Ryan was no riddler, Margarita Castle was no Gotham City, and Veronique was certainly no Bruce Wayne.
The Bruce Wayne at Alfred's place was only a few years old, still receiving basic education.
So Ryan quickly explained everything to Veronique.
Before the trip to Ulthuan, an incident had ignited a conflict between Ryan and Sulia. This incident had been described earlier, but to summarize, it was the first time Sulia, after the Emperor's arrival, bypassed or broke the existing rules to exert pressure and influence on Ryan, pushing him to make changes.
This incident somewhat tarnished Sulia's image because, until then, Ryan had always believed that Sulia was a woman who followed rules and respected the established order.
From the perspective of the dynamics in Ryan's household, Sulia didn't seem like someone who would do such a thing. Ryan, though he didn't interfere much in the women's rivalries, always controlled the situation. The women's struggles were more like a competition, with everyone showcasing their abilities, but the final decision and rules always rested in Ryan's hands. Even the Lady of the Lake, who sponsored this competition, only received some preferential treatment from Ryan, but he never changed the rules for her.
Of course, the women weren't always rule-abiding. For instance, Ryan often encountered situations where they would remain silent when he asked them to speak and speak up when he asked for silence, trying to interrupt others, bribe Ryan as the referee, or threaten other competitors. Olica and the Lady of the Lake were particularly fond of such tactics, but everything remained within Ryan's control.
The premise of all this was Ryan's exceptional status and personal strength—so strong that he could confidently say, "I'll take them all." Generally, most men, including even the most powerful figures, couldn't possibly suppress a group of women who were among the best in the Old World in terms of looks, talent, and status like Ryan could.
In most cases, such a male protagonist, who is involved with many women, is actually a "pseudo-harem." The male protagonist is the ultimate prize, the trophy everyone is fighting for. Without Ryan's status and strength to suppress everyone while remaining aloof, the male protagonist would fall into a dilemma. His presence might not be strong, but he is the referee, the one who decides who wins.
This is why many male protagonists in otaku culture are often portrayed as "indecisive, cowardly, cautious, hesitant, and impotent" or "dense, steel-titanium alloy idiots." They always hesitate, stammer, and possess an invincible invincible dull force), ignoring any confessions or advances, even when women throw themselves at them. They can righteously tell women to leave even when they crawl into their beds, remaining unfazed by any temptation.
The reason is simple: the referee's job is to watch. If the referee steps onto the field or makes a decision, how can the story continue? Once a choice is made, the story is essentially over. Those who lose accept defeat, those who leave exit, and those who win go on their honeymoon.
As everyone knows, Sulia emerged victorious in the end, becoming Ryan's wife.
But Sulia was different from the others. She was inherently independent and autonomous. Her noble status was a necessary condition for Ryan to compete for the title of Knight King, making her Ryan's equal. If her status as his wife wasn't enough to prove this, the title of Imperial Princess, personally bestowed by the Emperor, elevated her status even above Ryan's.
She had no need to compete for favor, and Ryan's control over her was limited. This was why Ryan always kept a guard up around her, always uncertain about her true intentions.
"With Sulia, I always felt a bit of uncertainty and unease," Ryan continued. "This fear peaked when she bypassed me and directly asked my father to let her accompany me to Ulthuan. Having grown accustomed to control, the emergence of this uncontrollable situation made me fear Sulia for the first time."
"You feared her because you had no idea what she wanted. You were afraid of transitioning from the controller to the controlled," Veronique nodded lightly, her voice tinged with both envy and jealousy. "But you couldn't suppress or control her. As you said, she asked nothing of you and was your equal?"
"Yes," Ryan admitted openly. The Knight King's voice was heavy. "So I finally made up my mind to find a place and an opportunity to have an open and honest conversation with her."
"The Date War? You took your wife to a chocolate workshop in Lothern?" Veronique felt her heart twist with jealousy.
"Yes, the Date War," Ryan nodded with a smile, his expression finally softening with sweetness. "I made her blush through the date, and she conquered me with her blushing."
At that time, Sulia's confession had been utterly shocking to Ryan.
The Grey Knights Primarch had never expected why Sulia would take such a risk to break the rules. Why would she do such a thing?
She already had everything, the highest rewards.
Because she loved him. It was that simple.
