"Are you saying that my brother is determined to start his crusade?"
Sitting on the sofa in the winery, Ryan picked up his tea, feeling a touch of nostalgia. "It seems my brother has also embarked on this path."
Sulia, sitting beside him, holding her own cup of tea, casually remarked, "This has been his lifelong dream, and our father supports him."
"Yes..." Ryan nodded calmly.
Outside, a light rain was falling. It was early spring, and Ryan couldn't help but feel that time was passing quickly. He now had his own territory, his own army, and his own family.
Ryan and Sulia were discussing Julius. After his battle with Roger before the New Year, Julius officially announced that he was renouncing all his titles and embarking on the Grail Quest.
His first destination was the Arden Forest, then the Grey Mountains. The crusading knights would first traverse the entirety of Bretonnia before considering leaving the kingdom to venture elsewhere.
For all questing knights, the journey typically begins at Bastogne, the cradle of Bretonnia. Thus, Julius chose the Arden Forest to start his journey.
"And what about Emilia?" Ryan suddenly brought up his little maid, smiling. "Veronica and I had our suspicions about her true identity, but it was beyond our imagination that she would turn out to be the first in line for the Elector Countess and Duchess."
Bretonnia's laws of succession differ slightly from those of the Empire.
In the Empire, the line of succession goes to the eldest legitimate son, legitimate sons, legitimate daughters, eldest legitimate grandson, illegitimate children, and then extended family.
In Bretonnia, the order is the eldest legitimate son, eldest legitimate grandson, legitimate sons, legitimate daughters, and then extended family, with illegitimate children being last.
This explains why Grail Knight Anthelm claimed to be the third in line after Julius and Sulia, as he is François' cousin.
The Empire allows for a Duchess to rule and for women to inherit titles. In contrast, Bretonnia does not permit a woman to hold a dukedom. Instead, the female noble must publicly seek a husband, who would then inherit the ducal title through marriage.
However, it seems François will retain his ducal position for a long time, in every sense of the word.
"Nuhr has already dispatched a force of over a thousand soldiers to escort Emilia. They will arrive soon, led by Grand Marshal Erstein, Chief Justice Theodore Brookner, and the Black Lady Elspeth, consisting of elite units from the Nuhr Iron Guard and several Nuhr knight orders." Today, Sulia wore a silk gown dyed in ivory with ink patterns, highlighting her stunning legs. She spoke with a mix of amusement and jealousy. "I've heard Emilia has been quite upset with you."
"Indeed." Ryan chuckled ruefully at the memory.
As the time to return to Nuhr drew closer, Emilia became increasingly irritable and aloof.
Especially towards Ryan, sometimes she would angrily tell him to leave her alone, only to later become upset when he complied, accusing him of not caring for her and demanding he come back to hold her.
This left Ryan feeling helpless, though he understood why Emilia was acting this way and did his best to tolerate her moods.
Sulia also understood. It was clear that Emilia had harbored hopes of marrying Ryan, only for Sulia to become the final victor. Despite this, Emilia maintained a close relationship with Sulia, always addressing her sweetly as "sister."
"You should spend these days with Emilia." Sulia generously suggested.
"Let's change the subject." Ryan awkwardly steered the conversation away. "Speaking of which, something significant has recently happened in the Empire."
"Something significant?" Sulia asked, taking a bite of her pastry.
"A new Sanctuary powerhouse has risen." Ryan placed a document on the table. "Take a look, Sulia."
The previous year, while Kemmler ravaged eastern Bretonnia, Duke Fulcard of Montfort naturally sought assistance from the Empire, particularly from Reikland.
However, the Empire's response was delayed.
Ryan found this odd and asked Oliver to investigate.
It turned out the Empire was dealing with its own crisis.
At the same time, a doomsday dragon named Maratrax wreaked havoc across Reikland, destroying several villages and towns and annihilating the Ebony Hand Knights who went to confront it.
Emperor Karl Franz was troubled by how to address this threat. He offered a substantial reward and planned to organize a large army from Altdorf to slay the dragon.
Yet, a rising star resolved this issue for the Emperor.
