As always, even in early summer, the Lady of the Lake's Tower remained shrouded in mist. This fog obscured any malevolent eyes and isolated it from mortal sight, turning this small valley into a forbidden zone.
Walking along the corridor leading to the tower, Ryan held Sulia's small hand. "Has the Lady had any new oracles recently?"
Sulia, holding Ryan's hand, nodded. "The Lady hopes I'll conceive your child soon. Also, through divination, the Lady has helped Morgiana recover the golden belt lost in the forest and confirmed that the Alchemical Grail is indeed in Mousilon."
"Excellent." Ryan led Sulia through the mist, thinking that he should make more effort to ensure Sulia gets pregnant soon. "Has the Lady been appearing often lately?"
"We meet about once or twice a week. The Lady brings me to the tower for post-marital training and to chat," Sulia blushed slightly. "She has also given me many things, including new clothes, shoes, and stockings."
"Hmm." Ryan nodded, not saying much more.
As the couple arrived at the tower, Morgiana, the Lake God's sorceress, was already waiting at the door, having sensed their arrival.
Today, Morgiana wore a pink dress adorned with firefly-like patterns and frost dew. As it was summer, the dress was low-cut and high-slit. She wore lace off-shoulder adornments with a floral collar ring around her delicate shoulders and neck. This was a style difficult for most women to pull off, but Morgiana wore it with her unique flair, combining majesty with elegance. Her flesh-colored silk-clad feet were in silver lace-up high heels, giving her an appearance that was both sharp and sacred.
Seeing Ryan, Morgiana's eyes lit up, and she quickly approached. However, noticing Sulia, she slowed her pace. "Ryan? Sulia? You're here? I've prepared the dinner."
"It's been a while, Morgiana," Ryan could see she had dressed up for the occasion, giving her a playful look.
Morgiana responded with a sharp glance and gestured "three" to Ryan when Sulia wasn't looking.
Ryan nodded, understanding. He had indeed been away for three weeks.
Dinner began promptly. The appetizer was frozen Kislev lobster with celery and sweet clover concentrated sauce.
The main course included casseroles of red wine chicken, roasted snails, pan-fried foie gras, and Breton roasted venison.
For dessert, there were strawberry vervain ice cream and scones.
At a round table, Ryan, Sulia, and Morgiana each took a side. Ryan initiated the conversation. "Morgiana, how is your health?"
"I've mostly recovered. Now, the priority is to recover the Alchemical Grail," Morgiana replied while cutting her venison with a knife and fork. "When you lead the army to attack Mousilon, I will join the campaign and locate the Grail."
"I plan to attack Mousilon around this time next year," Ryan explained his plan. "Once the spring plowing ends, we will immediately muster a chivalric army."
"Which duchies will participate?" Morgiana was clearly concerned.
"The duchies of Winford and Bordeleaux will send their main forces. Bastonne and Carcassonne will also dispatch armies to report to me," Ryan stated confidently. "Additionally, the Angrande clan of dwarves will assist us. If possible, I hope to convince the wood elves to join."
The sound of high heels tapping the floor made Ryan realize that Morgiana was not very supportive of his plan. "What's wrong, Morgiana?"
"Too many armies are not good, especially the wood elves," Morgiana said, still traumatized by her previous experiences. Instinctively, she rejected the idea of aligning with the wood elves. "I and my Lake God prophets will assist you, but we won't fight alongside the wood elves."
Through the silver candlesticks, Ryan saw Morgiana's resolute eyes across the candlelight.
"Morgiana, Ryan may not even succeed in persuading the wood elves to join the battle," Sulia intervened diplomatically. She ate gracefully, trying to mediate. "Ryan, you must understand, after the wood elves betrayed Morgiana, nearly sacrificing her to the undead lord, she harbors deep mistrust."
"Hmm." Ryan pondered. He knew the wood elves and the treemen were different. The treemen, led by Drycha, the Wraith of the Woods, had betrayed Morgiana.
But from Morgiana's perspective, all forest beings were on her blacklist.
Ryan understood Morgiana's position. In this country, her authority was even higher than the king's. Such long-standing unrivaled power often bred an imperious nature. Ryan knew that even mild-tempered people could develop such traits over time, let alone Morgiana, who had near-limitless power in this land.
That she spoke kindly to Ryan was a sign of her great respect for him.
"Alright, I understand." Ryan chose to compromise on this issue. "I won't contact the wood elves for the attack on Mousilon."
"Great! At that time, I will lead a squad of Grail Guardians and Lake God prophets to join the battle." Morgiana was pleased with Ryan's compromise, her face brightening considerably. "Stay the night here, both of you."
"Sulia, what do you think?" Ryan, intrigued, turned to Sulia.
"Let's stay," Sulia said, looking at Ryan and then at Morgiana with a meaningful smile. "I think Morgiana would be very happy if you stayed, Ryan."