To express her love, the Knight Princess went to extreme lengths. She demonstrated her strength and influence, her free will, her unwavering determination, and her intense desire to break through the existing tacit understanding and order. The always steady and composed Sulia was willing to take such a huge risk just to breach Ryan's heart, just to make him understand her love for him. She felt Ryan was burdened and believed she could help. She wanted to stand by her husband.
She dared to even use the Emperor just to say she loved you!
Ryan felt a sincerity that transcended formats and routines. He sensed the courage behind Sulia's efforts to break her own principles and the existing rules, the deep affection hidden beneath.
This intense love even awakened Sanguinius's pure soul.
In that moment, Ryan was completely conquered.
As someone with a fundamentally cold-blooded Malcador mindset and a sharp, critical logic, Ryan had finally fallen.
Just like Tokisaki Kurumi (Kurumi is the best!) in the original Date A Live, why is Kurumi so popular? Aside from her excellent character design, her independence, free will, and uncontrollable, unpredictable nature are crucial reasons. Her actions couldn't be controlled. She seemed like an ally with shared goals but often acted in opposition. Her unpredictability sparked curiosity, and curiosity led to anticipation.
In contrast, Tohka, the main heroine, had already entered the fully vassalized third stage early on, making her seem somewhat marginalized and less prominent in the early parts of the story.
"I lost…" After hearing everything, Veronique finally slumped down in defeat. The Chairwoman leaned back in her chair, her eyes vacant. "I lost completely. I'm no match for Lady Sulia. I admit defeat. I'll never dare to think I can compete with her again."
"This is why Olica said you only have petty cleverness, not true wisdom," Ryan concluded the day's conversation. "You can start preparing now, dear. This expedition to Albion is different from Louen's previous one. We'll be venturing deep into the mist to battle ancient beings. Magic will be crucial."
"When?" Veronique had completely conceded. The Chairwoman finally understood that she and Sulia were not on the same level.
"As soon as possible. The army is already gathering in Couronne," Ryan stood up. "Emilia will be staying here for the next couple of days."
"What about you?" Veronique stood as well. "Aren't you staying? I'll personally entertain you."
"Me?" Ryan suddenly grinned mischievously. He reached out and wrapped his arm around Veronique's slender waist, gently pressing her down onto her desk. "Well, that depends on your sincerity."
The fiery red phoenix dress was lightly lifted, revealing a leg clad in black garter stockings. A delicate, black-stockinged foot, adorned with a red high heel, was raised until the thin black silk covering the instep pressed against Ryan's face. Veronique, her heart now unburdened, shyly pushed at her man. "Wait… don't be so impatient. I still have one more question! You…"
"I loved you," Ryan answered before she could finish.
"You… mmm…"
Veronique's lips were sealed. She didn't get a chance to continue. The Chairwoman, who hadn't been intimate with Ryan for a long time and bore his psychic mark on her abdomen, had no resistance or desire to resist. She could only sigh in resignation as Ryan lifted her into his arms.
In the Chairwoman's office, only the tightly shut door and the gently swaying bookshelf remained.
Along with the intense psychic flames and the upgraded psychic mark.
"The Chairwoman won't be teaching today. Self-study, everyone."
...I am the swaying dividing line...
A day later, Ryan left Emilia and Rem at Margarita Castle for a short stay while urging Veronique to quickly gather the combat-ready forces of the Camellia Council and head to Couronne. He then departed the Sorceress's Assembly with his entourage.
"Personally, I believe Your Majesty's reprimand of the Chairwoman was necessary," Talleyrand sat in the luxurious carriage, the cripple smiling. "Few people can lead such a massive organization of spellcasters, with over twenty legendary wizards and thousands of witches and apprentices, without developing some ambition."
"She's not that kind of person," Ryan gazed at the majestic peaks of the Grey Mountains, the Knight King shaking his head slightly.
"She's succeeded with you several times," Talleyrand continued, the cripple this time disagreeing with Ryan's view. "People change, Your Majesty. Would you like to hear my thoughts?"
"Speak your mind, Talleyrand, but I may not listen," Ryan nodded.
"We can consider the first success the recapture of Mousillon. We can consider this the breakthrough from zero to one," Talleyrand laughed heartily, his cane tapping the floor. "A difficult process. Usually, the greatest enemy at this stage isn't a powerful opponent but one's allies. Your Majesty formed a strong team to retake Mousillon and achieved a great victory."