His name was Markus Wolfhart, a powerhouse in the Sanctuary.
This hunter and his monster hunter group ambushed the dragon on the Reik River. When the dragon attempted to fly over the river, Markus shot it through the heart with three arrows, killing it.
This act shocked the entire Imperial court. Emperor Karl Franz was both surprised and delighted by Markus's achievement. Since Markus was from Middenland, the Emperor not only dispatched the Reikland Guard to honor him but also personally summoned the dragon-slayer to Altdorf, planning to make him a baron and grant him a fertile estate as a reward.
However, Markus declined the title, requesting instead to continue his hunt, having vowed never to rest until all monsters in the Empire were exterminated.
Impressed by Markus's resolve, Emperor Karl ordered the Imperial Treasury to bestow upon him the Amber Bow, a magically enhanced and blessed weapon that guides its arrows to strike the hearts of fierce beasts from any angle.
Additionally, the Emperor appointed Markus as "Hunting Marshal" and "Captain of the Imperial Royal Guard," granting him the authority to recruit soldiers as he saw fit.
"Markus Wolfhart, a native of Middenland and a Sanctuary powerhouse. Karl Franz must be elated to have such a talented individual under his command. As you know, Sulia, the Empire has few individuals with Sanctuary-level strength." After Sulia finished reading the document, Ryan explained, "This is why the Empire was unable to aid Montfort."
"When faced with challenges, we shouldn't rely on others. It's best to depend on our own strength." Ryan shook his head. "The Empire has its own difficulties, with too many enemies to contend with."
"Yes, Ryan, you should go see Emilia." Sulia noted Ryan's restlessness and smiled with a hint of jealousy. "This is when women most want and need company."
"I understand." Ryan sighed softly and stood up.
Walking down the long corridor, Ryan reached Emilia's room. Hesitating for a moment, he knocked on the door. "Emilia?"
The door opened slightly, revealing Emilia's delicate face, her expression showing displeasure. "Ryan? What do you want?"
"I came to check on you."
"I don't need you to check on me. I'm not as fragile as you think!" Despite her harsh words, Emilia stepped aside to let Ryan in. "Would you like something to drink?"
As soon as the words left her mouth, she closed the door behind him.
Emilia's room was luxuriously decorated. She wore a simple pink, sheer lantern-sleeve dress, her slender legs wrapped in white stockings. She gestured for Ryan to sit down. The room's design was a classic Bretonnian style, with symmetrical axes, grandiose atmosphere, and elegant details in the carvings and lines. As Ryan entered, Emilia spoke with a hint of sadness. "Only five days left. Elspeth told me they would arrive in five days."
"Five days?" Ryan ignored Emilia's somewhat resentful look and took a seat, smiling faintly at the maid who had been by his side for so long. "I recall you're twenty-five this year?"
"A woman's age is a secret, Ryan!" Emilia pouted, pouring him a glass of cider before curling up in his lap, resting against his chest. "I was seventeen when I started serving you, and you were twenty-four. Now, you're thirty-two, so naturally, I'm twenty-five."
Gently stroking Emilia's back, Ryan sighed. "Is there anything you need my help with?"
"No, I am Emilia and I am also Emmanuelle." Emilia sighed deeply. "I'm not as fragile as you think. Don't forget, I'm the last legitimate heir of the Bernardino family, and I have my own supporters."
"That's good." Ryan, unsure of what to say, pondered for a moment before asking, "Is there anything you wish to accomplish?"
"A wish?" Emilia's expression shifted. Clearly reluctant to leave Ryan, she whispered, "Would you help me fulfill it?"
"Uh, within my power." Ryan quickly curtailed any unrealistic ideas Emilia might have.
Recently, Emilia's body had been changing. She often felt nauseous, craved sour foods, lost her appetite, and was in a bad mood. Ryan knew why and felt an inner joy.
Emilia, aware of her condition, was both embarrassed and anxious.
"Then... could you take me on one last outing?" Emilia, calculating the days, leaned up to whisper in Ryan's ear. "I'd like to experience the Justice Church's hot springs again, just the two of us, for three days and two nights."
