red Dragon Duke to attack. He roared, shaking the platform, and charged.
"Jumping Strike!" Varlen's body formed a white arc as he descended from above.
Seeing the Old Guard attack first, Berrymond sneered and raised his shield to block. Just as he was about to counterattack, Varlen's second move came. "Whirlwind Slash!"
The whirlwind formed by his axes rushed at Berrymond, forcing the Red Dragon Duke to defend with his shield.
Varlen spun five or six times but couldn't break through Berrymond's defense. Growing anxious, his movements slowed. Berrymond seized the opportunity, circling around the spinning axes, and struck down from above. Varlen had to stop his spinning and prepare his ultimate move, but before he could, the flaming Excalibur was at his throat.
"It was only two strikes, but you made me defend. Not bad, soldier. Congratulations." Berrymond nodded with authority. "From today, you are a knight."
Thousands of citizens cheered and applauded.
With that, the knighting ceremony concluded.
The impact of this ceremony was so profound that even decades or centuries later, the people of Bretonnia would still discuss the far-reaching influence of the Old Guard.
But that is a story for another time.
Meanwhile, in the Warp, within the domain of Chaos, inside the Crystal Labyrinth, the realm of Tzeentch...
The Lord of Change, the Weaver of Fates, the Architect of Deception, the Supreme Eagle, the Master of Sorcery, Qingbao Tiansun, and the God of Eagles sat upon his throne. Faces constantly shifted across his skin, smirking and mocking any who dared to gaze upon them.
The Chaos God was manically absorbing energy from the mortal world. He opened his mouth wide and let out a maniacal laugh. "Change is good~"
Ryan's reforms allowed Tzeentch to draw immense emotional energy from the mortal world. He could feel the flames of hope and the desire to become knights erupting from the serfs, flooding into the Warp as his sustenance.
This pleased him greatly. In the past, Bretonnia's thousand-year-old, decaying rules and laws had greatly satisfied Nurgle, giving the Plague God vast energy. But now, Ryan's reforms were pleasing Tzeentch instead. The Lord of Change could sense that he had fully recovered from his previous losses.
"Let me add a little something to this foolish mortal's self-righteous reforms!"
"Hehehe~"
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