The atmosphere at the table grew a bit awkward. Ryan and Morgiana were slightly embarrassed. Sulia, knowing about Ryan and Morgiana's relationship, could see through the situation. During the Winter Solstice Feast, Morgiana had signed a "covenant" with Ryan and Sulia, agreeing on internal competition and united front against outsiders.
Morgiana had obviously spent a lot of time dressing up upon hearing of Ryan's visit, something Sulia noticed as well.
To prevent further awkwardness, Ryan changed the subject. Placing his silverware down, he asked, "You mentioned something important you needed to discuss. What is it?"
"Wait a moment." Morgiana stood up and left the room.
Ryan and Sulia exchanged puzzled glances.
After a while, Morgiana returned with a scroll of parchment, handing it to Ryan. "Take a look, Ryan. This is a request from Richard."
Ryan took the parchment and began reading carefully.
Richard, with royal authority, had issued a diplomatic note to the Empire, intending to borrow a contingent of about 5,000 troops equipped with heavy firearms, including some dwarfs and elite infantry. This contingent was known as the "Academy of Fireworks," led by the renowned Imperial General Dietrich and his deputy, Boris von Zhukov. They were equipped with various siege weapons like cannons, Hellstorm rocket batteries, and mortars. It also included elite infantry from Nuln and a rifle regiment, along with a group of dwarf slayers.
Richard hoped Brittany could borrow this army to aid in the attack on Mousilon, promising a substantial payment to the Empire as a gesture of goodwill once successful.
Essentially, this was hiring mercenaries under the guise of an alliance.
"Ryan." Sulia looked worried after glancing at the parchment.
"Hahaha~" Ryan laughed heartily, shaking his head. "It seems the kingdom's nobles have learned my ways after all."
Morgiana sat down, hesitating. "Ryan, I can't refuse this request because…"
"Because I've done this myself, right?" Ryan appeared unfazed, smiling. "No problem, approve it."
"If I lack this confidence, what right do I have to vie for the throne?"
With Ryan's clear answer, Morgiana sighed in relief, smiling. "Good. If all goes well, next year, Leon will also mobilize a chivalric army to attack Mousilon again."
Sulia's face radiated pride. This was her hero, her husband, the chosen champion of the Lady of the Lake, Ryan-Macado.
After dinner, Ryan, Sulia, and Morgiana took a walk in the valley.
In summer, the air grew dry and hot. The valley's vegetation thrived, and even with the mist, the night breeze was refreshing.
Ryan shared the events of his Estalian trip with Morgiana and Sulia, recounting many amusing stories, especially those involving Alfred, which made both women laugh.
Morgiana, like Sulia, held Ryan's arm, closing her eyes. She genuinely enjoyed being with Ryan, not just because of his purifying aura but also because he brought her happiness and relaxation, along with physical intimacy.
It would have been better if Sulia hadn't come, Morgiana thought with a hint of jealousy.
"Speaking of which, Sulia, Morgiana, there's indeed a real-life example of a maid marrying into nobility. It's right in front of you. Remember Boris von Zhukov, the deputy commander of the Fireworks Academy?" Ryan said casually. "Do you know his background?"
Morgiana, not very interested in Imperial affairs, shook her head.
Sulia, being well-informed due to Ryan's connections with the Empire, thought for a moment. "Wait, von Zhukov? Is he related to Elector Count Valmir von Zhukov of Wolfenburg?"
"Yes, he's his son," Ryan laughed. "Boris von Zhukov is Valmir von Zhukov's illegitimate son. His mother was a maid at the Brunswick Royal Hotel."
This was indeed a classic Cinderella story, told and sung by many bards.
Over thirty years ago, Valmir von Zhukov
, then Grand Master of the Bull Knights, went to the Imperial capital of Brunswick for official duties. There, he met a beautiful maid, Anastasia, at the Brunswick Royal Hotel.
Their love resulted in Boris von Zhukov, the only one among Valmir's ten illegitimate children to be acknowledged and allowed to use the von Zhukov name.
Besides, Valmir had many lovers, including a Garland witch and a Kislevian ambassador to Ostland. These were public; there were likely more undisclosed affairs.
Moreover, Valmir was married to Ivana in a typical political marriage, though their relationship was decent, much like Sulia and Ryan's political marriage. Ivana bore him two sons, Oleg and Vasily von Zhukov.
Ryan had met Oleg von Zhukov a few times and found him a kindred spirit, with mutual correspondence.
With Anastasia's success, Ryan didn't disdain the maids' dreams. He continued, "Though acknowledged, Boris couldn't inherit. Valmir sent him to Nuln's Gunnery School, where his excellent performance soon earned him a position in Nuln's army. From there, he rose to a mercenary and then a deputy commander of an army within a few years."
"A brave and skilled general. If Leon's chivalric army can coordinate with this force, we might have a chance to capture Mousilon," Morgiana thought about the campaign.
"Indeed." Ryan nodded calmly, determined to launch the campaign next year.
The young count suddenly felt the current situation resembled a historical moment he had read about.
The ancient promise:
The first to enter Guanzhong shall be king!
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