"Alright." Ryan picked her up. "Just the two of us."
... [Hot Springs Interlude] ...
Five days later, the army from Nuhr arrived.
Grand Marshal Erstein led the Nuhr Iron Guard, forming an impressive line outside the town. Clad in black armor, the elite troops reflected the sun with their dark sheen. Their formations were precise, each soldier armed with specially crafted long-barreled pistols from the Nuhr armory. Every member of the Iron Guard was a scion of nobility, educated in the Nuhr Artillery Academy and other prestigious schools. This unit was Nuhr's ace in the hole, deployed
only in critical moments.
When they did move out, their enemies faced a terrifying barrage of bullets.
Erstein, in full black plate armor, carried a shining longsword. His armor bore the Imperial Iron Cross and the Nuhr scales and lion crest. A veteran soldier, his vibrant plume danced in the air, his red bushy beard and long goatee marking his experience. Unlike many might think, Erstein wasn't of noble birth but a common soldier who rose to Grand Marshal, inspiring generations of Imperial citizens to join the army and defend civilization.
Ryan mused that only in the Empire's affluent and advanced southern regions could such opportunities exist, particularly in the capital Altdorf and the southern hub of Nuhr. No wonder so many peasants and freemen flocked to these cities.
Nuhr's Black Lady rode a violet dragon, wielding a scythe as she soared in the sky. Waves of deathly magic flowed around her. Numerous mages from the Nuhr Wizarding Guild followed, including alchemists, shadow wizards, light mages, sky mages, and amber wizards—twenty to thirty in all.
Chief Justice Theodore rode a fierce griffon named "Reaper," the largest in the Empire. Behind him were representatives from Nuhr's knight orders, many clad in brightly colored armor adorned with various knightly crests.
This formidable Old World force was stationed outside, ready to escort Emilia.
The winery's gates swung open, and Ryan's elite forces emerged to meet them. Grail Knight Armand held the Ryan family banner, followed by a squad of Kingdom Knights, their armor gleaming, lances standing tall.
Newly appointed Baron Devon Hex led over two hundred Ranger Knights, all waiting in readiness.
Dwarven contingents and the Wood Elf scouting party "Green Wind" also stood by.
Amid the gathered crowd, Emilia emerged from the winery, escorted by Ryan. She held her head high, the innocence of her youth replaced by noble grace and the bearing of a high-born. Seeing Erstein, she smiled. "You're a Grand Marshal now, Erstein? I remember you were just a captain during the Dragon Forest battle. You survived."
"Greetings, Duchess!" Erstein knelt on one knee upon seeing Emilia. "Welcome back to Nuhr!"
"Welcome back, Duchess!" The thousand-strong elite force followed suit, kneeling, and the knights dismounted.
"Please draw your sword, Duchess of Nuhr, Elector Countess of Brescia, true ruler of Wissenland, and Duchess of Wissenland, rightful heir of the Bernardino family!" proclaimed Julien Bafouq, leader of the Nuhr Iron Guard, also kneeling.
"Draw your sword, Duchess of Nuhr, Elector Countess of Brescia, true ruler of Wissenland, and Duchess of Wissenland, rightful heir of the Bernardino family!" The Nuhr Iron Guard roared in unison.
Emilia nodded and finally reached for the sword at her waist. Despite feeling dizzy and nauseous that morning due to reasons she knew well, she overcame her physical discomfort and drew the blade.
In a blaze of golden fire, the Elector Count's holy sword, "Flame of the West," was unsheathed, its sacred light illuminating the entire army.
At that moment, her identity was beyond doubt.
Ryan stood not far away, watching Emilia's figure, overwhelmed with mixed emotions.
Perhaps from today, there would be no more Emilia the maid. In her place would stand Emmanuelle von Lebowitz-Bernardino, Duchess of Nuhr, and noble Elector Countess of the Empire.
Farewell, Emilia.
Hello, Emmanuelle von Lebowitz-Bernardino, Duchess of Nuhr and esteemed Elector Countess of the Empire.
---
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