"Mhm," Ryan neither agreed nor disagreed.
"After the first success, achieving a second success is actually the easiest, Your Majesty," Talleyrand went on. "Because the first success has already proven that we have an excellent team and the right guiding principles. So, as long as we maintain this team and the existing chemistry, with good running-in, the second success will come relatively easily. For example, the victory in the Eight Peaks Grand Expedition. This is one to two."
"Of course, some unfavorable factors also start to emerge. The most typical is the problem of greed. Your subordinates will begin to demand more rewards, higher status, and develop their own selfish little ideas. You must mediate and suppress them. Moreover, as Your Majesty's victories spread and your fame grows, your enemies will also start designing tactics to counter you and find ways to restrain you. For instance, Skarsnik once pushed the expeditionary force to the brink."
"That's true," Ryan felt Talleyrand made a fair point and couldn't help but nod in agreement.
"The third success is already very difficult, Your Majesty, and not just because of declining motivation," Talleyrand spread his hands, accepting Ryan's praise. The cripple chuckled slyly. "Because everyone is used to success, everyone starts to believe they've succeeded. Everyone will want more. Greed escalates further. Many will no longer be content with just seeking higher status and rewards. They'll start acting recklessly, start thinking they're indispensable, start believing they could do it too. Some will even attempt to challenge your leadership. Your Majesty's brilliant plans and bestowed rewards will be taken for granted, while any minor mistake will be magnified endlessly. To be specific, Your Majesty, I once doubted your decision to aid the Empire in resisting Morkin."
"That was indeed an extremely difficult time," Ryan sighed.
"For normal people, by that point, failure was already highly likely," Talleyrand appeared very serious and sincere. "Only you, Your Majesty, with your unparalleled mental strength, personal abilities far exceeding those of a normal leader, and extraordinary charisma, could continue to achieve epic victories like the Three Kings' Battle. This is one solution. You made everyone truly submit. Your prestige and personal abilities visibly surpassed everyone else by more than a level or two. Because you exceeded them by so much, no one dared to question you."
"If one doesn't have Your Majesty's level, then there's only one method left: replace those who can't keep up, those who start thinking only of themselves, those who start acting recklessly and boldly," Talleyrand said calmly. "If they're willing to accept it, replace them. If they're not willing… Your Majesty, I only have a few words of advice for you."
"Speak," Ryan watched as Talleyrand made a chopping motion with his hand.
The cripple gently brought his hand down: "Be ruthless in heart, steady in hand, and precise with the blade. This isn't ingratitude. This is for the future of our team, our nation!"
"And then it's your turn to rise, right?" Ryan said with a half-smile.
This cunning cripple, always testing me, the King.
"…Nothing escapes Your Majesty," Talleyrand wasn't bothered. The cripple lowered his head, aiming his forehead at Ryan, his eyes looking up. "So, do you think I'm suitable?"
"Your face doesn't look too good. I don't think you have a chance."
"How about you take another look? A closer look?"
The monarch and his subject exchanged smiles, suddenly feeling a sense of kindred spirits. Ryan took out the apple sparkling wine he'd gotten from Veronique, popped the cork with a bang, and poured the golden liquid into two goblets.
"Clink~"
"Cheers! Hahaha!"
"To you! Hahaha!"
In the spring sunlight and amidst the peaks of the Grey Mountains, only the Knight King and the high elf cripple's hearty laughter remained.
By May, the Knightly Army had fully assembled in Couronne, ready to embark on the second Albion Grand Expedition.
And at this very moment, Alarielle and her party arrived at the Black Gulf.
On the Bone Table of Nagashizzar, all the pieces were in place. Mannfred looked upon the scene with satisfaction.
The elven and dwarf pieces were gathered at the Black Gulf. The three holds of the Badlands retreated to Eight Peaks Hold and Iron Hold. The Empire's pieces had suffered heavy losses, and their main forces were still on the march home. Bretonnia's pieces were concentrated in the northern part of the kingdom. When Mannfred made his move, the most threatening piece—the Knight King and his army—would be in Albion. Moreover, someone had promised Mannfred they could ensure the Knight King wouldn't return anytime soon.
Everything was perfect.
I'm a genius!
______
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